Daily Inspirational devotionals

Topic:SICKNESS IS NOT FROM GOD – June 22

John 9:2 “And his disciples asked him saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?”
JOHN 9:1-4

The disciples asked a question that still puzzles many people today. Why is a child born with a physical defect? Is it a judgment of God upon the parents for some sin, or is it possibly God’s judgment upon the child for sins that God knows he will commit?

Jesus Himself had previously linked sickness with sin. In this instance, however, Jesus said this blindness was not caused by this man’s or his parents’ sins.

This has led many people to interpret the rest of this verse as saying that God made this man blind just so that He could heal him and be glorified thereby. From this thinking, many doctrinal teachings have risen about how sickness and other problems in our lives are actually blessings from God, intended to bring glory to God and correction to us. This reasoning, however, does not line up with the other truths of God’s Word.

It was not God who made this beggar blind. This man was not born blind because of any one person’s sins but because sin in general had corrupted the perfect balance that God had created in nature. Therefore, some maladies happen, not as a direct result of an individual’s sins but as an indirect result of sin in general.

Deuteronomy 28 settles forever the question of whether sickness, poverty, and oppression are really blessings in disguise. God says that sickness and poverty are curses – not blessings from God. Christ redeemed us from these curses of the law so that now the blessings may come upon us through Him (Galatians 3:13). God’s curses have been placed on Jesus and removed from those who accept Jesus’ sacrifice. You are blessed!

Topic:Fellowship with Jesus
June 22, 2018
Read: Philippians 3:7–14 | Bible in a Year: Esther 6–8; Acts 6

I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Philippians 3:8

I’ll never forget the time I had the privilege of sitting next to Billy Graham at a dinner. I was honored but also somewhat nervous about what would be appropriate to say. I thought it would be an interesting conversation starter to ask what he loved most about his years of ministry. Then I awkwardly started to suggest possible answers. Was it knowing presidents, kings, and queens? Or preaching the gospel to millions of people around the world?

Before I had finished offering suggestions, Rev. Graham stopped me. Without hesitation he said, “It has been my fellowship with Jesus. To sense His presence, to glean His wisdom, to have Him guide and direct me—that has been my greatest joy.” I was instantly convicted and challenged. Convicted because I’m not sure that his answer would have been my answer, and challenged because I wanted it to be.

That’s what Paul had in mind when he counted his greatest achievements to be of no worth compared to the “surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). Think of how rich life would be if Jesus and our fellowship with Him was our highest pursuit.

Lord, forgive me for chasing after things that matter far less than my fellowship with You. Thank You that You stand ready to enrich my life with Your presence and power.

To remain faithful where God has placed you, give Christ first place in your heart.

Topic:Expect a Harvest
Kenneth Copeland

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Luke 6:38

Give and it shall be given unto you. That statement came straight from the mouth of Jesus. Yet there are a great many believers who flatly refuse to believe it. In fact, they actually have the mistaken idea that it’s wrong to expect to receive when they give.

The truth is—it’s wrong not to!

What would you think about a farmer who planted seeds, then let his crop rot in the field? You’d think he was a fool, wouldn’t you? And if he did it when others were starving, you’d think he was criminally irresponsible.

Well, it’s just as irresponsible to give financial seeds and ignore the harvest God promised. Especially when that harvest could help send the gospel to people who are starving to hear it. It’s just as wrong to ignore the key to prosperity that Jesus Himself gave us as it is to let a wheat crop rot in the field.

God wants us to receive from the financial seeds that we plant. He wants us to be prepared to require no aid ourselves and to be “furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation” (2 Corinthians 9:8, The Amplified Bible). He wants us to have plenty—not so we can hoard it selfishly—but so we can give generously.

Next time you give, don’t be afraid to expect a harvest! Release your faith for the financial rewards Jesus promised. Then, when they come, turn right around and plant them again. Keep the flow of giving and receiving going so that the Lord can bless the world through you!

Scripture Reading:
2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Topics: Jesus Christ
The Most Unique Person
By Billy Graham • June 22

Worthy is the Lamb . . . to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
—Revelation 5:12

H.G. Wells wrote, “Christ is the most unique person of history. No man can write a history of the human race without giving first and foremost place to the penniless teacher of Nazareth.” Rabbi Stephen Wise said concerning Jesus, “You will find that He is divinely human. It is no mean joy to us of the house of Israel to recognize, to honor and to cherish among our brethren, Jesus the Jew, who has influenced the world more than any other man.” This person called Jesus lived on earth for only 33 years. He never traveled more than 100 miles from His home. Yet Charles Lamb was right in saying, “If all the illustrious men of history were gathered together and Shakespeare should enter their presence, they would rise to do him honor; but if Jesus Christ should come in, they would fall down and worship Him.”

Who are you worshiping?

What makes Jesus different from everyone else? Here’s a short answer.

Prayer for the day
Loving Lord Jesus, I would honor You this day and evermore—in adoration I worship You, my Savior and my Lord.

Topic:Prayer and Peace
A daily devotion for June 22nd
Read the Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11

In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head. (1 Sam. 1:10-11)

At first glance it would appear that this is a kind of bargaining prayer of Hannah’s — that she is offering to give the boy back to the Lord only if the Lord will give him to her first so she can enjoy him. It is possible to read this account that way, but, if we look closely at it, we can see what is really happening here, for I am sure this is not the first time that Hannah has prayed at Shiloh for a son. All along she dreamed of having a son of her own, a little boy to love and cuddle, to teach him to walk, to read stories to, to watch him grow to manhood to become a strong, clean, fine young man, the pride of her life. She wanted him for herself, and she prayed often for that, but her prayer was not answered.
On this occasion, however, her prayer was different. Having worked through years of barrenness and having thought deeply about the problems, she realized for the first time something she had never known before. She realized that children are not just for parents — they are for the Lord. They are given to parents, loaned for a while, but the reason they are given is for the Lord to use. Certainly this account indicates that this little boy who was ultimately born (Samuel) was God’s man to meet the need of a nation. Undoubtedly God had taught Hannah deeply through these hours of struggle over her barrenness, so in great distress and with intense earnestness she prays that God would have what he wanted, a man for his glory and his purposes, and that he would let her be the instrument of that blessing.
Immediately we read of a remarkable change in Hannah’s heart, for the account says, Eli answered, Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him. She said, May your servant find favor in your eyes. Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. (1 Samuel 1:17-18)
Immediately, God’s peace had begun to guard her heart and spirit. Now, the birth of the baby did not occur until months later, but when the baby was born she named him Samuel, which means, Asked of God. God had granted her request, but there was peace in Hannah’s heart right from that very moment of her prayer. This is a beautiful commentary on that well known passage in Philippians 4 where Paul says, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). That is what Hannah experienced here. This is the mystery of prayer that is available to us to speak peace into our hearts when we are troubled by the circumstances of our lives.
Thank you, Father, for the peace that you can give me as I yield to you in prayer. Thank you that you know what I need and you know when I need it.
Life Application: Our Father wisely denies petition motivated by self-interest. Rather than sulk, or blame God, shall we ask him to re-focus our hearts toward his will and glory? Have we been circumventing his peace by insisting he do it our way?

We hope you were blessed by this daily devotion.

TOPIC- A Shepherd Or A Hunter Open Heaven [22 June 2018] Friday

Open Heaven 22 June 2018 Memorise:

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1 Peter 5:4

Bible Reading 1 Peter 5:1-4

1. To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:

2 Be shepherds of God’s flockthat is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;

3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Open Heaven 22 June 2018 Bible in one year: 2 Kings 24-25, Acts 15:12-35

Open Heaven 22 June 2018 Message
It is disheartening to note that many hunters have crept into the Body of Christ, disguising themselves as shepherds. How do we distinguish a hunter from a shepherd? A hunter is an opportunist who feeds on the flesh of animals he did not rear. He kills his game indiscriminately without consideration for the wellbeing of the animals he kills. Open Heaven 24 June 2018 (Sunday)

A Shepherd, on the other hand , knows even the smallest details about the state of his or her flock. His disposition to the flock is captured beautifully in psalms 23. Psalms 23:1-3 says,

“The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie in green pastures : He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

All this occupying the office of Shepherd in the Body of Christ are instructed on God’s expectation of them in today’s Bible reading. They are expected to feed the flock of God and watch over them without any constraints or covetousness. Open Heaven 23 June 2018

Open Heaven 22 June 2018
Unlike a hunter that goes after a kill, the shepherd must nurture, preserve and ensure the safety of the sheep. He pampers the lambs and leads the sheep towards green pastures. The shepherd defends the flock against external aggression of wolves and other carnivores. Jesus Christ is our perfect example of a shepherd. In John 10:11, He said
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“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

God expects us to be good shepherds just as our Lord Jesus Christ is. In the Body of Christ today, it is unfortunate that we have unsuspecting sheep who are being led by hunters instead of shepherds. Paul wrote concerning them in Philippians 3:18-19 saying:

“For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.”

Beloved, you need to identify the shepherds and the hunters in the Body of Christ and ensure you are not being led by a hunter. Any pastor whose primary concern is what he or she can get out of you and not how you would be nurtured and built up in christ is a hunter. I pray that God will open your eyes of understanding and enable you to discern if you are under a hunter or a shepherd

Open Heaven 22 June 2018 Prayer Point

Father, please rid your Church of hunters disguising in the coat of shepherds in Jesus’ Name

We sincerely hope you’ve been blessed by today’s devotional message. Click the WhatsApp or Facebook button below the Hymn to share with your friends, families and colleagues. Please, drop a comment if you’ve truly been blessed by Pastor E A Adeboye’s message. God bless you!

Open Heaven 22 June 2018 Hymn 12 – How sweet the name of Jesus

Verse 1:
How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.
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Verse 2:
It makes the wounded spirit whole,
And calms the troubled breast;
’Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary, rest.

Verse 3:
Jesus! My Shepherd, Husband, Friend,
O Prophet, Priest and King,
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
Accept the praise I bring.

Verse 4:
Weak is the effort of my heart,
And cold my warmest thought;
But when I see Thee as Thou art,
I’ll praise Thee as I ought.

Verse 5:
Till then I would Thy love proclaim
With every fleeting breath,
And may the music of Thy Name
Refresh my soul in death!

Seed Of Destiny Today Friday 22nd June 2018

TOPIC: HOW TO HANDLE TIME PROFITABLY

SCRIPTURE: Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesian 5:16

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Where you spent most of your time will determine where you will get your most outstanding result in life.

Previously, we looked at the importance of time and time management in the realization of destiny. We noted that great achievers are effective time managers. Now, it is important to look at how to profitably maximize the time of your life.

The question is, how do we use our time in order to ensure the fulfilment of destiny?

1. Time in Relationship with God
In order to use time effectively for the realization of destiny, there is a need to order your day; order your life with quality relationship with God, Prayer, communion and worship. Let your life literally revolve around this. Where you spent most of your time will determine where you will get your most outstanding results in life. Spend quality time with God, the Word of God, in prayer and in worship, and you will get quality results.

2. Time in spiritual development
Spiritual development is the study of the word and the word base study. In spiritual development, you select areas of your life that you want to develop; it may be the area of wisdom, anointing or faith; then you study on these areas of life and develop yourself spiritually.

3. Time in Personal and professional development
Personal development is all the things you do to make your life better career-wise or professionally. This involves the sharpening of your talent, investment into your potential, investment into your expertise, making yourself better on what you do. There are people who may not get a job because their market value is low due to lack of personal development.

Beloved, I would like you to thank God for the job you do currently; develop yourself and be the best at what you do.

Remember this: Where you spent most of your time will determine where you will get the most of your result in life.

ASSIGNMENTS: Seed Of Destiny Today Friday 22nd June 2018
1. Spend time with God at the place of prayer.
2. Spend time in personal spiritual development.
3. Spend time in professional or career development.

PRAYER: O Lord, I receive the grace to spend quality time with You. Help and empower me to spend time in personal spiritual and professional development, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: PROFITABLE USE OF TIME.

DAILY BIBLE READING: 2 Kings 3:1 to 4:17, Acts 14:8 to 28, Psalm 140:1 to 13, Proverbs 17:22

AMAZING FACT: Slugs have four noses.

TODAY IN HISTORY: 22/06/1946 – Jet airplanes were used to transport mail for the first time

QUOTE: The devil knows his time is short. Culled from 15 KINGDOM STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL by Dr Paul Enenche. Seed Of Destiny Today Friday 22nd June 2018

DON’T FORGET TO ATTEND: The Home church meeting tomorrow by 6pm at the Centre nearest to you. Come with your friends and loved ones.

Prince Sermon Notes

TOPIC- LOOK TO THE WORD, NOT NATURAL FACTS ( Devotional June 21st, 2018)

Bible Verse Numbers 21:9 

So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived. Prince Sermon Notes

Prince Sermon Notes

“Pastor Prince, I know that God is my healer. But why is this sickness and pain still in my body?” If you have been looking at your sickness and pain all this while, stop looking at yourself and start looking at Jesus. Did He or did He not take upon Himself your sickness and pain?

God’s Word declares, “Surely our sicknesses he hath borne, and our pains—he hath carried them…” (Isaiah 53:4, YLT) Since Jesus has already taken your sickness and pain at the cross, then He cannot “untake” them. Even if you find it hard to believe that Jesus has paid for your healing, especially when the pain is unbearable, the truth is that it is still paid for. It is a finished work! Prince Sermon Notes

God is not saying that your sickness does not exist, nor is He asking you to pretend that it is not there. He is asking you to look away from the sickness, painful as it may be, and look to the truth that it has already been judged at the cross in the body of His Son.

Prince Sermon Notes –  June 21st

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Once, while still in the wilderness, the children of Israel were bitten by deadly desert serpents. The serpents were real. The bites were painful and deadly. So God told Moses to point the people to the bronze serpent put on a pole—a picture of the cross. (John 3:14) Bronze signifies judgment. In other words, the serpent—their problem—was already judged at the cross.

Those who kept their eyes on the bronze serpent lived. Those who focused on their wounds died. So stop looking at your sickness. Instead, look to the cross and see your sickness already judged in the body of Jesus. Surely He has borne your sicknesses and carried your pains! That is the truth of God’s Word. And His Word supersedes natural facts.

My friend, you let natural facts rule or establish God’s truths over your problem by what you choose to focus on. So decide today not to focus on the facts concerning your problem. Instead, establish the truth of God’s Word and Christ’s finished work over your problem—and live! Prince Sermon Notes

Joel Osteen Devotional Jun 21, 2018

TOPIC-  Your Original Software written by  Pastor Joel Osteen

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
(Romans 12:2, NIV)  Joel Osteen Devotional Jun 21, 2018

Joel Osteen Devotional Jun 21, 2018

TODAY’S WORD: Joel Osteen Devotional Jun 21, 2018

Our minds work like a computer. The way you program it is the way it’s going to function. You can have the most powerful computer made, but if you put the wrong software in it, it’s not going to function like it was designed. We’ve all had to deal with these computer viruses. All these problems occur not because the computer is defective, but because somebody contaminated the software. Joel Osteen Devotional Jun 21, 2018

In the same way, when God created you, He stepped back and said, “Another masterpiece.” Your hardware is perfect. From the very beginning, He programmed you to be victorious, healthy, strong and creative. He programmed, “Whatever you touch will prosper and succeed.” He programmed, “The head and not the tail. Lend and not borrow. Victor and not victim.”
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That’s how your Creator designed you. But the reason we don’t always experience this abundant life is because we’ve allowed viruses to contaminate our software. Because our software is infected, we go around with low self-esteem, negative and doubtful. It’s time to reprogram your mind with the Word of God! Meditate on what He says about you, delete the viruses, and get back to your original software!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father, thank You for making me in Your image. Help me to see any areas where my thinking is contaminated. I choose to meditate on you.

Joel Osteen Devotional Jun 21, 2018