Mark 6:54, ‘And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,’
Mark 6:53-56
The word ‘know’ can mean many things from as little as ‘to perceive with the senses or the mind’ to a much deeper meaning of ‘a thorough experience with.’
This knowing, then, is not just intellectual, but a personal, intimate understanding. Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ. Eternal life is having an intimate, personal relationship with God the Father and Jesus the Son. This intimacy with God is what salvation is all about. Forgiveness of our sins is not the point of salvation. This intimacy with the Father is. Of course, Jesus did die to purchase forgiveness for our sins because unforgiven sins block us from intimacy with God. Sin was an obstacle that stood between God and us. It had to be dealt, with and it was. But anyone who views salvation as only forgiveness of sins and stops there is missing out on eternal life.
Salvation was intended to be presented as the way to come back into harmony with God. Instead, it has often been presented as the way to escape the problems of this life and later the judgment of hell. It is possible to get born again with that kind of thinking, but more often than not, people who get saved through that type of ministry view the Lord as someone to help them through times of crisis and not someone to know in an intimate way. Jesus died for us out of love (Jn. 3:16) – a love that longed to have intimate communion with man.
Most non-believers are so occupied with their ‘hell on earth’ that they don’t really think or care about their eternal future. They are fed up with religion. They are looking for something that will fill the emptiness inside. Only an intimate relationship (eternal life) with our Father can do that. We need to tell them.
This message was written by The Association of Related Ministries International (ARMI) is an extension of Andrew Wommack Ministries (AWM). ARMI is a unique partnership committed to providing resources to help like-minded ministers succeed in a spirit of excellence and to draw from the experience and expertise of both the AWM and Charis Bible College staff. (www.awmi.net).
Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children. Someone has said, “Like mother, like children.” Most of the noble characters and fine leaders of history have had good, God-fearing mothers. We are told that George Washington’s mother was pious, and that Sir Walter Scott’s mother was a lover of poetry and music. On the other hand, we are told that Nero’s mother was a murderess and that the dissolute Lord Byron’s mother was a proud and violent woman. The influence of a mother upon the lives of her children cannot be measured. They know and absorb her example and attitudes when it comes to questions of honesty, temperance, kindness, and industry.
Prayer for the day: Thank You, Lord, for mothers who love You. Their influence is felt around the world.
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.
Key Verse: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrite! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them” (Luke 11:44).
MESSAGE:
Hypocrisy is repulsive but has unfortunately become a lifestyle among many so-called Christians. It is simply a life of pretense, claiming to possess what you do not have or acting who you are not.
John R.W. Scott, in his book “Sermon on the Mount”, captured hypocrisy thus; “Hypocrisy is hideous. What a cancer is to the body, hypocrisy is to the Church. It is a killing agent. Unfortunately, hypocrisy is also addictive”.
This, no doubt, captures the reason Jesus vehemently castigated the Scribes and Pharisees whom He described as hypocrites. Hypocrites would criticise and correct in others what they are most guilty of.
The text shows the passionate resentment Christ had against hypocrisy and His determination to expose it, whenever it is hidden because He is an all-seeing God. Christ commenced the direct attack against hypocrisy with His host, a Pharisee who appeared to have invited Christ with the purpose of finding fault. Rather than focus on the dinner and how to courteously entertain his guest, he focused on the actions of Christ and was very quick to point out the issue of unwashed hand before eating.
Christ’s response is no doubt instructive. His immediate reaction and strong words of rebuke for what was wrong in the life of His host teaches Christian minsters not to allow themselves to be silenced by the wealth, position, influence and power of their congregants or benefactors. Ministers must be valiant for the truth and avoid double standard in the correction of their congregation. Jesus applied the same rule to the Pharisees, Scribes and lawyers by forcefully denouncing their hypocrisy.
Although our contemporary society thrives on hypocrisy, genuine Christians can stem the tide by living out the life we want to see in others. Condemning in others what you are patently guilty of is hypocrisy and you should note that Christ will never commend in you, what He condemns in others.
Thought For The Day: The joy of the hypocrite is for a moment.
The Bible In One Year: Judges 18-21
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.
Flatimes’ Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:
Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.
If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
Finishing strong is God’s plan and agenda for His children. That is why it is very important to start the journey of life and destiny with God and finish with God. Having a glorious beginning and an odious end is not God’s plan for His children.
SCRIPTURE: For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: – 2 Timothy 4:6-7
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Whenever a person is disconnected from God, he or she begins to run on an empty tank spiritually.
Finishing strong is God’s plan and agenda for His children. That is why it is very important to start the journey of life and destiny with God and finish with God. Having a glorious beginning and an odious end is not God’s plan for His children.
There were many people in Scriptures who started well and finished strong like Paul the Apostle (2 Timothy 4:7). Others started well with God but were unable to finish strong. For example, Judas Iscariot did not end well (Acts 1:16-20).
Now, what matters in life is not how a person starts but how he or she finishes. Starters are many but finishers are few, and even among those who finished, those who finished well are fewer still.
The question now is, what does it mean to finish well?
It means:
a. Arriving at the end that is not less in impact, result, and product than the beginning.
b. Arriving at the end of your journey without defeat, failure or reproach.
c. Exiting the world in a blaze of glory on a note of victory, and
d. Ending with minimal regret.
Now, one way to finish strong is to develop a buoyant, vibrant relationship with God (Psalm 84:7). The knowledge of God is a sponsor of strength (Daniel 11:32). Anyone whose relationship with God is strong will have a destiny of strength that is unbeatable and irreducible. The Word of God is pregnant with Divine energy. Whenever a person is disconnected from God, he or she begins to run on an empty tank spiritually.
Beloved, make up your mind to feed on the diet of the Word of God continually and you will be shocked to see the resultant effect. You will testify that your level has changed. You must finish strong, in Jesus’ Name.
REMEMBER THIS: Whenever a person is disconnected from God, he or she begins to run on an empty tank spiritually.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Make up your mind to have a daily schedule of reading and studying the Word on a consistent basis.
Practice what you study from God’s Word.
Draw strength from daily communion with God.
PRAYER: O Lord, I look up to You. I ask for the grace to run the Christian race faithfully to the end. Help me not to fail, Lord in Jesus Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: FINISHING STRONG
QUOTE: Your spirituality is not for the purpose of luxury; your spirituality determines your immunity and affects your security. Culled from 15 KINGDOM STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL by Dr Paul Enenche
DAILY READING: 1 Samuel 2:22 to 4:22, John 5:24 to 47, Psalm 106:1 to 12, Proverbs 14:30 to 31
AMAZING FACT: The most prominent theologian in the Great Awakening Revival was Jonathan Edwards. Not a powerful speaker, Edwards still managed to spread revival. From his brilliant mind, he constructed one of the most impressive sermons ever preached.
PROPHETIC DECLARATION/WORD: Your life shall proceed in strength and Impact as you hold unto God; Receive the grace to finish strong and well in Jesus’ Name.
Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Paul Enenche of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Pastor Paul and 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
Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:
Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.
If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
TOPIC: God Has No Favourites (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 8 May 2019)
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Kings 4-6; Luke 24:36-53
FIRE SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 3:1-4
MEMORY VERSE: “For there is no respect of persons with God.” – Romans 2:11
The MESSAGE:
Joseph, Abel, Solomon, Mary, Jesus and David are some of the people that the Bible reports to have found favour with God. Someone like David committed the terrible twin sins of sexual immorality and murder. Rahab was a harlot. Others, like Abel, Joseph, Solomon, were born by parents who had sinned in the past. Yet God says David is a man after His own heart and made Solomon the richest king who ever lived.
Search further and you will find some virgins getting married and being tormented by what doctors call ‘inexplicable infertility’, while a converted prostitute gets married and God blesses her with the fruit of the womb immediately after wedding.
Even more intriguing is the fact that some races (e.g Jews and Europeans) enjoy God’s favour both in their country and out of it while some races get nothing but disfavour both in and out of their countries. Yet several passages in the Bible tell us that God has no favourites: Romans 2:11, Acts 10:34, Ephesians 6:9, etc.
The truth is that God’s favour is open and available to all who put themselves in position to catch it. In fact, those who meet the conditions for God’s favour also pass it to their children. Psalms 37:25 tells that the righteous and his children will enjoy God’s favour. Isaiah 62:2 says humility, contrite spirit and respect for God’s word bring God’s favour. John 1:12 says those who believe and accept Jesus get the power to become the children of God. Galatians 3:7 and 13 also tells us that once we have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, His suffering and death on the cross give us the blessing of Abraham; admitting us into the fold of the Jews!
But then you are wondering why, even after giving your life to Christ you and probably members of your race seem to lack favour. Those who enjoy God’s (and man’s) favour today either got it as inheritance from their ancestors who served God in spirit and in truth for centuries, or they separated themselves from iniquity totally (including that of their ancestors, as in Lamentation 5:7). They embrace God and pledge their house to Him.
Beloved, God created ALL men in His own image. He loves ALL men and gave His Son for ALL men. Just plug yourself into His socket of salvation, wait upon Him in obedience, rejoice in Him in faith and you too will enjoy His favour.
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE: JESUS CHRIST DIED SO THAT ALL MAY ACCESS THE BLESSING OF ABRAHAM –UNDILUTED FAITH.
PROPHETIC WORD: If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation and is no longer under the curse.
PRAYER POINTS:
MORNING
God of heaven and earth, I thank You for the salvation of my soul and the dividends that accrue, in the name of Jesus.
Lord Jesus, redeem me and my descendants from every arrangement, covenant or promise that my ancestors had with the devil in its entirety, in the name of Jesus.
Lord Jesus, give me a new beginning in You and sanctify me with Your blood, in the name of Jesus. EVENING
Father God, I confess my sins (name them without holding anything back). I repent and plead for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus.
Merciful God, let me find favour with You in all areas of my life, in the name of Jesus.
Holy Ghost fire, envelop me and consume everything that links me with the lives that my ancestors lived in the devil, in the name of Jesus.
Merciful God, make me too a man after Your heart, just like David, in the name of Jesus.
MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Worldwide)
Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:
Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.
If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heaven 8 May 2019 – Preach The Word II
1.Thank You, Jesus, for Your precious blood that was shed at Calvary for the remission of my sins, and for the sins of the whole world. (Click HERE for Open Heaven 8 May 2019)
2.Father, in anyway I have fallen short of your glory, please, have mercy and forgive me, in Jesus name.
3.Father, anoint my tongue with Your fire and make me an effective preacher of Your word, in Jesus name.
4.Father, please, make me a guide to the spiritually blind, and a light to them that are in darkness, in Jesus name.
5.Father, let my life never bring reproach or shame to Your holy name; and make me not only the preacher of Your word, but also the doer, in Jesus name.
6.Father, cause my light to so shine before men, that they may see my good works, and glorify You, my Father, who is in heaven, in Jesus name.
7.Father, as I preach Your word, let Jesus be lifted up and let men be drawn unto You, in Jesus name.
8.Father, please, make me a worthy and committed ambassador of Your kingdom, and a compulsive and an addictive soul winner, in Jesus name.
9.Father, please, uphold me till the end by Your right hand of righteousness; when You shall appear, please, let me still be found in You, in Jesus name.
10.Father, bless your son, Pastor E.A.Adeboye, and reward him for all his labours of love, in Your vineyard, in Jesus name.
11.Father, bless Your son, that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures, and all those who have been rebroadcasting them, in Jesus name.
12.Father, let every challenge, hindrance and obstacle of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name.
13.Your Personal petitions. (Philippians 4:6)
14.In Jesus name I pray. (John 14:13-14; 15:16)
15.Thank you Father for answered prayers. (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
These prayers have no expiry date! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name.
Kindly, purchase your own hard copy or online version of the Open Heavens devotional & buy for your friends too, as a potent evangelism tool. God bless you, as you sow, into Pastor E.A. Adeboye’s book Ministry, in Jesus name.
Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heaven 8 May 2019 – Preach The Word II
Topic: He Cares About Your Needs [Open Heavens for Teens 8 May 2019]
Memorise: “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” – Matthew 6:26
Read: Matthew 6:9-11
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Bible In One Year: 1 Kings 16-18, John 1:29-51
MESSAGE:
Though God is a spirit, He is not only interested in our spiritual welfare but also the secular. In other words, He is interested in what we eat, wear and how we live (John 21:3-12; 1 Kings 19:4-8).
You are worth far more than birds to God. If he cares and feeds the birds daily, surely, He cares about you and will take care of you. He knows your needs. He knows the good things of life that you crave, and He will not let you lack them when the time is right (Psalm 34:10). He knows you need food, shelter, transportation, good clothes, a nice phone and other good things. He will give them to you. He knows what you are passing through right now and will make things better soon. Be encouraged, He loves you.
Action Point: Call on Him today and freely talk to Him about all that you are going through. Ask Him for help.
1 What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
2 Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a Friend so faithful?
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
3 Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield You;
You wilt find a solace there.
Daily Devotional for Teen’s 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.
Topic: Preach The Word II (Open Heaven 8 May 2019)
Memorise: “Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”- 1 Timothy 3:7
Read: Romans 2:17-25 (KJV)
17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
Bible in One Year: Exodus 9-10, Jeremiah 32:1-15
Open Heaven 8 May 2019 Wednesday MESSAGE:
An old adage says, “One example is better than precepts.” This is particularly true with respect to a preacher’s life. Today’s memory verse tells us why a preacher must live an exemplary Christian life. When a preacher fails to live up to what he or she preaches, such a preacher will suffer reproach and open the door for the devil to have foothold in his or her life. The seven sons of Sceva are a good case in point (Acts 19:12-17). A preacher must have a good report, even among unbelievers. Our Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 5:16:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Romans 2:20 says those who preach by words alone and not by good deeds are instructors of the foolish. In other words, only a fool would listen to someone who does not practice what he or she preaches. The same Bible verse also describes such people as teachers of babes. Only babes would take a teacher who leads a double-life seriously. However, by the time such babes in Christ grow to a level of considerable spiritual maturity, they will abandon such teachers. This accounts for why some churches remain a nursery for Christians who later move on to higher levels in other churches.
There is no way our preaching can be effective if we do the direct opposite of what we preach. We strip God’s word of its power in the lives of our hearers when we are neck deep in those same vices we preach against. It is better not to be a preacher than to be one who does not do what he or she preaches, because the Name of the Lord is reviled in the process and the word of God is made of none effect. Romans 2:23-24 says:
“23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.”
The choice is yours to make on not being numbered among those who drag the Name of the Lord through the mud. Today, some preachers have become the object of mockery because they have refused to live like Jesus Christ, who embodied all that He taught (Acts 1:1). It is time for preachers to begin to preach and live God’s word, and not their own ideas. Jesus is the Word of God, and preachers must draw the attention of their audience to Him alone. It is when we lift Jesus up in our messages that men will be drawn to Him (John 12:32).
Open Heaven 8 May 2019 Wednesday Prayer Point:
Father, anoint my tongue with Your fire and make me an effective preacher of Your word.
Open Heaven 8 May 2019 Wednesday Hymn 5: Let Others See Jesus In You
1 While passing thro’ this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.
Chorus:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.
2 Your life’s a book before their eyes,
They’re reading it thro’ and thro’
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?
3 Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.
Open Heaven 8 May 2019 Wednesday 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. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven 8 May 2019 Wednesday Daily Devotional.
Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:
Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.
If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
Asia Bibi with her daughters, Isham and Isha, who remained at home in Canada during her incarceration.
A mother who faced a death sentence for blasphemy in Pakistan has finally escaped the country.
Devout Christian Asia Bibi – who was let out of prison seven months ago – was last night on her way to be reunited with her daughters in Canada.
Mrs Bibi, 53, had been languishing in custody enduring an agonising wait while her freedom was blocked by the Pakistan army. She had been in failing health and was being denied access to medical care. But last night the Daily Mail was told that she had been allowed to leave at last.
The development means she is finally safe from lynch mobs who were demanding her execution. The mother of two endured eight years on death row for allegedly insulting Islam.
She was convicted in 2010 of offending the Prophet Mohammed under Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws.
Last October she was freed on appeal, sparking violent demonstrations stoked up by Taliban supporters.
She was put under armed protection from Islamist death squads as she sought asylum in a Western country.
Britain was urged to offer her sanctuary, but never did – and was accused of ‘pulling up the drawbridge’.
Eventually, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau stepped in. Her daughters are already there, awaiting their mother.
‘Our Loss but Heaven’s Gain’: Tim Tebow and Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters Mourn the Loss of Nel-Peters’ Sister
Tim Tebow and his Fiancée Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters are mourning the loss of the 2017 Miss Universe’s little sister but are praising God that she is no longer in pain.
The former NFL quarterback and outspoken Christian took to Instagram on Sunday to share a photo of himself with Nel-Peters and her 13-year-old sister Franje.
Tebow captioned the photo, “Our loss but heavens gain. So grateful for the hope we have of being reunited with the ones we love through our Heavenly Father. Mr & Mrs Peters and @demileighnp we are praying for you and love you so much.”
Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, also an outspoken Christian, shared a post about her sister, posting a graphic of the Bible verses Romans 8:38-39. The Graphic reads “You are loved forever,” and is captioned, “My little Princess, Angel on Earth, biggest joy and baby sister, Franje, passed away earlier today. Our hearts are aching beyond measure but I am grateful knowing she’s forever relieved of the pain she experienced on earth. She’s laughing, running and playing in heaven just like we always hoped she would on earth. She’s free! Thank you for all your prayers, love and support.”
According to the Christian Post, Nel-Peters added in her native tongue, “Love you always my Sussa and someday we’ll be together again!”
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