Abiding TV

Spending too much time following your five senses? Join Kenneth Copeland on Believer’s Voice of Victory as he teaches you to train your senses with The WORD of God and school yourself out of worry, fear, sin and anything else that hinders you. You can tame your five senses with The WORD of God for nonstop victorious living!

God is El-Ro-ee, “the God who sees me.” He doesn’t merely watch you; God watches over you through eyes of love, grace and compassion to guide you to your unique destiny. Join Rabbi Jonathan Bernis for a special message he gave at Gateway Church in Texas where he shared a candid look at how he came to faith in Yeshua (Jesus) and the powerful transformation that occurred when he went from knowing about God to knowing Him personally. Discover how seeing yourself through the lens of your Creator will give you clarity, vision and hope and lead you to find your God-given purpose.

Verse 1
Hear our prayer
We are Your children
And we've gathered here today
We've gathered here to pray
Hear our cry (O Lord)
We need Your mercy
And we need Your grace today
Hear us as we pray

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever (John 14:16).

The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to us—the greatest blessing in our lives as Christians. He’s God at work in us. As Christians, we need Him to live victoriously in Christ. That’s why the Lord Jesus said, “...I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter...” (John 14:16).

The Holy Spirit came to help you live the Christian life, because no ordinary person can live the Christian life. It also takes the Holy Spirit to give you the understanding of God’s Word, awaken you to the fatherhood of God, and, amongst other things, help you accept the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; God in flesh.

When Jesus asked His disciples, “Whom do men say that I the son of man am?” (Matthew 16:13), Peter, by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, spoke correctly. He said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The Master’s response to Peter was, “…Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17).

Peter wasn’t guessing; the knowledge of who Jesus is was imparted to him by the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 16:13, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth….” Think of the Holy Spirit as the revealer or unveiler of the secrets, mysteries and realities of the Kingdom of God to our spirits. He makes heavenly materiality tangible to our spirits.

 Even in preaching and ministering the Gospel to others, He’s the One who helps to bring the understanding of the message to those to whom we minister. But for Him, they’d never understand the message of the Gospel that we preach. We talk on the outside, but He confirms the words and grants them understanding on the inside.

Perhaps you’re a minister of the Gospel, don’t try to build the Church by your own strength; depend on the Holy Spirit. Take advantage of His glorious ministry in your life and you’ll never be stressed. He makes the job easy, and sees to it that you’re triumphant every day. Trust Him with your life, and He’ll manifest Himself in and through you.

PRAYER
I thank you, righteous Father, for the blessing of having the Holy Spirit live in me; He’s my all-time helper, teacher, and guide, who continually reveals Christ Jesus to me and through me. I have insight into the mysteries and secrets of the Kingdom, and live triumphantly for your glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
John 14:16 AMPC; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:9-13

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 18:1-27 & 1 Chronicles 11-13

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Mark 14:53-65 & Deuteronomy 1

Wednesday July 3rd 2019
Memorise: Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:19

Read: Genesis 11:1-6 (KJV)
1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

Bible in one year: 
Deuteronomy 11-12,
Ezekiel 10:3-19,

Hymnal: 
sing hymn 5

Message:
Whenever the devil wants to frustrate the agenda of God’s children, he applies the tactic of “divide and conquer”, knowing that he stands no chance against us whenever we walk in unity of purpose.

We must therefore stop the enemy in his tracks by fostering unity among ourselves. It is unfortunate that the devil pays closer attention to the word of God than we do. He knows the power in God’s word and that is why he tries to make us trivialise it. Today’s memory verse is a scripture that packs enormous power. If we walk in it, we will surely devastate the devil’s kingdom. Beloved, if just two of us can perform great feats simply by uniting the agreeing on what we want to happen, what happens when three, four, ten, twenty, fifty or hundred of us do the same? No doubt, the results would be phenomenal! In Genesis 11:6, the Almighty God said something significant, which those of us who want to do exploits for Him must take not of. He said:

“…Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.”

In a nutshell, the scripture encapsulates and confirms the power of unity.

God takes the issue of unity so seriously that He says in Matthew 5:23-24:

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother  hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”

Great unity exists among the Godhead, and as carriers of God’s image, we also are capable of living in unity if we choose to. Indeed, if you want to increase your productivity, keep the unity of the Spirit with those God has made to be your fellow labourers (Ephesians 4:3). The early Church was able to turn the world upside down for Jesus because they were one in heart and soul (Acts 4:32). When they prayed, they got results because they prayed in unity. Acts 4:31 records what happened when they came together to pray.

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

Unfortunately, the Church today prays without similar results because we are not united in the Spirit. Whenever the devil discovers our broken chain, he exploits it. May the Lord return brotherly love back to His Church in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point:
Father, please unite Your Church today.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical Churches in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Hebrews 12:6-7

There's a terrible misunderstanding among believers today about God's method of disciplining His children. They'll point to some kind of disaster—a tornado or a car accident—and say, "I guess God sent that catastrophe to teach us something."

No, He didn't! A loving God doesn't send death and destruction on His children to instruct them. He doesn't unleash His bad dog to bite us on the leg, so we'll learn to wear our boots!

How does He chastise His own? With His Word.

Second Timothy 3:16-17 says, "Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness, (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose and action), so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work" (The Amplified Bible).

If you'll look in 2 Corinthians 7, you'll see an example of this. There the Apostle Paul talks about a situation in the Corinthian church that needed correction. That church had gotten out of line and had to be disciplined.

How did Paul do it? Not by asking God to send an earthquake to shake them up! He did it by writing them a letter. He wrote them a word of reproof that hurt so badly they would have preferred being beaten with a stick. It cut deep into their spirits and brought them to repentance.

Your heavenly Father loves you and because He does, He will chasten you. But He'll do it with spiritual, not fleshly tools. He'll use the spirit-power in His Word to chasten unbelief and purify your spirit in such a way that you'll come out strong, not weak and condemned.

So quit bowing down to disasters and start subjecting yourself instead to the Word of God. Yield to the Word. Let it correct you and trim away the flesh and the lusts that lead you astray. Remember, the sword of the Spirit is two-edged—one side is for Satan and the other side is for you. Let God use it to keep you in line!

Scripture Reading:
2 Corinthians 7

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable . . .
—2 Timothy 3:16

The men who framed our Constitution knew they were writing the basic document for a government of free men; they recognized that men could live as free and independent beings only if each one knew and understood the law.

They were to know their rights, their privileges, and their limitations. They were to stand as equals before the court of law, and few judges could be unfair; for the judge, too, was bound by the same law and required to try each case accordingly. . . . As the Constitution is the highest law of the land, so the Bible is the highest law of God. For it is in the Bible that God sets forth His spiritual laws. It is in the Bible that God makes His enduring promises. It is in the Bible that God reveals the plan of redemption for the human race.

Prayer for the day
Almighty God, each day our nation and we, the people, face so many crises. May each one of us seek wisdom through Your Word, the Bible.

I sense many are losing their peace or have lost their peace. There are NEW WINDS of SHALOM coming from the east, the west, the north and the south! 

Angels of Shalom on the Winds of the Spirit are bringing peace to you. "Heard," You dwell in the Dimension of My Peace."

"Beloved. The enemy has been trying to steal your peace. He comes only to kill, steal, and destroy. But have no fear, My Child. I am doing a new thing. Look to Me, Beloved One. I am the Prince of Peace. I am Sar Shalom.

I am sending angels of Shalom to you on the Winds of the Spirit. Peace that passes all understanding. Through all the circumstances of life, I am walking with you and keeping you. I am your Keeper. Fret not, Beloved. Worrying is fear. I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.

Though the enemy attempts to create "disturbances" in your atmosphere, My Presence in you shall keep you in PERFECT Peace. This Shalom is your health, your peace, your wholeness in every way. Peace, like a River, is flowing to you and through you, Dear One, as you keep your eyes upon your Savior. My Shalom shall overwhelm and overtake the enemy's lies.

Just receive by faith, My Child, as My Angels of Shalom minister to you and tear down all the walls of fear that have been built up. My Shalom belongs to you, Beloved. It is your inheritance, for you are the Child of the King. From My Fullness, you have received Grace upon Grace. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid. You dwell forever in the Dimension of My Peace."

Shalom: Strong's Concordance 7965: completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.
...1 Chronicles 9:24 The gatekeepers were on the four sides: east, west, north, and south.
...Daniel 4:17 This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of mankind, and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.
...Hebrews 1:7Now about the angels He says: “He makes His angels winds, His servants flames of fire.”
...Colossians 1:19For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Jesus20 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making PEACE (SHALOM) through the Blood of His Cross.

...John 1:16 From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.
...John 14: 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.27Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

“My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 ESV).

What do you put your security in?
Putting your trust in your bank account, your job, or your investments is a recipe for heartache, because you can lose all of those things.

You have to put your trust and security in something that cannot be taken from you: God! If you want God’s blessing on your life, you have to depend on God’s wealth and not your own.

Here’s what the Bible says about God’s wealth: “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 ESV).

Your job shouldn’t be your security. Your job is a channel, but God is your source. If you understand this, you’ll have so much less stress in your life. Let me say it again: Your job is a channel, but God is the source of your supply.

If you turned on the faucet in your kitchen and no water came out, what would you do? Would you say, “Oh my; the world has run out of water—there’s no water coming out of the faucet, so there must not be any left in the whole world”?

Of course not. You’d know the problem is not with the source. There’s plenty of water in the world. The problem is the channel; it’s gotten blocked one way or another.

If one channel gets blocked in your life and the “faucet” stops working, God can turn on another faucet just as easily. If God closes a door in your life, he can open another door. And if another door closes, he can open a window, and you can crawl through it.

God is not limited to your ability and capacity. Your job is a channel. If you think that your job is what keeps you financially secure, you’re going to feel insecure your entire life. You’ve got to understand that God is the source of your supply, and you can depend on him to know exactly what you need and how to give it to you.

Jobs may come and go. Bank accounts rise and fall. Economies go up and down. Stock markets can go bull or bear. It doesn’t matter!

You can trust in God’s wealth for your security.

Talk It Over

How does putting your trust in God’s wealth affect the way you handle your finances?
Has a “faucet” been turned off in your life recently? How are you trusting God—or struggling to trust him—for your financial security?
What do your investments and finances reveal about your priorities in life?

No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God.

— Romans 4:20

You may know the story of Abraham (see Genesis 12:1–7, 21:7). Basically, God promised Abraham a son, but at the time he was 100 years old, and his wife was 90, so their childbearing years were long gone!

But Abraham knew God had spoken and was determined not to focus on the natural impossibility that he and Sarah could have a child. Instead, he planted his faith in God's promise and held on to that promise by praising God. His story is so remarkable that Paul made reference to it in Romans 4:18–21.

Abraham had absolutely no reason to hope. In fact, if any situation has ever been beyond hope, it would be the possibility of two people past 90 being able to have a biological child.

Nevertheless, Abraham kept hoping; he kept believing God's promise. He did not waver in his faith or question God's promise. Instead, "he grew strong and empowered by faith" as he praised God.

The same thing will happen when you praise God. You gain more and more strength, your faith increases, and the things that are coming against you to defeat you are dissipated as you praise Him.

That's why it's important to be diligent to listen to praise and worship music. I encourage you to play it in your home and in your car; learn songs and sing them; thank God and praise Him!

Love God today: God never responds to complaining, but He does respond to praise and an attitude of gratitude.

Prayer Starter: Father, I choose to praise You today! I believe You are able to do the impossible in my life. Help me to see my circumstances with the “eye of faith.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well
Psalm 139:14, NKJ

TODAY'S WORD:

Have you ever noticed that when you ask someone “Who are you?” a lot of times they’ll say, “I’m a salesman.” “I’m a minister.” “I’m a coach.” “I’m a teacher.” Many people find their identity in what they do. The problem with this kind of thinking is that people identify themselves with their negative habits and strongholds, too. I hear people say, “I’m an alcoholic; I just can’t beat it.” No, that’s not who you are, that’s what you do. But if you keep thinking that way and talking that way, it will become so ingrained on the inside that you’ll convince yourself that it’s true, and it will keep you from rising higher. One time somebody told me, “Joel, I’m a drug dealer.” He was embarrassed by it. He didn’t want to live that way. I told him what I’m telling you, “That’s not who you are. If you’ve accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then who you are is a child of the Most High God. It’s time to start acting like it because you have a destiny to fulfill.” As a believer, you are the righteousness of God in Christ! You are the head and not the tail! You are an overcomer! Today, embrace who you are in Christ and don’t ever let your performance change your identity.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father God, thank You for who You are and for who You’ve made me. I declare today that I am the righteousness of God in Christ. Help me to keep my identity in You and glorify You in all that I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 66:18
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.

Do you know what a privilege it is to pray? If the privilege were taken away, would you miss it? Are you even qualified to pray? Jesus taught us to pray, "Our Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:9). Only those who have been to the cross and met Jesus know the Father. The cross divides everyone here. You are light or darkness. There is no multiple choice when it comes to eternity. You're not qualified to pray, "Our Father in heaven," until God the Father is your Father.

You may know about the position of prayer, power of prayer, purpose of prayer, and petitions of prayer, but until you've met Jesus Christ and He intercedes for you in heaven, your prayer is powerless. When you pray, God the Father doesn't recognize who you are. Only Calvary makes prayer possible.

Source:  Life Lessons to Live By - The Blessing of Prayer