Topic: Secrets of Divine Encounter [Tuesday April 25, 2017]

Scripture: And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. Exodus 4:2-3.

Thought For The Day: God cannot do great things in the life of a person who is full of his own abilities.

One of the secrets of impactful existence is Divine encounter. Divine encounter makes a person’s life to count. Without Divine encounter in a person’s life, it is difficult for him/her to become great in life. Divine encounter counters every work of the enemy in a person’s life.

Now, what are the keys to experiencing Divine encounter?

1. Willingness to surrender personal strength or ability.

God cannot do great things in the life of a person who is full of his/her own abilities. The angel of the LORD touched Jacob’s thigh (hamstring muscle) which is one of the most powerful muscles in the body and weakened him. When God saw his willingness to surrender his personal strength, God gave him an encounter.

2. Willingness to surrender personal steps and strategies.

Moses tried at first to deliver the children of Israel by using physical energy but he failed until he encountered God and God gave him a change of strategy.

Beloved, if you are going to encounter God, you must allow Heaven to give you strategies and steps. If you are ready for God to change your approaches and steps, then you are ready for Divine Encounter.

Remember this: God cannot do great things in the life of a person who is full of his/her own abilities.

Assignment(s):

1. Go through the study again.

2. Surrender your strength, skills, qualification, etc. and allow God to have His way in your life.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE POWER OF DIVINE ENCOUNTER

Prayer: LORD, I surrender my strength and abilities to You. I depend solely on Your strength and strategy, in Jesus’ Name.

Daily Reading: Judges 4:1 to 5:31, Luke 22:35 to 53, Psalm 94:1 to 23, Proverbs 14:3 to 4.

Amazing Fact: An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain.

Today In History: 25/04/1867 – Tokyo was opened for foreign trade.

Quote: Your degree of yieldedness determines your degree of usefulness in the Hands of God. Culled from THOU ART MY BATTLE AXE 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: Joy in Sharing [Tuesday April 25, 2017]

We . . . offer our sacrifice of praise to God by telling others of the glory of his name. — Hebrews 13:15 (TLB)

Jesus knew that one of the real tests of our yieldedness to God is our willingness to share with others. If we have no mercy toward others, that is one proof that we have never experienced God’s mercy. Emerson must have been reading the gauge of human mercy when he said, “What you are speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.” Satan does not care how much you theorize about Christianity, or how much you profess to know Christ. What he opposes vigorously is the way you live Christ.

Some time ago a lady wrote and said, “I am 65 years old. My children are all married, my husband is dead, and I am one of the loneliest people in all the world.” It was suggested to her that she find a way of sharing her religious faith and her material goods with those around her. She wrote a few weeks later and said, “I am the happiest woman in town. I have found a new joy and happiness in sharing with others.” That’s exactly what Jesus promised!

Prayer for the day: There is no greater joy, Father, than sharing Your love. Help me to convey this in all my dealings with others.

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.

Topic: Power Of Appreciation [Monday April 24, 2017]

Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted… – John 6:11

Nothing depreciates in the face of appreciation.

Favour and additions answer to praise (Acts 2:47)

Appreciation always yield multiplication –John.6:11.

A grateful heart is the guarantee for a fruitful life.

Never you ask, “What is this?” if you don’t want it to remain as it is.

”What is this?” was the question the children of Israel asked that led to their not having change of menu.

Murmuring leads to stagnation and emptiness.

At the root of appreciation is contentment.

Contentment destroys murmuring.

Lifting God up is what lifts you up from lack and want. John.12:32.

Failure to appreciate God is a robber of destiny.

Truly, appreciation of God leads to appreciation of destiny.

Topic: The Written Word [Monday April 24, 2017]

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. — Psalm 119:105

The Bible is written as a personal letter to you. God speaks to you, ministers to your needs, and directs you in the way you should go in His written Word. He tells you what you should do and how you should live.

It is a mistake to think we can hear clearly from God without spending time in the Word. Knowing the written Word protects you from deception. Listening for God’s voice without being dedicated to spending time in the Word on a regular basis opens you up to hearing voices that are not from God. There may be times when God speaks something to you that is outside a specific chapter and verse of the Bible, but it will always be in agreement with His Word.

Tonight, spend time reading a portion of God’s personal letter to you and allow Him to speak to your heart. God’s Word is one of the most precious gifts we have. Treasure it.

Topic: Another Jonah in The Church? [Monday 24, April 2017]

Memorise: And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. – Mark 16:15

Read: Ezekiel 33:1-6 (KJV)

1 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:

3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;

4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.

5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.

6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.

Bible in One Year: Number 16-17, Jeremiah 19:10-20:6

MESSAGE:

We are often quick to judge Biblical characters when they do not measure up to God’s expectation in one area or the other. We should however not allow our judgemental opinions to becloud our minds from the salient lessons God is trying to pass across to us through the failings of these characters. To drive home this point, the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 10:11 says,

“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

Among such characters are father Abraham and Isaac, who both misrepresented their wife as their sister. We also have prophets like Elijah, who opted to die in the face of adversity, and Jonah, the prophet who chose to run away from God’s assignment. In the New Testament, we have apostles like Thomas, who said he would not believe in Christ’s resurrection unless he saw and touched the palms of His hands. The shortcomings of these characters exposes their humility to us, and it also serves as a challenge to us that if characters with such shortcomings can go on to do great things for God, so can we in spite of our inadequacies.

Let’s take a closer look at Prophet Jonah, and compare his attitude to that of believers in the Church today. In Jonah 1, we read of how the word of the Lord came to him, instructing him to go and warn the people of Nineveh against the impending doom hanging over their heads because of their wickedness. Instead of carrying out God’s assignment, Jonah chose to flee to Tarshish, because he wanted the people of Nineveh to receive God’s judgement. He knew if these people heard the warning and repented, God would not punish them as He had earlier planned. However, Jonah wanted them to receive God’s punishment because of all they had done to the children of Israel. In like manner, our Lord Jesus Christ has commanded us to go and preach the gospel of salvation to sinners. Following the principles set out in our Bible reading, if we do not obey the Lord’s commandment, God forbid that their blood be required of us. We must beware of Jonah’s mistake so that none of us becomes another Jonah in the Church. Jonah landed in the belly of a fish before he understood the foolishness of trying to run away from God. Are you being called into the ministry of soul-winning? Stop running from your responsibility! Let us take the assignment of soul-winning seriously, and we will not miss our reward. Proverbs 11:30 says,

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”

Prayer Point: Father, help me to win souls for You on a daily basis.

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: Our Ability and Intelligence [Monday, 24th April 2017]

But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:24

When we say the Christian life is an amazing life, we are not exaggerating. We’ve got the best life powered by God’s Spirit. As a result of the salvation Christ has given to us that believe, Christ to us is God’s Power and Wisdom. And these have been given to us. We not only have access to the salvation of God, we now have access to his power and wisdom. Glory to God! The treasures of wisdom and efficacious power of God abound abundantly in us.

Power (dunamis in Greek) means among other things, ability. The supernatural ability of God is resident in us. This ability is inherent. It is as a result of the life of God which we have. This ability is dynamic in its functionality (James 5:15 AMP). That is, it functions in all areas of our lives. Isn’t that amazing? Wherever we appropriate the ability of God in us, it functions seamlessly, as long it is done in faith. You have the dynamic ability of God, and you can do all things (Philippians 4:13).

You not only have the dynamic ability of God, you also have the super intelligence of God. Wisdom (Sophia in Greek) is translated, among other things, as super intelligence. Listen beloved, you are super intelligent. There is nothing in this world that is beyond your intellectual capacity. The measurement of your intelligence is measured by God’s intelligence because you have His intelligence. You have the unction – super intelligence – of the Holy One and you know all things (1 John 2:20). Christ has been made to you super intelligence. You have the intelligence to tackle any problem. You have the intelligence to create things that are mind blowing. You have the intelligence to be super creative. You have the super intelligence of God.

Keep winning daily.

Prayer:

I have, inherent in me, the dynamic ability and super Intelligence of God. I am capable of to doing all things. Nothing is beyond my capacity. I think trailblazing thoughts. I am super creative and smart. I comprehend all things because of the super intelligence of God. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Topic: Inside Out [Monday April 24, 2017]

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. – 2 Corinthians 3:18

Have you ever thought about the fact that man is the only creature God created who has to wear clothing to cover himself? All the other creatures grow their own coverings. Some grow fur, some feathers, others scales or leathery hide. But all are clothed from the inside out!

Most people don’t realize it, but in the beginning, man was clothed that way too. He was made in the image of God. And, if you’ll look in Ezekiel 8:2, you’ll find that God is clothed in fire from the loins up and from the loins down. That fire is His glory emanating outward from His innermost being.

When man was first created, he was like that too. He was covered with the very glory of God. It radiated from his inner being outward. That’s why he had no sense of nakedness until after he sinned and the glory departed from him.

It was a tragic day when man lost that glorious covering. But I want you to know something today. It’s not lost forever. The Word of God says we can gain it back.

You see, when you put your faith in the blood of Jesus and were born again, the glory of God once again took up residence in you. It may be well-hidden right now, but believe me, it’s in there.

And the Bible says that as you gaze into the Lord’s face by studying the Word and fellowshiping with Him, as you renew your mind to understand who you are in Christ, you’ll be changed into His image on the outside as well. As you learn to hear His voice and obey it, you’ll start giving outward expression of the glory within you. Little by little, you’ll be turned inside out!

Instead of simply staring into your closet every morning, spend some time gazing at Jesus and beholding His Word. Let Him clothe you in His radiant presence. Once His glory starts shining through, anything you wear will look beautiful on you.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 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: You Must Be Fruitful (4)

Dear Reader,

Today, we shall be exploring the topic: Having and Raising Godly Children.  Every child needs to undergo a process of molding, as he or she is instructed and drilled in preparation for the contests of life. In other words, every child needs training. Why? This is because God is in search of godly seeds, and the only way to have godly seeds is through training.

The Bible speaking to couples says: … Yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth (Malachi 2:14-15). For us to make a difference as parents, we must learn the act of not only having children, but also raising them unto the Lord as godly children, who will live and impact their generation for Christ.

No one comes into the world by chance. For every human creation of God (male or female), there is a purpose for him or her. We must be ready, therefore as caretakers of God’s creature, to discharge our duties with utmost care and according to God’s pattern. I believe, therefore, that this article will be a useful tool for both the singles and the married.

For the singles, you have the additional privilege of having all the aces in your hands before you actually begin the experience. If you are young now, remember that one day it will be your turn to marry and begin to raise a family. So, you need this wisdom of God. If you know these things now and you set yourself to applying them, the Bible says, you will be happy. The Word of God never grows old. For those who are about to marry, as you look forward to a godly man coming your way, also begin to plan and get ready to raise  godly children unto the Lord. To the married, having raised or still in the process of raising children, let us seek the ways of God which are higher, better and more result-producing than our ways; that is where we will find rest for our souls. For the grannies, the Bible commands us to ‘teach the younger women‘ (Titus 2:4). Let us learn and pass godly instructions to the future generation, so that our world will be a better place. May the good Lord give us all understanding!

I implore you, therefore, to fasten your seat belt and let your heart be open. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 8:2: And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. Don’t just read and assume that you know it; empty the cup of your mind, and let God fill you. Don’t finish reading this article and throw it away; pick it up again and read it until the light of the Word dawns on your soul and a daystar arises (2 Peter 1:19). The Word of God can never fail. So, if God is ready to speak to us consecutively through this month on this series, we had better pay attention. He doesn’t speak idle words, because our lives and future depend on them. As parents, it is important for us to understand how God sees our children because until we do, we cannot show them the exact direction to go. What is God’s perspective of our children?

Children are His heritage

The Bible says: Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward (Psalms127:3). As far as God is concerned, children are His heritage. The word “heritage” means inheritance. Just as divine health is part of your inheritance in redemption, so are children. Just the same way you will react against sickness and disease, knowing that it is the devil trying to rob you of your inheritance, you must react against barrenness.

When the devil tells you through your thoughts that there’s no way you can have children, don’t start weeping. No! You have what it takes to stand your ground and tell him, “Devil, to hell with you! Children are the heritage of the Lord; not you. They are part of my inheritance in redemption. You can’t rob me of my inheritance. Now loose your grip!” I assure you that despite any negative medical report, you will carry your own children in your hands! When you stand your ground, God will honour your faith. In case the devil has made you to shed secret tears because you are yet to have children, I want you to settle in your heart that God has more than enough children for you and He will not deny you the privilege of carrying yours!

Children are in His agenda

God must see children as important; otherwise, they would not have played important roles in His agenda, right from the beginning. Look at Samuel: as a child, he had begun to hear and understand the voice of God. What about David? He was a youth, not an adult, when he killed Goliath. Then, what would you say about Jesus? By the time He was twelve, the Bible says He was already in the temple, reasoning with doctors of the law. So, as a child, He was already in God’s agenda. All through scripture, children have always played important roles in God’s agenda. That is why I know that there is a place in God’s agenda for your children. Please allow them to fit into it.

Jesus Blessed Them

One further proof that God sees our children as very important is found in the life of Jesus. Jesus spent a great part of His ministry blessing children. He helped, healed, raised them from the dead, etc. If Jesus spent time blessing them, why do you see yours as a curse? The Bible records in Matthew 19:13-15: Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them.

Jesus did not only carry the children and bless them, He taught His disciples to respect them. So, children too deserve respect. What is wrong in saying sorry to them when you offend them? That word of apology may look small but those children never forget. But if you keep hurting them and never say “sorry,” you may think that they have forgotten but even after many years, the pain will still be there. If the disciples had to learn to respect children, so must you, because the children of today are the generation of adults tomorrow. Children are therefore not nonentities; they are young human beings. If you have this perspective of them, you will be able to train them more effectively.

It takes being a child of God to truly comprehend and understand the place of a child in God’s agenda. If you are not yet born again and you would like to, please pray this simple prayer: “Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today acknowledging that I am a sinner who needs Your forgiveness. I believe You died for me and rose again on the third day. Forgive me of my sins, wash me with Your Blood and write my name in the Lamb’s Book of life. Thank You Lord for saving me.”

If you prayed this simple prayer, 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).

Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, 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).