by dailyd | Sep 30, 2018 | Open Heavens
Topic: Private & Public Ministry
Memorise: “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.”- Matthew 14:23
Read: Matthew 5:14-16, Acts 13:1-2 (KJV)
Matthew 5:14-16:
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Acts 13:1-2:
1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
Bible in One Year: Isaiah 20-23, Mark 15:6-32
MESSAGE:
I would like to share an important truth with you today. To be effective in your assignment in life, you need both a private and public ministry. In private, you minister to the Lord with prayers and fasting, like Anna and the prophets and teachers in Antioch did (Luke 2:36-37). Many spiritual battles won in the public were settled in the place of private spiritual warfare. A good example to show the importance of private ministry is when Moses confronted the Amalekites in the place of private intercession. Moses was still grappling with the grumbling and murmuring of the people he was leading when the Amalekites confronted them with war. Immediately, he activated both a private and public ministry to tackle the Amalekites. He told Joshua to lead the physical battle, while he and his two lieutenants went into private spiritual warfare. Confirming the popular saying that the spiritual controls the physical, Exodus 17:11 says:
“And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.”
We can safely conclude that there is no success in public ministry without a solid private ministry. This principle is constant and relevant from generation to generation. It also applies to people in business. Even our Lord Jesus Christ combined these two dimensions of ministry, as seen in today’s memory verse. After public ministration, our Lord would retreat to His private ministry of prayer, where He recharged His spiritual battery.
However, private ministry without public ministry is like a sumptuous meal that is not brought into the banquet hall for consumption. As revealed in our Bible text, our light is not meant to be hidden under a bushel. We must be wary of being lopsided as Christians. Some of us even say “I am called to be this and not that” thereby limiting the extent to which the Lord can use us. There is no reason a prayer warrior cannot witness to the perishing souls around him or her. In the same vein, an evangelist who claims to be called to propagate the gospel may end up frustrated without a private ministry of intercession for the souls he or she is going out for. This is because we are not wrestling with flesh and blood when we go out to fulfill our public ministry (Ephesians 6:12). Beloved, God is speaking to you today so that you can fulfill your assignment in life. You can combine giving, which should be done in private, with witnessing. You can combine your evangelism with serious intercession. Make full proof of your calling by engaging in both private and public ministry. God bless you.
Prayer Point:
Introduce a balance into your private and public ministry. How often do you minister to God?
Sunday Hymn 15: Nearer My God To Thee
1. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
2. Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness comes over me, my rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
3. There let me see the sight, an open Heaven;
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
4. Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;
So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
Open Heavens 30 September 2018 Sunday Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heavens 30 September 2018 Sunday Daily Devotional.
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OPEN HEAVENS 29 SEPTEMBER 2018 – SELFISHLY PROSPEROUS?
by dailyd | Sep 30, 2018 | More
Topic: Our Greatest Need
I stretch forth my hands unto thee; my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land… — Psalm 143:6
Not long ago I visited the dean of a great American university. We looked out the window of his office and watched hundreds of students walking to their classes. I asked the dean, “What is the greatest problem at this university?” He thought a moment and answered, “Emptiness.” So many people today are bored, lonely, searching for something. You can see it in their faces.
One girl home from college told her wealthy father, “Father, I want something but I don’t know what it is.” That’s true of many people; we want something to meet the deepest problems of our lives, but we haven’t found it. David said, “I have found it. I shall not want.” The Apostle Paul expressed it, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”
You don’t have to give up on life, to throw up your hands and cry, “It’s no use.” . . . You can have God’s peace, God’s joy, God’s happiness, God’s security; and yours can become the most thrilling life in the world.
Prayer for the day: Lord Jesus, You quench the thirst and longing of my soul. Praise Your blessed name.
Written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.
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Billy Graham 29 September 2018 — Do Not Compromise
by dailyd | Sep 29, 2018 | Open Heavens
Topic: Selfishly Prosperous?
Memorise: “He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.”– Proverbs 28:27
Read: Luke 16:19-26 (KJV)
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Bible in One Year: Isaiah 16-19, Mark 14:53-15:5
MESSAGE:
It is a dangerous thing to be selfishly prosperous because Proverb 11:26 says:
“He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.”
This scripture is a warning to those who hoard goods that are meant for sale in order to make inordinate profit. The Bible says such people are under divine curse. You better desist from such acts if you are one of them. Instead of giving out to the needy, some so-called rich people would rather allow their excess loaves of bread and can of milk go stale and sour, and end up in the waste dump.
The rich man in today’s bible text is a typical example of people who are selfishly prosperous. Luke 16:21 tells of how he related with Lazarus, saying:
“And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.”
If the rich man had been alive to his responsibility as a custodian of God’s blessing, Lazarus would have been fed daily with the excess from his table. Instead, he was not mindful of Lazarus’s sufferings. Apart from the lack of food in the midst of plenty, dogs also came and licked Lazarus’ sores! Why was it dogs attending to Lazarus’ and not the medical personnel in the service of the rich man? The rich man was indeed selfishly prosperous. Proverbs 19:17 says:
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”
No wonder this rich man had to experience begging and agony in the afterlife. Beloved, know that the purpose of God’s blessing upon your life is to be His divine treasure, and one of your mandates is to help the needy around you. He will bless you the more when you realize this and fulfill your mandate.
The story of a rich philanthropist who helped to educate the child of a poor peasant labourer. This child later went on to invent a drug that saved the life of the grandchild of this philanthropist. The philanthropist was rich and generous. This is a very good combination. He would have lost his grandchild but for the drug invented by a child he helped to educate. An adage says “one good turn deserves another.” When you pray for divine prosperity, ensure you know what you are asking for. You may not get it if you will be selfish with God’s provision in your life.
Prayer Point:
Father, please bless me and use me to meet the needs of Your Kingdom, in Jesus’ Name.
SATURDAY HYMN 4: TRUST AND OBEY
1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Chorus:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Open Heavens 29 September 2018 Saturday Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heavens 29 September 2018 Saturday Daily Devotional.
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Open Heavens 28 September 2018 – He will surely Remember
by dailyd | Sep 29, 2018 | More
Topic: Do Not Compromise
Out of his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you the mighty inner strengthening of his Holy Spirit. — Ephesians 3:16 (TLB)
Horace Pitkin, the son of a wealthy merchant, was converted and went to China as a missionary. He wrote to his friends in America, saying, “It will be but a short time till we know definitely whether we can serve Him better above or here.” Shortly afterward, a mob stormed the gate of the compound where Pitkin defended the women and children. He was beheaded and his head was offered at the shrine of a heathen god, while his body was thrown into a pit with the bodies of nine Chinese Christians.
Sherwood Eddy, writing about him, said, “Pitkin won more men by his death than he ever could have won by his life.” Christ needs people today who are made of martyr stuff! Dare to take a strong, uncompromising stand for Him.
In this message, Billy Graham says the American church should prepare for persecution.
Prayer for the day: Thank You, Lord, for the examples of those who have gone before us. Help me to take hold of Your unlimited strength, too.
Written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.
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Billy Graham Daily Devotional 28 September 2018
by dailyd | Sep 29, 2018 | More
TOPIC: GOD’S MERCY IS A GIFT
Matthew 23:23 “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.“
One of the ways that God’s goodness is revealed is by His mercy. We may describe mercy as the readiness of God to relieve the misery of fallen creatures. Many times, mercy is called compassion or lovingkindness. It is expressed toward the sinner because of the misery that sin has brought upon him.
God’s mercy to the believer is revealed by God taking away the misery of sin’s consequences through the New Covenant of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Mercy is not something merited or earned, but a gift, as the apostle Paul states, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to HIS MERCY He saved us” (Ti. 3:5).
Paul speaks of the heavenly Father as “The Father of mercies.” The word father is used many times in scripture as an originator or as a source of something. For example, the devil is called the father of lies (Jn. 8:44), i.e. he is the author and originator of lying. Likewise, our heavenly Father is the author, originator, and source of all mercy. Each time that mankind cried out in faith, God’s mercy reached out and met their need.
God is said to be rich in mercy because of His great love wherewith he loved us (Eph. 2:4), and to have a throne called grace whereby we may come and obtain mercy. God wasn’t motivated to save us through pity or a sense of obligation as our Creator. He was motivated solely by love. God loves us.
This message was written by The Association of Related Ministries International (ARMI) is an extension of Andrew Wommack Ministries (AWM). ARMI is a unique partnership committed to providing resources to help like-minded ministers succeed in a spirit of excellence and to draw from the experience and expertise of both the AWM and Charis Bible College staff. (www.awmi.net).
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Andrew Wommack Daily Devotional 28 September 2018
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