Open HEAVENS Devotional - EXPERIENCING WONDERS

Open Heavens 16 June 2017: Friday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- Experiencing wonders
EXPERIENCING WONDERS – Friday June 16th 2017
Memorise: Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Exodus 15:11
Read: Daniel 6:21-28 (KJV)

6:21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live forever.

6:22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

23 Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

6:24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

6:25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

6:26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

6:27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

6:28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.


Bible in one year: Judges 3-4, Jeremiah 49:28-50:3, Hymn: Sing hymn 3
MESSAGE:
Our God is not only a wonder, He also works wonders! After the Lord performed wonders by parting the Red Sea, Moses and the children is Israel sang a new song to the Lord in Exodus 15:11 saying:

“Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?”

Also, after God miraculously delivered Daniel from the lions’ den, King Darius passed a decree that in every domain of his kingdom, this awesome God must be feared and revered. In Daniel 6:27, he said,

“He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”

The God that King Darius spoke of is still the same today. He is full of wonders. No wonder He is called Wonderful (Isaiah 9:6). Are you in need of a miracle, sign or wonder? Call upon this great God and He will surely deliver you. He can still do great wonders in your life today.

You need to come to terms with the reality that God can perform wonders in your own life. In other words, you too can be a beneficiary of His wonders. It is a known fact that a person can be rich and yet be stingy. Where I come from, when talking to a rich and arrogant man, it is common for people to say, “Yes, I know you are rich, but you are not the one feeding me.” In other words, “your wealth is of no benefit to me, so go and perish with your money.” God can be a God of wonders who also does wonders, but if He has not done wonders in your own life, His ability may seem like fairy tales to you. In Genesis 18:9-14, He met a 90 year-old woman and said: “I know you are 90, and I know your monthly cycle stopped several years ago, but you are going to have a son.” The woman replied, “I don’t believe you!” God said, “It doesn’t matter whether you believe or not; I am the Wonder-Working God, and I will go ahead to do what I just promised.” A year later, she had her baby. God’s wonder-working ability became real to her. Beloved, you are the next candidate to benefit from this Wonderful God! This season, the God of wonders shall show up in your situation and turn things around! You shall experience the reality of His wonderful power. Call on Him today, and He will answer you.

Prayer Point
Father, as You did for Daniel, perform an outstanding miracle in my life that will compel nations of the world to amend their laws in honour of You.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Open HEAVENS Devotional - ENTERING HIS REST

Open Heavens 14 June 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- Entering His rest
Topic: Entering His rest [Wednesday June 14, 2017]
ENTERING HIS REST – Wednesday June 14th 2017
Memorise: Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Hebrews 4:11
Read: Hebrews 4:7-11 (KJV)

7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.


Bible in one year: Joshua 23-24, Jeremiah 48:45-49:13, Hymn: Sing hymn 2

MESSAGE:
Psalm 23:1-6 is a very powerful psalm which speaks of the relationship between the sheep and the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ. God’s sheep enjoy many benefits, one of which is the entitlement of rest. If you are a bona-fide sheep of Jesus  Christ, His rest is made available to you. When the Psalmist says “He makes me to lie down”, he simply speaks about entering into God’s rest. The rest that the Good Shepherd offers His sheep can be at several levels. Some people are labouring so hard in search of the salvation of their soul. They want to be free from sin, and yet the more they labour to be free, the more entangled they find themselves. If only they can come to Jesus today, they will find the salvation they have been seeking. Jesus Christ is the final destination for everyone who genuinely desires salvation.

Another kind of rest that the Good Shepherd offers is bodily rest. Ordinarily, after a hard day’s work, by the time you hit the bed, you should fall asleep. However, do you know that there are people who find it so difficult to sleep? They stare at the ceiling all night until the following morning. This continues for days, weeks or even months. Psalms 127:2 says if you are beloved of God, you will surely have rest through sleep. Do you suffer from insomnia? Has it been so difficult for you to get a good night’s sleep? That sleeplessness is terminated today! From now on, you shall access God’s rest in Jesus’ Name!

In addition, the Good Shepherd offers rest to those who labour continuously without rest. Matthew 11:28 says,

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are laden, and I will give you rest.”

One way the devil has led some people into their ultimately death is by heaping so many problems, burdens, debts and heavy responsibilities on them which they cannot carry, thereby frustrating their efforts to enter into financial freedom. The more they labour, the further they drift from success. If you are in that situation, do not give up or think of ending your life. Just come to Jesus with all your heart and He will give you rest. Finally, today’s Bible reading talks about the eternal rest that we have access to as sheep of the Great Shepherd. Nobody can enter Heaven except through Jesus Christ. If you are saved and you continue to follow Jesus Christ, obeying Him every step of the way, you will surely enter into His rest. Are you qualified to enter His rest?
Key Point
To enter into rest in any area of life, faith in Jesus Christ, the Giver of rest, is required.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, 

Open HEAVENS Devotional - ONE SOUND TWO MESSAGES

Open Heavens 2017 June 15, 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- One Sound Two Messages

Topic: One Sound Two Messages [Wednesday June 15, 2017]
ONE SOUND TWO MESSAGES – Thursday June 15th 2017
Memorise: And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people; Psalm 105:44
Read: 2nd King 7:1-11 (KJV)

7:1 Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.

7:2 Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.

7:3 And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?

7:4 If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

7:5 And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there.



7:6 For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.

7:7 Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.

7:8 And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it.

7:9 Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household.

7:10 So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were.

7:11 And he called the porters; and they told it to the king's house within.

Bible in one year: Judges 1-2, Jeremiah 49:14-27, Hymn: Sing hymn 4

MESSAGE:
A sound from Heaven is all you need to turn a very hopeless situation into a glorious one. We have an example of this in today’s Bible reading. One lesson here is that whenever things deteriorate to their worst level; know that a turning point is around the corner. Don’t cry, just worship God and thank Him in the midst of the difficulty, asking Him to show you what to do to turn things around. Also, from this story, we see that God can release one sound from Heaven and while His children hear something positive, their enemies would hear something else. Things were so bad in Samaria because there was no more food, to the extent that some women began to eat their own children to survive. Have things gone so bad for you that to afford a meal you would have to sell some of your property? There is a user of this Devotional, because things have gone so bad, you have virtually sold all your properties in order to survive. The Lord is turning your situation around now. Within the next 90 days, all the things you have sold shall be replaced with better ones. When this comes to pass in your life, endeavour to testify of it before the congregation of God’s people.

It was in the midst of hopelessness that a sound came from heaven through Elisha, declaring that within 24 hours, abundance would replace lack. Literarily speaking, it meant that within 24 hours, there would be so much food that it would be almost free. Responding to that prophecy which they didn’t even hear, some four lepers decided to take their chances by going to the camp of the besieging army to see if they would pity them and give them some food. As they went, the noise from their feet was taken up to Heaven, amplified and released into the camp of the enemy. So what happened? While God’s people heard that abundance would swallow up their acute lack with 24 hours, the enemies heard the sound of a very mighty army coming to surround them and wipe them out completely. They fled immediately and left behind everything they had, which became available to God’s people almost free. This season, all your enemies holding back your blessings shall hear a sound from Heaven and leave you everything that is yours alone! I speak abundance into your life now in Jesus’ Name! If there is any siege that has surrounded your life for so long, hindering your progress, I command it to be lifted now in Jesus’ Name. Receive freedom to expand your coast from today in Jesus Mighty Name. It is will with you!

Prayer Point
Father, as You speak peace to me, speak trouble and war to my enemies.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, 

Daily Hope Devotion - Laugh, Play, Pray, and Hope

Laugh, Play, Pray, and Hope

BY RICK WARREN — JUNE 12, 2017

38

“The Son of Man came, enjoying life”(Matthew 11:19b Phillips).

God meant for you to enjoy your life, not just endure it. He formed your body in a way that illustrates that truth. God’s Word is clear: Enjoying your life will lead to a healthier year.

The Bible teaches in Proverbs 17:22, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (NIV). In other words, he who laughs, lasts. Science is beginning to catch on, too. Studies prove that when you laugh — a great sign that you’re enjoying life — your number of T-cells and your immunity to illness goes up. Humor is God's gift to you. Accept the gift!

The Bible says in Matthew 11:19 that “the Son of Man came, enjoying life” (Phillips). While Jesus was the most intensive, ministry-oriented person who ever lived, he also lived life to the fullest and loved life with every fiber of his being. For him, this was no contradiction.

So that means that if one of the great purposes of your life is to become more like Jesus Christ — and it is — then you can’t fulfill God’s purpose unless you know how to enjoy life like he did.

To enjoy life to the fullest, we need activities that recharge our emotions. We need activities that literally re-create us. Since God made each of us different, we all have different ways that he does that in our lives.

Since I do a lot of “brain work” throughout the day, I enjoy “re-creating” myself by working with my hands. If you work with your hands all day, you may enjoy working with your mind, like reading or doing crossword puzzles, as a break.

Laughter is actually one of the most important ways you re-create yourself on a regular basis. We all need laughter throughout our day. God made us in his image, and the Bible says God laughs. In fact, God always gets the last laugh (just see Genesis 21 and the naming of Isaac)!

To be an emotionally balanced person, you need to take God very seriously but not take yourself seriously at all. Learn to laugh at your limitations. You’ll have plenty of material!

You’ll need to enjoy life through more than just your good times, though. In fact, if you can only enjoy your life when all your problems are solved, you’ll never enjoy life. All your problems will never be solved at the same time.

It’s likely you’ll go through some tough times this year. But commit today to enjoying the gift of life God gives you this year. Laugh, play, pray — and hope.

Then get ready for a happier, healthier life.

Talk It Over

• What are some ways you recharge yourself emotionally, spiritually, and physically?
• Describe a time in your life where laughter helped you through a difficult situation.
• How do you need to change your schedule so that you have a better balance of work, ministry, and recreation?

CGMG ABOVE ONLY - Knowing the Truth for Yourself

Knowing the Truth for Yourself

MONDAY JUNE. 12

 John 8:31-32 (NIV & GNB)
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." *So Jesus said to those who believed in him, "If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

---

The fact that you can quote the scriptures does not mean that you know the truth. Even the devil can quote the scriptures too. To know the Truth, you have to believe God's Word, hold on to it, obey and practice it with all your heart. It is more than head knowledge; it is experiential knowledge. Knowing the Truth requires you personally studying and meditating on God's Word to verify from God what you have heard. It also requires believing with your heart and applying God's word to your life by fully practicing it. This will cause God's word to save your soul (James 1:21) and produce great fruits in your life. As you practice God's word, more of God's life will be manifested in you. Without fully engaging in this process, you will keep learning God's Word but you may never come to the saving knowledge of the Truth, 2Tim.3:7. It takes a personal hunger and desire for God to know His Truth.

Jesus' knowledge of the Truth is what empowered Him to overcome the devil's temptations, Matt.4:1-11. Knowing the Truth will also make it easier for you to recognize lies and falsehood, which you will hate and avoid. As such, you will be free from deception, Eph.4:14. Instead of being exploited by the devil, you will do exploits. The Truth is a Person. Jesus is the Truth. In John 14:6, Jesus referred to Himself as the Way, the Truth and the Life, confirming that no man can come unto the Father but by Him. To know the Truth, you must maintain a personal relationship with Jesus. In several scripture verses like John 15:26 and John 16:13, Jesus described the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth. As you depend on the Holy Spirit, He will reveal more of Jesus to you the Truth.

PRAYER FOCUS: Tell God how much you desire to know the Truth. Receive His grace to study, meditate, believe and practice His word.

      BIBLE IN ONE YEAR READING PLAN:  1 KINGS 7; 2 CHRON. 4   Empowered to do Exploits... - See more at: http://www.cgmglobal.org/aboveonly/index.php#sthash.qaZVLaC2.dpuf

Our Daily Bread - Nothing Is Useless

Nothing Is Useless

  June 12, 2017 

 

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:42–58 | Bible in a Year: Ezra 3–5; John 20

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Nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58 nlt

In my third year battling discouragement and depression caused by limited mobility and chronic pain, I confided to a friend, “My body’s falling apart. I feel like I have nothing of value to offer God or anyone else.”

Her hand rested on mine. “Would you say it doesn’t make a difference when I greet you with a smile or listen to you? Would you tell me it’s worthless when I pray for you or offer a kind word?”

Do what you can with what you have and leave the results to God.

I settled into my recliner. “Of course not.”

She frowned. “Then why are you telling yourself those lies? You do all those things for me and for others.”

I thanked God for reminding me that nothing we do for Him is useless.

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul assures us that our bodies may be weak now but they will be “raised in power” (v. 43). Because God promises we’ll be resurrected through Christ, we can trust Him to use every offering, every small effort done for Him, to make a difference in His kingdom (v. 58).

Even when we’re physically limited, a smile, a word of encouragement, a prayer, or a display of faith during our trial can be used to minister to the diverse and interdependent body of Christ. When we serve the Lord, no job or act of love is too menial to matter.

Jesus, thank You for valuing us and using us to build up others.

Do what you can with what you have and leave the results to God.

INSIGHT:

What small act of service can you perform today out of love for God?

DCLM DAILY MANNA- HONOUR THE LORD’S DAY

MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2017

HONOUR THE LORD’S DAY

-LEVITICUS 23:23-32

KEY VERSE:

"It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath" (Leviticus 23:32).

It is often easier for people to comply with man-made rules than obey the perfect will of God. The rules of man clearly appeal to the carnal senses of man, but to obey God will entail a certain spiritual transformation. Yet, without obeying God, no man has a chance of escaping divine judgement. The children of Israel were instructed by God to observe the Sabbath day. It was clearly spelt out that they should do no servile work on that day but to reverentially worship the Lord. The day of Atonement was a time to set aside all thoughts and actions that typically fill the day and consider one’s relationship with God. This was to be a time to humble oneself and to remember that people who want to follow God must realign their lives with Him. The memorial blowing of trumpets was to serve the dual purpose of announcing the commencement of the New Year, which was to be religiously observed and of preparing the people for the approaching solemn feast of trumpets. This occurred on the first day of the seventh month, now regarded as the first month. The year of jubilee was to begin with this month which was the Jews’ new year day. It was to be as other yearly Sabbaths namely: a day of holy rest and a day of holy work. The only peculiar festival was the memorial of blowing of trumpets. Though they blew the trumpet every new moon, but in the seventh month, it was to be done with more than ordinary solemnity, starting from sunrise to sunset thereby preventing all manner of work and not only from servile works as on other annual festivals. It must be as strict a rest as that of the weekly Sabbath. To become a believer requires that a sinner or sincere seeker humbles his soul and repent from all sins. This must be done whole-heatedly. Thereafter, he is expected to honour the Lord all through life. We lay aside all worldly business on the Lord’s day and dedicate ourselves to honour, worship and reverence God. We obey all He has commanded us, lean on Him for guidance and strength to live right, and follow Him unreservedly, all our lives.

Thought for the day: God honours those that reverence Him.

Bible Reading in one Year: JOB 16-18

Open HEAVENS Devotional - DON’T BE PREY!

Open Heavens 12 June 2017: Monday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- Don’t be prey!
DON’T BE PREY! – Monday June 12th 2017
Memorise: Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. Proverbs 7:23

Read: Proverbs 7:7-23 (KJV)
7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,

8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,

9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:

10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)

13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,

14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.

15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.

21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.


Bible in one year: Joshua 20-21, Jeremiah 48:9-27, Hymn: Sing hymn 6
MESSAGE:
A negative experience many people have had to contend with is captivity. Captivity can mean bondage, slavery, imprisonment, detention or a lack of freedom. Captivity also comes in various forms. It can occur as a consequence of being captured in a battle, like it happened to Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abedbnego (Daniel 1:1-7). In this particular case, King Nebuchadnezzar invaded the nation of Israel and carried away some of the people into captivity. From that moment, these captives became slaves in a foreign land. Similarly, some people enter into captivity by falling into a trap set by the enemy. For instance, in Judges 16:4-5, the lords of the Philistines used a beautiful woman as bait for Samson. Today, there are several “hunters” of destiny and life all around, setting all kinds of traps to get their prey. May you never be one of their victims!

One common trap people fall into today is the trap of adultery and fornication. The devil has several agents and means to use as bait, and believe it or not, he catches a lot of prey. He may use beautiful ladies like he did to Samson. Today’s Bible reading describes how a prostitute sets a trap and catches her victim. She could also use her seductive attire which reveals her curves and exposes sensitive parts of her body. She could also use her sweet flattering words, seductive make-up, perfumes or gait just to get her prey. When he finally yields, she leads him like an ox to the slaughter slab. Proverbs 7:23 says

“Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.”

Anyone being lured or enticed into lust should realise that it can never really be for his or her own good. Today, several female students have become easy prey for sugar daddies and evil horny lecturers because they erroneously think that they are getting something of value in return. How much can a man pay you to allow his to destroy your destiny or kill you? What score will a lecturer award you in exchange for your life? The victims of lust, immorality and adultery are usually trading their precious lives for pittance. Are you in captivity of adultery, thinking it benefits you because you are getting rapid promotion in your place of work? Don’t be deceived! You are truly paying with your life! Repent, come to Jesus and cut off all hunters from your life! Break that relationship if your partner is pressurising you for sex as a basis for friendship. It is not worth it! Ask God to deliver you from every trap of the devil.

Prayer Point
Father, deliver all our children, teens and youths from sexual immorality.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Daily Hope Devotional - What’s Your Emergency Strategy for Temptation?

What’s Your Emergency Strategy for Temptation?

BY RICK WARREN — JUNE 3, 2017

“Run from all these evil things” (1 Timothy 6:11b NLT).

We talked about temptation just a few weeks ago, but I want to continue that lesson today.

We need an emergency strategy for when we face temptation.

The Bible says we need to move quickly out of any situation that causes us temptation. That means we develop preventative strategies to keep us from being tempted. And we also need emergency strategies — a panic button — for when we’re tempted in an unexpected situation. For example, if you’re in front of the television and suddenly a temptation comes along, what do you do?

The Bible says you run.

In 1 Timothy 6:11b we’re told, “Run from all these evil things” (NLT).

You have to get away. It could be a temptation to cheat in business. It could be a sexual temptation. But your response should be the same: get out. Never argue with a temptation. You’ll always lose. Emotions will take over, and emotions aren’t logical.

Years ago when I was a youth minister, I’d tell kids, “Don’t decide in the back seat of a car that you’re going to be sexually pure and save yourself for marriage.” You must decide you’re going to be morally pure long before then. If you end up in the back seat of a car, you’re going to move by your glands, not your plans. Hormones will kick in and you’ll be overwhelmed.

Please, take time today to make an emergency plan for when you’re tempted. Don’t resist temptation. Replace it. Run. Turn the channel. Get out of the situation. That’s the simplest way out.

Talk It Over:

• Describe your emergency strategy for a temptation with which you struggle.
• What situations do you need to avoid to stay away from temptation?

DCLM DAILY MANNA - HARVEST OF FOOLISHNESS

SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 2017

HARVEST OF FOOLISHNESS

-PROVERBS 26:1-19

KEY VERSE:

"As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool" (Proverbs 26:1).

One of the maladies that is most incurable is folly. Most men are indeed born like the wild ass’ colt, but some by the grace of God after an encounter with Christ, are changed for the better. We cannot trust a fool for anything. Wise sayings lose their significance in the mouth of a fool. This is because worthless is the advice of a fool. A sinner or a fool is likened to a loathsome dog that returns to his vomit. The theme of today’s text is on foolishness and its manifestations. Foolishness brings dishonour, contempt and ignominy. Careless and wasteful sinners will never be ruled by reason or persuasion. Those with little sense but are proud of their condition are like those foolish believers who consider their spiritual state to be good enough, when really, it is very bad. A fool always comes short of his reckoning as he is known by seeming to look wise. Laziness is also stated to be an evidence of folly. It brings poverty and misery. A lazy man is wise in his own conceit because of his folly. Sleep and indolence are not cousins of a good harvest. Similarly, when a man meddles in other people’s matters, he is merely demonstrating his folly. Every fool is a meddler. Why don’t you mind your own business? The greatest laziness is failure to take pains to feed one’s soul with the bread of life. It is not good to joke with sacred and spiritual matters. It is not wisdom to tell lies in jest. He who sins in jest must repent. The greatest fool is one who claims that there is no God. It is a tragedy to be a fool without being aware of it. Therefore, walk with the wise and become wise. Jesus is the wisdom of God. Do you have a cordial relationship with Him? He who lacks wisdom needs to ask God.

Thought for the day: Folly and madness are like Siamese twin.

Bible Reading in one Year: JOHN 10-12

Our Daily Bread - Perfect Peace

Perfect Peace

  June 4, 2017  

Read: John 14:25–31 | Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 21–22; John 14

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Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. John 14:27

A friend shared with me that for years she searched for peace and contentment. She and her husband built up a successful business, so she was able to buy a big house, fancy clothes, and expensive jewelry. But these possessions didn’t satisfy her inner longings for peace, nor did her friendships with influential people. Then one day, when she was feeling low and desperate, a friend told her about the good news of Jesus. There she found the Prince of Peace, and her understanding of true peace and contentment was forever changed.

Jesus spoke words of such peace to His friends after their last supper together (John 14), when He prepared them for the events that would soon follow: His death, resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Describing a peace—unlike anything the world can give—He wanted them to learn how to find a sense of well-being even in the midst of hardship.

Jesus came to usher peace into our lives and our world.

Later, when the resurrected Jesus appeared to the frightened disciples after His death, He greeted them, saying, “Peace be with you!” (John 20:19). Now He could give them, and us, a new understanding of resting in what He has done for us. As we do, we can find the awareness of a confidence far deeper than our ever-changing feelings. 

Heavenly Father, You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on You. Help us to trust in You forever, for You are our Rock eternal.

Jesus came to usher peace into our lives and our world.

INSIGHT:

Jesus repeatedly talks about peace in John 14, yet He would soon be arrested and His disciples would be hiding in fear. In verse 1 Jesus offered peace by encouraging them not to be troubled by the events that were coming on them. Instead, they were to look forward to reunion with Him and a home in the Father’s house. Then in today’s reading Jesus rooted this peace in the coming of the Holy Spirit—reminding us that, in part, the fruit of the Spirit is peace (Gal. 5:22–23). Jesus concluded His words to them with the promise of peace for everyday living: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). For now and forever, His great gift of peace carries us through all the seasons of life.

How do you see Jesus’s peace present in your life today?