Topic: Maintaining divine health!

We recognise from scriptures that God’s divine purpose for the Church is to stay in divine health. This is why God has made a sickness-free provision for all His people and He wants us to know and walk in that. As it is written: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth (3 John 2).

Essentially, God has done everything possible for us to be in good health. That is why Jesus came. However, there is no short-cut to divine health as there are basic rules to it. If we must get divine health, we must follow the rules faithfully, with determination and zeal. Remember, God is not the author of sickness, the devil is, and he is still in the business of planning and devising new diseases, to release into the world. However, to avoid being a victim of unsteady health, it is important to know our right to health and maintain it. Therefore, to stay healthy, we must engage the following:

The Word of God: For the believer, the Word is the source of life. If we are cut off from it, we are removed from the source of life and that will kill us fast. Unfortunately, many people handle the Word with levity. They allow their Word study to be interrupted anyhow. This is not profitable for us. Look at the example of Mary and Martha; she gave herself to cooking, while her sister sat at the feet of the Master to learn. As a result, Jesus answered and said unto her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her (Luke 10:41-42). Jesus told her, one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that part. It is time for us as believers to do the needful by getting acquainted with God through His Word. Let us understand that God’s Word is the only medication that does not only heal but helps us stay healthy. We need to get acquainted with it through studying and hearing. By this, our health is sure to be secured and stable.

Faith: For us to maintain our health, we must be in faith always as it is dangerous to wait to be afflicted with diseases before putting our faith to work. That is one way we can keep sickness off our lives.

Fasting: This is another weapon that must be engaged to stay healthy. Many Christians think fasting is optional. However, Jesus did not give us that impression. As it is written: When ye fast. Not ‘If ye fast.’ (Mathew 6:16). It means fasting is a compulsory part of the Christian walk. Obviously, if we have really given ourselves to prayer and fasting, we will notice the refreshing that follows and our health comes back to us with vigour.

Diligence: A lot of people are sick and weak because they are lazy and idle. It is commonly said that the devil finds work for the idle hand. The truth is, if we are always lazing around, the devil will affect us and strike us at a time we do not expect. Therefore, in maintaining our divine health, hard work is inevitable. Just like an unused and uninhabited building rot easily. Similarly, our bodies are God’s building which we are not to leave idle. God wants us to contribute to maintaining our divine health through hard work. When we do, our sleep will be sound which will in turn help our system to improve.

Wisdom: Wisdom is another important point we need to know. It is also indispensable in all areas of life. Interestingly, hard work must be merged with wisdom. Thus, we do not need to overwork ourselves unnecessarily. This is because when we do, our health is affected adversely. This is why wisdom is essential in all endeavours. If we ignore it, we will most definitely run into difficulties.

Confession: The Bible says life and death are in the power of the tongue. Therefore we must speak health always. We should recognise that the Word of God spoken boldly in faith is a creative force. Therefore, we should speak it loudly and boldly from the heart.

Love: We need a large heart to love the brethren. This will definitely work to our advantage. Remember that we are not losing anything by loving. Everybody, who is acceptable to God, should be acceptable to us. When we do, this will in turn help us overcome lots of difficulties in life.

Holiness: There is no way we can persist in sinful habits and expect to be in divine health. If we are not serving God in holiness and purity of heart, we cannot expect Him to minister divine health to us. Remember, sin brought sickness into the world, so sin must be completely eliminated if divine health is to be established in our lives.

Holy Communion: This sacrament is a way of showing faith in the finished work of Christ in our health. As often as we do it, we show the world and confirm in our bodies that Christ has taken our grief and sorrows in His body and His blood is transfused into our veins.

The Holy Spirit: The ministry of the Holy Spirit is more than what many believers think it to be. Among others, He is the seal of the Godhead in our health. Furthermore, He is the Chief Executive of God’s plan and that includes divine health.

Fellowship: This is the New Testament Mount Zion outlined in Hebrews 12:22-24 and Obadiah 17. According to these scriptures, in Zion, our constant health is guaranteed. We go from strength to strength by appearing before God and innumerable company of angels.

The truth applied and received accurately, will lift us to a place of total health. I pray that as you applied these truths, you will stay in health and always.

Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”

For further reading, please get my books: Keys to Divine Health, the Healing Balm, The Miracle Meal and Fulfilling Your Days. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: [email protected].

Topic: Are You A Fraudster? [Monday 25, September 2017]

Memorise: “Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.” – Proverbs 12:22

Read: Revelation 21:8

8. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Bible In One Year: Nahum 1-3. Hymn: Sing Hymn 4 – Take My Life And Let It Be

MESSAGE:

A fraudster is a dishonest person. Someone with a habit to tell lies, cheat or steal. Dishonesty is contrary to the will and nature of God, and so should not be found among children of God. The Bible teaches that any prosperity obtained from deceit, fraud and lies will be short lived. Proverbs 23:5 describes this as an exercise in futility. Initially, it will appear as an increase, but later it will leave you miserable. Some believers exploit fellow believers. This is a great evil because any wrong you do to your brother or sister in Christ is done to the Lord.

Some people deliberately sell inferior goods like phones, tablets, laptops e.t.c. Some borrow money or items without the intention of returning them. This is fraud! Remember Ananias and Sapphira lied about the offering they gave and never survived it! Neither will anyone who follows their evil path. Are you fraudulent, dishonest, or crafty? Be warned, the end result could be highly disappointing.

Prayer Point: Father, please destroy every seed of dishonesty and fraud in my life in Jesus’ Name.

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: Apart but Not Abandoned — Monday September 25, 2017.

Read: Acts 20:17–20, 35–38, Bible in a Year: Song of Solomon 6–8; Galatians 4

Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up. Acts 20:32

I had a lump in my throat as I said good-bye to my niece on the eve of her move to Massachusetts to attend graduate school at Boston University. Though she had been away four years as an undergraduate, she hadn’t left our state. A two and a one-half-hour drive easily reunited us. Now she would be more than 800 miles away. No longer would we meet regularly to talk. I had to trust that God would take care of her.

Paul likely felt the same way as he said good-bye to the elders of the church in Ephesus. Having established the church and taught them for three years, Paul concluded these elders to be as close as family to him. Now that Paul was headed to Jerusalem, he would not see them again.

But Paul had parting advice for the Ephesians. Though they would no longer have Paul as their teacher, the Ephesians did not have to feel abandoned. God would continue to train them through “the word of his grace” (Acts 20:32) to lead the church. Unlike Paul, God would always be with them.

Whether it’s children we launch from the nest or other family and friends who move away—saying good-bye can be very difficult. They move beyond our influence and into their new lives. When we let go of their hands, we can trust that God has them in His. He can continue to shape their lives and meet their real needs—more than we ever could.

Prayer: Lord, help us to trust that Your watchful care extends over those we hold dear who are far away from us.

Though we’re far away from those we love, they are never far from God.

Insight:

In today’s reading we see Paul’s painful good-bye to the church at Ephesus. It was Paul’s deep conviction that his departure would eventually lead to his martyrdom, not his return (v. 25).  But other Bible texts add the encouragement that even death cannot cut the spiritual tie that binds us to other believers (John 14:1–5; Rom. 8:31–39). In this life on Earth, saying good-bye to those we love is difficult. But for followers of Christ, we can trust that God has us in His care and even death will not keep us apart.

How does knowing God cares for your loved ones comfort you?

This message was written By Linda Washington [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Remember That God Has Been Good To You — Monday September 25, 2017.

“Remember his marvelous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;” (Psalms105:5 KJV)

It is God that satisfies your mouth with good things so that your youth is renewed like an eagle. Go and look for people who are of the same age grade with you, those who are not serving God, and compare yourself to them. Now, this is a practical thing; go and look at closely and then you look at yourself, you will be amazed at the goodness of God in your life. It is very important, therefore, that we constantly remember his kindness towards us. Consider this scripture:

“But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.” (Deuteronomy 8:18 KJV) Remember the Lord thy God! He is the one that gives you the ability. It is not your expertise. He kept you alive to make it. Remember it because it will cause you to have a lifestyle of praise and thanksgiving. This is vitally important, more especially as we approach this fast; remember all that He has done for you, all the victories He gave to you, all the battles He fought on your behalf, this will help in building up your faith so that you can believe Him for the impossible. It will also help you pray from a point of thanksgiving, knowing that the God who did it in the past, will do it again, even much more.

In 2 Samuel 6:14-22, David was bringing back the ark of the Lord and he danced and rejoiced. And to the mockery of Michal, David had this to say: “And David said unto Michal, It was before the Lord, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel: therefore will I play before the Lord” (2 Samuel 6:21 KJV) David was saying in effect, there is nothing too outrageous to do for my God. Make a quality decision to approach the month of October with thanksgiving, God is good.

Further reading: 2 Samuel 6:12-22

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Song of Solomon 6-8; Evening- Galatians 4

Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.

Topic: Leave Vengeance To God — Monday September 25, 2017.

Text: Jeremiah 18:18-23

Key Verse: “Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me” (Jeremiah 18:19).

From the text, Jeremiah pleaded his cause before God. The people who hated him had formed an alliance and vowed to publicly discredit him. When Jeremiah heard of it, he prayed to God for justice. He asked God to judge his enemies since his ministry was for their good and profit but they repaid him with evil. He asked God to destroy them in His wrath. Some so-called Pentecostals shout ‘die! die!’ in prayers in our neighborhoods today.

Some take references like our text from the Old Testament to justify their requests for their enemies to die. Others insist the death they meant in their prayers was intended for the spirits behind the problems – but spirits don’t die because they are not mortal. Under the New Testament economy, the believer is commanded to love all and hate none, including those who despitefully use and persecute us (Matthew 5:44). When we consider God’s vengeance, it’s also important for us to remember Romans 12:19; “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord”.

There will be times in our lives when people mistreat us and we’re tempted to seek revenge. Or, as we see the gross injustice done to millions throughout the world today, we may want to treat the perpetrators with the same measure of evil they have doled out to their victims. The desire for revenge is natural, but it is something we must offer to God, Vengeance is His job, not ours. Yes, we are to “act justly,” and “love mercy”.

When we consider people who are being abused throughout the world today, and the victims of violence and injustice, with those trapped in human trafficking and slavery, we should ask God to bring to justice those who are hurting others for their own advantage and set free those who are oppressed.

Thought for the day: Vengeance is God’s.

Bible Reading in one Year: Hebrews 10-13

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: The Deficiency of Title without Mantle [Monday September 25, 2017]

Thought For The Day: When men struggle for titles, it is to cover up a deficiency; title without mantle leads to battles.

Yesterday, we identified the craving for recognition one of the major causes of the decay in our generation. We live in a world where many people want to be accorded recognition above what they really are. This is not the will of God.

Today, it is important to know that one of the manifestations of the craving for recognition is eagerness to accumulate titles.

Even in the house of God, there are a lot of titles or designations being added to the names of ministers of God; titles like Dr, Rev. Dr, Bishop Dr, Prophet Dr, Apostle Professor, etc. some of the men who add these titles to their names have never seen the four walls of the university or any institution of higher learning.

Some of them even claim to have a doctorate degree without a first degree. The question is, is it possible to have a doctorate degree without a first degree? No!

You know when men struggle for titles; it is to cover up a deficiency. There is an emptiness or a vacuum somewhere in their lives that they want to cover up with these titles. They forget to realise that title without mantle leads to battle.

Beloved, let God take you up. Do not struggle for recognition or for titles but for the mantle that will handle the battle; do not struggle to be known by men.

Remember this: When men struggle for titles, it is to cover up a deficiency; title without mantle leads to battle.

Assignment(s):

1. Don’t live for titles; instead, desire the mantle.

2. Be humble

Prayer: O LORD, I ask for the impartation of a great mantle on my life, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: MAXIMIZING YOUR LIFE.

Quote: To be a servant makes the blessing compulsory. Culled from SERVICE: YOUR UTMOST FOR THE HIGHEST by Dr Becky Enenche.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 45:11 to 48:11, Ephesians 4:1 to 16, Psalm 68:19 to 35, Proverbs 24:3 to 4.

Amazing Fact: The human brain can read up to 1,000 words per minute.

Today In History: 25/09/2012 – China launched its first aircraft carrier into service.

Don’t Forget To Attend: The Healing and Deliverance Service by 9:30am tomorrow. Invite someone. God bless you as you do so.

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.

Topic: Move Closer Every Day [Monday September 25, 2017]

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. – John 15:5

Abiding in Jesus isn’t something that comes automatically to any believer. It’s a lifestyle that involves discipline and effort.

We have to choose to give ourselves to our union with Him, to give Him first place where our attention is concerned. If we want to grow spiritually, if we want to walk in power and in fellowship with the Lord, we’ll have to spend the time it takes to know Him.

That’s not something we can do for a while and then forget about either. We must continue in it every day. For the moment we stop moving closer to Jesus, we always start drifting away.

You see, here in this natural world you’re surrounded by ungodliness. You live in a body that is totally natural. Unless you purposely counter that with daily prayer and time in the Word, your body and your mind will simply give in to the pressures around you and go the way of the world.

Right now, make a decision to give yourself to the things of God. Focus your attention on the Lord. Surround yourself with His Word. Listen to preaching and teaching tapes while you’re getting dressed, driving to work, preparing dinner, working on your car, exercising, cleaning house and when you go to bed. Listen to the Word of God anytime, anywhere!

Abide in Him today.

Scripture Reading: John 15:1-11

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: Symptoms of Guilt [Monday September 25, 2017]

Cleanse me from this guilt. Let me be pure again. — Psalm 51:2 (TLB)

Guilt is a prominent word among psychoanalysts, psychiatrists, and ministers too. The dictionary calls guilt “the act or state of having done a wrong or committed an offense.” The symptoms of guilt are many, but the root cause is one.

We have broken the moral law of the universe as expressed in the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount. So we have a sense of guilt.

This guilt causes a variety of psychological problems such as insecurity, tension, hunger for approval, struggles for recognition. A sense of guilt, some psychiatrists point out, is as necessary as a sense of pain. We need both in order to keep us from getting hurt.

Prayer for the day: Your Holy Spirit touches my heart and makes me conscious of my guilt. Forgive me, 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: Seek God’s Wisdom – Monday September 25, 2017.

Matthew 23:1 “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,”

Text: Matthew 23:1-9

This rebuke by Jesus to the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy was the harshest treatment that He ever gave to any group. He did this publicly before the multitude, the people the hypocrites most wanted to impress.

Jesus had faced many prior battles with the scribes and Pharisees. On this particular day, the encounter started with the chief priests and elders challenging Jesus’ authority. Jesus stunned them by replying with a question that challenged their authority. He then used three parables to illustrate that the leaders of the Jews had rejected the rule of God in their lives, despite their pious religious acts. They “perceived that he spake of them.”

The Pharisees countered by tempting Jesus with a question about paying taxes to the Roman government. Then the Sadducees tried to stop Jesus with a question about the resurrection, and finally, a lawyer tried to snare Him with a question about the greatest commandment. Jesus did so well in each test that “no man after that durst ask him any question.” Jesus then asked the leaders who were supposed to know it all, a question that none of them could answer. These Jews, who prided themselves on having superior knowledge, were totally humiliated by a man who had never been through their religious “seminary.” This resulted in them being afraid to ever try to trap Jesus again, by questioning Him.

These were the events of the day that led up to Jesus’ stinging public rebuke of these hypocrites. Jesus gave this rebuke knowing full well that they were planning to kill Him. Jesus was totally fearless in the face of their threats. All of these questions were intended to snare Jesus, but in His infinite superior wisdom, He evaded their traps. Ask God for His wisdom, He will also help you evade traps.

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).