Topic: Living In Death? — Friday 6, October 2017.

Memorise: We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. – 1 John 3:14

Read: 1 John 3:11-16 (KJV)

11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 1-3, Daniel 3:24-4:3, Hymn: Sing Hymn 9 – On The Hill Far Away

MESSAGE:

Do you know that it is very possible for one to be alive but living in death? Any man who does not have the life of God, manifested as new life in Christ Jesus, is dead even though he or she is physically alive. If you have received the new life of Christ, you have the nature of God, and one of the defining characteristics of this nature is love (1 John 4:16). This is why the Lord Jesus Christ emphasised that there is no greater commandment than that which is anchored on love for God and love for fellow men (Matthew 22:37-40). You cannot claim to love God when you have hatred and bitterness towards your fellow men. Where there is no love, there will be deceit. There is a lot of deceit in the interpersonal relationships between people today. Do you really love, or are you pretending to love? If you live a life of love, you are living in Christ; but if you are only pretending to love when deep inside you there is so much hatred and evil-plotting against your brother, then you are living in death. The new life in Christ is a spiritual experience that puts an end to all forms of bitterness, hatred and unforgiveness in your heart. Manifesting love for God and love for others around you showcases the real image of God in you, which is characterised by purity, holiness and righteousness .

Coming up next: Open Heavens 7 October 2017: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Be Faithful

At the root of all the displacement, destruction and crime witnessed all over the world is the absence of love. Love is at the core of man’s existence. Love is the root of our salvation, and so, nothing genuine can be achieved among brethren if there is no love. When you have love, you will show compassion for those suffering and be willing to help. When you walk in love, you will no longer keep records of wrong done against you by others. Rather, you will let go and let God have His way in your life. True love is not easily offended, and it is always willing to forgive. It is this love that enables you to show kindness to those who hurt you, even though you have the power to harm or punish them. You choose to ignore their deeds because you know that there is nothing you have that you have not received from God. The word of God says prophecy and knowledge will fail, but love will always stand the test of time. Don’t envy others to the point of getting bitter with them. It is not a sign of love. Instead, let us encourage one another. You should not take other people for granted or malign others because you feel superior to them. A child of God should not revenge anything done against him or her, because vengeance is the Lord’s. Are you walking in love, or are you living in death?

Key Point: If you love God, you won’t hate your fellow 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 — The Strawberry Generation! [Friday, October 5, 2017]

(Joshua 11:3-15)

Years ago, the late Mr. Lee Kuan Yew described Singaporeans born from the 1980’s (eighties) onward as “The Strawberry Generation” because of their percieved lack of resilience and ruggedness in reaction to life’s battles. Those 3 words ” The Strawberry Generation” (TSG) is like lightening in a dry forest, especially as 2017 is running to the finishing tape line. I also call such a generation “The Joshua Generation” (TJG). This is the generation that has not seen wars, pain and hardship. Remember that the Joshua Generation was a generation that never suffered in the wilderness! they were born after Moses died and when Joshua took over! Yes, the Moses generation contended with many battles but Joshua generation were those born in the Promised Land of EASE and PLEASURE without serious battles! Indeed, similarly, many Singaporeans don’t have the experience of living in the World War II period and thus do not understand what hardship really means.

Due to this, they often lose the fighting spirit of their forefathers in overcoming life’s obstacles. But the Holy Ghost wants you to know that once you are born again, you bridge the gap between the Moses generation of bondage and wilderness life and the “the Joshua Generation” of mixed war and peace! Indeed, your being born again does not exclude you from war totally!

The Joshua Generation Is A Generation Of Mixed War And Peace (Pleasure)! That is why you cannot be described as being the STRAWBERRY GENERATION! 2 Tim 2:3 screams this: “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” ENDURANCE HARDNESS AS A SOLDIER! In fact, see Psalm 34:19: ” Many are the afflictions of the RIGHTEOUS but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”

As 2017 ends, remind the devil that you are not a weakling! Remind him that you are a soldier and a warrior! You have the spirit of the Lion of tribe of Judah! You are not afraid of battles and you don’t experience defeat because it is not in your DNA! yes, you are not a slave and cannot be oppressed because you have royal blood running in you! Tell the old, lying devil that you are a Priest and a king born to rule and prevail! Hold on and hold out!

SOW THIS BOOKLET OF OUR DAILY MANNA AS A SEED IN SOMEONE’S LIFE. YOU WILL REAP NEW HELPERS, BETTER HEALTH AND MERCY!

Prayer Points: Take any song of worship as led now.

1. Pray about today’s word generally as led now.

2. I am not a strawberry man or woman! I am strong, courageous and bold! I am not weak! I am Lion because my Father is a Lion! i was born to rule and I shall rule over circumstances! Yea, my life and ministry will never end up in shame because I am the head and not the tail. I am not a quitter and I shall end this year well in Jesus Christ name.

3. Pray in Tongues now!

4.Pray about today seriously and any other issue(s) affecting your peace.

By Bishop (Dr) Chris E. Kwakpovwe (Cek)
Publisher/Writer Of ODM And

Rev (Mrs) Flora E. Kwakpovwe (Fek)
Co-Publisher/Writer Of ODM.

Topic: God Can Raise the Lazaruses in Your Life [Thursday October 5, 2017]

Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy of purpose]. — Proverbs 27:17

Remember when Jesus visited Mary and Martha after their brother Lazarus had been dead for four days? When He finally arrived, Martha said, Master, if You had been here, my brother would not have died (John 11:21).

Martha was clearly in a state of despair. Then, Jesus said to her, Your brother shall rise again. Martha replied, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day (vv. 23-24). I don’t think she really understood what Jesus was saying. She was looking toward a future possibility, not a present reality. She didn’t really expect things to change.

A lot of us are like Martha, stuck in our troubles, not realizing that God can turn things around. But Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and He can raise the “Lazaruses” in your life, whether you need Him to restore a relationship, give you a breakthrough in your health or finances, or remove an obstacle that’s keeping you from moving forward in His will for your life. Whatever your need may be, all things are possible with God! (See Mark 10:27)

Don’t lose hope. You might be hurting now, but out of every disaster, God can bring a new beginning. Believe in God, and watch Him show His glory in your life.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I know that You can work out every situation in my life for Your glory. Instead of getting caught up in my problems I will trust You to raise the “Lazaruses” in my life.

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries

Topic: In The Center Of His Will [Thursday October 5, 2017]

Man’s success is tied to being in the centre of God’s will for His life.

God is attracted only to those who live in the centre of His will.

Things fall apart when the centre no longer holds but things falls in place when the centre is intact.

Remain intact in His will and everything around you will remain and abide intact.

Heaven shifts its head quarters and tabernacles and gravitates towards and revolves around wherever God’s will is celebrated on earth.

Heavens shifts towards just anyone and everyone who shifts towards divine will.

Topic: Thieves In The Sanctuary [Thursday 5, October 2017]

Memorise: “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” – Ephesians 4:28

Read: Malachi 3:8-9

8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

Bible In One Year: Matthew 7-9. Hymn: Sing Hymn 14 – Onward Christian Soldiers

MESSAGE:

One sad thing going on among the children of God is that some are stealing from the sanctuary of God and the people concerned are doing it without fear. There are many ways a person can steal from the sanctuary of God. The most common way to almost every Bible reading Christian is when you deny God one-tenth of your income (Malachi 3:8). When someone spends all his income without giving back one out of it, the fellow is stealing from the sanctuary, because the tithe belongs to the sanctuary of God (Malachi 3:10). Another way of stealing from the sanctuary is by refusing to give your first-fruit to the Lord as He requested from His covenant people in Deuteronomy 26:2.

The first fruit is the property of the Almighty God. We must give it to Him through the custodians of the genuine sanctuary of God. I pray for someone using this devotional, the Holy Spirit will convince you of the truth about tithes, offerings and first fruits.

Prayer Point: Father, help me to abstain from stealing from Your sanctuary.

Open Heavens 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: Suffering as a Christian [Thursday October 5, 2017]

Blessed is the man whom [the Lord] chasteneth . . . — Psalm 94:12

God sometimes allows Christians to suffer, in order that they might learn the secret of obedience. The Psalmist said, “Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now have I kept thy word” (Psalm 119:67). It was not until after great sorrow and much affliction that David learned obedience to God.

My dear Christian friend, if you are today suffering at the hand of God and you have asked a thousand times, “Why?” I beg of you to be patient and quiet before God, and listen to the still, small voice. Bow under His loving hand and recognize that above the clouds the sun is shining. God has a purpose and design for your life, and what is happening to you is for your good.

Prayer for the day: The human in me says, “Why, Lord?” whenever I have to bear suffering—but the Spirit-filled me that was born again says, “I trust You, Father.”

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: Get Ready For Jesus – Thursday October 5, 2017.

Matthew 24:38 “For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,”

Text: Matthew 24:38-39

Jesus is prophesying that just as in Noah’s day, people will be dominated with the temporary affairs of this life instead of eternal spiritual truths, when Jesus returns. Before our Lord’s second return, there will be plenty of signs to show that the time is drawing near, but few will heed them. Preoccupation with the affairs of this life can dull us to the spiritual realm.

The Lord kindly but seriously, points out the urgent need to be ready for His return. In the same way that a thief comes when people are the least prepared, so our Lord will return in a time when people are not looking for Him.

This is not because our Lord desires to surprise everyone and see how many He can catch unprepared. On the contrary, He is urging us to be watchful so that we will be prepared. Jesus gave us the signs of the end times to help us be prepared. He is simply prophesying that there will be a condition of apathy in the latter days that will tend to lull even the faithful to sleep if they don’t take heed to His words.

Believers will not be assembled on a mountaintop somewhere waiting for the Lord’s return. They will still be going about their daily routines. The Lord told us to “occupy till I come” (Lk. 19:13). We should be ready for the Lord to come back at any moment, yet work as if His return was still far off.

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).

Topic: Hovering Over Us — Thursday October 5, 2017.

Read: Deuteronomy 32:7–12, Bible in a Year: Isaiah 23–25; Philippians 1

He shielded him and cared for him . . . like an eagle that . . . hovers over its young. Deuteronomy 32:10–11

Betty’s daughter arrived home from an overseas trip, feeling unwell. When her pain became unbearable, Betty and her husband took her to the emergency room. The doctors and nurses set to work, and after a few hours one of the nurses said to Betty, “She’s going to be okay! We’re going to take good care of her and get her healed up.” In that moment, Betty felt peace and love flood over her. She realized that while she hovered over her daughter anxiously, the Lord is the perfect parent who nurtures His children, comforting us in difficult times.

In the book of Deuteronomy, the Lord reminded His people how, when they were wandering in the desert, He cared for them as a loving parent who hovers over its young. He never left them, but was like an eagle “that spreads its wings” to catch its children and “carries them aloft” (32:11). He wanted them to remember that although they experienced hardship and strife in the desert, He didn’t abandon them.

We too may face challenges of many kinds, but we can take comfort and courage in this reminder that our God will never leave us. When we feel that we are falling, the Lord like an eagle will spread His wings to catch us (v. 11) as He brings us peace.

Prayer: Father God, Your love as a parent is greater than anything I can imagine. May my confidence rest in You, and may I share Your love with others.

Our God hovers over us with love.

Insight:

Deuteronomy comes from the Greek word deuteronomion (“second law”). Much of the content of the book of Deuteronomy is a retelling of the giving of the law to Israel recorded in the book of Exodus. This could be misleading, however, because Deuteronomy is more than just legal code. The first giving of the law marked Israel entering into a covenant relationship with God as His people, but this retelling prepared them for their entrance into the long-awaited land of promise. It reminded the Israelites of their covenant relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and was a reaffirmation of God’s covenant love for them—despite their repeated failures during the wilderness wanderings. God’s faithful, abiding love remained His response to His people. That same love continues today, and His perfect love never fails.

In your times of struggle, do you find it easy to question God’s love? How does God’s faithfulness to Israel encourage you to trust in His faithfulness to you?

This message was written By Amy Boucher Pye [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: The Power of Declared Blessings [Thursday October 5, 2017]

Scripture: Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Numbers 6:23-26

Thought For The Day: The blessing of God is critical to the lifting of curses, limitations, embargoes and restrictions in life.

One of the greatest forces on the earth is the force of the blessing of God. The blessing of God is so powerful that it is practically irreversible except by the misdeeds of the blessed person.

The way light is the cure for darkness is the same way the blessing of God is the cure for curses.

The blessing of God is critical for the lifting of curses, limitations, embargoes or restrictions in life.

An instance in Scriptures of a man who received the declared blessing was Reuben. In Genesis 49:3-4, Reuben was cursed by his father, Jacob. Jacob told Reuben, Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel…

This meant that Reuben’s genealogy on earth would not continue; the Reubenites were not permitted to exist on earth.

However, in Deuteronomy 33:6, a blessed vessel with a heavier prophetic mantle, Moses, declared to Reuben and said, Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.

One of the impacts of the declared blessing is that it eliminates the curse and guarantees empowerment for a new beginning. The declared blessing impacts the force that sparks up change.

Today, I prophesy to you: you shall prevail and you shall excel on the earth. Your destiny shall not be cut short in Jesus’ Name.

Remember This: The Blessing is critical for the lifting of curses, limitations, embargoes or restrictions in life.

Assignments:

1. Endeavour to connect to parental/spiritual goodwill and blessings.

2. Maintain a constant relationship with God in order to maintain the Blessing of God in your life.

Prayer: O LORD, I decree that I am blessed beyond curses. I am stepping into my next level, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE POWER OF THE DECLARED BLESSINGS.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 4:19 to 6:15, Colossians 1:18 to 2:7, Psalm 77:1 to 20, Proverbs 24:23 to 25.

Quote: Persistent pursuit guarantees profitable rewards. Culled from 8 UNBEATABLE PRINCIPLES OF DESPERATE PEOPLE FOR WINNING IN DESPERATE TIMES by Dr (Mrs) Becky Paul-Enenche.

Amazing Fact: There are more than 17,500 recorded butterfly species around the world, 750 of which can be found in the United States.

Today In History: 05/10/1947 – U.S.A. President Harry Truman delivered the first televised presidential address from the White House.

Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), is a powerfully anointed church, headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Dr 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.