Sunday 31 July 2016

The Redeemed Christian Church of God
64th Annual Convention is here!

Date: 1-7 August, 2016.

Theme: AMEN.

Venue: The Redemption Camp Km 46 Lagos-Ibadan ExpressWay, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Hurray!!!
The Programme For This Years Convention Is Out!!!
God Bless You As You Download And Share

MONDAY, 1ST AUGUST 2016

8.30-10.00AM Ordination of Deacons & Deaconesses
8.30PM 1. House Fellowship Leaders & Workers meet
Council Meet
RCCG 64th Annual Convention 2016 Programme-schedules

TUESDAY, 2ND AUGUST 2016

8.30-10.00AM Ordination of Asst. Pastors
2.30-4.00PM Children of God meet
4.30 -6.30PM Special seminars 1-6
8.30PM Welcome Service (Plenary Session 1)

WEDNESDAY, 3RD AUGUST 2016

8.30-10.00AM Bible college graduation
10.00AM – 12NOON: Mummy GO holds meeting with missionaries
2.30-4.00PM Special seminars 1-13
4.30 -6.30PM Melody Hour
8.30PM Plenary Session 2

THURSDAY, 4TH AUGUST 2016

8.30-10.00AM Plenary Session 3
10.30AM -12noon Plenary Session 4
2.30-4.00PM Special seminars 1-13
4.30 -6.30PM Service of Songs
8.30PM Deliverance Service (Plenary Session 5)

FRIDAY, 5TH AUGUST 2016

8.30-10.00AM Plenary Session 6
10.30AM -12 NOON Bible study
4.30 -6.30PM Youth Hour
8.30PM Holy Ghost Service (Plenary Session 7 & 8)

SATURDAY, 6TH AUGUST 2016

8.30-10.00AM Questions & Answers
10.30AM -12NOON 1. Baptism service
Elders meeting
Good women’s forum
2.30-4.00PM Special seminars 1-13
4.30 -6.30PM Children’s hour
8.30PM Holy Communion Service (Plenary Session 9)

SUNDAY, 7TH AUGUST 2016

8.30-10.00AM Ordination of Pastors & Farewell service

Dream Big

BY RICK WARREN — JULY 30, 2016

“Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of — infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes”(Ephesians 3:20 TLB).

Faith is choosing and believing God’s dream for your life. Nothing starts happening in your life until you start dreaming. God gave you the ability to dream, to create, to imagine. Dreaming is an act of faith. Everything you see on this planet started as a dream.

So, how do you get God’s dream for your life? You do three things:

First, you dare to ask for it. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of — infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes” (TLB).

If you want God’s blessing on your life this year, you must dare to ask for it. You must say, “God, what’s your dream for my life? What do you want me to do?” Then you ask yourself, “What would I attempt for God if I knew I couldn’t fail?” Let that expand your vision.

Second, you believe God’s promises. The Bible says in Jeremiah 32:27, “I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?” (NLT, second edition)

Never let an impossible situation intimidate you. Let it motivate you to pray more, believe more, trust more, experience more, learn more, and grow more. Faith always works in the realm of the impossible.

Hudson Taylor said there are three stages to God’s will in your life: impossible, possible, and done.

Third, you dream big. “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession” (Psalm 2:8 NIV).

The size of your God should determine the size of your goal. You haven’t really believed God until you’ve attempted something that can’t be done in the power of the flesh. If you want to know how big your dream should be, ask yourself two questions: How much time do you have to give to it? If it’s a dream you can give the rest of your life to, then you can really dream big.

Second, what are you shaped to do? What are your spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences — the five things that make you you. What do you love to do? What are you gifted to do?

Dream great dreams for God. It’s the first step in your walk of faith.

Talk It Over

Have you been waiting on God to make your dream happen? What have you asked of him concerning your dream?
What is the seemingly impossible thing you would attempt if you knew you wouldn’t fail?
How do your dreams reflect the amount of faith you have in God?

HOW TO SECURE YOUR SEAT IN LIFE

Bishop David Abioye

Today: 2016-07-31

Sitting around your work is what creates a seat for you among men.

Never seek after what to be, rather pursue after what to do.

It is what you do that determines what you will be.

Do not envy any man’s seat. Rather covet their works.

The approach to your seat is very clear:

Simply work the way others do and you’ll end on their kind of seat.

Your seat is vacant awaiting your arrival!

Kingdom Living by the Power of the Holy Ghost

	SUNDAY JUL. 31

Romans 14:17, John 16:13-15 (NIV)
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. *But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.... He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

One of the major assignments of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Christ in your life. In Acts 3:13, Peter described the healing of the lame man by the beautiful gate as an act of God glorifying Christ. This means that God glorifies Christ by manifesting the power and glory of Christ in our lives. Know that the Holy Spirit is ready to empower you to experience whatever you believe will bring glory to Christ in your life.

When Jesus referred, in our text above, to the Spirit of God taking from what belongs to Him and making it known to us, He was not only referring to the Spirit of God giving us revelation knowledge about God alone. He was also referring to the Spirit of God taking His life and power and manifesting it in our lives so that we would be effective witnesses for Him. Like Mary, the Spirit of God will overshadow you and cause the power and glory of Christ to manifest in your life.

You will not struggle to live the above only kingdom of God life because of the power of the Holy Spirit that is available to you in Christ. Just as the Holy Spirit quickened Christ and raised Him from the dead, He will also quicken every area of your life and cause you to walk in the life and power of the kingdom of God. He will produce the righteousness, peace and joy of God's Kingdom in your life. Yield yourself to Him and you will experience God's kingdom power in your life.

PRAYER FOCUS: Dear Lord, I thank you for the power of your Spirit at work in my life. I declare in faith that the Holy Spirit is glorifying Christ in me.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR READING PLAN: ISAIAH 64 - 66 Empowered to Occupy Till He Comes... - See more at: http://www.cgmglobal.org/aboveonly/index.php#sthash.LrGuBAsi.dpuf

Sunday July 31, 2016

Unceasing Communion

-2 SAMUEL 2:1-7

Key Verse:
"And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron" (2 Samuel 2:1).

All through the ages, people of God, through prayers, vision and meditation received answers from the Almighty. Those who in every circumstance sought the face of God were sufficiently guided on what to do and what to expect. One unique attribute of David in his relationship with the almighty God was the rare privilege of communicating with Him. The tribe of Judah publicly anointed David as their king. He was now to officially act as a king. We are to note that in his humility and modesty, he never mentioned to anyone that he had been previously anointed while Saul sought to kill him. He rather gave Saul the honour and respect as the king and God's anointed. David was not one that would allow a good deed go unnoticed. He sent and thanked the men of Jabesh-gilead for the honour done to Saul and his sons' bodies in giving them proper burial, regardless of the attendant risk. They too of Jabesh-gilead showed appreciation for Saul's defense of their city against the invading Amorites. One good turn, it is said, deserves another. We ought to, before moving ahead to do that which clearly seems obvious, take it to God in prayers for His direction and guidance. He only knows the proper timing of all our engagements. Never attempt to go ahead of God's timing; do not walk behind afar off either. Pray today for a closer walk with Him through a life that is wholly controlled by His Spirit.

Thought for the day: A follower of God through the wilderness shall never be lost.

Bible Reading in one Year: 2 TIMOTHY 1 - 4

The Price of Admission

July 31, 2016

Read: Romans 3:21–26 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 54–56; Romans 3

All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.Romans 3:24

Every year some two million people from all over the world visit St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. It is well worth the admission fee to experience the magnificent structure designed and built by Sir Christopher Wren during the late 17th century. But tourism is secondary at this place of Christian worship. A primary mission of the cathedral is “to enable people in all their diversity to encounter the transforming presence of God in Jesus Christ.” If you want to tour the building and admire the architecture, you must pay an admission fee. But there is no charge to enter and attend any of the daily worship services at St. Paul’s.

How much does it cost to enter the kingdom of God? Entry is free because Jesus Christ paid the price for us by His death. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:23–24). When we acknowledge our spiritual need and accept by faith God’s forgiveness for our sins, we have a new and everlasting life in Him.

You can enter a new life today because, by His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, Jesus has paid the price of admission!

You can invite Jesus into your life by praying something like this: Dear Jesus, I believe that You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I want to accept You as my Savior and follow You. Please forgive my sins and help me, from this moment on, to live a life that is pleasing to You.

Jesus paid the price so we can enter God’s kingdom.

INSIGHT:

What does it mean to “fall short of the glory of God”? (Rom. 3:23). The glory of God is the outward manifestation of God’s character, which, at the center, is holiness and love. In God’s plan of redemption, human beings are to share in this glory. Those who respond to Christ’s offer of salvation begin a process of reflecting God’s character (2 Cor. 3:18). In heaven multitudes will ascribe glory to God for His work of salvation (Rev. 19:1). In contrast, those who have rebelled against God have chosen a path that does not seek or reflect God’s holy love.

DIVINE BACKING – Sunday July 31st 2016

DIVINE BACKING

Open Heavens 31 July 2016: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye – divine backing

Memorise: There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Joshua 1:5

Read: Joshua 1:1-7, (KJV)

1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,

²Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.

³Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

⁴From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.

⁵There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

⁶Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

⁷Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.

Bible in one year: Hebrews 1:1-5:9, Psalms 23

MESSAGE

Divine backing is the support you receive supernaturally from the Almighty God. Without divine backing, hardly can any man succeed in life. This is because demonic activities in the world are out to frustrate mankind. The Bible says:

“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhibiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”

Revelation 12:12

In the memory verse for today, God encouraged Joshua to take up the spiritual mandate of leading His people to the Promised Land. Joshua was assured of divine backing when the Lord said:

“There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Joshua 1:5

God repeatedly encouraged Joshua to be courageous. No wonder he did great exploits in the Name of the Lord. When David faced Goliath, it was divine backing that saw him through the fight against the experienced giant. In response to the giant’s curses, David said:

“This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.”

1^st Samuel 17:46

David, prior to this time had been enjoying divine backing. It was this divine backing that enabled him to kill a lion and a bear that wanted to steal his father’s livestock. Beloved, you too will enjoy divine backing if you surrender your life to Jesus Christ today. Even as a believer, for you to enjoy divine backing, particularly in the ministry, you need to be broken and live in obedience of the Word of God. Jesus said:

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

John 15:16

Jesus chose you to win souls to His Kingdom and He promised to back you up by providing everything you request for. May the Lord give you supernatural support and the backing you need to succeed in Jesus’ name. (31 July 2016 open heavens)

Prayer Point

Father, please support me in all I do in Jesus’ name.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye

Saturday 30 July 2016

Keeping Faith

July 30, 2016

Read: Hebrews 10:32–11:6 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 51–53; Romans 2

Without faith it is impossible to please God.Hebrews 11:6

It’s tempting to think of faith as a kind of magic formula. If you muster up enough of it, you’ll get rich, stay healthy, and live a contented life with automatic answers to all your prayers. But life does not work according to such neat formulas. As proof, the author of Hebrews presents a stirring reminder of what constitutes “true faith” by reviewing the lives of some Old Testament giants of faith (Heb. 11).

“Without faith,” the author says bluntly, “it is impossible to please God” (11:6). In describing faith he uses the wordpersevered (v. 27). As a result of their faith, some heroes triumphed: They routed armies, escaped the sword, survived lions. But others met less happy ends: They were flogged, stoned, sawed in two. The chapter concludes, “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised” (v. 39).

The picture of faith that emerges does not fit into an easy formula. Sometimes it leads to victory and triumph. Sometimes it requires a gritty determination to “hang on at any cost.” Of such people, “God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them” (v. 16).

What our faith rests on is the belief that God is in ultimate control and will indeed keep His promises—whether that happens in this life or the next.

Give me a faith that trusts You wholeheartedly, Lord.

Our greatest comfort in sorrow is to know that God is in control.

INSIGHT:

Hebrews 11 has been called the Hall of Faith. In it we read of diverse people who faced trials and tribulations far beyond what most of us face. Yet all persevered by trusting the Lord. By the grace of God, we can do the same.

Trust God for a Second (or Third or Fourth) Chance

BY RICK WARREN — JULY 29, 2016

07-29-16-Hoping-For-A-Miracle-Trust-God-For-A-Second-Chance

“By faith we have been made acceptable to God. And now, because of our Lord Jesus Christ, we live at peace with God” (Romans 5:1 CEV).

If you’re like most of us, you could use a second chance to get healthy in 2016. A December 2012 Journal of Clinical Psychology report says the number one New Year’s resolution for the year was to lose weight. By the end of the year, only 8 percent of respondents had successfully fulfilled their resolutions — whether they were losing weight, getting organized, cutting debt, or something else.

Even if you’ve made an ill-fated resolution to get healthy in 2015, 2014, 2013, or every year for the last decade, never forget that Jesus is all about second chances when you stumble. We can be grateful that his mercies are new every morning — and every New Year.

Jesus said, “I didn’t come to condemn the world. I came to save it.” That means God didn’t stand behind you and shake his head disapprovingly when you blew your last diet. You don’t need to feel ashamed about your past diet failures. God isn’t ashamed of you.

Too many people go through life feeling guilty, judged, and criticized by God. They have no desire to spend time with the critical god they’ve imagined in their head who they’re sure is disappointed in them.

If you want to get healthy in 2016, that kind of thinking is counterproductive. To get healthy you need to accept that God loves you completely, totally, and unconditionally. Because Jesus died in your place on the cross, you are completely acceptable to God — no matter how many diets you’ve blown.

Romans 5:1 says, “By faith we have been made acceptable to God. And now, because of our Lord Jesus Christ, we live at peace with God” (CEV).

God wants to give you his best this year — no matter how many times you’ve failed in the past. The Bible says you have complete access to God and his power in your life today if you know him. You don’t have to wait until you get your life together. You get all the amazing benefits of being a child of God today!

I believe your year will be completely and totally transformed — including your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual life — if you become consistently aware of God’s unconditional, continuous, and never-ending love for you.

Unconditional love will turn a loser into a winner. You have no idea how many times your heavenly Father has wanted to reach out and grasp you in his arms when you felt like you blew it!

So as you look forward to getting healthy, internalize the truth that God loves you despite your failures. He longs to walk with you as you try to get healthy this year.

Instead of letting your past failures define you, my prayer for you is that you’ll fully understand God’s great love for you. I pray his love will give you the power to do the unbelievable this year.

Talk It Over

How have you let past failures define your future, particularly in connection to getting healthy?
What makes it difficult to accept the unconditional love of God in your life?
What makes God’s unconditional love for you so potentially transforming?

Saturday July 30, 2016

The Crowning Of A King

-1 CHRONICLES 12:23-40

Key Verse:
"All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king" (1 Chronicles 12:38).

Saul was chosen by the Lord to be king over Israel and as long as he remained obedient to God's commandments, the kingdom prospered as Israel defeated his enemies. However, immediately after he went into disobedience and feared man more than God, he lost God's favour, guidance and protection. A young man after God's heart was about to succeed him. David had been anointed king in Hebron over the two tribes of Judah. Now the time was ripe to anoint him king over the other 10 tribes which had been under the rulership of King Saul. All the men of war numbering over 300, 000 gathered with only one purpose, to make David king. Even the Levites who ought not to be drafted as they were exempted from military service, also volunteered to fight in David's army. People are often drawn to a great cause. The brave and the determined stand out for the attainment of set objectives. The salvation of lost mankind is by far a greater cause; and as believers, we must be brave, determined and faithful to engage in this task. We should not be unmindful of God's purpose of sending His only Son Jesus Christ to die for the sins of the world. Spiritual blindness caused Israel's inability to know this. God is about fulfilling His purpose for the church and we need to be awake and be of one heart.

Thought for the day: A disunited church cannot fight God's cause.

Bible Reading in one Year: 1 TIMOTHY 1 - 6

BE STRATEGIC

Bishop David Abioye

Today: 2016-07-30

Effective and productive leaders lead by strategies

Strategy is about approach, approach determines the quality of results.

Improve your strategy to improve your result.

Improve your strategy to reduce your sweat.

Improve your strategy to enhance your productivity.

Strategy makes life dynamic.

It will deliver you from status quo.

Strategy must be developed primarily in these areas

- Strategic thinking and planning.

- Strategic implementation and application

- Strategic relationship in leading people to carry out plans that are strategically deviced.

Strategic thinking is initiative focused.

Strategy is continuously evolving and constantly reviewed.

Get strategic to end triumphant.

Ambassador and Citizen of His Kingdom

	SATURDAY JUL. 30

Philippians 3:20 (GNB), 1Peter 2:10-11
We, however, are citizens of heaven, and we eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. *Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lust.

Because you are a new creature in Christ, you are no longer of this world. Your real life does not come from your flesh and blood but from your new spirit (John 1:12-13, John 3:3- 6). You maintain the life of God and His kingdom. Even though you carry the passport of the earthly country that you are from, remain mindful that you have an invisible passport that states the real spiritual country that you are from. You hail from a city whose builder and maker is God, Heb.11:10. God wants you to be more conscious of your heavenly citizenship than of every other citizenship that you have. Your citizenship in the kingdom of God is where your real personal identity is derived.

Your consciousness of your kingdom citizenship will affect both your faith and character. The rights, benefits and privileges that go along with your kingdom of God citizenship are more than what any earthly citizenship can ever afford you. This realization gives you power over sin and limitations.

Beloved, there are also great responsibilities that go along with your kingdom of God citizenship. You are not just a citizen but an ambassador of the Kingdom of God. Like Christ, God wants you to manifest the life and power of His kingdom so well that people around you will gravitate to you to inquire about your citizenship. God wants you to proclaim the gospel of His Kingdom. Let doing God's will and advancing His kingdom be your utmost desire. Keep getting deeply rooted and established in the life and ways of His kingdom.

PRAYER FOCUS: Thank God for making you a citizen and an ambassador of His Kingdom. Pray for grace to get deeper into God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR READING PLAN: ISAIAH 59 - 63 Empowered to Occupy Till He Comes... - See more at: http://www.cgmglobal.org/aboveonly/index.php#sthash.R5rM6ka1.dpuf

CHILD OF DESTINY – Saturday July 30th 2016

CHILD OF DESTINY

Open Heavens 30 July 2016: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye – child of destiny

Memorise: And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee. Jeremiah 1:19

Read: Jeremiah 1:4-8, (KJV)

⁴Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

⁵Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

⁶Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

⁷But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

⁸Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.

Bible in one year: Titus 1-3, Philemon 1, Psalms 22:22-31MESSAGE

According to Psalms 115:3, destiny has its origin in the sovereignty of God. It is also the plan that God had for you before creating you. It is what God says about your future. In other words, God had a purpose for your life, long before you were born. Joseph was a typical child of destiny. His brothers fought aggressively against his destiny. One good thing about destiny is that, your destiny, being the counsel of God for you, shall stand forever (Genesis 37:18-28). Joseph started his life experiences with the first and second dreams which set him at variance with his brothers and parents. The fulfilment of his destiny took him through Portiphar’s house, the prison and eventually the palace of the Egyptians.

In the text for today, the Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah announcing his destiny to him. Jeremiah had been separated right from his mother’s womb to be a prophet. At times, we behave foolishly by arguing with God on why He called us; a call that is the reason for which we were born. More often than not, God’s plan for mankind does not appeal to the rational man, though it is the best for us.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Jeremiah 29:11

It is very important for us to embrace the truth in the above scripture. When we do, we shall not be guilty of spiritual insubordination. Jeremiah ignorantly argued:

“Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak for I am a child.”

Jeremiah 1:6

God called Moses to go and perform a task in Egypt but he was giving excuses of not being an eloquent speaker. Beloved, I want you to get something settled in your mind today; God does not call the qualified but qualifies the called so that He can take full glory for the success of the called.

The Lord said to Jeremiah

“Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.”

Jeremiah 1:7

The Lord further encouraged him not to be afraid of the faces of those He was sending him to. This is a lesson for those of us who are too scared to deliver God’s message in our places of work, school, community etc. The spirit of God will always give us something of eternal value to tell His people. God has destined you to be unique; it is left for you to allow Him to fulfil His purpose for your life. May the Lord fulfil your destiny gloriously in Jesus’ name. (30 July 2016 open heavens)