Make Appointments with God

By Whitney Hopler

Imagine that you’ve been invited to meet with the President of the United States in the Oval Office. You’d likely look forward to your appointment with great excitement. Now imagine that someone much more exciting – the God of the universe – wants to meet with you personally. This scenario is true; God really does want to meet with you, and He wants to do so every single day through a private quiet time together.

Those appointments with God should be a source of great joy for you. But unfortunately, quiet times can sometimes seem too intimidating to schedule or maintain regularly. Here are some ways you can enjoy your appointments with God:

• Think about how much God loves you, and expect to be blessed as a result of spending time with Him. View your quiet times as cherished meetings with…

Write as you read and study your Bible

Have you ever read a portion of Scripture – perhaps even several pages or chapters – only to realize that you have no idea what you just read? Your eyes may be reading words but your mind is thinking about the phone call you just received or your day’s schedule. If you wish to know God, you must know His Word, advised C. H. Spurgeon.

How to make God’s Word come alive within you:

•Write out portions of the Word. Do you remember in elementary school when the teacher would instruct the class to copy a list from the blackboard? The teacher knew you were more likely to grasp and remember the concepts if you copied the words. God knew how prone His people were to forget what He had told them. Over and over, He challenged them to remember…

2 Samuel 20. Sheba’s rebellion. Sheba revolts against David

1 And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel. 2 So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem. 3 And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.

4…

David and Saul (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2 Smauel 21. Seven sons of Saul hanged

1 Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. 2 And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.) 3 Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD? 4 And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver…

Teach Me, O Lord (Photo credit: sleepymyf)

2 Smauel 22. David’s song of victory. David’s song of Deliverance

1 And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:

2 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; 3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. 4 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. 5 When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; 6 The sorrows of hell compassed me…

How to Have a Meaningful Quiet Time with God

By Adrian Rogers

“Oh how love I Thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 119:97

Christianity is not a legal relationship, it is a love relationship. Ten thousand “don’ts” will never make you one iota more like the Lord Jesus Christ. It is Jesus Himself Who makes you like Him. But you need to spend time with Him. I want to give you five factors for spending some quiet time with Him each day.

The Proper Period

You must find the right time. Your quiet time should last at least half an hour. But some time is better than no time, so if you can’t start at thirty minutes, begin with ten. It should be your very best time. Don’t give the Lord your leftovers. And don’t try to find time – make time, and make it…

Simple Steps to Solid Scripture Bible Study

By John MacArthur, Grace to You

From the moment I sensed the call of God into full-time ministry, the driving passion of my life has been simply to understand God’s Word and then make it understandable to others. I have never aspired to be known as either an academic theologian or a distinguished clergyman. I simply want to know what the Word of God means and to make it known to others. All my pastoral energies-my preaching, shepherding, teaching, writing, and even visitation-are focused on that one goal.

It is my conviction that the Bible is not difficult for the believing heart to understand. And the more I understand, the more unshakable is my conviction that the Bible is the living, authoritative, inerrant Word of God. It has this remarkable effect on me: the more I study it, the more I hunger to…

English: Enoch Adejare Adeboye (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Prayer Points from Day 3 of RCCG European Congress 2013. By Pastor E A Adeboye. Theme: The God of wonders

By PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

1)     Praise Him because He said He will bless your future

2)     Father, please prove Yourself in my life.

3)     Father, You are the great Provider. Please provide for all my needs: physical, material and spiritual

4)     Father, Prince of Peace, put an end to storms in my life.

5)     Father, You The All Sufficient God, let my cup of blessings overflow to nations of the world.

6)     Personal Prayer Request

May GOD bless Nigeria, America and Israel and take care of us; May GOD make His face shine upon us, And be gracious to us; May the LORD lift up His countenance upon us, And give us peace, In Jesus Christ Name, we pray! Amen!

May…

English: King David Handing the Letter to Uriah (1611) by Pieter Lastman, oil on panel, 51.1 x 61.3 cm, Detroit Institute of Arts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2 Samuel 11. David and Bathsheba

1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. 2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. 3 And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the…

English: Nathan advises King David (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2 Samuel 12. Nathan rebukes David. Nathan’s message and David’s repentance

1 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. 2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: 3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. 4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto…

Amnon and Tamar, painted by Jan Steen (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2 Samuel 13. Ammon’s sin against Tamar

1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. 2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her. 3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name wasJonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtle man. 4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister. 5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed…

The Banquet of Absalom attributed to Niccolò de Simone around 1650 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2 Samuel 14. Joab arranges for Absalom’s return

1 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom. 2 And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead: 3 And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth. 4 And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king. 5 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she…

The Death of Absalom by Gustave Dore (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2 Samuel 15. Absalom plans rebellion. David flees from Jerusalem

1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. 3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come…

The Death of Absalom by Gustave Dore (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2 Samuel 15. Absalom plans rebellion. David flees from Jerusalem

1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. 3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come…

RCCG National Calendar 2013

JANUARY

4th                      Holy Ghost Service (HGS)

5th                      Ministers’ Annual Thanksgiving

6th                      Annual Thanksgiving

22th                    School of Disciples (SOD)

25th                    Ministers Conference Eastern Region

26th                    Workers Meeting Eastern Region

27th                    Day Out, Port Harcourt

FEBRUARY

31st Jan          S. A.’s /Regional Psts Meet

1st                   HGS

5th – 8th          PFN Biennial Conference

8th – 10th        Ministers’ Wives and Female Ministers

13th – 15th      Feast of Esther

21th – 23th      Sunday School Teachers’ Weekend

21th – 23th      Evangelism Weekend (Missions, Counsellors, CRFU & Prosperity)

MARCH

24th -28th Feb   Solemn Assembly

28th Feb            S. A.’s /Regional Psts Meet

1st – 3rd             Special HGS

8th – 9th             Redeemers’ School Day (CAMP)

23rd                   School of Disciples (SOD)

28th-31st           Lets-Go-A-Fishing Easter

APRIL

4th                    S. A.’s /Regional Pastors Meet

5th                    HGS

MAY

2nd                   S. A.’s /Regional Psts Meet

3rd                    HGS

4th                    Workers’ Conference Zone 1

4th – 7th            Ministers’ Conference Zone 1

10th – 11th       

Shimei throwing stones at David outside of Bahurim (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2 Samuel 16. Absalom enters Jerusalem. David and Ziba

1 And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. 2 And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink. 3 And the king said, And where is thy master’s son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To…

The Death of Absalom by Gustave Dore (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2 Samuel 17. The advice of Ahithophel and Hushai. Hushai misleads Absalom

1 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: 2 And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: 3 And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace. 4 And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel. 5 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith. 6 And when Hushai was come…

English: David Mourns the Death of Absalom (2Sam. 18:33) Русский: Плач Давида о смерти Авессалома (2Цар. 18:33) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2 Samuel 18. Absalom is defeated and killed by Joab

1 And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. 2 And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also. 3 But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of…

English: King David, second king of Israel (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2 Samuel 19. David returns to Jerusalem. Joab reprimands David

1 And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. 2 And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son. 3 And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. 4 But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son! 5 And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons…

Sermon and prayer points by Pastor E A Adeboye. RCCG Special Holy Ghost Service for children April 2013. Arrows of the Mighty

KEY TEXT: PSALM 127: 3-5

“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.”

An arrow is a weapon. It could be a weapon of defence for example in 1sam 17:45-47 when David was going to kill Goliath, he didn’t get close to him; he sent what could be symbolised as an arrow to finish him. An arrow can also be a weapon of offence. It is a weapon that can be used to fight when…