Today’s Scripture:  “…Provide for those who grieve…a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” – (Isaiah 61:3, NIV)

Topic: Garment of Praise [Friday September 8, 2017]

What type of attitude are you wearing today? What’s covering your mind and emotions? Are you clothed with despair and disappointment? Are you wearing “heaviness?”

If you’ve recently gone through a hurtful or disappointing situation, there is a season to grieve a loss. It’s important to go through that process and release the hurt to God. But the Bible also says that God wants to give you a garment of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness or despair. He wants to exchange your hurt for His healing. He wants to fill you with His peace and joy.

Are the garments of yesterday holding you back and weighing you down? Maybe it’s time to exchange that heaviness for His garment of praise. Maybe it’s time to release those heavy burdens. Maybe it’s time to forgive those who have hurt you and begin to praise your way to victory. When you wear a garment of praise, you’ll stand strong and display His splendor all the days of your life!

A Prayer for Today: “Father, I come to You with an open and humble heart. I ask that You take my old garments of despair and heaviness. Make me new today. Give me a garment of praise and have Your way in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Topic: Only His Will — Saturday 9, September 2017.

Memorise: Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  – Colossians 1:12

Read: Colossians 1:12-13, Ephesians 2:1-2 (KJV)

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Ephesians 2:1-2:

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Bible in One Year: 2 Chronicles 19-20, Ezekiel 38:17-39:8, Hymn: Sing hymn 6 – Deeper, Deeper

MESSAGE:

In every village, town, city, state or nation, there are usually two kingdoms at play: the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. Colossians 1:13 says,

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”

This scripture shows that every child of God has been moved from one of these kingdoms to the other. If you are truly saved, you are no longer in darkness but in the kingdom of light. As light, you should not be afraid of operators in the kingdom of darkness, such as witches, wizards and those in the occult, because you have the greater One inside of you (1 John 4.4). If you are afraid of them, this indicates to you that all is not well with you; there could be some cracks in your wall, and sin might be responsible. Whatever compromises your holiness compromises your divine security. When these operators of darkness see that your light is shining brightly, they will withdraw and dangle carrots of temptation at you, and if you fall for it, they will strike at you.

Coming Up Next: Open Heavens 10 September 2017: Sunday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – He Is At The Door!

Moreover, the reason why God translated us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of his dear Son is because He is interested in having His will established both in Heaven and here on earth. Although nothing short of God’s will is done in Heaven, on earth, there is still a struggle to establish God’s will, because man handed over control of the earth to the kingdom of darkness in the Garden of Eden (Luke 4:5-6). As a child of God, you are therefore an agent of re-establishing God’s will in any corner of the earth where you find yourself. If you want to establish and fulfil God’s will, you will make no room for lies, sin and pretence. Among God’s children on earth today, you will be shocked to know how many of them really seek to do His will in all areas of their lives. Many of us want God to change His plans and ways to suit ours, but that is an expectation in futility. God does not change. He is ever the same (Malachi 3:6). As conservative as He may appear to be, His technology in Heavens is billions of years ahead of ours on earth. In fact, He is the One who gives our researchers, thinkers and inventors the latest discoveries they get.  Such scientific discoveries are new and news to us, but not to those in Heaven. To them, the best we have on offer is stale news. In Heaven, there are no gimmicks or tricks. Everything revolves around God, and He is in control of time. When God therefore gives you an assignment, He has expectations regarding when, where and how it should be done. If you miss out on any of the details, you will be on your own. To what extent are you doing His will?

Action Point: Ask God for grace to know Him, and for courage to do His will in every situation.

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: Do You Need Deliverance? [Friday 8, September 2017]

Memorise: “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;” – Mark 16:17

Read: James 5:13-15

13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Bible In One Year: Ezekiel 41-43. Hymn: Sing Hymn 9

MESSAGE:

Deliverance means the rescue or liberation of a person from danger, suffering, bondage and sin. Sometimes, deliverance involves the expulsion of an evil spirit or spirits from a person. Deliverance focuses on captives, prisoners of war, slaves, debtors, suspected criminals, exiles, condemned sinners, and the oppressed. Deliverance should be taken seriously; many are presently suffering due to ignorance of the influence of the devil in their lives.

I prophecy into the life of a user of this devotional that is experiencing any of these evil conditions, you shall be delivered today in Jesus’ Name. Deliverance is certain because there is a powerful Saviour and Deliverer, His Name is Jesus and all power in Heaven and on earth belong to Him. Do you need deliverance of any kind? Accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and make every effort to avoid destructive behaviours of immorality and sin. Intensive prayers also with a word of command will destroy the stronghold of the enemy in your life.

Prayer Point: Father, please set me free from every bondage of the devil today 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: Carried Through — Friday September 8, 2017.

Read: Psalm 30:1–12, Bible in a Year: Proverbs 3–5; 2 Corinthians 1

Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

I recently stumbled across some of my journals from college and couldn’t resist taking time to reread them. Reading the entries, I realized I didn’t feel about myself then the same as I do today. My struggles with loneliness and doubts about my faith felt overwhelming at the time, but looking back now I can clearly see how God has carried me to a better place. Seeing how God gently brought me through those days reminded me that what feels overwhelming today will one day be part of a greater story of His healing love.

Psalm 30 is a celebration psalm that similarly looks back with amazement and gratitude on God’s powerful restoration: from sickness to healing, from threat of death to life, from feeling God’s judgment to enjoying His favor, from mourning to joy (vv. 2–3,11).

The psalm is attributed to David, to whom we owe some of the most pain-filled laments in Scripture. But David also experienced restoration so incredible he was able to confess, “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (v. 5). Despite all the pain he had endured, David discovered something even greater—God’s powerful hand of healing.

If you are hurting today and need encouragement, recall those times in your past when God carried you through to a place of healing. Pray for trust that He will do so again.

Prayer: Lord, when our struggles feel bigger than what we can handle, help us to find comfort and strength in how You’ve carried us before.

God is lovingly working toward restoration and joy in and through the pain of our lives.

This message was written By Monica Brands [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Plant a Seed and Watch It Grow! [Friday September 8, 2017]

And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. – Mark 4:30-32

Jesus compares the workings of the kingdom of God to planting seeds in the earth. “When the seed is sown,” He said, “it grows up….”

Notice He didn’t say that it would occasionally grow up. Or it grows up if it’s God’s will. He said, “It grows up and becomes greater.” Period.

God’s economy isn’t like ours. It isn’t up one day and down the other. It’s always the same and it always works perfectly. If you have good earth, good seed and good water, you’re going to have growth. It’s inevitable.

So, if you’re facing a need, don’t panic…plant a seed!

That seed may take the form of money or time or some other resources you have to give. But no matter what form it takes, make sure you put life in it by giving it in faith and surrounding it with praise and worship. Say, “Lord, as I bring You my goods, I bring myself. I give myself to You—spirit, soul and body.”

Pray over that seed. Fill it with faith, worship and the Word. Then plant it. You can rest assured—it will grow up and become greater!

Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:11-31

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: Glorious Living by the Grace of God 2 — Friday September 8, 2017.

Text: Ephesians 3:7-8, 1Corinthians 15:9-10a
Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; *For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am.

The effect of what Christ has done far outweighs the effect of the fall of man caused by Adam. As a result, it is our responsibility to keep receiving and applying the abundance of God’s grace and God’s gift of righteousness if we want to reign in this glorious life that God has given unto us, Rom.5:17. We receive the abundance of God’s grace and the gift of righteousness by looking unto Jesus (John 1:14&16) and placing our faith in God’s great love for us and what Jesus has accomplished. Apostle Paul’s life is a good example for us of the great effect that understanding and properly responding to the grace of God can have in our lives.

The grace of God is what compelled Apostle Paul to lead a life that honoured God. In 1Corinthians 7:25, he made it clear that he had obtained mercy from the Lord to be faithful. The grace of God is what made him so eager to work hard, to preach the gospel and to do exploits for God. The grace of God is also what inspired Him to know God more and more. In 1Timothy 1:12-16, Apostle Paul said it was Jesus who enabled him, counted him faithful and placed him in the ministry. He recounted his past as the worst of sinners who had subsequently obtained forgiveness in light of the grace of Christ which was exceeding and abundant towards Him. It was this grace and mercy that propelled him to become a pattern for everyone who would believe on Jesus Christ. Child of God, that same grace of God that made Apostle Paul everything that he was is available to you in Christ. In the same way, it will cause you to become everything that God has destined you to be.

Prayer: I worship you and thank you, dear Heavenly Father, for I know Your abundant grace is empowering me to lead a glorious life.

Bible In A Year Reading Plan: Proverbs 3-5; 2 Corinthians 1

Empowered to do exploit…

CGMI Above Only Daily Devotional, was written by Most Rev. M.E. Benson-Idahosa, Archbishop of Church of God Mission International, CGMI.

Topic: Connecting Divine Proofs-Producing Faith [Friday September 8, 2017]

Scripture: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6.

Thought For The Day: Faith is the doorway to your inheritance.

Faith is one of the secrets of seeing Divine proofs in our lives. God is at work where faith is at work; faith cannot be present and God is absent in one’s life.

Now, what are the products of divine proofs-producing faith?

1. Faith gives rise to substance.

2. Faith is the key to evidence.

3. Faith converts invisibility to visibility (Heb. 11:1)

4. Faith is key to pleasing/moving God into action (Heb. 11:6)

5. Faith is key to demonstrating the reality of God (Heb. 11:6)

6. Faith is key to rewards (Heb. 11:6)

7. Faith is key to victory/conquest (Heb. 11:33-34)

8. Faith is the doorway to your inheritance (Heb. 11:33-34)

9. Faith is the doorway to supernatural strength.

Now, how do we connect the divine proofs-producing faith?

It is through insight from the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).
This insight must be strong enough to change your mind-set and move you to action.

Beloved, to work on your faith, you must become an insight hunter. When you begin to dare what you used to dread, faith is at work.

Remember this: Faith is the doorway to your inheritance.

Assignment(s):

1. Ask God for fresh revelation from God’s Word.

2. Embark on the study of God’s Word to fuel your faith.

Prayer: O LORD, I ask for fresh insight from Your Word. Give me a stronger appetite for Your Word, O LORD, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: DIVINE PROOFS – THE SECRETS.

Amazing Fact: The human feet have 500,000 sweat glands and can produce more than a pint of sweat a day.

Today In History: 08/09/1866 – The first recorded birth of sextuplets took place in Chicago, IL. The parents were James and Jennie Bushnell.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 1:1 to 2:22, 2 Corinthians 11:1 to 15, Psalm 53:1 to 6, Proverbs 22:28 to 29

Quote: Activity does not equal productivity. Culled from 365 WISDOM CAPSULES by Dr Paul Enenche.

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: The Wisdom of God Will Distinguish You — Friday September 8, 2017.

“For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;” (Proverbs 2:6-7 NKJV)

My challenge with many believers today is that we think we can do things the way of the world and still shine as light. This is totally wrong! You cannot beat the world’s system using its own tools. Jesus speaking in Luke 16:8 (KJV) said, “…for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” To beat the world’s system, you need a superior platform. You need the wisdom that only God gives. It is the wisdom of God that will distinguish you.

God is the source of all wisdom and knowledge. He is wisdom personified. The book of James 1:5 (KJV) says: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Therefore, you have an assurance that whenever you ask God for wisdom, you receive.

God stores up sound wisdom for the upright. This is not wisdom that is common to everyone. It has been stored up and reserved for you and I. There are times that you are faced with complex issues that need to be resolved. What this scripture is saying is that there is a wisdom that has been reserved for you. It enables you to resolve seemingly complex situations. Even in your office, when it seems like you are at a crossroad and everyone is looking up to someone to give direction, know that God has stored up priceless wisdom for you. The essence is so you can proffer solutions and give direction to the company for the benefit of everyone. However, it will not fall on you like a bag of cherries. You will need to access this wisdom. If it were common, everyone would have access to it. But it is not!

Further Reading: Proverbs 8:14-18, James 3:17, Isaiah 33:6, 1 Corinthians 2:6-7

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Proverbs 3-5; Evening- 2 Corinthians 1

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: Ungodly Influence — Friday September 8, 2017.

Text: 2 Chronicles 21:1-11

Key Verse: “And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 21:6).

Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, king of Israel was a Phoenician princess, daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians. She reduced her husband to a mere puppet and established the Phoenician worship on a grand scale in the court of Ahab with no less than 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the groove.

The prophets of Jehovah were attacked on her orders and killed. Her name represents all that is ungodly, crafty, malicious, vengeful and cruel. Jehoshaphat, a righteous king, set the stage for corruption in the royal family of Judah through his unequal yoke with the idolatrous ruling family of Israel. Although he was a good man, his friendship with Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, paved the way for marriage between Jehoram his son and the daughter of Jezebel. Jehoram’s killing of his siblings in our text, his idolatry and wickedness were all the characteristics he learnt from Ahab and Jezebel.

Things started falling apart for Jehoram and Judah because the way of transgressors is hard. It was so sad that such a God-fearing king could provide a fertile ground for evil through his wrong choice of a friend. To underline the seriousness of ungodly marriage in the ruin of Jehoham, we read that “he walked… as did the house of Ahab; for he had the daughter of Ahab as his wife, and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 21:6).

This is a lesson, especially to unmarried believers today. Jehoram’s reign was a failure, and he died “without being desired” (verse 20) because of one mistake: he married a worldly woman – Ahab’s daughter. Unholy alliances always lead to compromise and spiritual disaster. Paul wrote, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” but “…be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing” (2 Corinthians 6:14,17). To cleave to God, one must first separate from the world!

Thought for the day: Who you get married to will either make or mar your destiny.

Bible Reading in one Year: Leviticus 25-27

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: Be Honest With God — Friday September 8, 2017.

God loveth a cheerful giver. — 2 Corinthians 9:7

The greatest blessing of giving is not on the financial side of the ledger but on the spiritual side. You receive a sense of being honest with God. You receive a consciousness that you are in partnership with God—that you are doing something constructive—that you are working with Him to reach the world for Jesus Christ. You are also enabled to hold on to this world’s goods loosely because the eternal values are always in view. How do you give? Is it liberally and cheerfully? Or is it sparingly and grudgingly? If you have been giving God the leftovers of your substance and your life, you have been missing the true joy and blessing of Christian giving and living.

Prayer for the day: Forgive me, almighty God, for so often giving You the leftovers. In my heart I know I can never outgive You.

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.