Daily Devotional for Friday 29th March

[Edoman]

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

FRIDAY, 29TH MARCH.


IT’S ABOUT YOUR RESPONSE TO THE WORD.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

Our opening scripture lets us know the power of God’s Word. Howbeit, the Word only produces results for you when you believe, and act upon it. Your faith-response is vital. For example, 2 Peter 1:3 says God has given you all things that pertain to life and godliness. This means everything you could ever want, that’s consistent with God’s perfect will for you, is already yours in Christ.

Your response, therefore, should be, “Blessed be God! Health, prosperity, success, victory, and other glorious provisions of the Gospel are my present-hour realities in Christ.” Responding to the Word is how you make the Word real in your personal life, and that’s what faith is: the response of the human spirit to the Word of God.

1 Corinthians 2:12 says, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” Faith is acting on these spiritual realities revealed to us by the Holy Spirit, accepting them as truth and living accordingly.

Consider 2 Corinthians 2:14; it says, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” This means no matter what happens, you insist that you’re triumphant always, and in all things. You stand your ground and maintain that you’re a victor in Christ Jesus; you don’t just think it, you affirm it. Hallelujah!

God gave us His Word to live by, and to use in charting our course in victory. It’s your responsibility to use the Word; to work the Word. The change you desire in your finances, health, and family would only come as a result of your response to the Word. Hebrews 13:5-6 says, “…for he hath said…So that we may boldly say….” 2 Corinthians 4:13 says, “...we also believe, and therefore speak.” It’s about your response to the Word: what you say, on the basis of what He has said!

PRAYER

Blessed Father, how I love you! You’ve made me righteous and prosperous; you’ve made my life excellent, and full of glory. Thank you for the power of your Word in my life, which prevails and produces results in, and for me, in all things, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks [be] unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

Isaiah 55:10-11 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.

Hebrews 13:5-6 [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Luke 8:1-21 & Joshua 3-4

2-Year Bible Reading Plan
Matthew 26:36-46 & Exodus 38

[Edoman]

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL


DATE: FRIDAY 29TH MARCH 2019


THEME: PLEASANT SURPRISES.


MEMORISE:

And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. Luke 24:36

READ: Luke 24:13-36

13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.

29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

MESSAGE

Surprises come in different sizes and categories. Some surprises fall within our day to day activities, like receiving visitors you least expect. These are aptly described as surprise visits, and an example of this is Mary’s visit to cousin Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-44). There are pleasant surprises, such as when Abraham and Sarah were told at a very old age that their child of promise was about to come (Genesis 18:9-14). This announcement was so great and seemingly impossible that Sarah laughed in disbelief; yet, it was a pleasant surprise when God gave her the son He had promised (Genesis 21:6-7). There are also unpleasant surprises, such as when you are betrayed by someone very close to you, like Absalom did to David, his loving father (2 Samuel 15:6-14).

The disciples of Jesus Christ experienced pleasant surprises at a time when they thought all hope was lost for them. This is evident from the encounter two of them had on the road to Emmaus. As they journeyed, they spent their time lamenting their shattered hope about Jesus. In Luke 24:21 they said:

“But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.”

Meanwhile, a great and pleasant surprise had taken place in Jerusalem where they were coming from, which they could not believe. Though they had been told of Christ resurrection before they embarked on the trip to Emmaus, they were still full of unbelief. The story seemed too good to be true! This is one of the characteristics of pleasant surprises occasioned by miracles. When the early visitors to the tomb of Jesus Christ were greeted with the news of His resurrection, they experienced this type of pleasant surprise. Matthew 28:8 captures their emotions in these words:

“And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.”

As if that was not enough, those who took the news of the resurrection to the others had not finished speaking when the Master Himself appeared to them all to confirm the news (Luke 24:36)! In the same way, there is no adjective to qualify the type of surprise that result from the miracle of a baby being born by a woman without a womb. It is indeed pleasant to experience the impossible becoming possible in one’s life. Your pleasant surprises are coming your way this season in Jesus’ Name. All you need to do is to identify with the Great Miracle Worker, and He will work things out that will give you pleasant surprises in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, do a new thing that will bring pleasant surprises to my life today in Jesus’ Name.



BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Thessalonians 1-4

Jeremiah 7:8-26

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 1: THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS

1. There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.
o Refrain:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

2. There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.

3. There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honor Thy Word.

4. There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

5. There shall be showers of blessing,
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
If we let God have His way.

[Edoman]

*OUR DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL*

_A DEVOTIONAL BOOKLET FOR CHAMPIONS_

*DATE: FRIDAY 29TH MARCH, 2019*


*TOPIC: THERE IS A WILD ANIMAL IN YOUR TONGUE! TAME IT NOW!*

*BASIC SCRIPTURE: EZEKIEL 36:1-9*

Ezekiel had to PROPHESY to the BONES and the WINDS before the DRY BONES COULD LIVE AGAIN! Proverbs 12:18 is clear: “There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.” THE PIERCING OF THE SWORDS IS A WOUND AND SHAME MANUFACTURER! *In this year 2019, never use your words to DESCRIBE your situation! Use your words to CHANGE your situation!

* The Tongue has on bone, but it is strong enough to BREAK A HEART; so be careful how you use your words this year! Use words that are filled with FAITH AND NOT FEAR! Your TONGUE is like a WILD ANIMAL; you need to know when to tame it, chain it or train it. When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know, but when you listen more this year, you might learn NEW things that can move you from STORY TO GLORY! There is POWER in your TONGUE! Ezekiel 36:8 says, “But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to My people of Israel…”

Most of the time, God tells His vindicated prophets to prophesy to PEOPLE. But on this occasion, He tells Ezekiel to prophesy DIRECTLY TO THE LAND. Ezekiel spoke to the MOUNTAINS! Wow! He commanded the LAND and MOUNTAINS to provide for God’s people, according to God’s Word. Do the same this year! Speak to that BATTLE! Speak to that WOMB! Speak to that CAREER/BUSINESS! Speak to your MARITAL STATUS! Speak to your CHILDREN and GRANDCHILDREN to succeed and be mighty seeds upon the land! You must speak (prophesy) to your HEALTH and FINANCES! Yes! Speak to your HELPERS to come forth and then speak to your GLORY to manifest! What did you pray about in this year’s 21-day fast? Prophesy to it to SHOW FORTH! Speak the divine promises God has spoken over your life! You have the CREATIVE ability to speak and command God’s blessings over your life/ministry into existence. Always remember John 14:14: “Whatever you ask (DEMAND, REQUIRE, DECREE, COMMAND) in My name that will I do.” Start now! Speak now! This is your year!

*THE BATTLE AXE INT’L MINISTERS’ FIRE CONFERENCE OF 2019 BEGINS TODAY FRIDAY MARCH 29TH TILL SUNDAY 31ST. CALL: +234-8023421513, +234-8023232214, +234-8178034303 or E-mail: orderodm@gmail.
com for hotel plans and other enquiries! THEME: THERE IS A “MOSES” IN YOU! Your GRACE IS ABOUT TO SOAR!*

*PRAYER POINTS: Take Song 3: My Faith Looks Up To Thee…*
1. In your own words, pray about today’s word as led now.
2. I SPEAK FORTH the following concerning my life, family and ministry *(Open your mouth and speak now. Decree, command and demand now).*
3. I speak to the MOUNTAINS and the LAND to deliver my BLESSINGS concerning 2019 *(Decree, command and demand GREAT THINGS in the remaining months of this year. mention the months).*

*THE BIBLE-IN-ONE-YEAR: 2SAMUEL 22 – 24*
*BY: BISHOP (DR) CHRIS E. KWAKPOVWE (CEK)*
_PUBLISHER/AUTHOR AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF_
*Song 3: My Faith Looks Up To Thee*

1. My faith looks up to Thee
Thou Lamb of Calvary, Saviour divine;
Now hear me while I pray;
Take all my guilt away;
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine.

2. May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire;
As Thou hast died for me
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be
A living fire.

3. While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.

4. All thru life’s transient dream,
Until death’s sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll,
Blest Saviour, with Thy love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Make me Thy grace to prove
Transform my soul.

[Edoman]

Seeds of Destiny 

Friday 29th March


TOPIC: UNDERSTANDING COMMITMENT TO GOD

SCRIPTURE: And his disciples remembered that it was written,"The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. John 2":17

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: What you do with God’s work reflects your dedication to God.

Yesterday,"we saw that one proof of being dedicated to God is being committed to God. We established that when a person truly encounters God like Paul the apostle, he would ask what he would do for God (Acts 9":6). You cannot really encounter Jesus and not be on fire to do something for God.

Now,"what does it mean to be committed to God? It means;
i. Eagerness and willingness to run errands for God
Commitment to the cause of God means the eagerness and willingness to run the errands of God. When a man is dedicated to God, he is eager and willing to run errands for God (Acts 9":6).
ii. Existence in reliability and dependability in kingdom assignment
Commitment to the Cause of God means existence in reliability and dependability. A person of dedication is one who is reliable and dependable in Kingdom assignment. There are people in church departments who come ahead of scheduled time for the weekly meetings while there are others who come an hour after the scheduled time. What a person does with God’s work reflects his dedication to God. God watches everything we do.

Beloved,"the question is, if God should leave his agenda on the earth in your hands, will it succeed? When you are committed to the cause of God, God cannot be looking for who to send and you are there. Dedication to God is a dogged commitment to Him and His Kingdom.
Remember this": What a person does with God’s work reflects his dedication to God.

ASSIGNMENTS:
1. See it as a privilege to be used by God to run His errands.
2. Deploy yourself to run divine errands.
PRAYER: O Lord,"I receive the grace to run Your errands always. Help me to put You first in all that I do, Lord in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE": UNDERSTANDING DEDICATION.
DAILY READING: Deuteronomy 11:1 to 12:32,"Luke 8":22 to 39,"Psalm 70":1 to 5,"Proverbs 12":4.
QUOTE: When a person withdraws himself or herself from the fellowship of the brethren,"his fire must go out. Culled from WHO ARE YOU? by Dr Paul Enenche.

AMAZING FACT": On an average,"a human blinks the eyes seventeen (17) times a minute.
TODAY IN HISTORY": 29/03/2004 - The Republic of Ireland becomes the first country in the world to ban smoking in all work places, including bars and restaurants.

[Edoman]

*THE LIVING WATER*

*DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE*

*Friday, March 29, 2019*

*TOPIC: THANKSGIVING --- THE MASTER KEY (II)*
*Read: John 11:38-44*

*MEMORISE: _And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go”_ (John 11:44).*

*EXPOSITION*

Thanksgiving is acknowledge God as the source of your blessings, and as the source of any good thing in your life *(Jn. 3:27; Jam. 1:17).* However, there are two kinds of thanksgiving, namely, thanksgiving after God has done for you --- testifying to the goodness of God in your life *(Lk. 17:11-17).* It could also be recounting the past acts of God. There are times we need to look back in order not to forget the benefits of the Lord, by going down the memory lane *(Psa. 103:1-8).* 

Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
The other kind of thanksgiving which is our focus today is, “Thanksgiving before God has done something for you.” This kind of thanksgiving is provoked by your faith in the Almighty God. It is faith in action. You have not seen it happen, yet you believe it will come to pass. This kind of thanksgiving connects you to the supernatural. 

This is the master key.
It is the thanksgiving that can open all locked doors. For instance, the situation was hopeless in the case of Lazarus who had been dead for four days *(Jn. 11:38-44).* But no situation is hopeless with a thanks giver; no door can be shut against thanksgiving. Thanksgiving will bring to life every situation that is dead in your life.
While in prison, Paul and Silas praised God and the prison gate was opened for their freedom *(Acts 16:22-26).* Jesus fed five thousand with five small barley loaves and two small fishes after giving thanks to God *(Jn 6:3-13).* Glorify God with your little, and it will multiply. When you have enough gratitude, your seed will multiply.

*PRAYER POINTS*

*1.* Lord, never allow the devil or challenges of life to shut my mouth up from praising You at all seasons.
*2.* Father, increase our faith to appreciate You for how far You have been with us in this nation, so we can see what You have in store for us tomorrow.
*3.* Lord, make giving of praise and thanks part and parcel of our lives in all we do.
*EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:* Deuteronomy 26:2 – 28:20; Luke 3:34 – 4:17
*Author: CAC WORLDWIDE*
*Remain Blessed!*