OPEN HEAVENS 2017 BECOMING A WONDER – Friday June 23rd 2017 Memorise:  Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. Psalm 77:14 Read:  Psalm 77:11-15 (KJV) 11 I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. 13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? 14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. 15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. Bible in one year:  Judges 17-18, Jeremiah 51:45-58, Hymn: Sing hymn 5 MESSAGE God is a wonder and He does great wonders. I pray that He will perform wonders in your own life, so that you can testify that you have experienced His wonder-working power, in Jesus’ Name. Beyond this however, do you know that God can turn you into a wonder? For instance, look at t...

GUILTLESS? -PROVERBS 24:21-34 KEY VERSE: "Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips" (Proverbs 24:28). A story is told of a policeman who witnessed an accident while on duty. In that accident, a graduate was knocked down by a reckless driver and he died on the spot. The policeman, who was at the scene, told the driver to give him some money and move on. That was done and the policeman was said to have told people that the young man was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver. Some years after he had retired from service, his son who just returned from abroad where he studied was knocked down exactly at the point where his father covered up a crime years back. So, when the old man heard what happened, he confessed to those around him what he did. Nowadays, wickedness rules the world as some people go out of their way to say outright falsehood against their neighbour. People are paid to frame-up others in criminal cases, while some ma...

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES FRIDAY, 23RD JUNE.  http://bit.ly/2dZqtLQ VICTORS FOR LIFE. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (James 1:2). As you grow in your Christian walk, you’ll definitely have your fight of faith; it’s a must for everyone. The Bible calls it a good fight, because you’re guaranteed to always win. Some people see the fight of faith differently; they see challenges as insurmountable difficulties. Every time something happens, they cry, feeling sorry for themselves. If only such people knew how much the devil likes to see them cry, and enjoys their frustration, they’ll never give him the luxury. Realise that as a Christian, Christ lives in you; that makes you a victor for life. The Bible says, “...greater is he that’s in you, than he that’s in the world” (1 John 4:4). This is a present-hour reality. Romans 8:35-37 says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation...

  June 23, 2017 Playing in Concert David C. McCasland Romans 12:3–8 So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.  Romans 12:5–6 During our granddaughter’s school band concert, I was impressed by how well this group of 11- and 12-year-olds played together. If each of them had wanted to be a solo performer, they could not have achieved individually what the band did collectively. The woodwinds, brass, and percussion sections all played their parts and the result was beautiful music! To the followers of Jesus in Rome, Paul wrote, “In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us” (Rom. 12:5–6). Among the gifts Paul mentioned are prophecy, service, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, and mercy (vv. 7–...

  June 22, 2017 Silence Tim Gustafson Habakkuk 1:1–4; 2:20 How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?  Habakkuk 1:2 Skittish chickens scattered as relief trucks clattered past the weathered huts of the village. Barefoot children stared. Traffic on this rain-ravaged “road” was rare. Suddenly, a walled mansion loomed into view of the convoy. It was the mayor’s house—although he didn’t live in it. His people lacked basic necessities, while he lounged in luxury in a distant city. Such unfairness angers us. It angered God’s prophet too. When Habakkuk saw rampant oppression he asked, “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” (Hab. 1:2). But God had noticed, and He said, “Woe to him who piles up stolen goods . . . who builds his house by unjust gain!” (2:6, 9). Judgment was coming! We welcome God’s judgment of others, but there’s a pivot ...

DON’T COLOUR IT! -JOB 33:1-13 KEY VERSE: "My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly" (Job 33:3). If people decide to be more careful with their words, they will get into fewer problems. There is no doubt that our homes and families will be more peaceful and there will be less strain in our relationships. The truth is that many problems arise from what we say. They fail to consider the consequences of what they say. Even those who say the things that appear to be the truth do not say it with the right motive. Elihu, in our text, gives us a principle that should guide the way we talk. He knew that it is possible for people to appear to be speaking the truth but not out of a sincere, upright heart. When truth is spoken for the purpose of ridiculing, then that is blackmail and sarcasm – just to mock. Are you careful about the way you speak? It is always helpful to put the right construction to our words and conversations. We...

Memorise:  Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. John 4:34 Read:  2nd Timothy 3:1-5 (King James Version) 1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Bible in one year:  Joshua 8-9, Jeremiah 44:11-19, Hymn: Sing hymn 6 MESSAGE From Matthew 6:10, we understand that man was created to do God’s will on earth so that he can ultimately continue doing so when he gets to Heaven. Although God has a plan for everyone He created, He will not force us to do anything against our will, because He cre...