Topic: A Good Inheritance [Wednesday March 15, 2017]

Read: 2 Timothy 1:1–5, Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 26–27; Mark 14:27–53

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice. – 2 Timothy 1:5

Grandpa and Grandma Harris didn’t have a lot of money, yet they managed to make each Christmas memorable for my cousins and me. There was always plenty of food, fun, and love. And from an early age we learned that it was Christ who made this celebration possible.

We want to leave the same legacy to our children. When we got together last December to share Christmas with family, we realized this wonderful tradition had started with Grandpa and Grandma. They couldn’t leave us a monetary inheritance, but they were careful to plant the seeds of love, respect, and faith so that we—their children’s children—might imitate their example.

In the Bible we read about grandma Lois and mom Eunice, who shared with Timothy genuine faith (2 Tim. 1:5). Their influence prepared this man to share the good news with many others.

We can prepare a spiritual inheritance for those whose lives we influence by living in close communion with God. In practical ways, we make His love a reality to others when we give them our undivided attention, show interest in what they think and do, and share life with them. We might even invite them to share in our celebrations! When our lives reflect the reality of God’s love, we leave a lasting legacy for others.

Prayer: Father, may I leave a good spiritual inheritance to my family as You use me to show Your everlasting love.

If someone has left you a godly inheritance, invest it in others.

Insight:

Paul’s second letter to Timothy is one of his most personal epistles. Chapter 1 is marked by the apostle’s fatherly challenges to Timothy about courageously using the giftedness God has invested in him. In chapter 2, Paul again encourages his young son in the faith to stand firm and grow in a mature walk with Christ. Chapter 3 provides a warning about the difficulties of the days ahead and a call to hold tight to the teachings he has received. In the closing chapter, Paul acknowledges that he wants Timothy to show the same faithfulness to the gospel that he himself has sought to exhibit. Paul shares the disappointment and hurt he has suffered at the hands of some people, but he has been faithful in passing along the faith to others, just as Eunice and Lois had invested in young Timothy. The result was that their son and grandson had become like a son to Paul.

This message was written By Keila Ochoa [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: The Heart of the Matter [Wednesday March 15, 2017]

For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. – 1 Samuel 16:7

Too often we ask God to fix the problems around us when what He really wants to do is solve the problem within us. I did that myself for years where my weight was concerned. I prayed and prayed for God to help me lose weight. Yet I experienced repeated failure. I lost literally hundreds of pounds, only to gain them right back again.

Finally one day, I made a firm decision. I told God, “I am not going one step further until I find out what to do about this!” Then I went on a fast, shut myself away from everyone, and determined to hear from God.

During that fast the Lord revealed the real source of my problem. He showed me that I wanted to lose weight, but I didn’t want to permanently change my eating habits. I was like an alcoholic who wants to be able to drink constantly and not be affected by it. I wanted to eat nine times a day and still weigh 166 pounds!

Suddenly I realized God wasn’t content simply to rid me of the extra pounds on the outside of me. He wanted to rid me of the sin of gluttony on the inside of me. So I repented of that sin right then and there. (It was then that I realized just how hard it is for a man who drinks to face the fact that he’s an alcoholic. It hurts to admit something like that.) Then, instead of asking God for deliverance from my weight problem, I asked Him for deliverance from my food problem.

Sure enough, He did it.

If your prayers don’t seem to be changing the problems around you, maybe it’s time to take a look inside. Maybe it’s time to ask God to go to work on the heart of the matter.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 139:1-10, 23-24

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: Ready for a Breakthrough [Wednesday March 15, 2017]

. . . may the God of peace . . . produce in you through the power of Christ all that is pleasing to him . . . — Hebrews 13:20,21 (TLB)

When I was a boy, radio was just coming of age. We would gather around a crude homemade set and twist the three tuning dials in an effort to establish contact with the transmitter. Often, all the sound that came out of the amplifier was the squawk of static; but we knew that somewhere out there was the unseen transmitter, and if contact was established and the dials were in adjustment, we could hear a voice loud and clear. After a long time of laborious tuning, the far distant voice would suddenly break through and a smile of triumph would illuminate the faces of all in the room. At last we were tuned in!

In the revelation that God established between Himself and us, we can find a new life and a new dimension of living, but we must “tune in.” There are higher levels of living to which we have never attained. There is peace, satisfaction, and joy that we have never experienced. God is trying to break through to us. The heavens are calling. God is speaking! Let man hear.

Prayer for the day: Lord, help me to be so attuned to Your will that I will experience all that You so lovingly wish to bestow

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: Highest Order of Prayer [Tuesday March 14, 2017]

Praying in the Holy Ghost is the highest order of prayer.

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints”. Eph 6:18

It is error free

It is all embracing

It is contamination free

It releases charges to charge the atmosphere.

Praying in the language of the Spirit invites and releases the Spirit to work

Praying in the Spirit connects the human spirit to the Holy Spirit.

It moves the Holy Spirit to interact with the human spirit.

Praying in the Spirit releases uncommon energy. “But, ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost” Jude 20.

Topic: Avoid Comparisons [Tuesday March 14, 2017]

Not that we [have the audacity to] venture to class or [even to] compare ourselves with some who exalt and furnish testimonials for themselves! However, when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding and behave unwisely. — 2 Corinthians 10:12

Advertising is often geared to make people strive to look the best, be the best, and own the most. If you wear “this” particular brand of clothes, people will admire you! Try “this” new diet and lose those few extra pounds—and then you will be accepted and noticed. The world consistently gives us the impression that we need to be something other than what we are.

A confident person avoids comparisons. Confidence is not possible as long as we compare ourselves with other people. No matter how good we look, how talented or smart we are, or how successful we are, there is always someone who is better, and sooner or later we will run into him or her.

I believe confidence is found in doing the best we can with what we have to work with and not in comparing ourselves with others and competing with them. Our joy should not be found in being better than others, but in being the best we can be. Always struggling to maintain the number-one position is hard work. In fact, it’s impossible.

Lord, I refuse to compare myself with others and compete to be better than them. My only interest is to be the best I can be with the gifts and talents You have given me. Amen.

Topic: Still Keeping Old Pals? [Tuesday 14, March 2017]

Memorise: And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. – Ephesians 4:24

Read: Ephesians 4:17-24 (KJV)

17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But ye have not so learned Christ;

21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Bible in One Year: Exodus 4-6, Isaiah 59:16-60:7

MESSAGE:

An encounter with Jesus Christ is such a powerful experience that it can bring about a change of name (Mark 3:16). This change of name indicates a change of destiny. His power of transformation changes you from a sinner to a saint (Romans 1:7). There is no greater change than that of a changed life made possible by the redeeming power in the blood of Jesus Christ. If you were known as a night crawler before encountering Jesus, you will become known as a more responsible person after encountering Him. The truth is, if you really encounter Jesus Christ, you will lose most of your old friends because it would be difficult for them to relate with the new you. They won’t understand you anymore, because you won’t talk the way you used to talk, drink like you used to drink or even dress the way they dress. Following a definite encounter with the person of Jesus Christ, what you like and hate will change, so much so that if you fail to leave your old friends, they will be the ones to desert you. If you say you are born again, and all of your old pals still feel comfortable around you, your salvation is most likely not genuine.

Before I became born again, I had many friends, some of whom were sailors. When they returned from their trips, they brought me assorted alcoholic drinks. Therefore, when my friends wanted to drink alcohol, they would visit me because they knew I would have a lot in store. They sometimes said they could not pass by the house of the king without saying hello to the king. I never knew I was king of alcohol in those days. However, after my conversion, when my old friends visited me, I would offer them soft drinks. They would protest, saying that I already knew the choice alcoholic drinks they normally enjoyed, but I simply told them that I did not stock such anymore. Consequently, I lost most of my friends, but today, God has given me like-minded, godly people as replacements. Have you truly encountered Jesus? What changes have you noticed in your life? Are you still keeping all your old friends, or have they observed the changes in your life and dumped you? Sometimes, some people are afraid of losing their old friends, and as a result, they do everything to hide their new found faith from them. This is unacceptable in the Kingdom of God. The reality is that if you have met Jesus, you are linked to the greatest Friend anyone could ever have. You should be proud of that and let all your friends know about it. If you are ashamed of Him here on earth, He too will be ashamed to talk about you in Heaven (Mark 8:38).

Action Point: Some people have bars in their houses. If you are truly saved, such bars should not accommodate any alcoholic drinks. Get rid of that alcohol!

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: Excellence – A Secret of the Glory [Tuesday March 14, 2017]

Scripture: Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.’ Daniel 6:1-3

Thought For The Day: Excellence is the answer to prejudice, racism and tribalism.

The ultimate purpose of the church is not just for the handling of the needs of people, but most importantly, the church exists as a place for the development of tangible relationship with God. The church also equips us to become voices and forces for the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. And God is looking for people who will become transmitters of His glory, power, anointing and wealth; people who will be visible representations of the invisible God to their generations.

What then is the secret of people who transmit the glory of God?

A key secret of people who transmit the glory is the spirit of excellence. Our anchor scripture tells us that Daniel had an excellent spirit and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. He was preferred amongst his contemporaries. Thus, excellence gives you access to the high places of the earth. It gives you access to principalities and powers, thrones and dominions. Excellence is the answer to prejudice, racism and tribalism.

Excellence increases favour and opportunities. Quality attracts quantity. Excellence produces beauty and beauty compels attraction.  An excellent man attracts Divine Presence because God is an excellent God.

Beloved, if you want the anointing of God to increase in your life, become more excellent at what you do.

Remember this: Excellence is the answer to prejudice, racism and tribalism.

Assignment(S):

1. Demand for the baptism of the spirit of excellence today.

2. Determine to improve yourself and be the best in your career and endeavours in life.

Prayer: In the Name of Jesus, excellence is my portion. I cannot exist below average.  I must release excellence in my generation, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE SECRET OF HIS GLORY.

Quote: The degree of authority and influence you command in your generation is what determines the extent to which people are going to listen to you. Culled from WHO ARE YOU? by Dr Paul Enenche.

Daily Reading: Numbers 21:1 to 22:20, Luke 1:26 to 56, Psalm 57:1 to 11, Proverbs 11:9 to 11

Today In History: 14/03/1943 – U.S. President, Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first U.S. President to fly in an airplane while in office.

Amazing Fact: An Electric eel is known to produce electricity sufficient enough to light up to 10 electric bulbs.

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: Live Intentionally [Tuesday, 14th Mar. 2017]

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

God intentionally made you His child. God was so intentional about your adoption as His son and daughter that He laid out a plan for it. He was so meticulous about the plan of your adoption that He was so detailed and thorough, leaving no stone unturned. And scriptures say we should imitate our Father as His dear children (Ephesians 5:1).

If God was so intentional in all He did and is still doing, we also must live our lives intentionally, and in this regard, accomplish the purpose for which we are apprehended – adopted as sons and daughters. Anything short of this will lead to a haphazard life, and that is not God’s intention for us. We must know that our lives matters in the grand plan of God for humanity. And we must intentionally know, and walk in the light of the scheme of God’s plans and purpose for us.

We must intentionally focus on the core of God’s purpose for us, intentionally direct our gifts and energy, skills and intellect, wisdom and knowledge, intentionally taking advantage of the platforms God, in His benevolence, have provided for us, to make maximum impact in this world, as His sons and daughters. Be intentional in all you do, making sure that you “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Live intentionally.

Keep winning daily.

Prayer:

Dear Father, thank You for adopting me as Your child, and making me relevant in Your grand plan for humanity. By the working of Your Spirit in me, I live my life intentionally, channeling all that Your love has given me to fulfill my role in this life as Your child, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Topic: Loving Your Wife The Bible Way! (2)

Dear Reader,

Welcome once again to this column. This month, God’s Word will make you better than you were last month, in Jesus’ name.

Last week, we began looking at the topic: Loving Your Wife the Bible Way. We saw from scriptures that if a man would love his wife without conditions, he must lay hold on light from God’s Word, as seen in Ephesians 5:25.

This week, I shall be teaching on what I have captioned: Love Expression! Everyone wants to be loved, and everyone needs love. Jesus showed this to be a healthy desire when He asked: Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? (John 21:15).

Love is not love until it is expressed. Even God Almighty did not just assume He loved man; He expressed it by giving His most precious possession –His Son. The Word of God says: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son… (John 3:16). You don’t just love in your heart or thoughts; you must go one step further by giving it an expression.

Husband, until you comply with this commandment to love your wife the Bible way, you may never taste fulfilment in marriage. You make it automatically easy for your wife to response in total submission to you, when you exhibit unconditional love to her.  Remember, no woman resists love or hates to be loved. As you begin to love her wholeheartedly, not minding her errors, she will begin to respond to you, and your family harmony will be kept aflame, radiating the glory of God.

If only husbands could learn to give their wives more attention and more time, their situation will brighten up. Some men can give a lot of money to their wives; but to give their time is the problem. They claim that their time is too precious to be wasted.

Does spending quality time with your wife equal time wasting to you? To give a listening ear to what your wife is saying, thinking or going through should be of greater value to you than the physical or material things you may be privileged to give her. If only you can do this, your discussions with her will not always end in physical combat.  I know I’m communicating to someone right now.

Husband, attempt to be 100% patient with your wife, as you may seem to know better than her. Allow her make her mistakes and lovingly intervene. By so doing, she will be more careful next time, so as not to make the same mistake.

It is throbbing to know that most men find it difficult to say, “I love you.” Well, it could be a cultural hang-up; but Jesus, Who, though is God and is a man among men, set the pace when He told His disciples that He loved them and asked them if they loved Him (John 15:9).

Saying the words, “I love you” to your wife, may be just what you need to do, to cause a transformation in your home. It doesn’t portray weakness like others conclude, but strength. Also, action speaks louder than words, they say. So, if you are confessing love for your wife, but you act selfishly by not giving money for her upkeep and that of the children (1 Timothy 5:8); screaming, “I love you” at the top of your voice, would have no meaning to her. This is because your actions are disproving your love.

To sum up, God is love! To bring God, Who is righteousness, peace and joy personified into your marriage and home, you must love your wife unconditionally. Remember, love is not love until it is expressed. As you express your love to her in particular, and the family in general, great shall be your peace in every aspect of your life.

Moreover, you need God’s help in expressing love to your wife, and that begins with you accepting Jesus Christ as the Lord and Saviour of your home. Say this prayer with me and Jesus will come into your heart, and your home: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

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)