Topic: When Does God Work? [Wednesday February 1, 2017]

…When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up  a standard against him. – Isaiah 59:19

You don’t know who strong your God is until you are face with strong men.

God is strongest when the battle is toughest.

You don’t know how strong your God is until you are faced with strong men.

Whenever you are confronted by mighty men, remember the almighty God.

God steps into your matter only when you don’t know what next to do and where next to turn as human. IIChr.20:1-24.

You don’t know what God can do until you acknowledge that you don’t know what you can do.

He is described as the very present help in trouble, and that is when we think he is absent. Ps. 46:1.

The anointing became strongest on Samson when the Philistines shouted the loudest on him. Judges 15:14-17; 14.5-6.

God rises to scatter His enemies only when they have gathered. Ps.66:1. God does not engage in small fight.

God is too big to be invited into a small fight.

God rises only to challenge.

What it takes to move God against your opposition is faith that is demonstrated by the combination of rest, (calmness) and action.

Topic: God Speaks a Fresh Word [Wednesday March 1, 2017]

Seek, inquire of and for the Lord, and crave Him and His strength.… — Psalm 105:4

When King Jehoshaphat heard that a huge army was amassing to attack Judah, he knew what to do. He needed to set himself to seek not the advice of the people, but to seek God and hear directly from Him.

No doubt, Jehoshaphat had been involved in other battles before this one, so why couldn’t he use the same methods he had employed in previous situations? No matter how many times something has worked in the past, it may not work to solve a current crisis unless God anoints it afresh. He may anoint an old method and choose to work through it, but He may also give us brand-new direction, instructions we have never heard before. We must always look to God, not to methods, formulas, or ways that have worked in the past. Our focus, our source of strength and supply, must be God and God alone.

Jehoshaphat knew that unless he heard from God, he was not going to make it. The Amplified Bible calls his need to hear God’s voice “his vital need.” It was something he could not do without; it was vital. It was essential to his life and the survival of his people.

You may be in a situation similar to Jehoshaphat’s. You, too, may need a fresh word from God. You may feel that, like a drowning man or woman, you are going under for the last time. You may be desperate for a personal word from God in order to survive.

God wants to speak to you even more than you want to hear from Him. Seek Him by giving Him your time and attention, and you won’t be disappointed.

God’s Word for You Today: Be open to hear a fresh word from God today.

Topic: Sowing in Tears [Wednesday 1, March 2017]

Memorise: They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. – Psalm 126:5

Read: Psalm 126:5-6 (KJV)

5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Bible in One Year: Genesis 27 and Isaiah 47:14-48:11

MESSAGE:

More often than not, we associate sowing with giving of money. For this reason, some people who do not have money believe they do not have anything to sow. This is far from the truth! If you do not have money, you can sow your time or talents into the work of the kingdom. Be it through praying, using your natural talents or your acquired skills/training, there is no one who has nothing to sow. Even if all you can do is smile, you can apply this in making new comers to church feel welcome. If you are a dramatic person, use it for the propagation of the gospel. Everyone has something to sow; all you need to do is to identify what you have. Romans 12:6-8 says,

“6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

When you sow a seed in tears, you will reap its yield in joy. Moreover, what you reap will be determined by what you have sown. You can sow towards the salvation of a loved one, telling God that he or she must not go to hell. To this end, you can sow prayers, fasting and witnessing to the fellow. The day such a soul eventually becomes saved; you will definitely reap the joy of heaven (Luke 15:7). I cannot forget the wife of one of my friends; I was his best man at their wedding. My friend’s wife would say to me, “Please give your life to Christ and be born again.” But I would tell her “I am already a Christian, and my Christian name is Enoch.” She would reply, “That is not what I am talking about”, and then she would begin to cry. I would look at her and wonder what was wrong with her, saying “I am not the worst fellow around; at least you can ask your husband. He knows I am a good person. “However, she kept on praying and crying, sowing in tears for my salvation. Today, she is now laughing. When last did you sow towards the salvation of a loved one – family or friend? Some of us attempt to preach to such a fellow once or twice, but after being rebuffed, we say “I have done my best; if you like, refuse to repent. Your blood can no longer be required from my hands.” Yes, you have made attempts, but you have not yet done your best. You have to keep at it, and in Jesus’ Name, you will reap in joy.

Action Point: The salvation of some people requires great sacrifice. Ask God for the grace to pay the required price of the salvation of all your loved ones.

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: Precursor to Mercy [Wednesday March 1, 2017]

Text: Amos 7:4-9

Key Verse: “Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD” (Amos 7:5,6).

God prompts His people to pray because He is the living God; He hears because He is the Loving God; He acts because He is the Covenant keeping God. The sinful world is rushing to a precipice of everlasting judgment. There should be an Amos who will preach to men and plead with God! Israel, the chosen one, had incurred the displeasure of God by going into sin and departing from the Lord. The rod of judgment had repeatedly visited the land, yet His people did not return to Him.

Just before this revelation of a more severe judgment on Israel to Amos, 1000 talents of silver had been gathered and paid to assuage Assyria. Even then, they returned not to the source of their blessings. God was looking for a man to stand in the gap so that He might not destroy the land. He found Prophet Amos, and showed him in quick succession the judgment coming on the people. In each case, Amos interceded on behalf of the people, and the Lord stayed His hand.

God is not willing that any should perish but that all would repent and be converted. There is a ceaseless clarion call for all sinners and backsliders to read the signs of the times concerning the impending judgment and cry mightily unto the Lord for mercy.

Thought for the day: Take care to pray for prayer will take care of everything else.

Bible Reading in one Year: 1 Samuel 6-7

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: All of Me [Wednesday March 1, 2017]

Read: Matthew 27:45–54, Bible in a Year: Numbers 23–25; Mark 7:14–37

Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1

Young Isaac Watts found the music in his church sadly lacking, and his father challenged him to create something better. Isaac did. His hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” has been called the greatest in the English language and has been translated into many other languages.

Watts’s worshipful third verse ushers us into the presence of Christ at the crucifixion.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

The crucifixion Watts describes so elegantly stands as history’s most awful moment. We do well to pause and stand with those around the cross. The Son of God strains for breath, held by crude spikes driven through His flesh. After tortured hours, a supernatural darkness descends. Finally, mercifully, the Lord of the universe dismisses His anguished spirit. An earthquake rattles the landscape. Back in the city the thick temple curtain rips in half. Graves open, and dead bodies resurrect, walking about the city (Matt. 27:51–53). These events compel the centurion who crucified Jesus to say, “Surely he was the Son of God!” (v. 54).

“The Cross reorders all values and cancels all vanities,” says the Poetry Foundation in commenting on Watts’s poem. The song could only conclude: “Love so amazing, so divine demands my soul, my life, my all.”

It is our privilege to give everything we have to the One who gave us everything on the cross.

Insight:

When the Lord Jesus Christ hung upon the cross, cosmic events accompanied by signs and wonders occurred between heaven and earth. A supernatural darkness came over the earth midday. Many theologians believe that for the first time in eternity past the fellowship between the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—was interrupted. As Christ took our sins upon Himself on the cross, His Father could not stay in fellowship with Him. An earthquake opened the tombs of some Old Testament believers, who were brought back to life. So dramatic were these events that even a Gentile, such as the Roman centurion who oversaw Jesus’s crucifixion, made a declaration of faith.

This message was written By Tim Gustafson [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Let God Rub Off on You [Wednesday March 1, 2017]

For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning…to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness]. – Romans 8:29, The Amplified Bible

As a believer, you’re destined to be molded into the image of Jesus, to grow in spirit until you look just like Him. God’s supernatural power began that process the moment you were born again. You were changed on the inside instantly. How successful you are in allowing this change to progress to the outer man is mostly up to you. We grow up spiritually just like we grow up physically.

What can you do to speed this growing process along?

Spend more time pursuing the things of the Spirit than you spend pursuing the things of the flesh. Become dedicated to the Word of God and to fellowship with Him. Be willing to pull aside from the busy things of life and get alone with Him, so He can guide you, teach you and share His likeness with you.

Have you ever noticed that if you spend time around people who have strong personalities, you will automatically be affected by them? You’ll find yourself doing the things they do. Their mannerisms will rub off on you. You can’t help it. They just influence you, especially if they are people you respect and admire.

The same thing is true in your relationship with God. If you spend enough time with Him, He’s going to rub off on you! His ways will become your ways.

So make yourself available to Him by praying in the spirit and worshiping and loving Him. Hang around His Word and the people who love His Word and live it.

Before you know it, you’ll begin to notice yourself changing. You’ll find your character becoming more like His. You’ll begin to think like He does and talk like He does and even act like He does. His image will begin to shine forth in you!

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:5-18

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: Meditate on Scripture [Wednesday March 1, 2017]

How can a young man stay pure? By reading your Word and following its rules. — Psalm 119:9 (TLB)

Many of the difficulties we experience as Christians can be traced to a lack of Bible study and reading. We should not be content to skim through a chapter merely to satisfy our conscience. Hide the Word of God in your heart! A little portion well digested is of greater value to the soul than a lengthy portion scanned hurriedly. Do not be discouraged because you cannot understand it all. Go on reading. As you read, the Holy Spirit will enlighten the passages for you. Reading the Bible has a purifying effect upon the heart and mind.

Prayer for the day: Let the enlightenment of the riches of Your Word sink deep within my soul, 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.

Topic: The Generation Transformers [Wednesday March 1, 2017]

Scripture: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:14, 16

Thought For The Day: We are designed to exist as light in our generation.

From our anchor Scripture, we see that every child of God is a mobile light. We are designed to exist as light in our generation. We are the light of the world implies that anywhere we step into, things are to be upgraded.

One major difference between the developed countries and the developing or underdeveloped countries of the world is the availability of power supply. The developed countries experience uninterrupted power supply while the developing and underdeveloped countries have epileptic power supply. So, light equals development. Light is a transformer of a generation.

As the light of the world, we are the transformers of our generation. We exist for the progress and revolution of our generation.

Beloved, as light, you are the transformer of your family, community, city and generation. As a child of God, for an organisation or an assignment to degenerate in your hands is an abomination of your association with God. If you arrive at a place and there is no revolution, something is wrong.

So, make up your mind to light your generation, starting from your family, loved ones, community, and everyone who comes in contact with you.

Remember this: We are designed to exist as light in our generation.

Assignment (S)

1. Determine to impact your generation to the glory of God.

2. Endeavour to connect with God’s Word in order to fuel your light.

3. Endeavour to prayerfully discover the purpose of your existence if you are yet to discover it and deploy your potentials for the benefit of your generation.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: MANIFESTING AS LIGHT.

Prayer: O LORD, shine Your light on me and cause me to light my generation. I receive the grace to make a mark on the sands of time and eternity, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

Daily Reading: Leviticus 24:1 to 25:46, Mark 10:13 to 31, Psalm 44: 9 to 26, Proverbs 10:20 to 21

Quote: Never accept or give any excuse for being where you are. Refuse to blame anybody either. Accept responsibility. Culled from 30 SECRETS TO THE TOP by Dr Paul Enenche.

Amazing Fact: A camel can drink 53 gallons (200 litres) of water in three minutes.

Today In History: 01/03/1896 – Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity.

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: Spiritual Maturity 2 [Wednesday, 1 March, 2017]

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. – Ephesians 4:13

The Lord prices His Church above everything else. Every single member of the Church is very important to Him. No wonder He gave Himself for the church, placing more importance on the church more than Himself. This is why He will always ensure the preservation of and maturity of every individual member of the church, because the spiritual maturity of the individuals culminate in the maturity of the whole body.

This is why the instruments to grow the church to maturity, viz: prophets, apostles, evangelists, pastors and teachers, must be up and doing to see to the spiritual growth unto maturity of the church. Upon them, has been placed a solemn duty to keep the church growing into the full measure of the stature of Christ. This is a task that must be carried out with all humility and fervency, without any iota of slothfulness. Romans 12:11 says, “not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.”

Most importantly, there are no hierarchies or less or more importance placed upon all these instruments of the Lord. The prophet is not more important than the teacher, neither is the apostle more important than the pastor. They are all of equal importance. You cannot do without one of them (1 Corinthians 12:16-31). You need all of them in your life. This is important so that we can maintain balance and growth in Christ. And these instruments must not also look down on any of their comrades, but must work in tandem for the spiritual maturity of the Church, so that we will all come to the full measure of the stature of Christ.

Keep winning daily.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I pray for the prophets, apostles, evangelists, pastors and teachers You have ordained to serve as media of growing your church to maturity spiritually, that they be not slothful, nor disunited, but fervent in spirit, serving You, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Today’s Scripture: “…His favor is for a lifetime…” – (Psalm 30:5, AMP)

Topic: You Have the Advantage [Tuesday February 28, 2017]

One definition of the word “favor” is an advantage for success. When you put God first, when you obey His commands, you open the door for His favor—you have the advantage for success! Even if someone may have wronged you and it looks like they have the upper hand, even if it looks like things are never going to change, you need to keep reminding yourself, “I have an advantage. God is in control of my destiny. He’s fighting my battles for me.

He is my vindicator, and it’s just a matter of time before things change in my favor.”There’s a scripture in Hebrews that says, “Don’t cast away your confidence.” One translation says, “Payday is coming.” In the difficult times, you have to remind yourself that payday is on its way. God is a faithful God. If you’ll keep doing the right thing, honoring Him and expecting His favor, God has promised He will pay you back. He will restore everything in your life that the enemy has stolen so you can live the abundant life He has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today: “Father, thank You for Your grace, mercy and everlasting favor. I open my heart and mind to You and receive every blessing You have for me. Thank You for favor, the advantage for success, in every area of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.”