Topic: The Ways God Fights [Friday 31, March 2017]

Memorise: And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. – Mark 16:20

Read: Isaiah 54:16-17 (KJV)

16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.

17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Bible in One Year: Exodus 39-40, Jeremiah 5:1-17

MESSAGE:

Psalm 24:8-10 reveals our Heavenly Father as the Lord of Hosts, who is mighty in battle. As a Man of War, there are some battles He may fight for you, while there are some others He may fight with you. He may also fight some battles through you. In Exodus 14:13-21, when the children of Israel were confronted with the Egyptians and the Red Sea, they thought their end had come, but Moses told them to be quiet, to wait and watch as the Lord would fight for them. Sure enough, God parted the Red Sea for them to go over, and He drowned all their enemies. The reason why some people are in defeat is because they are trying to fight the battles that only God can fight for them. You may want to ask this question: how do I identify such battles? May God open your eyes to know the battles meant for Him alone! I also pray for you that God will not ignore the battles only He can fight on your behalf. The Lord will arise for you, as you give Him quality praise and worship, and He will drown your enemies.

In a battle against the Amorites in Joshua 10:9-14, while Joshua was busy fighting, God also was busy hurling heavy stones upon his enemies. God and Joshua fought together and victory was won. This is an example of a battle where God fights with you. In this case, God may just be waiting for you to start the fight before He joins in. Consequently, if you wait for Him to start the battle, He may never do so. Take for instance the battle for the salvation of souls; God expects us to go and preach the good news of the gospel to sinners, and then He will back us up with signs and wonders (Hebrews 2:4). If you don’t go out to evangelise, you may never see the signs and wonders promised by God being manifested in your life.

Finally, there are battles God will fight through you. In such cases, God will be behind the scenes while He puts you forward. The enemy will then examine you to see how vulnerable you are. He will be attracted to attacking you because to him, you will appear to be an easy prey. However, when he attacks, God will quietly tell you what to do, and the enemy will be floored. In Mark 11:23-24, Jesus said you are the one to speak to the mountain in faith, and God will move it into the sea. You are the one to condemn any tongue that rises against you while God frustrates every weapon designed against you. (Isaiah 54:17). In all of these, are you correctly playing your part?

Prayer Point: Father, teach my hands to war and my fingers to fight only battles You want me to fight. Also, grant me wisdom to engage the enemy the way You want it done.

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: From Sons to Servants [Friday March 31, 2017]

And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke. – Acts 2:18-19

You and I are living in the most exciting days this earth has ever seen. All around us God is pouring out His Spirit in preparation for the endtime revival that will bring this whole age to a glorious close.

Some of God’s children are just standing by as spectators, watching Him work. Others, however, have become a vital part of it all. They’ve volunteered for service in this great end-time army. They’ve become what the Bible calls the servants and handmaidens of God.

Who are those servants and handmaidens? They are those who have committed themselves totally to their Lord. They are those who, instead of being content simply to be born-again children of God, have gone even further, stepping into servanthood out of love for the Father.

The servants and handmaidens of God are those who’ve said, “I want to be involved in what God is doing in this hour. I want to be His bondslave, available to do His bidding 24 hours a day.”

Those who make that powerful decision are experiencing the great outpouring of God’s Spirit that Peter spoke of in Acts 2. They are the ones whose Spirit-inspired words of prophecy and prayer are releasing the power of God upon the earth. They are the ones whose words are opening the way for the signs and wonders.

Do you want to be among them? You can be. God wants you to be. In fact, He needs you to be!

He needs those who will cut every cord that binds them to this natural world. He needs people He can call on in the middle of the night for intercession. People who will get up and do it no matter how tired they may be.

That’s the quality and depth of dedication servanthood requires. It’s a demanding role but its rewards are rich. Those who are willing to fill that role will be God’s mouthpiece here on the earth in these final days. They will be vehicles of His Spirit and of His mighty power. They will be key players in the Holy Spirit’s greatest earthly production.

Make a decision now to become one of them. Take the step of faith into servanthood today.

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1-21

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: Judgment on Backsliding [Friday March 31, 2017]

Text: 2 Kings 17:9-23

Key Verse: “And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. “ (2 Kings 17:16).

Though God is compassionate and merciful to mankind, He does not allow any form of sin. God had been sending prophets and preachers to the nation of Israel from time to time to warn them of their wickedness and evil ways. But they would not take to any of His warnings. They became obstinate and turned their back to every reproof and correction of God.

They resorted to the use of divination and enchantment and wrought wickedness to provoke God. They took undue advantage of God’s faithfulness to His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Backsliding is a great sin. These fifteen verses under consideration present to us some areas of great importance: The children of Israel abused the privilege of being God’s choice as a nation. They also wasted God’s resources upon them. Anyone who misuses this great opportunity will pay dearly for it. Israel also had the highest spiritual teaching through the word of God.

But they became wicked, rejected God and romanced with idols. They neglected His word, rejected His worship and disobeyed His directives on how to do His appointed feasts. They backslid causing God’s anger and judgment to come upon them as punishment for their sin. God’s longsuffering should never be taken for granted. As loving as God is, His eyes are too holy to behold sin. Israel was rejected because they backslid. God is not a partial judge. The same judgment awaits all who wantonly abuse His kindness, and take for granted His forbearance and deeds of mercy.

Thought for the day: As loving as God is, He is also a consuming fire.

Bible Reading in one Year: Micah 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: The Hope of Resurrection [Friday March 31, 2017]

He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus . . . — 2 Corinthians 4:14

The resurrection of Christ brings hope. The late Emil Brunner once said, “What oxygen is for the lungs, such is hope for the meaning of human life.” As the human organism is dependent on a supply of oxygen, so humanity is dependent on its supply of hope. Yet today hopelessness and despair are everywhere. Peter, who himself was given to despair during the episode of Calvary, writes in a triumphant note, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again into a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

There is hope that mistakes and sins can be forgiven. There is hope that we can have joy, peace, assurance, and security in the midst of the despair of this age. There is hope that Christ is coming soon—this is what is called in Scripture “the blessed hope.” There is hope that there will come some day a new heaven and a new earth, and that the Kingdom of God will reign and triumph. Our hope is not in our own ability, or in our goodness, or in our physical strength. Our hope is instilled in us by the resurrection of Christ.

Prayer for the day: My hope is in You, my resurrected Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! May I never despair, as I remember Your triumph and love.

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: Marking Your Generation with Impact [Friday March 31, 2017]

Scripture: “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing” – Genesis 12:2.

Thought For The Day: When you come to the point where your absence is felt and your presence is noticed, then, you are making a mark in your generation.

Marking your generation simply means, making a mark or an impact that cannot be erased in your generation. It is to exist as a generational asset and not a liability.

When you come to the point where your absence is felt and your presence is noticed, then, you are making a mark in your generation.

A person begins to mark his generation when he begins to exist as a generational problem solver. There are people who do not just exist; they exist to solve generational problems like Joseph. When there was famine in Egypt, Joseph was used by God to solve that problem in that generation. Nehemiah also existed as a generational solution provider; he rebuilt the broken walls of Jerusalem.

The contrast is the category of people who exist as part of the problems. Unlike others who are part of the solutions, these people are problem-personified. Now, which category do you belong to?

My counsel is: be a solution provider to your family, church, organization, country, etc. Let those who know you be happy to be associated with you.

I prophesy the grace to be a blessing rather than a burden on you in Jesus’ Name.

Remember this:  When you come to the point where your absence is felt and your presence is noticed, then, you are making a mark in your generation.

Assignment(S):

1. Determine to always proffer solutions wherever you find yourself.

2. Consciously exist as a blessing rather than a burden.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: MAKING A MARK THAT CANNOT BE ERASED.

Prayer: LORD, I thank You for Your Word to me today. Help me to be an asset and not a liability, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 16:1 to 17:20, Luke 9:7 to 27, Psalm 72:1 to 20, Proverbs 12:8 to 9

Quote: Let your arrival signal change. Let a difference be made anywhere you are found. Culled from CAREER AND WORKPLACE WISDOM by Dr Paul Enenche.

Today In History: 31/03/1932 – The Ford Motor Co. debuted its V-8 engine.

Amazing Fact: Most brands of lipstick contain fish scales.

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: The Greatest Invitation [Friday March 31, 2017]

Read: Isaiah 55:1–7, Bible in a Year: Judges 11–12; Luke 6:1–26

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Isaiah 55:1

During a recent week, I received several invitations in the mail. Those inviting me to attend “free” seminars on retirement, real estate, and life insurance were immediately thrown away. But the invitation to a gathering honoring a longtime friend caused me to reply immediately, “Yes! I accept.” Invitation + Desire = Acceptance.

Isaiah 55:1 is one of the great invitations in the Bible. The Lord said to His people who were in difficult circumstances, “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” This is God’s remarkable offer of inner nourishment, deep spiritual satisfaction, and everlasting life (vv. 2–3).

Jesus’s invitation is repeated in the last chapter of the Bible: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life” (Rev. 22:17).

We often think of eternal life as beginning when we die. In reality, it begins when we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.

God’s invitation to find eternal life in Him is the greatest invitation of all! Invitation + Desire = Acceptance.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your promise of mercy, pardon, and eternal life. I acknowledge my failures and receive Jesus as my Savior today.

When we accept Jesus’s invitation to follow Him, our whole life changes direction.

Insight:

In Isaiah 55, the prophet draws on the imagery of a royal banquet to give discouraged Judeans hope that, despite their suffering, God’s promises to them remained trustworthy. In the background of Isaiah 55 is God’s promise of an eternal covenant with the line of David (Ps. 89:28–29). Isaiah’s report broadens God’s promise to the line of David even further, depicting a royal feast where all Judeans share the kingly role of representing Yahweh to the nations (55:3–5). When Jesus came, He said He was the ultimate fulfillment of Isaiah’s promise (John 7:37) and invited everyone, especially the forgotten and marginalized, to His feast (Matt. 22:1–14). Through His Spirit, Jesus’s followers can enjoy Christ’s abundant life and, as His representatives, invite all the world to the banquet. Who might you invite to the feast?

This message was written By David McCasland [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Sugar came in the middle of the night, chased away honey and became king in the morning. A classic case of usurpation. Today, it is so many people can’t do without sugar. In their morning tea, they must add several cubes of sugar. Regardless, no matter how widely spread the use of sugar, the fact remains that it is a sweetener that cannot be compared to any other.  Hence, the recommendation that you should always take sugar rather than honey. Honey features sugar, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and amino acid. If you have not been taking honey, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency shares the health benefits of taking honey. Expectedly, this will encourage taking honey more often.

Regulate blood sugar

Honey contains fructose and glucose that are needed to balance your blood sugar levels. So, the honey you take the better for your health and blood sugar. Importantly, there is no amount of honey you take that will raise your blood sugar level.

Better exercise performance

Taking honey before an exercise will ensure that you perform optimally during your workout sessions and you don’t tire out easily. At the same, if you take it at the end, you heart speed will slow down quicker and you will feel better.

Perfect for wounds and burns

This is why it is advisable for you to have honey at home. When you apply honey to an external wound and burns, it makes it dry quickly. When next you have a wound or burn, use honey for treatment.

Deal with a cough and throat irritations

Honey can also help in dealing with a cough and throat irritation. It works like magic. Few spoons of sugar can reduce or clear these annoying irritations.

Check cancer and heart disease

Like they say, prevention is better than cure. To prevent or minimise the risk of cancer, you should take honey regularly because it contains antioxidants that cushion the effects of these terminal diseases.

Lessen the risks of stomach ulcers

It is also possible to use honey to limit the risks of stomach ulcer and other bacterial stomach flu.

By Adeniyi OGUNFOWOKE
PR Associate at Jumia Travel

When it comes to doing business in Nigeria, the Igbos of Eastern Nigeria are number one. You cannot compete with them. You find them in every good business from retail to shipping, hotel, hospitality, import and export. They are always there. As in their adrenalin for doing business is out of this world. From the old to the young ones, they blessed with natural business acumen and they have hugely taken advantage of it to create wealth for themselves. In line with this, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency identifies 5 reasons why Igbo have strong business spirit.

They are willing to travel to do business

You should envy the ingenuity and knack for business by the Igbos. Where other Nigerian tribes can never go, you will find the Igbos there. They are on ground fearlessly and painstakingly doing their business. They blend and embrace the culture that you begin to think they are one of them. This is not restricted to the borders of Nigeria.

They don’t struggle with hands on experience

Igbos don’t need or struggle with hands on experience to start a business. They are already set up for success because they haves uncles, aunties, and seniors who are doing business. Hence, they can ease in without stress. They only need to discuss with their significant other that they want to work with them.

They are patient and willing to learn

Despite the fact that they don’t struggle with hands-on experience, they still take time out to learn the tricks of the business they desire to do. You will be shocked that they wait as much as 2 years to learn the business. This is why they are very good entrepreneurs and business men/women.

They love what they do

The Igbos love what they do that is why you find them everywhere. From Yaba to Oyinbo and Ladipo, you find them there. They love what they do and it is also a way for them to survive.

They are natural businessmen and women

You can’t argue with this, the Igbos are blessed with excellent and awesome business men and women.

By Adeniyi OGUNFOWOKE
PR Associate at Jumia Travel

It’s funny that “the one organ in our brain that thinks is often the one we think less about”. The brain is the most important organ in our body and it’s time we pay more attention to its health and welfare. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 8 habits that harm your brain.

Not Sleeping Well

Lack of proper sleep is a bad habit that can significantly hurt your brain. It negatively affects the hippocampus causing a deficit that leads to forgetfulness.

Having Too Much Time to Yourself

Alone time can be great for thinking, reflection and mapping out your dreams and goals. However, when the solitude is too much it can damage the mind and body. It can typically cause brain decline, affect the quality and efficiency of sleep making it less restorative, erode arteries, create high blood pressure, undermine learning and memory and generally take a toll on health; although, most of these effects are gradual and experienced over the course of time.

Eating Too Much Junk Food

Regardless of the fact that you are the kind of person that can eat whatever you like and remain in shape, it is important not be excessive in your intake of junk foods. This is because parts of brain linked to learning, memory and mental health are smaller and less developed in people who excessively consume junk foods. Natural foods like berries, whole grains, nuts, green leafy vegetables preserve the brain function and slow mental decline.

You Play Loud Music with Earphones or Headphones

Placing the volume of your earphone or headphone at full volume can permanently damage your hearing. It can also cause brain problems involving loss of memory or inability to remember things easily, and loss of brain tissue in your later years. This is most likely because the brain has to work so hard to understand what’s being said around you that it can hardly store what you’ve heard into your memory.

Immobility

The body was made to move and the longer you remain unmoving and inactive the more likely you are to suffer from diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, dementia and high blood pressure which can all negatively affect the brain in the long run. You don’t have to start high intensity workouts or start running marathons, just take a walk around your house more often or engage in an activity that gets you moving.

Smoking

At this point, it has already been established that smoking is bad for your body. Aside causing lung problems, smoking also shrinks the brain. It makes your memory worse, makes you more forgetful and leads to problems like heart disease, dementia, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, lung cancer etc.

Overeating

We are familiar with the saying, “too much of anything is bad”. Too much food, even of the right and healthy kind of food, can hinder the brain from building up a strong network of connections to help you think and remember. Overeating can also lead to obesity which is linked to a number of brain problems like food addiction, impulsive and disinhibited eating and in some cases cognitive problems.

Staying Indoor or In the Dark for Prolonged Periods

For the optimum health of the brain, it is important you expose yourself to natural light as often as you can. This helps to prevent depression and keep your brain working well. Staying in the dark or without natural light for prolonged periods, can slow your brain and cause a decline in the brain.

By Damilola Ojo
PR Associate Jumia Travel
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