January 2017-Flatimes

Tuesday 31 January 2017

David Abioye's Daily Devotional January 31, 2017 – Beware Of Opportunities

Topic: Beware Of Opportunities [Tuesday January 31, 2017]

Opportunity is deceptive, never be trapped by it. Stay within divine plan – that is where your security is.

Whatever opportunity offers is inferior to divine plan. Rather than responding to opportunity be in search of divine plan and abide in the same.

Topic: Take Your Thoughts Captive [Tuesday January 31, 2017]

[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). . . . — 2 Corinthians 10:5

Take captive every thought coming into your mind that does not agree with the Word of God. Lead those thoughts away, and let them be replaced with ones that are obedient to Jesus Christ. In other words, change your mind!

Topic: Under a Divine Curse? [Tuesday 31, January 2017]

Memorise: And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. – Genesis 4:13

Read: Genesis 4:1-15 (KJV)

1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.

Author: Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: A New Wine For A New Bottle (4)

Dear Reader,

Welcome to another week’s teaching on Family Forum. We have been examining the topic: New Wine For New Bottle. So far, we have discussed one of the things we must do to accommodate the new wine of God. Today, we shall conclude this teaching by examining another requirement for the New Wine which is:

Winning Wisdom: Obsessed

Topic: Obsessed [Tuesday, 31st Jan. 2017]

Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands; [O Zion] your walls are continually before Me. Isaiah 49:16

When two people are in love, they have this inexplicable sense of attachment to each other. They have a shared sense of joy, fun, hurt, pain, etc. Each one becomes the other's responsibility and it appears to them that the whole world revolves just around them. Amazing, isn't it?

Author: Emode Victor

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: Prove Who You Are [31/01/2017]

He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. John 1:23. Jn 1:19-24

Knowing your identity is so paramount in life that every man must stand firm to defend one day. To be able to prove who you are, there is need to first of all know yourself. You cannot prove what you don't know except you want to make a fool of yourself. In the Bible, God identified men either by their names or that of their fathers or families. For instance, when you see another person bearing my name, you will definitely contact me to inform me of what you saw, I will be the one to clear your doubt.

Topic: Maximizing Your Life [Tuesday January 31, 2017]

Scripture: ...he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things. Acts 17:25.

Thought For The Day: The best way to use our life is for the pleasure of the Giver.

From our anchor scripture, it is clear that life is a gift. Nobody decided to be born and nobody chose who his or her parents should be. It was the Giver of life who determined that we should be born and who should give birth to us.

Topic: The Talking Tree [Tuesday January 31, 2017]

Read: Colossians 1:15–20, Bible in a Year: Exodus 25–26; Matthew 20:17–34

"He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross. 1 Peter 2:24

One of the earliest Christian poems in English literature is “The Dream of the Rood.” The word rood comes from the Old English word rod or pole and refers to the cross on which Christ was crucified. In this ancient poem the crucifixion story is retold from the perspective of the cross. When the tree learns that it is to be used to kill the Son of God, it rejects the idea of being used in this way. But Christ enlists the help of the tree to provide redemption for all who will believe.

Topic: He Can Use Anyone [Tuesday January 31, 2017]

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. — Philippians 1:21

Helen Keller, who is a classic example of handling life’s handicaps, said, “I thank God for my handicaps, for through them I have found myself, my work, and my God.” Some people with handicaps drown themselves in self-pity, and thus limit their usefulness and service to mankind and to God.

Topic: Four Words That Work [Tuesday January 31, 2017]

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. - Mark 11:24

Believing. That's the key to everything in the kingdom of God. It's the way we tap in to the very power of Almighty God. Most of us know that. But few of us are sure exactly how to do that kind of believing. We don't know how to put it into action.

Topic: Sell It Not [Tuesday January 31, 2017]

Text: Genesis 25:27-34

Key Verse: "Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright" (Genesis 25:34).

As a rolling stone gathers no moss, so a careless and flippant person does not value precious things. This is why the Lord Jesus Christ says we should not cast our pearls before swine. Our passage for meditation has important lessons to teach us. Esau and Jacob were twins. Born by Isaac and Rebekah, they grew up in a home where the father loved the elder, Esau because of food while the mother had preference for Jacob. This act of parental discrimination created problems for the boys.

Enemies of Family Success (4) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Enemies of Family Success (4)

Hello Readers,

Welcome to the end of the series of teaching on THE ENEMIES OF FAMILY SUCCESS. In all the previous editions, I taught on wrong companion, slothfulness, anger, bitterness and covetousness, as some of the enemies of family success. Consciously staying away from these things will bring about a quick turn-around in your life and business, and allow you access to God’s blessings for your life. In conclusion of the above series, this week, I will be teaching on IMPATIENCE as yet another enemy of family success.

Author: Emode Victor

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: What Is Your Purpose There? [30/01/2017]

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33. Read: Jn 6:25-32

That particular place you are, why are you there? Do you know the reason you are in that business or career? Why did you decide to read that course in school? These questions are so important to answer because, where you are now will determine your focus and your pursuit. It will stir you up to be steadfast until you get what you need.

Topic: Keep Sowing [Monday January 30, 2017]

Seeds don’t die,

A wise farmer is a focused sower.

He doesn’t look here and there for harvest. He trusts the earth enough to bring forth by itself. Mk.4:26-29

Topic: Living Large [Monday January 30, 2017]

Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. — Isaiah 43:18-19

Topic: Harvesting Beyond Bread [Monday 30, January 2017]

Memorise: I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. – 1 Corinthians 3:6

Read: 2 Kings 4:8-17 (KJV)

8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.

Topic: Behold, The Comforter [Monday January 30, 2017]

Text: John 16:1-11

Key Verse: "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you" (John 16:7).

As the end of the world approaches, believers in Christ shall experience untold tribulation. However, we have the promise of the Comforter, the Holy Ghost Who is our Helper, Comforter and Strengthener in these perilous times. The Lord Jesus Christ has forewarned us about the dangers and hostilities of these end times so that we can prepare our minds to keep our faith unto the end. The main reason He has revealed this to us is so "that ye should not be offended" (John 16:1) or be made to stumble in the faith.

Author: Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Let God be first! (4)

Dear Reader,

I thank God for the privilege and opportunity to share with you on this column. Last week, I taught on ingratitude towards God. Today, I want to teach on the subject which I have titled: Jesus Christ is the key to lasting peace. The presence of Christ in any home guarantees peace because He is the “Prince of Peace, Wonderful and the Counsellor (Isaiah 9:6).

Whenever there is peace, you can be sure that Christ is present. He causes wonderful things to take place in the home, making it always a place of excitement and laughter, if you care to put Him first and let Him be the head of your home. If you let God be first in your home and family, He will counsel you on what steps to take to ensure love, peace, joy and fulfilment in your home.

Topic: Make His Word the Last Word [Monday January 30, 2017]

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. - Revelation 1:8

Jesus is the beginning and the ending. He is the Almighty. When He told us that in the book of Revelation, He wasn't just giving us a general piece of information about Himself. He was giving us a powerful truth we can apply now, today!

Topic: Rebuilding [Monday January 30, 2017]

Read: Nehemiah 2:11–18, Bible in a Year: Exodus 23–24; Matthew 20:1–16

Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace. Nehemiah 2:17

When Edward Klee returned to Berlin after being away for many years, the city he remembered and loved was no longer there. It had changed dramatically, and so had he. Writing in Hemispheres magazine, Klee said, “Returning to a city you once loved tends to be a hit-or-miss proposition . . . . It can be a letdown.” Going back to the places of our past may produce a feeling of sorrow and loss. We are not the same person we were then, nor is the place that was so significant in our lives exactly as it was.

Topic: Use Your Time Wisely [Monday January 30, 2017]

For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. — James 4:14

Nothing takes God by surprise. Everything is moving according to a plan, and God wants you in that plan. The devil also has a plan for the world. God has a plan and the devil has a plan, and you will have to decide which plan you are going to fit into. Scripture says that God allows us 70 years and some beyond.

Author: Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Enemies of Family Success (3)

Hello Reader,

I am sure that you have been enjoying peace and God’s blessings, after letting go of every bitterness and anger as taught in last week’s edition of FAMILY LIFE. Nothing will tie down your blessings again in the name of Jesus!

This week, I will be teaching on Covetousness as another enemy of family success. Covetousness is a strong urge or desire to possess something, especially something that belongs to someone else. You see something on someone and you immediately start scheming and planning to collect it.

Topic: Praise Facilitators [Monday January 30, 2017]

Scripture: I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. Psalm 86:12

Thought For The Day: To entertain guilt is to sacrifice praise.

The benefits of praising God cannot be over emphasized in the life of a Christian. Apart from connecting one to God in the place of prayer, praise is a weapon of warfare. To live well is to praise well.

Joel and Victoria Osteen’s daily devotional January 29, 2017 – The Power of Obedience

Today’s Scripture: "If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land." - Isaiah 1:19, NIV

Topic: The Power of Obedience [Sunday January 29, 2017]

Is there something in your life that you know God is asking you to do, but you just haven’t done it yet? Maybe He’s asking you to reach out to someone, or let go of an addiction in your life. Maybe He’s asking you to make a commitment that you just haven’t gotten around to yet, or sow a special seed. You may not fully understand why He’s asking you to do it, but know this: God is for your good. He wants to give you the best of the land. He longs to pour out His blessing and favor on you, but you have to do your part. You have to open your heart and choose to be willing and obedient because obedience opens the door for Him to move in your life.

Topic: Read, Search, Study And Think [Sunday January 29, 2017]

Search if you don’t want to remain lost.

Read if you don’t want to remain red.

Topic: Direction for True Seekers [Sunday 29, January 2017]

Memorise: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. – Acts 10:35

Read: Acts 10:1-8 (KJV)

1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

Topic: God Is in the Details [Sunday January 29, 2017]

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever. — John 14:16

The Lord cares about every tiny detail of your life. People who don't believe this truth have a difficult time experiencing real intimacy with Him. You can and should talk to Him about everything. Nothing is too big and nothing is too small. He will help you put in your contact lens or drive in snow. He said, “I am with you always” (see Matthew 28:20 NIV), and He is always ready to help, strengthen, encourage, or comfort you.

Topic: Timeless Savior [Sunday January 29, 2017]

Read: John 8:48–59, Bible in a Year: Exodus 21–22; Matthew 19

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” - John 8:58

Jeralean Talley died in June 2015 as the world’s oldest living person—116 years of age. In 1995, the city of Jerusalem celebrated its 3,000th birthday. One hundred sixteen is old for a person, and 3,000 is old for a city, but there are trees that grow even older. A bristlecone pine in California’s White Mountains has been determined to be older than 4,800 years. That precedes the patriarch Abraham by 800 years!

Topic: Just Do It [Sunday January 29, 2017]

And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. - Luke 13:14

Religion is dangerous. Religion would rather debate about healing than see somebody healed. Religion would rather argue about deliverance than see someone set free.

Topic: Share What He Has Done [Sunday January 29, 2017]

I will declare thy name unto my brethren . . . — Psalm 22:22

There are those near you in your own community who need the regenerating power of Christ. You can call them by name. I suggest that you make a list and begin by spending time in prayer for them.

Topic: The Products of Praise [Sunday January 29, 2017]

Scripture: This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. Isaiah 43:21.

Thought For The Day: Worship is the key to winning life’s battles.

One primary reason God created us is to show forth His praise on earth. To worship God is to fulfil the reason we are living on earth. We cannot live well until we worship our Creator.

Topic: Empathy Not Hatred [Sunday January 29, 2017]

Text: Job 26:1-14

Key Verse: "Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?" (Job 26:14).

When things go wrong as they sometimes would as long as we are still in this present evil world, what one expects from friends and acquaintances is empathy, love, care and understanding. Instead of these, the friends of Job were adducing that his suffering and afflictions were as a result of his sins. They were not charitable to him in his time of need.

Author: Emode Victor

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: Take It To The Cross [29/01/2017]

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18. Read: Col 2:10-15.

The Cross of Christ is the end of all human struggles. The Cross of Christ defeated and put an end to whatever challenges that exist on the face of the earth. Whatsoever that comes face to face with the Cross of Christ does not survive that moment. On the Cross (after Jesus was given vinegar to drink), He shouted, "it's finished" and gave up the ghost. Jn 19:30. To the children of God, as Jesus was being nailed to the Cross, the troubles of the world that could have made us uncomfortable were nailed.

Author: Ese Ehimare Dave

Topic: Things Above [Sunday, 29th Jan. 2017]

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1

It is very important, after you have been saved, for you to follow through your salvation with things that will aid your walk with Christ. God is not interested in half-hearted commitments. He needs our all and demands our all because He gave His all to save us from the wages of sin which is death.

Author: Emode Victor

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: When You Obey God’s Commandments [28/01/2017]

And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth. Deuteronomy 28:1. Read: Deut 28:13-14

David Abioye's Daily Devotional January 28, 2017 – How To Maintain Relevance

Topic: How To Maintain Relevance [Saturday January 28, 2017]

Standing firm and fast at your God ordained duty post is the only way to maintain your relevance.

Refuse to be attracted to what is popular.

Topic: Be Thankful [Saturday 28, January 2017]

Memorise: Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. – Psalm 100:4

Read: Luke 17:11-19 (KJV)

11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

Topic: Keep Pressing On [Saturday January 28, 2017]

I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]; forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. — Philippians 3:13-14

Topic: The Secret Of Fruitfulness [Saturday January 28, 2017]

Scripture: God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Genesis 1:28 (NIV)

Thought For The Day: Where forgiveness is lacking, fruitfulness is not in view.

Topic: Jesus Is Our Comforter [Saturday January 28, 2017]

. . . our Lord Jesus Christ . . . which hath loved us . . . comfort your hearts . . . - 2 Thessalonians 2:16,17

Christ is the answer to sorrow. When Harry Lauder, the great Scottish comedian, received word that his son had been killed in France, he said, “In a time like this, there are three courses open to man: He may give way to despair and become bitter. He may endeavor to drown his sorrow in drink or in a life of wickedness. Or he may turn to God.” In your sorrow, turn to God.

Topic: Always Loved, Always Valued [Saturday January 28, 2017]

Read: Romans 8:31–39, Bible in a Year: Exodus 19–20; Matthew 18:21–35

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Romans 8:35

Topic: Don't Be Stony Ground [Saturday January 28, 2017]

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. - Mark 4:16-17

There seems to be an abundance of "stony ground" Christians these days. Initially, they get excited about the Word of God. They'll hear a message on prosperity, for instance, and they'll go home saying, "Hallelujah! I'm going to prosper in the Name of Jesus!" But then, somehow, things don't work out like they thought they should.

Topic: A Day to Remember [Saturday January 28, 2017]

Text: Exodus 23:14-19

Key Verse: "Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)" (Exodus 23:15).

Many nations of the world have special days of national holidays when they remember and mark events that are of great importance to their history and development as a nation. For some, it is a day of national independence, rebirth or a day they commemorate a national disaster that brought a change upon them as a nation.

Don’t you just dislike it when you bargain over something and leave feeling like you could have done better or saved more?

If you do, Jumia Travel shares 5 tips that can help you improve on your negotiation skills.

Get Information

Get information about what you want to negotiate on. Don’t go into a negotiation without a clue about what to expect in terms of numbers, price or quantity. Ask questions, check websites, do research, do what you need to do to get the information you need. This helps you determine your ‘target price’ (the price, number or quantity you are hoping to get out of the negotiation) and walk-away terms before you attempt a negotiation; and thus elevates your level - even if only slightly - on the ‘negotiation field’.

Nigeria Should Approach Trump From A Position of Strength

By SKC Ogbonnia

Donald John Trump is finally the president of the United States of America. Expectedly, there is a palpable tension around the world. The Americans themselves have remained apprehensive. Countries in the East and the West are gripped in fervent fear. Even those in Africa are not left behind, all quivering as if they have never encountered an American horror movie before. Nigeria, however, must not expose itself to the flitting phobia. As Mr. Trump himself would say, what the hell do we have to lose?

The Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside has appealed to the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) not to relocate its corporate headquarters from Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

Peterside’s appeal comes as the Rivers State Government on Wednesday, through its Attorney-General, Mr. Emmanuel C. Aguma petitioned the Senate over the “planned relocation” of SPDC headquarters from Port Harcourt to Lagos state.

Topic: How To Access Your Part [Friday January 27, 2017]

Pant for God to access your part in God.

You cannot become a part of God until you pant for Him.

David’s panting heart for God was what upgraded his status from just been a king to a priest and a prophet.

Author: Emode Victor

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: Shine Forth His Light [27/01/2017]

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1. Read: Matt 5:14-16

Topic: Retire from Self-Care [Friday January 27, 2017]

. . . Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ [give yourself up to Him, take yourself out of your own keeping and entrust yourself into His keeping] and you will be saved. — Acts 16:31

God wants to take care of you, and He can do a much better job of it if you will avoid a problem called independence, which is really self-care.

Topic: Pray without Ceasing [Friday 27, January 2017]

Memorise: And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. – Luke 22:40

Read: Luke 18:1-8 (KJV)

1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Topic: Unseen Heroes [Friday January 27, 2017]

Read: Exodus 17:8–15, Bible in a Year: Exodus 16–18; Matthew 18:1–20

Aaron and Hur held [Moses’s] hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. Exodus 17:12

Stories in the Bible can make us stop and wonder. For instance, when Moses led God’s people into the Promised Land and the Amalekites attacked, how did he know to go to the top of the hill and hold up God’s staff? (Ex. 17:8–15). We aren’t told, but we learn that when Moses raised his hands, the Israelites would win the battle, and when he lowered them, the Amalekites would win. When Moses got tired, his brother Aaron and another man, Hur, held up Moses’s arms so the Israelites could triumph.

Tuesday 31 January 2017

Monday 30 January 2017

Sunday 29 January 2017

Saturday 28 January 2017

Friday 27 January 2017