Topic: Don’t Waste Time [Thursday August 30, 2017]

Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity]… – Ephesians 5:15-16

We need to be so self-controlled that we don’t waste time. That doesn’t mean that we can never do anything fun. It doesn’t mean we can’t do things that we enjoy.

We don’t need to be rigid, stiff, or boring. But we do need to use our time wisely, choosing to give the best part of our day to spend time with God.

The Word encourages us to be prepared, saying, Hear counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, that you may be wise in the time to come (Proverbs 19:20). Starting your day with God’s instruction will keep you walking in wisdom, making the most of your time.

Topic: One Whole Lump: Marriage 3 [Wednesday, 30th August 2017]

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. Ephesians 5:25

Two people; different purposes, visions, and missions, lumped into one. Different taste, background, perspective, culture, lumped into one. Sometimes, different values, principles (we will talk about this more tomorrow) but still lumped into one, to fulfil the eternal purpose or cause that their King, the King of kings, have set out for them. While we appreciate the whole, we must also appreciate the ‘two wholes’ that make up the one whole lump. Yes, we must appreciate the individuals that are coming together, we must know and respect that it is probably two different worlds coming together. The earlier both the man and wife understands this, even before the nuptial ceremony, the better it would be for the whole lump.

These are the words of Apostles Peter in 1 Peter 3:7: “likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” This scripture shows us that indeed it is two different worlds that are coming together, and, on an individual basis, they ought to know themselves. The word knowledge in the above scripture is translated gnosis in Greek, and it means intelligence and understanding. Although, it talks to the male, that doesn’t mean it can’t also minister to the female. They must dwell together with deep intelligence and understanding of the varied layers of themselves before and during the coming together to form the whole.

You don’t only need to understand yourselves, you need to appreciate your differences. You won’t always think alike on some issues. You won’t always be in agreement, you won’t always operate on the same wavelength, with the same speed. This is where you will, sometimes, need to sheathe your opinion and views, no matter how well-intentioned. This is where you need to have an open mind, and be objective when a critical decision, that affects the union and it’s direction, needs to be made. This is where individuality is put aside also, and God’s counsel sought, for it is He Who knows the direction to lead the union to. But first, you must understand and appreciate your differences. It is key to a lasting union.

Keep winning daily.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help every intending and already married couple, by Your Spirit, to understand and appreciate their differences. To always put their marriage and family first, and above themselves individually. That wisdom will teach them to seek Your counsel always, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Topic: How to Remain In Front [Wednesday August 30, 2017]

If you don’t want to end as last, do not relax.

Anyone who relax and slack will end as last.

To maintain your place as first, be fast and firm in your pursuit.

Life is a race, stretch yourself, push forward!

Remember the word of Christ, “The first shall be last and the last shall be first”.

It is a race; overtaking is allowed.

It is a free for all race. You can chose your position in it. Luke 13:30

Do not relax, we are in a race.

Topic: Divine Wisdom — Thursday 30, August 2017.

Memorise: 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.  – James 1:5

Read: Daniel 1:18-20 (KJV)

18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.

20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

Bible in One Year: 1 Chronicles 25-27, Ezekiel 33:21-29, Hymn: Sing hymn 16: God Give Us Christian Homes!

MESSAGE:

Wisdom is the quality of discerning what is true, what is ethically right, and what should be done in different situations. Wisdom is fundamentally practical in nature. Although God alone possesses wisdom in the absolute sense, as a benevolent God, He is willing to give His wisdom to all those who seek it in humble reverence (James 1:5). We see the wisdom of God manifested in the work of creation and in the provision of redemption from sin through Jesus Christ. Divine wisdom refers to the abilities given by God in every area of life including recognising and applying the provision of salvation through Christ Jesus, craftsmanship, knowledge and insight for right decisions in life, and several others. Divine wisdom cannot be received by those who put their confidence in worldly wisdom, which is based on human cleverness and insight without God’s revelation. God considers this human kind of wisdom to be foolishness. It may produce temporary success in life, but this will come to nothing on the long run. 1 Corinthians 3:19-20 says,

“19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.”

Worldly wisdom builds pride and false hope in people, so much so that it makes them arrogate success to themselves to the exclusion of the Almighty God (Proverbs 26:12, Isaiah 47:10). In Isaiah 29:14, God has declared that worldly wisdom shall perish.

Wisdom has its roots in knowledge. Wisdom is the ability to correctly make use of acquired knowledge. Divine wisdom leads to proper conduct because it is built on the fear of God (Job 28:28). One of the dimensions that the Holy Spirit operates in is wisdom (Isaiah 11:2). Those who desire to possess divine wisdom will therefore need to cultivate an intimate relationship with Him (Proverbs 1:20-26). The Holy Spirit can fill a man’s heart with divine wisdom through the diligent study of God’s word (Psalms 19:7). He can also give divine wisdom through revelation. This revelation can come in the place of observing how others live their lives, or through the study of nature. Wisdom may also be received as a result of practical experiences of life and from parental guidance. Divine wisdom can only be received by those who are willing to give up all reliance on their own human insight and understanding. As you seek for divine wisdom by one or a combination of ways mentioned here, God will answer you and fill you up with His divine wisdom in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point: Father, please teach me Your ways and lead me through the path of wisdom in Jesus’ Name.

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: Principles of Divine Blessing [Wednesday 30, August 2017]

Memorise: “Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” – 1 Samuel 2:30

Read: Deuteronomy 28:1-6

1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.

6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

Bible In One Year: Ezekiel 18-20. Hymn: Sing Hymn 1

MESSAGE:

If you want to command the blessings of God, you must be willing to pay the price. It is very possible for you to enjoy God’s blessings all the days of your life. However, there are principles that command these blessings. When you follow and honour God, you have no fear of tomorrow.

If you live a holy life, God will supply all your needs. God will never been His standards for anyone. He is very strict and perfect. And it is His blessing that takes an individual to the top. The moment you choose to live by Hus standards, God will lift you up to the very top.

There is no blessing for the wicked unless the wicked repents and comes to Jesus. Divine blessings come to those who keep the commandments of God. They enjoy good success and prosperity. The moment you begin to walk in the principles of God, everything you touch becomes blessed.

Key Point: It pays to follow God.

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: Make Room in Your Heart — Wednesday August 30, 2017

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven . . . — Matthew 5:43–45

When H. G. Wells summed up the influence of Jesus in history, he said, “Is it any wonder that this Galilean is too much for our small hearts?” And yet the heart of man, though small, is big enough for Christ to live in, if man will only make room for Him.

Christ instilled the spirit of Christian love in His followers, so that they lived without malice and died without rancor. The love that Christ talked about can only be given to us by God. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit. When you come to Jesus Christ, He transforms you. Your past is forgiven. You receive a power to love men, beyond your natural ability to love.

Prayer for the day: Instill in me, dear Father, Your same Spirit of love which enabled the disciples to live with true charity.

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: Respond To God’s Direction – Wednesday August 30, 2017.

Luke 19:26 “For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.”

Text: Luke 19:26

What was it that this wicked servant didn’t have that caused his master to take back the money he had given him? It wasn’t the tangible money that he had been given. He had kept that laid up in a napkin and he still possessed it. What he was missing and what the other servant had that caused the lord to give this pound to him was faithfulness. Those who are faithful with what God has given them will be given more, and those who are wasteful will have what God has given them taken away and given to another.

Christians will one day stand before the Lord for the purpose of receiving rewards, and all our actions will be revealed, whether they were our own doings or directed by the Spirit of God. Those who were not governed by the Holy Spirit in their actions will see all their good works burned up in that day when we stand before the Lord and He tries our works. Those who acted only under the guidance of the Holy Spirit will find that their works will endure the test and they will receive a reward.

Many people choose to do good things thinking that God will be pleased. But our positive response to God’s direction (faith) is what pleases God (Heb. 11:6). We were created with a purpose and every individual has a God-given plan for his life. We need to let God work in and through us and faithfully fulfill what He has called us to do.

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: No Longer Two But One (4)

Dear Reader,

Welcome to another fruitful time in the presence of God. So far, I have discussed on the foundation that should be laid for the enhancement of oneness in your marriage.

This week, as I conclude this teaching, we shall be looking at “Keys to Sustaining Oneness in Marriage.”  It is not enough to be united as one, it has to be sustained. The reason Jesus came is to give abundant life, even in marriage. However, man must co-operate with God to make marriage a mini-paradise on earth, as it is supposed to be. The sustainability of your marriage does not depend on God, but on you.

The following are the major keys that will help you sustain oneness in your marriage. When you do your own part, God will always fulfill His own part.

Lay Your Foundation on the Rock

The foundation of a building determines to a very large extent what happens to it, and whether that building will last long or not.  For oneness in marriage to be sustained, you must lay your foundation upon the Rock, in the person of Jesus Christ.

Laying your foundation on the Rock means ruling your marriage by the Word of God. This is because Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1).  If your marriage is not built on God’s Word, then it is without a foundation, and it cannot be sustained no matter what anybody tries to do to help! God’s Word says: If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalms 11:3). Jesus is the only sure foundation. When you lay your foundation on the solid Rock (Jesus Christ), your home will stand.

Fulfill Your Marriage Responsibilities

Marriage has responsibilities attached to it. Therefore, co-operation is a necessity. For instance, the wife should submit to her husband in the home, be chaste, respectful and pure in her conversation. She should keep her home and make it conducive for the Holy Spirit to dwell.

The man on the other hand, must play a leadership role in the home, provide for his family and train his children in the way of the Lord. When both the man and the woman fulfill their covenant responsibilities, it becomes easy for their marriage to be sustained. Thus, no storms of life will be able to destabilize them because the force of oneness will be in operation.

No Hide-and-seek Game

For your marriage to be sustained, both you and your spouse must be open to each other. There should be no occasion to hide something from one another.  God’s Word says: And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed (Genesis 2:25).

The word “naked” in this context means “openness and “transparency,” to one another. If a couple is open to each other, they will not know shame and their marriage will be sustained. There are quite a number of people who hide things from their spouses, even Christians! When it comes to the issue of money, many believers are affected.

Whatever information will make your spouse disappointed in you if he/she hears it from someone else, should be made known on time; else, you are involved in a hide-and-seek game. Funnily enough, whether you like it or not, it will unexpectedly be discovered one day.

Wisdom – The Principal Thing

Wisdom is the principal tool for sustenance (Proverbs 4:7). Both you and your spouse need to constantly ask God for wisdom in handling the day-to-day affairs of your marriage. An act of foolishness on the part of any of you, may affect oneness in your marriage.

Wisdom prompts you to know when to talk and when to keep quiet; what to say and the right time to say it; where to go and at what time, etc. Do you know it is possible to say the right thing but at the wrong time, thereby causing instability in your home? God’s Word says: Through wisdom is a house builded; and by understanding it is established (Proverbs 24:3).

For oneness in marriage to be sustained, you need wisdom. This wisdom comes from God and whenever you need it, you can ask Him for it (James 1:5). Laying the foundation of your marriage upon the Rock implies making Jesus Christ the central focus in your home and allowing Him to take His rightful place. If you are set for this, say this prayer of faith with me: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

Congratulations, you are now born again! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

Topic: Outgrowing Your Affliction [Wednesday August 30, 2017]

Scripture: In that day their burden will be lifted from your shoulders, their yoke from your neck; the yoke will be broken because you have grown so fat. Isaiah 10:27 (NIV)

Thought For The Day: A healthy spirit conquers adversity.

The spirit of a man is what determines how he handles the infirmities of life. A healthy spirit conquers adversity. So, it is the size of your spirit that determines the size of your destiny. It is impossible to have a strong spirit and exist with a weak life or destiny.

When a child is two years old, there is a particular cloth size he can wear. But when he grows older, maybe about five years old, he cannot wear those clothes anymore, no matter how attached he is to them, and no one can force the clothes on his body because his body size has outgrown the cloth size.

In the same vein, you can grow your spirit to a point where your spirit will outgrow the afflictions of your flesh.

This is a more permanent deliverance because if a man of God with a superior anointing destroys the yoke over your life, and the conditions under which that yoke was destroyed are not being maintained, the yoke can re-emerge. But if you outgrow the yoke spiritually, even if you are in the midst of one billion witches, you remain delivered because your spiritual size has changed.

So, you can outgrow that cancer, barrenness, HIV & AIDS, witches and wizards’ afflictions, etc.

Beloved, my counsel to you is, fatten up your spirit man by spending time in praying, studying the Word of God, and listening to “fire-full” messages so you can outgrow any affliction or challenge in your life.

Remember this: A healthy spirit conquers adversity.

Assignment(s):

1. Do what the counsel on today’s study says.

2. Refuse to gratify the lust of the flesh.

3. Avoid carnally minded people.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: OUTGROWING YOUR AFFLICTIONS.

Prayer: O LORD, I receive the grace to build up my spirit man. Let every yoke around my life be broken, LORD, in Jesus’ Name.

Daily Reading: Job 34:1 to 36:33, 2 Corinthians 4:1 to 12, Psalm 44:1 to 8, Proverbs 22:10 to 12

Quote: One light can handle your night. One revelation can handle your affliction. Culled 15 KINGDOM STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL by Dr Paul Enenche.

Amazing Fact: Planets have magnetic field around them because of the liquid iron in their cores. As the planets rotate, so the iron swirls, generating electric currents that create the magnetic field.

Today In History: 30/8/1945 – Hong Kong was liberated from Japan by British Armed Forces.

Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), is a powerfully anointed church, headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Dr Paul and Dr Becky Enenche, as the Senior Pastors. It is a power-packed arena where God’s Presence, Principles and Power are at work for the salvation, healing and restoration of human destinies and dignities.

Topic: Made Clean — Wednesday August 30, 2017.

Read: Ezekiel 36:24–32, Bible in a Year: Psalms 129–131; 1 Corinthians 11:1–16

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Ezekiel 36:25

When I opened our dishwasher, I wondered what went wrong. Instead of seeing sparkling clean dishes, I removed plates and glasses that were covered in a chalky dust. I wondered if the hard water in our area was wreaking havoc, or if the machine was broken.

God’s cleansing, unlike that faulty dishwasher, washes away all of our impurities. We see in the book of Ezekiel that God is calling His people back to Himself as Ezekiel shared God’s message of love and forgiveness. The Israelites had sinned as they proclaimed their allegiance to other gods and other nations. The Lord, however, was merciful in welcoming them back to Himself. He promised to cleanse them “from all [their] impurities and all [their] idols” (36:25). As He put His Spirit in them (v. 27), He would bring them to a place of fruitfulness, not famine (v. 30).

God, teach me to submit to You daily that I might grow more and more closely into the likeness of Jesus.

As in the days of the prophet Ezekiel, today the Lord welcomes us back to Him if we go astray. When we submit ourselves to His will and His ways, He transforms us as He washes us clean from our sins. With His Holy Spirit dwelling within us, He helps us to follow Him day by day.

Prayer: Lord God, the feeling of being cleansed and forgiven is like no other. Thank You for transforming me into a new person. Teach me to submit to You daily that I might grow more and more closely into the likeness of Jesus.

The Lord makes us clean.

Insight:

Can we find ourselves in the men and women of the Bible? We are there in Ezekiel’s vision of a God whose love can be a consuming fire. The people of Jerusalem were headed for exile in Babylon to learn for themselves that a love affair with self-made gods would ruin them. Yet our story doesn’t end with Israel in Babylon. The long-awaited Messiah shows us how far our God is willing to go to help us let go of worthless loves, so that He can forgive us and restore us to Himself. Mart DeHaan

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