Topic: Be Willing to Wait [Wednesday February 22, 2017]

He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles. – Proverbs 21:23, The Amplified Bible

There’s just no two ways about it. If you want to live a life of blessing, you’re going to have to make your words agree with what God says. Not just for a few hours or a few days, but all the time.

And if you’ve ever done that, you know it’s not easy. As time wears on and the circumstances around you appear to be stubbornly determined to stay in the same miserable condition they’ve always been in, it’s hard to keep on speaking God’s Word. But you have to do it if you ever want your harvest of blessing to come in.

When Kenneth started preaching prosperity, I sat out there and listened to him with holes in the bottom of my shoes. We had terrible financial problems but we knew those problems didn’t change what the Word of God said. We knew His prosperity promises were true even if we hadn’t been able to tap in to them yet. So, even though we felt foolish at times, we just kept on talking about God’s generous provision for us.

I realized later that Word went to work for us from the first day we began to believe it and speak it and order our lives according to it. Our prosperity crop began to grow the moment we started putting seeds in the ground. It just took time for them to come up.

The problem is, believers don’t last that long. They start planting well enough, but then when they don’t see immediate results, when the bank account gets low and rent is past due, they get discouraged and begin to speak words of lack and defeat. They tear up their crop with the words of their own mouths, and they never get to enjoy the fruit of it.

The next time you strike out on faith, whether it’s in the financial realm or any other area, keep that in mind. Determine from the beginning that you’re not going to let that waiting period discourage you. Then hang on until the Word of God is manifest in your life. Put patience to work and keep your words in line. You will receive your harvest.

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 18:4-8, 20-21

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: The Enemy Deceives Us [Wednesday February 22, 2017]

In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. —Ephesians 6:16 (TLB)

Many jokes are made about the devil, but the devil is no joke. If a short time ago I had talked about Satan to university students, they would have made light of him, but no longer. Students today want to know about the devil, about witchcraft, about the occult. Many people do not know they are turning to Satan. They are being deluded because, according to Jesus Christ, Satan is the father of lies and the greatest liar of all times. He is called a deceiver.

In order to accomplish his purpose, the devil blinds people to their need of Christ. Two forces are at work in our world-the forces of Christ and the forces of the devil-and you are asked to choose.

Prayer for the day: I have chosen to serve You, my Lord Jesus. Give me Your strength to battle the deceptions of Satan.

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: Dynamics of Vision [Tuesday February 21, 2017]

Vision is for young men because they are strong and enabled to pursue the fulfillment of it. These strategies are crucial in realizing and vision.

– See it

            Vision is catching a glimpse of the future,

            Vision fascinates and attracts.

            Vision beckons motion

            Vision motivates action

            Vision excites the soul

            Heb 12:2

            Vision is foundation for endurance.

–  Share it

            Vision not shared is learning it to die

            Extend the vision by sharing it

            Extend it or extinct it

            Sharing it is spreading it.

            Sharing it enlivens and elongates it

            Sharing it attracts wider participation.

– Seek assistance

            Visionaries invite input of others in the pursuit of vision.

            Inputs of others fatten the vision.

            Raise helpers around the vision.

Topic: According to Your Gift [Tuesday February 21, 2017]

Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith; [He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching. — Romans 12:6-7

It’s a time-tested truth: Most people who criticize others for what they are doing are usually doing nothing themselves. It is sad when people have nothing better to do than criticize those who are trying to do something to make the world a better place.

I recall being a member of one church in which the pastor felt that any woman who wanted to do anything other than pray, clean, or work in the nursery had to present her case to him and the elders for their approval. I was teaching a very successful home Bible study, and the pastor told my husband he should be teaching the meeting rather than me. The pastor had his rules, but God had called me to teach, and He had not called Dave in that way. Dave has other wonderful, valuable gifts, but he is not called to teach. Surely if God had not wanted me to teach, He would not have gifted me to do it—and given me a desire to do it. As far as I can discern from Scripture, God is not in the business of frustrating and confusing people.

Lord, thank You for the spiritual gift You’ve given me. Direct me in how to use it to glorify Your name. Amen.

Topic: Family Government (3)

Dear Reader,

Last week, we saw the place of the woman in handling her primary responsibility to her husband in the area of family government. When the Word is discovered and applied with wisdom, treasures are uncovered that makes for fulfilment in family life.

Handling finances is a very sensitive area in the family. It is important to understand the place of money in the family to avoid tension. That is why, today, I shall be unveiling some key spots about Family Finances.

God’s Word says: For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence… (Ecclesiastes 7:12). Money is simply a medium of exchange, but it is referred to as a defense, because with it you are not embarrassed.

Right from the time God blessed Adam with a wife, he has been the head of the family. This placed upon him the responsibility of providing for his household (1 Timothy 5:8). So, by God’s arrangement, you, as the man, are to provide for your family. You are the one who must ensure that there is food for members of your family. You must also ensure that your family members are well taken care of, especially your immediate family members (Song of Solomon 1:6).

Thus, as a husband, you cannot afford to be lazy. Your hands must be working hands. God’s Word says: Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase (Proverbs 13:11). There is dignity in labour. In fact, God’s Word enjoins that a man who is too slothful to find gainful employment should not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

You are also responsible for catering for your wife and children. If you fail in this duty, you are a failure indeed! It is a curse for the wife to take on this responsibility.

To the woman, everything you have belongs to your husband, even your income. If you are employed outside the home, you must submit all to him. This is so because in family finance, there should be no ‘his’ and ‘hers’. Both should have access to each other’s money. Where there is a joint account, no one should spend money without informing the other.

Trust is the key word in family finance. Husband and wife must trust each other enough to put their money together and be prudent in spending it. Note that accountability boost trust. In a situation whereby no one wants to be accountable to the other, there will be no progress financially. The virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:11 is trustworthy!

Another key point in the area of family finance is giving.  God is a giving God. He demonstrated His love for man by taking the initiative and giving us His Son, even when no man understood what He was doing and could not say, “Thank you”.

Therefore, if you claim to be God’s children, you must imitate Him in all things (1 John 4:7). Giving gifts to one another spices up the family. You can take initiative to surprise your spouse and children with thoughtful little gifts. If it did wonders for you during your courtship days, it will do you no harm to carry the habit over into the family.

Since two are better than one (Ecclesiastes 4:9), you can “better” your giving to the Lord by giving as a family, thus making better your receiving (Luke 6:38). As a family, you must be encouraged to sow seeds. Ensure that your tithe and offering are paid, either separately as husband, wife and children or together as a family. There is a portion to eat and a portion to sow (Proverbs 11:24).

As a family, you must also be generous to the poor, the underprivileged, and those who do not have as much as you do.  God loves the merciful and releases blessings upon them (Proverbs 28:27). When you reach out to bless the poor, God ensures that you do not lack.

It is also wisdom to give to men of God. As a couple, especially, you must provoke each other to do right things. Sowing to men of God, who are placed over us is right and provokes great blessings from the Lord. God is glorified when you handle your money this way.

Also, you have an undeniable responsibility towards your parents. It is your duty to honour your parents according to how God has blessed you. You must honour your parents if life must be well with you (Ephesians 6:1-3).

The “grace to be responsible” in the area of finances is the privilege of those born again. You can become born again by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus Christ into your life. If you are ready for this, please say this prayer: 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], [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: Benefits of Thanksgiving [Tuesday 21, February 2017]

Memorise: Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. – Psalm 103:1

Read: Psalm 50:14-15 (KJV)

14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Bible in One Year: Genesis 6-8, Isaiah 42:10-25

MESSAGE:

Without any iota of doubt, the Lord has been so good to us. He has never ceased to be faithful and kind. If it had not been for the Lord on our side, the devil would have destroyed us. We are who we are in Christ because of the goodness of God. For these reasons and many more, we need to make thanksgiving our lifestyle. Thanksgiving is an indispensable activity for every child of God. For our lives to experience the blessings of the Lord on a continuous basis, we need to thank Him. I sometimes marvel when I see people complain about their situation. Before complaining about your situation, take a critical look at another man’s situation and you will realise that you have enjoyed the goodness of the Lord. A lifestyle of thanksgiving can make a lot of difference in our lives within a short time. Through thanksgiving, lost glory can be restored, as was the case with King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:34-37). When you adore and reverence the Almighty God, when you acknowledge Him as the source of your wealth and greatness, and see all you have achieved as being made possible by His hand, then God will be committed to preserving all He has given you.

Thanksgiving is the door that ushers you into God’s blessings. For His greatness, goodness and wonderful works to the children of men, we must thank Him. The only reason why many of us are not on the street begging is because He is our Great Provider. We walk with our shoulders high because He is our Defence and Deliverer. He remains our Rock and source of strength in every situation. Wherever we gather together as a congregation, I tell my children to praise and thank God wholeheartedly. Thanksgiving is not something you do in a hurry because God also takes His time as He blesses us with unprecedented miracles. There are blessings reserved for those who thank the Lord. He will always launch them to the realm of unimaginable favour.

Our thanksgiving will only be acceptable to God if it comes from a heart of worship. For you to worship God in truth, you must live a holy life. Believers will always win the battles of life, as long as there is no impediment to their worship of God. We must be able to lift up clean hands and a pure heart to our Maker at all times (Psalm 24:3-4, Philippians 4:6). We must be honest and upright in character and reflect the nature of God in our dealings. Keep your heart pure so that your joy can be full. With a pure heart, you can make your request known to God and there will be instant response from the throne of grace.

Key Point: Those who come before God with thanksgiving can never live by the mercy of men.

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: Vital Secrets For A Successful Family (3)

Dear Reader,

Many people have written to me many times, asking me to pray that they have a successful marriage and family life. My reply to every such one today, is that, you are the builder and the architect of your family. If your family life turns out to be successful, you have played a part in its success, even though God is the ultimate Builder (Hebrews 3:4). If your family life is not successful, God is not to blame either, because He always keeps His own side of the covenant. Before your family can be built successfully, you have responsibilities to accept and fulfil.

It is a well known fact that the quality of any establishment is largely dependent on the quality of its leadership. This is also true of any family. Today, we will look at: The main Secret of a True Family Man, in our quest for a successful family.

A true family man is a man of many parts. He is a good leader, who takes decisions, guarantees the welfare of the home and makes provisions for his family members physically and financially. Besides, he is a spiritual beacon, interceding for each member of the family regularly. However, in this article, we shall be looking at one secret upon which all others hinge, which is love. The secret of the love he has for his family is a major motivation that moves him to fulfil his other responsibilities.

Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost said: Husbands love your wives, even as Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it (Ephesians 5:25). The instruction to love your own wife, is not a commandment from a denomination; it is the commandment from the Almighty God. There is a world of difference between the words ‘love’ and ‘lust.’ Love is not only just a feeling of affection, it is a force that causes one to give continuously, not only when the woman does good, but also when she appears to be wrong in some aspects. It is the force that makes one desire and work out the best for the other party. However, when one has the intention and attitude of wanting to grab or to get from the other party all the time, that is lust and not love.

Wherever love is present, it cannot be hidden; it can be seen, it can be read, it can be heard and it can be felt. There can’t be effective leadership without love. However, anyone who draws people to himself, who is touched by their feelings, and shows concern for them, is always an effective leader. As a man, if you want to be in control of your home, you need to use the weapon of love. Love and control are two sides of the same coin. Where there is love, selfishness does not exist!

Loving as much as Jesus loves the church is the standard. Jesus loved the church when it had no comeliness. While we were yet sinners, Christ laid down His life for us (His Church) (I John 3:16). A true family man, therefore, does not wait for his wife to be perfect, before he loves her, but is unconditionally steadfast in the demonstration of his love for her and his entire family.  Whenever your wife is going wrong, lovingly call her back to order. Love sees danger afar off and warns the loved one of that danger by loving control methods.

God’s Word says: Love thinketh no evil (1 Corinthians 13:5). Therefore, always resist any evil thought in you concerning your wife or other family members in the mighty name of Jesus. Use the yardstick of, if your wife could see the thoughts that you’re thinking towards her, would you be ashamed? Next, ensure that you express your love verbally. If you can’t tell your wife you love her, who else do you want to tell? I hear it from my husband continually and it creates in me both the ability to submit and a reassuring commitment to make our home a delight always.

A true family man speaks good and godly words to his wife and children. When he calls his wife a virtuous woman, she longs to live up to that title. As he calls his children gifted and intelligent, they work hard not to disappoint his expectation. He disciplines them when necessary, with a heart full of love and compassion. He interacts (plays) with them, communicates with them, asks them relevant questions, allows them to ask him questions, and answers their questions. He is a good listener and he is always available for his family when they need him. Don’t be too busy to spend time with your family. I heard the daughter of one of the governors say on television that her father still finds time to come to their room and play with them. That gave me a lot of respect for that governor. In spite of his very busy schedule, he still finds time for his daughters.

Husband, if you really love your wife, you will treat her just like yourself. That is a major secret of family success. A pinch of salt looks so little, but when it is absent in any soup, it is very obvious. Similarly, no matter how great every other thing looks in a home, when love is missing, it will be glaring to the whole world. These are the things that make a home sweet. Dear family man, there is no secret anywhere; obedience to these divine instructions will give you enviable results in your family life.

Today, I see grace being imparted on you by all the knowledge you have acquired from this article. Your home shall never be the same again. Peace!

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour why not do so right now by saying this simple prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today.  I am sinner.  I cannot help myself.  Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your blood.  Deliver me form sin and satan to serve the living God.  I believe You died for me and on the third day, You rose that I might be justified.  I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Make me a child of God today.  Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

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], [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: Turning Aside For a Turnaround [Tuesday February 21, 2017]

Scripture: And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. Exodus 3:3-4

Thought For The Day: If you must see a turnaround in your life, there must be a turning aside.

From our anchor scripture, it is clear that turning aside to God is the key to experiencing supernatural turnaround in life. When God called Moses, he saw the bush burning that was not consumed and decided to turn aside to God; that marked the beginning of his turning point in life.

Beloved, if you must see a turnaround in your life, there must be a turning aside.

What then does it mean to turn aside?

It is interrupting your usual business and paying an unusual attention in God’s direction. It means to turn your back on all else but God so as to permit Him to give you a new direction. Note that, you cannot do things as usual and see the Hand of God in your life. A person must come to the point where he or she is tired of the status quo.

It is important to note that what made Moses to tend the flock to the back side of the desert was probably because he was used to the normal side of the desert.
Those who do usual things see usual results. To experience the unusual move of God, you must do unusual things.

Remember this: If you must see a turnaround in your life, there must be a turning aside.

Assignments:

1. Determine to be dissatisfied with your current status in life

2. Like Moses, value your quiet time with God and be ready to interrupt your schedule for the sake of your relationship with God when necessary.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A PRIEST.

Prayer: O LORD, give me the grace to turn to You in order to experience a turnaround in my life. Help me not to be satisfied with the status quo, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

Quote: Let everything about you be planned and organised around your relationship with God. Disconnect from anything that will disrupt your relationship with God, because God is first in your life. Culled from 21 UNCOMMON KEYS TO FINANCIAL OVERFLOW by Dr. Paul Enenche.

Daily Reading: Leviticus 11:1 to 12:8, Mark 5:21 to 43, Psalm 38:1 to 22, Proverbs 10:8 to 9.

Amazing Fact: The Boston University Bridge (on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts) is the only place in the world where a boat can sail under a train driving under a car driving under an airplane.

Today In History: 21/02/1866 – Lucy Hobbs became the first female to graduate from Dental School.

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.

Author: Emode Victor

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: Evil Expectation Shall Fail [20/02/2017]

And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the LORD hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. Acts 12:11. Read: Isa 54:15-17

One of the privileges the enemy have is to gather against the righteous but the righteous is not at their mercy. Every moment of the day, the enemies always plot evil devices against the children of the living God, but God is always on time to deliver His children and frustrate their evil scheme. God is jealous in protecting His children from evil expectation, He would not allow it.

Just the other day, king Herod troubled the Church of God. He stretched forth his hand, took hold of James and beheaded him. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to took hold of Peter to appease the Jews. Just when the Jews were expecting Peter to be brought out to die, the Church entered into marathon prayer and then, God struck the prison and delivered Peter from the prison. God disappointed the Jews who were expecting Peter to died. All evil expectations against your life shall fail in Jesus name. God shall frustrate all your enemies’ expectations over your life.

#BiblePromisesPrayer

* Father, evil expectations against my destiny, family and business shall surely fail now in Jesus Mighty name

Topic: You Understand All Things [Monday, 20th Feb. 2017]

But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Job 32:8

There is no limit to the operation of the Spirit of God in the life of a son of God. The Holy Spirit in a man’s life brings the unlimited modus operandi of God into his life. He is fast-tracked into the realm of the Omni and operates in that realm. Somebody will say it is only God Almighty that is Omni; no man can be omni. Well, it is the same Spirit that makes God Omni that is also in us. The only difference is that God’s functionality in the Omni realm is complete and constant. While for us, we can only know in parts.

In this light, we understand that nothing is beyond our comprehension. We can understand all things. Sometimes, we come into a new knowledge that seems alien to us. And comprehension sometimes might just seem something we can not come into. But there is a spirit in man, and it is the inspiration of the Almighty that gives him understanding. You have the Spirit of God to give you understanding. The Holy Spirit is there for that purpose. There is nothing in this world that is beyond your comprehension. Nothing.

1 John 2:20 says, “you have the unction of the Holy One, and you know all things.” In this scripture, John used the Greek word “eido” for the word “know”, which means, among other things, to perceive, and to understand. Literally, the scripture says, you have the special endowment of the Holy Spirit and you can perceive and understand ALL THINGS. Isn’t that amazing? You can comprehend, not just one or two, but ALL THINGS. That means you have all – omni – understanding. Don’t be scared that you can’t comprehend things anymore, you absolutely can.

Keep winning daily.

Wise Action: Thank God for His Spirit that helps you comprehend all things. When you come across somethings that you are struggling to comprehend, pray in tongues and trust God’s Spirit to sharpen your understanding of them.