Topic: Absolute Dependency on God [Thursday March 9, 2017]

Faith is unyielding and unbending.

Faith is absolute and resolute.

Faith knows no man after the flesh

Faith focuses on God and His Word only.

Faith is uncompromising neither does it look for an escape route.

It burns the bridge and goes head long

Faith doesn’t attempt to look back either.

Faith stands out and make its boast in God.

Faith says, “whatever God cannot do, let it remain undone.”

“My soul, wait thou only upon God: for my expectation is from him” Ps.62:5

Topic: Start Strong, Finish Well [Thursday March 9, 2017]

[We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy. —Colossians 1:11

Everything we undertake in life has a beginning and an end. Typically, we are excited at the beginning of an opportunity, a relationship, or a venture; we’re also happy when we can celebrate our achievement and have the satisfaction of a fulfilled desire. But between the beginning and the end, every situation has a “middle”—and the middle is where we often face our greatest challenges.

Between our beginnings and our endings, we must develop the determination necessary to overcome the difficult circumstances we encounter in the middle. We can be people who finish what we begin. And we can be thankful that we don’t have to do it alone—God will help us if we let Him.

You may be in the middle of something right now. Whatever you find yourself in the middle of, ask God for His strength and wisdom, discipline yourself a little while longer, and determine to see it all the way through to the finish.

Prayer of Thanks: I thank You, Father, that I am not alone in the middle of this situation. You are right here with me, and You are giving me the strength I need. With Your help, I am determined not to quit. I’m going to see this through and give You the glory with a successful finish!

Topic: You Are Blessed [Thursday 9, March 2017]

Memorise: And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. – Genesis 1:28

Read: Genesis 1:26-30 (KJV)

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

Bible in One Year: Genesis 42-43, Isaiah 55

MESSAGE:

God’s voice is so powerful that it can bring about abundant increase. When He speaks in a situation of lack and acute shortage, whatever is responsible for that anomaly is arrested and there is bountiful provision. An example of this can be seen in the lives of the children of Israel. In Genesis 46:26-27, we read that all the people that Israel brought with him into Egypt including Joseph and his family were 70. However, when they were leaving Egypt, the men alone were numbered at 600,000 (Exodus 12:37). In fact, the Israelites’ rate of multiplication in Egypt was so raid that it became a source of worry to the Egyptians (Exodus 1:7-10). Sometimes, we think that such miracles can only occur in Bible times. By the grace of God, in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, we have seen God’s faithfulness demonstrated in the area of multiplication. In 1952, the Church started with about 12 people. By the time I became the general overseer in 1981, we had only 40 parishes including the headquarters. The convention we had in 1980 had a little over 600 people in attendance, yet we thought that was quite large. Today, through the grace of the Almighty God, this same Church has spread to over 174 nations of the world! Why? It is simply because there is a God who can speak from Heaven to make something little increase abundantly. This shall be your portion today in Jesus’ Name!

A blessing summons all the forces in heaven, on earth and underneath the earth to help an individual to succeed. To bless someone, you have to open your mouth to declare it. When God blesses you, all the angels of God will assist you, and even demons will fight one another to clear the way for you. In Genesis 48:8-20, Joseph, while visiting his father Jacob with his two sons, carefully guided his father to rest his right hand on the head of the elder son, Manasseh, and to rest his left hand on Ephraim the younger. At this time, Jacob was old and sick, and could no longer see. When Jacob crossed his hands over the two boys, Joseph protested but Jacob insisted, saying the younger will be greater than the elder, and then he blessed them. Within a short period of time, the younger son had become 10 times more blessed than his elder brother (Deuteronomy 33:17). This is what the declaration of a divine blessing can do in the life of a person. Ask God to declare His blessings on you. You can also seek the declaration of blessings from a father that is connected to God.

Prayer Point: Father, from today, let me experience Your blessing of multiplication in every area of my life.

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: God’s Design For A Successful Family Life!

Dear Reader,

You are welcome to another edition of ‘Family Success’.  This month, via the Word of God, I will be exposing you to God’s design for a successful family life. In this end-time, when the devil is doing more wickedly, it is essential that the secrets that make family life a testimony are discovered.

This week, I shall be teaching on The Family Garden. The family is a type of garden planted by God, Himself, for your pleasure, abundance and fulfilment. The dictionary defines a garden as a piece of ground that is used for growing things, such as flowers, fruits, vegetables, etc.

The Family Garden, however, is not ordinary. God’s Word makes us to understand that it is full of treasures. Treasures are highly valued objects.  They can be traded with to make great profits. In essence, there are highly valued objects in the family garden, which you can trade profitably with, to bring you out of the realm of the natural to the supernatural.

To keep and dress the garden God had placed man, is the first assignment ever given to him. “Dressing and keeping a garden” entails a process that requires a farmer to dig around the plants, as he prunes and tends them. This assignment is necessary, in order to have access to the treasures in the family.

You will observe that I said, “Dressing and keeping”, not wishing. You cannot get the treasures in marriage by wishing. I’m sure you must have heard over and over, that if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. But, wishes are not horses! So, you cannot stay in your house and say, “How I wish I can enjoy the treasures in the family.”

If you want the treasures of peace, joy, fulfilment and satisfaction that the family garden carries, then you will do some practical digging for those treasures. However, family treasures cannot be dug with a digger. This is because there are tools (both spiritual and practical) that are required for this exercise.

First, there’s a need to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour; else, the struggle will continue. God’s Word says: …For without me ye can do nothing (John 15: 5). God, Himself, established the family and placed man in the garden He planted. So, He alone knows where the treasures in that family garden are located. That is the fundamental reason we need Him; to show us where and how to dig. Otherwise, all our efforts will be eternally fruitless.

The tool of Wisdom is the second requirement. The Bible says: Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established (Proverbs 24:3). Every wise farmer ascertains that wisdom cannot be done away with, in digging for treasures. In fact, any careless digging could destroy the very treasures you are seeking for. For instance, to apply the technique used in harvesting yams for maize will end in useless harvest. So, also, are the treasures in the family garden.

What then is WISDOM? Wisdom is the correct application of knowledge.  God’s Word says that Wisdom is hearing the sayings of our Lord Jesus Christ and doing them (Matthew 7:24-25). It demands that you take steps in applying correctly, all you have learnt of God in your family life. Only then, will you begin to reap the fruits of a successful family. The place of wisdom in building a successful marriage cannot be overemphasized because wisdom is the principal thing on which all other things rest (Proverbs 4:7).

No matter how long you may have been married, how smooth or rough the journey has been, you can still lay hold on God’s treasure in your marriage by giving Him a chance to use your home to show forth His glory this end-time.  So shall it be in Jesus’ Name!

This Sister’s testimony can be reproduced in your own family: “When I was ready for marriage, I noticed that some things were working against me. But I was not a serious Christian then. However, when I dedicated my life fully to Jesus in 1992, it became obvious that I lacked wisdom and counsel. But, as I joined this church, through the depth of understanding in God’s Word shared and practised, my life and marriage acquired meaning, and direction. My family has increased remarkably, and I now apply myself to the wisdom of God that He has imparted to me, by reason of the teachings and ministrations I get here.” – Opara, C.

Like I earlier mentioned, the starting point to enjoying the treasures in marriage is in accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. If you want to receive His free offer of salvation, say this prayer with me: 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).

Topic: The Place of Prayer – An Atmosphere of Power [Thursday March 9, 2017]

Scripture: Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. James 5:17-18

Thought For The Day: When you are a man or woman of prayer, you are licensed to speak on behalf of Heaven.

Prayer is a major secret of power. That is why men and women of prayer are people of power. From our anchor Scripture, we see that Elijah was a man of prayer, so, he manifested unusual power.

Beloved, prayerlessness is the reason for powerlessness. A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian. The revival of a prayer life equals the generation of power.

Now, what are the products of prayer in the life of a person?

1. Prayer positions a person in the Presence of God (1kings 17:1). It gives a person a stand before God; and a stand with God is a stand in power.

2. Prayer positions a person as a Kingdom representative on earth. It gives a person an Ambassadorial mantle. It brings a person into partnership with God for the establishment of God’s Will on earth. Elijah, Daniel, Esther etc. represented God in their generations because they were people of prayer.

When you are a man or woman of prayer, you are licensed to speak on behalf of Heaven; and when Heaven declares you their representative, you become dangerous to the kingdom of darkness.

Remember this: When you are a man or woman of prayer, you are licensed to speak on behalf of Heaven.

Assignment (S)

1. Live a life of prayer; have a daily prayer schedule of at least one hour.

2. Avoid a life of compromise.

3. Determine to enforce the order of God wherever you find yourself.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: POWER IN PRAYER

Prayer: O LORD, draw me closer to You. Give me a stand with You at the place of prayer, LORD, in Jesus’ Name.

Daily Reading: Numbers 11:24 to 13:33, Mark 14:22 to 52, Psalm 52:1 to 9, Proverbs 11:1 to 3.

Quote: Prayer is the vehicle of power. Culled from 365 WISDOM CAPSULES by Dr Paul Enenche.

Amazing Fact: More than 100,000 reactions take place in your brain every second.

Today In History: 09/03/1842 – The first documented discovery of gold in California occurred at Rancho San Francisco, six years before the California Gold Rush.

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 Habit of Holiness [Thursday March 9, 2017]

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. – John 14:21

There’s a dimension of living you can only experience when you make a decision to please the Father in every activity of your life. In that dimension, Jesus becomes real to you and manifests Himself to you.

Just after the turn of the 20th century, God poured out His Spirit and started a revival on Azusa Street. It was an awesome time, a time when people’s entire lives were turned inside out. Everything else in their world seemed to lose importance. Supernatural things were happening. God was manifesting Himself in their presence.

The people involved in that revival soon began to be known to the world as “holiness” people. They got that title because they were so obviously different from everyone else. They would let go of anything they thought didn’t please God. They were so caught up in the power of the spiritual realm, they lost interest in natural things.

Few believers today even know what “holiness” means. Even fewer understand the outpouring of God that comes to those who dare to step into it.

Holiness simply means “separated to God.” It’s what you do with your life day by day. It’s ordering your conduct according to the Word of God and the promptings of the Spirit. Holiness is the habit of being one mind with God, of turning away from the ways of the world and living instead in agreement with Him. Holiness doesn’t happen to anyone by accident. It requires a decision of the will. Make that decision today.

Love God with all your heart by keeping His commandments. He’ll show His love to you by manifesting Himself to you in powerful new ways. He’ll pour Himself out on you just like He did on those believers at Azusa Street—and revival will truly begin in you.

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

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: Mistakes Were Made [Thursday March 9, 2017]

Read: Exodus 32:1–5, 19–26, Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 8–10; Mark 11:19–33

They gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf! Exodus 32:24

“Mistakes were made,” said the CEO as he discussed the illegal activity his company had been involved in. He looked regretful, yet he kept blame at arm’s length and couldn’t admit he had personally done anything wrong.

Some “mistakes” are just mistakes: driving in the wrong direction, forgetting to set a timer and burning dinner, miscalculating your checkbook balance. But then there are the deliberate deeds that go far beyond—God calls those sin. When God questioned Adam and Eve about why they had disobeyed Him, they quickly tried to shift the blame to another (Gen. 3:8–13). Aaron took no personal responsibility when the people built a golden calf to worship in the desert. He explained to Moses, “[The people] gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!” (Ex. 32:24).

He might as well have muttered, “Mistakes were made.”

Sometimes it seems easier to blame someone else rather than admitting our own failings. Equally dangerous is to try to minimize our sin by calling it “just a mistake” instead of acknowledging its true nature.

But when we take responsibility—acknowledging our sin and confessing it—the One who “is faithful and just . . . will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Our God offers His children forgiveness and restoration.

The first step to receiving God’s forgiveness is to admit that we need it.

This message was written By Cindy Hess Kasper [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: The Real You [Thursday March 9, 2017]

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith . . . — Ephesians 3:17

Experts have told us that society is sick. Their solutions have treated human frailty with infusions of low-income housing, welfare payments, integrated education, and psychological conditioning. But we are learning that this is not the total answer.

The world does need changing, society needs changing, the nation needs changing, but we never will change it until we ourselves are changed. And we never will change until we look into the mirror of our own soul and face with candor what we are inside. Then freely acknowledge that there is a defect in human nature, a built-in waywardness that comes from man’s natural rebellion against God. I am not preaching now, just trying to give you an understanding of what makes you tick. But I also expect to show you that, in the end, you can find your answers only in a personal relationship with God.

Prayer for the day: It is useless to hide the real me from You. I pour out this day all my innermost thoughts and feelings, Lord Jesus.

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.