Topic: The Advocate [Friday May 12, 2017]

Read: John 16:7–15, Bible in a Year: 2 Kings 15–16; John 3:1–18

When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. John 16:13

As I boarded the airplane to study in a city a thousand miles from home, I felt nervous and alone. But during the flight, I remembered how Jesus promised His disciples the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’s friends must have felt bewildered when He told them, “It is for your good that I am going away” (John 16:7). How could they who witnessed His miracles and learned from His teaching be better off without Him? But Jesus told them that if He left, then the Advocate—the Holy Spirit—would come.

 Jesus, nearing His last hours on earth, shared with His disciples (in John 14–17, today known as the “Farewell Discourse”) to help them understand His death and ascension. Central in this conversation was the coming Holy Spirit, an advocate who would be with them (14:16–17), teaching (15:15), testifying (v. 26), and guiding them (16:13).

We who have accepted God’s offer of new life have been given this gift of His Spirit living within us. From Him we receive so much: He convicts us of our sins and helps us to repent. He brings us comfort when we ache, strength to bear hardships, wisdom to understand God’s teaching, hope and faith to believe, love to share.

We can rejoice that Jesus sent us the Advocate.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You sent Your Son to save us and Your Spirit to comfort and convict us. May we bring You glory as we thank You for Your goodness and love.

The Holy Spirit fills Jesus’s followers.

Insight:

When Jesus comforts His disciples before His impending crucifixion and eventual ascension (going back to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father), Jesus says He must go away so the Holy Spirit will come. The disciples didn’t know the Holy Spirit, so how would His coming comfort them? Jesus offers the answer. The Spirit will continue what Jesus started. He will bring conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He will speak to the disciples not simply on behalf of Jesus, but He will speak to them the very words Jesus speaks (John 16:13–15). The Spirit would be with them in a way that Jesus couldn’t be. No matter where each of them went, together or separately, the Spirit—and therefore Jesus Himself—would be with them.

This message was written By Amy Boucher Pye [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic — The Mystery of the Blood: A Key to Dissolving Mystery [Friday May 12, 2017]

Scripture: And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11.

Thought For The Day: Approach the Communion table with faith and expectation for the dissolution of mysteries.

God is the God of answers and solutions. He has the answer to any difficulty right in His Hands. There is no mystery of life that God cannot dissolve.

Previously, we have identified the prayer of enquiry and the revelation of God’s Word as two potent ways of dissolving the mysteries of life.

Today, we want to look at another potent weapon of mystery dissolution. It is called the Blood of Jesus Christ! Mysteries can be dissolved by the application of the Blood of Jesus Christ. This is where you prayerfully plead or apply the Blood of Jesus on any mystery surrounding your life.

The Blood of Jesus Christ can be used to dissolve the mysteries of your life – chronic singleness, barrenness, HIV/AIDS, joblessness, chronic struggle, iniquity, etc.

So, every time you partake in the Communion Bread and Wine, do not just approach it religiously; trust God for the opening of your spiritual eyes to see what you should see (Luke 24:30, 31).

I have realised that everywhere the Blood is applied, fire falls. When we plead the Blood, the fire of the Holy Ghost is provoked.

Beloved, my counsel is, apply the Blood on every endeavour of your life. Approach the Communion table with faith and expectation for the dissolution of mysteries.

Remember this: Approach the Communion table with faith and expectation for the dissolution of mysteries.

Assignment(s):

1. Partake in the Communion Bread and Wine always.

2. Endeavour to present in the Communion services.

Prayer: O LORD, dissolve every mystery of my life by the mystery of the Blood in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: UNVEILING MYSTERIES.

Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 1:1 to 2:21, John 5:1 to 23, Psalm 105:37 to 45, Proverbs 14:28 to 29.

Quote: The Blood of Jesus sets one free from sin, sorrow, shame, sickness and captivity; the Blood of Jesus washes as white as snow. Culled from UNVEILING AND DISSOLVING MYSTERIES by Dr Paul Enenche.

Amazing Fact: The penguins have supra-orbital gland above their eyes which helps to remove sodium chlorides from their blood stream; it functions like the kidney.

Today In History: 12 May 1903 – After successful military operations in Sokoto and Kano, Britain adds 260,000 km square to its Nigerian territory.

Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), is a powerfully anointed church, headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Dr Paul and Dr Becky Enenche, as the Senior Pastors. It is a power-packed arena where God’s Presence, Principles and Power are at work for the salvation, healing and restoration of human destinies and dignities.

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: When Violence Is The Last Option. Pt Three [12/05/2017]

Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. Esther 4:16. Read: 2 Ki 7:3-8

The Lord had just revealed to Mordecai (Esther’s uncle) the plot of haman to exterminate the Jews. Mordecai went to expose the plan of haman to Esther and she showed less concern about what she heard from her uncle. Mordecai then sent this word back to her, “Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther’s reply was, “If I perish I perish”. You need violent faith to possess your possessions. You don’t need bold or strong face but bold and violent faith.

You need to be violent in your faith to take delivery of your desired destiny. Violent faith is what you need to stop the fiery dart of the enemy and end his continuous harassment in your endeavours. Violent faith leads to action based step that brings results. The four leprous men took violent faith and did not only rescue themselves but the city of Samaria from famine.

#BiblePromisesQuote

* Violent faith leads to faith based step that brings results. Take that step now and end satanic misery in your life and family

Sometimes all you need to get fitter, healthier and happier with your weight and health is to go for walks. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 6 amazing benefits of going for walks.

It Reverses Damage From Prolonged Sitting

The body was made to move, that’s why the body has so many joints. If you go from sitting all day at your work-station to sitting on a couch at home, a short walk can offer you a lot of health benefits. Muscle activity and blood flow from as little as three to five minute walks a day can reverse the negative effects of prolonged sitting on your leg arteries. Try to take short strolls as often as possible even while at work.

It Lowers Stress

Going for walks helps to lower stress when done in open natural spaces, particularly in people who have dealt with an emotionally traumatic event. The brain enters a sort of meditative state when you walk through these ‘green’ spaces and this helps to relieve stress.

It Energizes You

If you regularly experience fatigue, this can be one of the ways to help rejuvenate your body. A low intensity exercise like walking can help to increase your energy level and decrease fatigue, and it is unlikely to make you exert yourself beyond what your body can handle.

It Helps You at Work

Researchers have found that people who walk more at work are less bored, less stressed and more satisfied than those who stand or sit all day at their work station.

It Improves Creativity

Walking has been found to increase creativity levels during the walk and shortly after. Walking produces twice as many creative responses as when you are sitting. Whether you go for a walk outside or inside your house or workplace, you’ll get the benefits.

It Modestly Reduces Body Fat

Walking, especially light walking, might not exactly get your whole body ripped and toned, but it does helps you lose some fat here and there, and can help to maintain your body weight. Walking can also help to tone your legs, bum and tummy if done often enough and if done briskly.

By Damilola Ojo
PR Associate Jumia Travel
+2348101556883

Today’s Scripture: “God replied to Moses, ‘I Am Who I Am…’” – (Exodus 3:14, NLT)

Topic: I Am [Thursday May 11, 2017]

In the Bible, God has many names that describe His character and attributes. In the same way that someone named “Joe” might also be called “father” or “husband” or “the boss,” God has names that describe Him and His relationship to His people.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew name for “God” was considered so holy that the people wouldn’t even say it. So, when God appeared to Moses in a burning bush and sent him to lead the Israelites out of captivity, Moses asked God, “Who should I say sent me?” After all, he couldn’t breathe the name of God in public. God replied by saying, “Moses, My name is I Am.” In other words, “I am anything and everything you need. I am your joy. I am your peace. I am your strength. I am your victory. I am your way of escape. I am whatever you need.”

Today, God is saying the same thing to us! What is it that you need? The Great I Am, the Almighty God is ready to supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory. Open your heart of faith to Him today and receive all of the blessings He has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today: “Father in heaven, today I call on You—the Great I Am. I surrender myself to You—spirit, soul and body. I ask that You direct my steps and supply every one of my needs as I move forward in obedience to Your Word in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: When Violence Is The Last Option. Pt Two [11/05/2017]

Neither give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:27. Read: James 4:7-8

Some years ago, I and my friend embarked on three days (dry) fasting and prayer, while we were waiting  for God  to show us revelation, everything was blank. The last day of the fast, I had a terrible nightmare. In the dream, I saw a snake climbing my body and I was playing with it. It has gotten to my neck before I came to myself and said, what if this snake bite me. I tried to strangled the snake, it slipped out of my hands, I searched for it and eventually found it at the back of the door. While I tried to finished it, I woke up.

The above scripture said, Neither give place to the devil. In your life, you’ve got to rise up and kick the devil off. You must not allow him to come into your family, lest, he becomes the head and the director of your affairs instead of Jesus, kick him out now. In your children’s life, don’t let him have a foothold, nor give him a chance in your business, lest you regret it later. Only God cares for you but the devil cares for himself only. You must resist him steadfastly by surrendering to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Jm 4:7-8

#BiblePromisesPrayer

* Jesus, as I surrender to You now, I command the devil in Your name to take off his hands over my concerns. Amen

John 6:26, “Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.”

Matthew 14:34-36; Mark 6:53-56; John 6:22-39

Jesus knew the hearts of all men and therefore, He did not commit Himself to this crowd. Just the day before, these same people tried to take Him by force and make Him their king, but He withdrew and spent the night in prayer.

This crowd looked like they were seeking Jesus, but they were actually trying to use Jesus to seek their own end. It is true that there are many personal benefits to be reaped through serving the Lord, but the benefits are never to become our object. In all things, Christ must have the preeminence (Col. 1:18).

Jesus exposed the true intentions of the people’s hearts by preaching a strong message of commitment. Those who were self-centered were offended and left while those who were willing to lay down their lives to experience God’s abundant life remained. Commitment to God Himself (not what He can produce) is what always separates the true worshippers of God from the false.

As Jesus began to explain in these verses that He was the only way to the Father (Jn. 14:6) and that they would have to come through Him, the people grew angry. It always angers the flesh to think that all our righteous acts can’t save us, but Jesus made it clear that our only part in salvation is to believe. Believe what? Believe on Jesus and His sacrifice – not ours. Salvation is a gift and cannot be purchased (Rom. 10:2-3).

Many times, we get so intent on seeking God in one area that we forget the greatest miracle of all, which is the love and redemption given to us from God through His Son. God loves us so much!

Topic: For Special Use [Thursday, 11th May 2017]

In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 2 Timothy 2:20

God don’t just want to use us to reach out to the world, He also wants to it do in a special way and at special occasions. The Lord loves to do the spectacular and He is happy when He finds us and uses us as the medium to do the spectacular. Scriptures say that special miracles was done by Apostle Paul, that mere handkerchief were healing the sick (Acts 19:11). That is one of the uncommon and spectacular miracles in scriptures. God also wants to use us, in these days, to do the same and much more.

But to be used by God to do these special miracles during special occasions, we must do what 2 Timothy 2:21 says: “if you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.” Question: how do I keep myself cleans? Well, you can’t keep yourself clean, only God can do that, but He does that with the word. Scriptures say in John 17:17,  “make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.” It is by the word God, taught to us, that can make us clean – holy.

Ephesians 5:25-26 says that “…Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.” When you get the word of God into your system, it cleanses you and sets you up to be an instrument of God to do spectacular miracles or works at special occasions. God’s Word is your purifier, and it purifies to the uttermost and makes you a special instrument in God’s hands.

Keep winning daily.

Wise Action:

Make it a point of duty to study God’s word. Get God’s word into the bank of your heart and let it purify you and make you what it talks about.

Topic: How to See The Future [Thursday May 11, 2017]

…Those who plan good shall be granted mercy and quietness. – Proverbs 14:22

Keep planning if you want to see the future.

There is usually a motivation to see the materialization of every plan.

Planning is keeping in touch with the future.

Planning is painting a picture of the future.

Planning is envisioning the future.

Planning is networking the future.

Planning will certainly contract you to your future.

With planning, you don’t think of death.

Planning motivates you to live. Those who truly plan don’t think of dying.

The cheapest way to stop thinking of death is to keep planning.

Topic: Doing Things God’s Way [Thursday May 11, 2017]

I am the Way.… — John 14:6

Many people are hurting so badly, and they are crying out for help. The problem is, they are not willing to receive the help they need from God. No matter how much we may want or need help, we are never going to receive it until we are willing to do things God’s way. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the Way.” What Jesus meant when He said, “I am the Way,” is that He has a certain way of doing things; and if we will submit to His way, everything will work out for us.

But so often we wrestle and struggle with Him, trying to get Him to do things our way. It just won’t work. How many times have people stood in front of me at the altar and told me all kinds of terrible things that are going on in their lives and how badly they are hurting yet they absolutely refuse to do what they are told to do to receive the help they need. Too often people are trying to find some other way to get help rather than by doing things God’s way.

The Bible plainly teaches that if we will learn and act on the Word, God will bless our lives. Let me give you an example. The Bible teaches that we are to live in harmony and peace with others and to forgive those who have done us wrong. If we refuse to do that, what hope do we have of receiving what we need?

I remember how difficult it was for me the first time the Lord told me I had to go to my husband and tell him I was sorry for being rebellious against him. I thought I would die on the spot! I realize that one reason we don’t always do what we are told to do in the Word of God is because it is hard.

If we don’t do what we can do, then God won’t do what we can’t do. If we will do what we can do, God will do what we can’t do. It’s just that simple.