OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: WEDNESDAY MAY 24TH 2017

THEME: TRYING TO CORNER GOD?
Memorise:
But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year. Genesis 17:21
Read: Genesis 17:15-21
17:15 And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.
17:16 And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.
17:17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
17:18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
17:20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
17:21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.
Message:
After Abraham and Sarah used their own alternative means to attempt to solve their problem of childlessness, and Hagar delivered Ishmael to Abraham, they thought that God’s plan for their lives would change to accommodate Ishmael. They were wrong! In fact, in Genesis 17:18, Abraham made a passionate plea to God to recognize Ishmael as his covenant heir, but God insisted on His original plan. In Genesis 17:19, God said this to Abraham:
“…Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.”
A crucial lesson here is that we cannot force, deceive, manipulate or corner God into doing what He did not plan to do. Isaac is a product of the Spirit while Ishmael is the product of the flesh (Galatians 4:23-29). Never expect God to dump the Spirit for the flesh. Do you know that some Christians go against God’s word and will by marrying an unbeliever and then later pretend to be sorry by feigning tears, whereas inside them they are rejoicing that they have married their chosen heartthrob and have thus outsmart God? Such Christians would try to justify themselves by asking you whether God would expect them to divorce their unsaved spouses when God Himself says He hates divorce. Oh how smart they think they are! Unfortunately for them though, they will later realize how foolish they really are, when faced with the consequences of their choice.
If you go against God’s word and choose an unbeliever as your marriage or business partner, it is your choice. You will have to live with the repercussions of that choice. You may have 100 “Ishmaels”, but God’s covenant can only be established with “Isaac” (Genesis 17:21). Isaac is a product of God’s blessings, while Ishmael is the product of man’s lust, impatient, and self-government. Do not expect God to legitimize your Ishmael! Some people acquire wealth through illegitimate means and later expect God to sanctify it for them. They are only deceiving themselves. Anything you add to yourself that God has not added to you will ultimately be a curse that will haunt you. This is why it is better to wait on God to receive the blessing that comes from Him and not fall for cheap alternatives. Have you devised alternatives to God’s original plan for your life? Repent and dump them today! Go back to God and ask him to continue from where He stopped in your life.
Action Point:
Have you ever tried to outsmart God? Go on your knees and confess how foolish you have been, and ask for His mercy today.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Acts 7
Jeremiah 34:17-35:11
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 9: ON THE HILL FAR AWAY
1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
2. Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
[Refrain]
3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
[Refrain]
4.To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
[Refrain]

RECENT ATTACK IN MANCHESTER UNITED

We’re at a vigil in Albert Square, Manchester, for the victims of last night’s suicide bombing.
22 people were killed and 59 injured in the attack.
An eight year old girl is among the dead.

# ManchesterAttack # WeStandTogether
# PrayForManchester

Mega Grace global news team (Manchester City)

©Prince E. Onyedika

RHEMA FOR LIVING OFM DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE, DR. MRS LIZZY JOHNSON SULEMAN TUESDAY 23RD MAY 2017

TODAY'S READING Genesis 28:1-22

TOPIC: ARE YOU PREPARED? 2.

TEXT: "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them as travail upon a woman with a child; and they shall not escape." 1 Thessalonians 5:2

When he shall appear, only the prepared church will me Him. Remember, the church is not the building, is not the entire multitude that gather to worship in a service. The church is the body of Christ Jesus. Those who have received and believed in His name and are also doing the will of God. Jesus said not everyone that him Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven but those who does the will of the Father who is in heaven (Matthew 7:21) this implies that, being a number of a church is not a qualification for heaven.
You can be chorister, prayer band member, usher, deacon and deaconess yet you are not a member of the body of Christ. Some who are true members of the body of Jesus might miss being with him when He returns due to their nonchalant altitude towards their relationship with God. Revelation 2:16 says "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spill thee out of my mouth".
To be prepared for the Lord's return, you must born again (John 3:5) and you must abide in Christ (John 15:1-4).

PRAYER
My father, my father, as I pray, help me to live prepared for thy second coming...

ARSENE WENGER ACCEPTS FA’S CHARGE OF MISCONDUCT

Arsenal head coach, Arsene Wenger has accepted a charge of misconduct by the Football Association after shoving a match official and verbally abusing him as Arsenal played Burnley.
The fourth official involved was Anthony Taylor and Wenger was sent to the stands for the incident. He has now apologized for his actions and said he would request a personal hearing with the FA.
“I’ve said what I have publicly and the rest will be more discreet,” he said. “I don’t know if I will be punished and how I will be punished.
“The only thing I can say is that when I was sent off I was surprised and then I was in the tunnel which is where I thought I could be.”
When asked if he would accept the charge, Wenger said: “Yes. I am big enough to stand up for what I do.

Mega Grace Sports News
(global transformation)

©Prince E.  Onyedika

BREAKING NEWS!!! GOD'S ORACLE APOSTLE PROF JOHNSON SULEMAN ARRIVES AMSTERDAM

The Restoration Apostle, Johnson Suleman arrives the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for his 2 days Apostolic Visitation to the Nation of Netherland,come with your expectation for God is indeed in need of you.
The 2 days 4 meetings conference will be held at the M & M BV Floraweg and expected to bring an abundance of The Word Undiluted, Healing, Deliverance, Miracles and Restoration.
The Apostle arrived Amsterdam with some of his senior pastors from Nigeria and Europe.
Amsterdam is blessed.come and see what God is doing via a man in this our generation.

Mega Grace news team (Amsterdam)

©Prince E. Onyedika

THE 53-YEAR-OLD LAWYER BECAME NFF GENERAL SECRETARY IN 2010 HAVING PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL (GENERAL SERVICE).

Musa Amadu is Alleged to Have Accused the NFF of “Misapplication” of Funds.
In his resignation letter, Amadu thanked “everyone at the NFF for the singular honour of serving our great country” and wished “the NFF the very best in the years ahead.”
The ExCo has also named Dr Mohammed Sanusi as Amadu’s successor with immediate effect.
Sanusi was Assistant Secretary General (Competitions) in 2007 and was Director of Competitions before his new appointment.
NFF will miss Amadu
President of the NFF, Amaju Pinnick, described Amadu as “a marvelous human being, a professional,” who will certainly be missed by the fledgling football administration in the country.
“We greatly appreciate his quality contributions to the development of football in Nigeria. His professionalism, hardwork and commitment to his duty helped in no little way in keeping the NFF administration stable and efficient,” the ExCo said in response to Amadu’s resignation.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: TUESDAY MAY 23RD 2017

THEME: BE FULL OF FAITH
Memorise:
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, Jude1:20
Read: Acts 6:3-10
6:3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,
6:6 Whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
6:7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
6:8 And Stephen, full of faithand power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
6:9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.
6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
Message:
According to Mark 16:17-18, the ability to demonstrate faith in God is very necessary in the ministry of signs and wonders. Hebrew 11:6 also says without faith you cannot please God. So how do we recognize someone with faith? A look at the life of someone in the Bible declared was full of faith should be able to provide us some answers. Acts 6:8 says,
“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.”
Stephen was only a deacon in the early church. He was chosen as an usher to join the others in serving food, and yet because he was full of faith, he performed great signs and wonders, even more that some apostles. From the example of Stephen, it therefore means that you can be a worker in the church and God could still use you to perform mighty signs and miracles even more than a pastor. This simply tells us that walking in the miraculous is not about titles but about faith. You can be full of position or titles but empty of faith and therefore of little or no use to God in the ministry of signs and wonders. Some senior pastors cannot mention just one miracle the Lord has performed through them in the last two or more years, and yet God is doing wonders through their subordinates. It is doubtful that such pastors are full of faith. Are you full of faith or doubt? There is no way God will be among His people and His supernatural touch will not be visible for all to see.
Instead of building up their faith until it is full, some people choose to use everything at their disposal to secure position or an ordination in the Body of Christ, believing that the higher their position, the greater the anointing at their disposal. Unfortunately, they fail to realize that those who pursue position or ordination may get the title but not the power that backs it up. What is important is to build up your faith. After you are saved, do not keep your faith stagnant; grow it. Feed your faith by meditating regularly on God’s word, praying in the Holy Spirit, reading sound Christian literature and texts, and by listening to good Christian music and testimonies. You also need to fellowship regularly in a Bible-believing Church, so that you are constantly exposed to the truth. When you are full of faith, fear will have no place to hibernate inside you. This makes you a sure candidate for God to work with. May God work with you! Do all you can to build up your faith.
Key Point:
Your spiritual growth is your personal responsibility, and not that of your pastor.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Acts 5-6
Jeremiah 34:1-16
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 1: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE
1. My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Saviour divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!
2. May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!
3. While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.
4.When life’s swift race is run,
Death’s cold work almost done
Be near to me.
Blest Saviour, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!

ARSENAL NOW FOR SALE AFTER MISSING CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?

Here’s What the US Owner, Kroenke is Saying
As media reports continue to trail Arsenal especially after it missed qualifying for the UEFA Champions League for next season, the club’s majority owner, Stan Kroenke, has opened up on the sale of the football club.
Stan Kroenke, the majority shareholder of Arsenal football club, has affirmed his commitment to the club and said his shares are not for sale after minority shareholder Alisher Usmanov made a $1.3bn bid to buy out the American tycoon.
In a statement, KSE UK, the holding company for Mr Kroenke’s shares in Arsenal, said:
“KSE UK notes the recent media speculation concerning its shareholding in Arsenal Holdings PLC and confirms that its shares are not, and never have been, for sale. KSE is a committed, long term investor in Arsenal and will remain so.”
Uzbek-Russian metals magnate, Mr Usmanov – who currently owns 30 per cent of Arsenal – has been engaged in a long-running feud with Mr Kroenke, criticising his lack of investment in the club.
This weekend, Arsenal missed out on qualifying the Champions league for the first time in 20 years, a failure that is likely to cost it about £50m in lost revenues.
The club’s disappointing performance has led to accusations from some quarters that Mr Kroenke has been an absentee owner.

Mega Grace Sports News (global transformation)

©Prince  E. Onyedika

WELCOME TO 23RD MAY 2017 ONLINE EDITION OF OUR DAILY MANNA CHRISTIAN DAILY DEVOTIONALS WITH BISHOP DR CHRIS

Topic: AND NO MAN SAW IT! OH! YOUR PRIVATE LIFE!
( 1 SAMUEL 26:7-13).
Vs. 12 of today’s scripture says: “So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.” Note the words: “And no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked.” No man was watching David and he could have killed Saul. God even ‘baptized’ Saul with a deep sleep! But that deep sleep was a trap unto David.
Be reminded of this Law which was revealed to me personally some years ago. It has never been written in any book:
“What You Do When No One Is Watching Will Determine What You Become When Men Are Watching.”
When David killed the Lion and the bear, no one was there! But when he killed Goliath, all the “TV cameras” were present! Hear this word which was dropped in my spirit just now again:
“Men Will Seek For You Or Slip From You! It Is All A Result Of Things You Do When No One Is Watching! Your Secret Life Is the Price You Pay For Your Public Life!”
Oh! Thank you Holy Ghost! That means: YOUR GOD-SENT EVIDENCE PACKAGE THIS YEAR IS TIED TO YOUR PRIVATE LIFE! When no one is watching, are you still a prayer warrior or a prayer worrier? Do you still work for God in your local church when no man is there? Many believers do not go to church again when their Pastor travels! Are you a God-pleaser or man-pleaser. Can you take up hidden assignments in church or you seek the popular ones? Do you lie, fornicate, commit adultery, eat your Tithe, live in bitterness/
unforgiveness, etc, when no-one is watching!
Never forget this: “What You Do When No-One Is Watching Will Determine What You Become When Men Are Watching!” In this year 2017, use today’s devotional to settle the issue of your private life with God. It must NOT be your EVIDENCE toll gate!
PRAY AND ENCOURAGE THE PASTOR OF YOUR LOCAL CHURCH TODAY.

PRAYER POINTS: Take Song 4: Blessed assurance…..

1. Don’t start 2017 with a wrong lifestyle! Repent from any secret, sinful lifestyle now.

2. The Pharaoh of my destiny must die! The Haman against my joy must roast! Father, contend with my contenders!

3. Lord, turn me into Your EVIDENCE Land this year! Pray about today seriously! See the NEW 2017 page 7 devotional prayers now.
BY BISHOP (DR) CHRIS E. KWAKPOVWE (CEK)
PUBLISHER/WRITER OF ODM AND
REV (MRS) FLORA E. KWAKPOVWE (FEK)
CO-PUBLISHER/WRITER OF OFM.

MOYES RESIGNS AFTER SUNDERLAND RELEGATION

Sunderland's Scottish manager David Moyes watches from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge in London on May 21, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Ian KINGTON /
David Moyes has resigned as Sunderland manager following their relegation from the Premier League, the club announced on Monday.
The 54-year-old Scot succeeded Sam Allardyce last July and oversaw a desperate season that saw Sunderland finish 16 points adrift of safety at the foot of the table.
"I would like to thank (chairman) Ellis Short and the board for giving me the opportunity to manage Sunderland and the fans for always being so passionately supportive of their club," Moyes said in a statement.
"I wish the players and my successor well in their efforts towards promotion back to the Premier League."
Sunderland's relegation to the Championship after 10 years in the top flight was confirmed following a 1-0 home defeat by Bournemouth last month.
Moyes informed Sunderland officials of his decision to leave at a meeting in London on Monday.
His departure completes a sorry few weeks for the former Everton manager, who has been charged by the Football Association after jokily threatening to "slap" a female reporter.
It is his third successive short-lived stint at a club, following previous disappointments at Manchester United, where he lasted just 10 months, and Real Sociedad.
"I pursued the services of David Moyes for a considerable period prior to his appointment last summer, which makes the announcement of his departure difficult for everyone concerned," said Sunderland chairman Ellis Short.
"Having worked tirelessly throughout the campaign to avoid relegation from the Premier League, David has chosen to leave the club without compensation, which is testament to his character.
"In the days ahead we will take some time for reflection and then focus on recruitment and pre-season as we prepare for our Championship campaign. We wish David well in the future."
Moyes was dissatisfied with Sunderland's close-season transfer dealings and set the tone for their campaign early in the season when he said he was preparing for a relegation battle.
Sunderland sank into the bottom three in September and did not move off the foot of the table from January onwards, finishing the campaign with only six wins to their name.
An incident involving Moyes and BBC radio reporter Vicki Sparks occurred after a 0-0 draw against Burnley on March 18, but only came to light last month.
After taking exception to a question, Moyes waited until the interview had ended before telling Sparks: "It was getting a wee bit naughty at the end there, so just watch yourself.
"You still might get a slap even though you're a woman. Careful the next time you come in."
He subsequently apologised, but was charged by the FA on April 26.
In this article:
David Moyes Football
Sunderland News