Daily Devotional for Friday 9th August

[Edoman]

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

FRIDAY 09 AUGUST 2019


NO EXCUSES

And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it (Habakkuk 2:2).

One of the things you must ensure in your personal life is to get rid of excuses. Do what you ought to do, say what you ought to say—at the right time, and in the right way. When you want to live a life of glory, power, success, and influence, you shun mediocrity and excuses.

As long as you make excuses, you can’t be excellent. Be known for excellence, for glory, because that’s your calling in Christ. He called you to display His wonderful deeds, virtues, perfections, excellence, and wisdom: “...that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9 AMPC).

What vision did the Spirit of God lay in your heart to have achieved by the end of the year? Review the current status and make up your mind there’ll be no excuses. Stay focused and disciplined; tell yourself it’s going to be nothing short of excellence. Be challenged and motivated by the joy and anticipation of an excellent finish.

Many procrastinate, and give excuses for their poor performance or ineffectiveness. Choose to win. Choose to succeed. Success is measured at different stages. So, do your best now, and then move on to the next stage.

Do the right thing at the right time, for the right purpose. Be consistent. Be diligent. Don’t be that person who always starts things but never completes them. Persevere in transforming your vision into reality. You’re sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency (2 Corinthians 3:5). In Him, you’re up to any task; you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).

CONFESSION

I live a life of glory, power, and influence, displaying the virtues, perfections, excellence and wisdom of Christ. I exercise carefulness, persistence and determination in ensuring excellence in all that I do, exuding commitment and perseverance in transforming my vision into reality. I’m effective and productive, transforming challenges to opportunities as I soar in greatness. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY:

Proverbs 22:29 MSG
Observe people who are good at their work - skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don't take a back seat to anyone.

John 9:4
I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

2 Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,

DAILY SCRIPTURES READING
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Romans 11:25-36
Psalms 82-84

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Luke 14:15-24
Judges 17

[Edoman]

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: FRIDAY 9TH AUGUST 2019

THEME: WIVES, BUILD YOUR HOMES.

MEMORISE:

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. Proverbs 14:1

READ: 1 Peter 3:1-6

1Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

MESSAGE

In His wisdom, the Holy Spirit has chosen to speak to wives in today’s devotional. Please note that He is speaking to wives and not just women. Obviously, not all women are wives. However, every wife is first a woman before becoming a wife. Are you a woman trusting God change your status from single to married? I pray that God will grant you your good heart’s desire this season in Jesus’ name. In God’s kingdom, only wives are given the assignment of building homes, not mistresses or “bed partners”. In other words, a mistress or bed-partner does not have the divine grace to build a godly family. With divine wisdom, a woman develops into a wife who builds her home. This wisdom come through the fear of God, which dwells on every woman who has received Jesus into her heart (Proverbs 9:10, Revelation 3:20). Jesus is the embodiment of God’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:24), and in this age of enlightenment, it takes Jesus in the life of a woman to do according to all that the Holy Spirit instructs in today’s Bible reading.

Godly wives are distinguishable by their chastity and general attitude to life, which is a product of the fear of God they possess and not necessarily because of the fear of their husbands. It is a wise thing for a wife to build her home; only a foolish person would pull down the house he or she lives in. many women who have pulled down their homes are now roaming the “streets of life”. Although they may pretend that all is well, they are actually hurting and nursing regrets over their past actions. Sadly, any such women are now encouraging naïve wives to act against the interest of their homes so that they can become their companions in misery. No wonder the Holy Spirit warns in 1 Timothy 4:7 saying:

“But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.”

Some years ago, one f my daughters started having problems with her marriage, and she asked that me to counsel her. I discovered that she was getting carried away by her academic achievements, because she had bagged a PhD like her husband. So, I told her to be submissive to her husband if she really wanted to have a home. This suggestion was so ridiculous to her that she reminded me that she had a PhD like her husband! I said to her, “No problem, since your PhD can solve your marital challenges, go ahead and apply its philosophical principles to build yourself a happy home.” She got the message and began to yield to her husband. Before long, peace, joy and progress returned to her home. My prayer for someone reading this devotional today is that your troubled home will receive peace and unspeakable joy in Jesus’ Name. Be wise and invite Jesus Christ into your home today, and you will be glad you did.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, give me Your wisdom to build my home according to Your pattern, in Jesus Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 6-7
Ezekiel 31:10-18

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 16: GOD GIVE US CHRISTIAN HOMES

1. God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,
Homes where the master’s
Will is sought,
Homes crowned with beauty thy love hath wrought;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!

2. God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the father is true and strong,
Homes that are free from the blight of wrong,
Homes that are joyous with love and song;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!

3. God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the mother, in queenly quest
Strive to show others thy way is best
Homes where the lord is an honoured guest;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!

4. God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the children are led to know
Christ in His beauty who loves them so,
Homes where the altar fires burn and glow;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!
Amen.

[Edoman]

SEEDS OF DESTINY 

 Friday, 9th August

TOPIC: *QUALITY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND DESTINY FULFILMENT*

SCRIPTURE : "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you…." James 4:8

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY : Success is only success if it is success in the direction of God.
It is critical to note that every creature is a product of a conceived purpose; God created us for a purpose. And anyone who is not living for the fulfilment of that purpose and destiny is a confirmation of a wasted life. The matter of destiny fulfilment is very crucial to God’s creative agenda.

Today, we are looking at another factor that confirms that destiny is being fulfilled. *How do you know that you are not wasting your life?*
The Maintenance of Quality Relationship with God
*It has been confirmed that success is only success if it is success in the direction of God.* Progress with God is progress indeed, and failure with God is failure indeed, and that is the master of failure.

Matthew 6:33 says,"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you".

The richest man who ever existed in the history of the world, John D. Rockefeller was a man who succeeded with God. No one has beaten his records till today. The money he had at that time in today’s dollar equivalent considering inflation rates is about what ten topmost billionaires would have in our time. He had given a Hundred and Twenty Million dollars to his church at once, and on another occasion, he gave Four Hundred Million dollars.

Beloved, ensure that your career success does not happen at the expense of your spiritual success. Ensure that you truly fulfil destiny. The truth is, there are people who have money but are not fulfilling destiny because no life is touched, no one is imparted or affected, and nothing has changed positively in anyone’s life because the person encountered them.

So, be determined to fulfil your destiny in this world. And I declare to you that no devil can stop you, in Jesus’ Name.

Remember this : "Success is only success if it is success in the direction of God".

ASSIGNMENT(S):
1. Start and end your day with God,"and with a clear conscience.
2. Consistently build your life around His Word.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE : "UNDERSTANDING DESTINY"
PRAYER : O Lord,"I am nothing without You. Draw me close to You in intimate relationship, Lord, in Jesus’ Name".
DAILY BIBLE READING : Ezra 8:21 to 9:15, 1 Corinthians 5:1 to 13, Psalm 31:1 to 8, Proverbs 21:1 to
QUOTE: "Relationship with God is the most authentic measure of wisdom. To know God and to pursue him, that is wisdom". Culled from "REASON FOR LIVING* by Dr Paul Enenche.
AMAZING FACT : Sloths take two weeks to digest their food.
PROPHETIC DECLARATION/WORD : I prophesy the release of fresh passion for God upon you in this season, in Jesus’ Name.
DON’T FORGET TO ATTEND: The Home Church meeting by 6:00pm tomorrow at a Home Church near you. Also invite your friends and neighbours. God bless you as you do so.

[Edoman]

*OUR DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL*

_A DAILY DEVOTIONAL BOOKLET FOR CHAMPIONS_

*DATE: FRIDAY 9TH AUGUST, 2019*

*TOPIC: PROPHETIC VIGIL PRAYERS: MAKE MY ROD UNCOMMON! _(FAST IF YOU CAN TODAY)_!*
*BASIC SCRIPTURES: NUMBERS 17:1-10; ISAIAH 27:6*

Note that God separated Aaron from the crowd by the building and flourishing of his dry rod in the midst of others. Note also that, while the rod of Moses, which was used in working many miracles, was not preserved in the Ark from generation to generation, that of Aaron was preserved! That means the rod of Aaron, which signified the priesthood, was also separated from the rod of Moses (Hebrews 9:4). In this second half of 2019, and in tonight’s Worldwide Night Vigil, cry out to God to make you fruitful and different from the crowd! *Pray now! Pray at 12am also!*

*PRAYER THE PRAYER POINTS BELOW NOW AND TONIGHT:*

1. *“Fruitfulness is the best evidence of a divine call”* (Bishop Hall)! O Lord, in this second half of 2019 and beyond, make me fruitful and cause my rod (my life’s assignment) to blossom, in Jesus name. LORD, let Your fruitfulness cause men to know that indeed, You are in me. Lord, thank You for what You are doing! Thank You for moving me from STORY to GLORY this year and beyond in Jesus name *(Pray it very well)!*

2. Father, cause my rod (my life’s assignment, business, family, academics, job, etc,) to be separated from the crowd by Your supernatural fire and power in Jesus name *(Pray it well)!*

3. Read Isaiah 41:11 and pray, “Lord, in this second half of 2019, contend with them that contend with me. They that strive with me shall perish. LORD, do for me what You did for Aaron!”

4. Read Isaiah 41:15 and Psalm 18:33 and start stepping on mountains now *(demonstrate it)* in Jesus name! Pray now: “My feet are anointed more than the hind’s feet! I therefore arise and step over problems (mountains) now! I am a new, sharp instrument having teeth! I hereby tread on the mountains and beat them small. I tread on wicked demonic serpents now *(Pray it seriously with demonstration!)”*

5. Decree that all your past/current, prayer/fasting programmes CANNOT be wasted. There shall be FRUIT and RESULTS!

6. Pray any other prayer(s) now! Lift up your hands and pray: “Father, make the rod of my life, family and ministry uncommon in Jesus name *(Pray it with holy zeal)!*

7. *WORLDWIDE VIGIL:* All ODM users must as much as possible pray between *_12am and 1am_* tonight. Ask the Lord to make you uncommon. Pray the above prayers again tonight! Pray for various breakthroughs for all ODM users in this second half of 2019!

*THE BIBLE-IN-ONE-YEAR: ISAIAH 31-33*
*BY: BISHOP (DR) CHRIS E. KWAKPOVWE

[Edoman]

LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

Friday, August 9, 2019 - international Day of the World's Indigenous People

THE 'WHY?' PEOPLE

READ: Proverbs 3:1-7; 20:24

Proverbs 3:1-7 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

Proverbs 20:24 Man's goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?
MEMORISE: A man's steps are of the Lord; how then can a man understand his own way? (Proverbs 20:24)

EXPOSITION

It is characteristic of every man to want to know why things happen. It is therefore not out of place to say we are 'Why?' people. The 'Why?' people ask various 'Why?' questions: Why me? Why that? Why this? Why am I...? etc. NLT puts today's scripture to memorise as 'the Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?' This makes the meaning of 'why people' clearer.
Why try to know why? We want to know why some things are happening to us. We try to know why we are as we are. It is not as if it is bad to ask 'Why?', but it is important to know that whether we know why or not, our lives are in the hands of God and He orders them towards a glorious end.

The heart of a king is in the hands of God. Our Creator has the manual of our lives. We cannot really understand all that He is graciously doing to fulfil His purpose through, and in our lives. We need God to help us discover and discharge our responsibilities. After these, leave the rest unto the waiting and willing God.

SOLUTION: Live your life always like the clay in the potter's hands. God should be given the privilege of doing to you as He so desires, in accordance with His eternal programme. Mind you, His thought toward you is of good. He has the best of ideas on how to better your lot. He works, and makes everything work for your good. Note that there is no amount of agitations, worries and struggling that can change what God already planned for you. Don't ask 'Why?'; ask 'What?' (cf. Acts 2:37).

PRAYER POINTS

1. Lord, let Your good purpose and plan materialise in my life in Your hands.
2. Lord, heal me of anxiety and the attitude of struggling to know how You are going about my life.
3. Lord, let the Church always surrender to Your will alone, and rise to the challenge of educating people in Your way.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Psalms 7:15 - 12:6; Romans 2:23 – 3:15