He knew he shouldn’t have done it. I could clearly see he knew it was wrong: it was written all over his face! As I sat down to discuss his wrongdoing with him, my nephew quickly squeezed his eyes shut. There he sat, thinking—with three-year-old logic—that if he couldn’t see me, then I must not be able to see him. And if he was invisible to me, then he could avoid the conversation (and consequences) he anticipated.
I’m so glad I could see him in that moment. While I couldn’t condone his actions, and we needed to talk about it, I really didn’t want anything to come between us. I wanted him to look fully into my face and see how much I love him and was eager to forgive him! In that moment, I caught a glimmer of how God might have felt when Adam and Eve broke His trust in the garden of Eden. Realizing their guilt, they tried to hide from God (Genesis 3:10), who could “see” them as plainly as I could see my nephew.
When we realize we’ve done something wrong, we often want to avoid the consequences. We run from it, conceal it, or close our eyes to the truth. While God will hold us accountable to His righteous standard, He sees us (and seeks us!) because He loves us and offers forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Father, thank You for seeing me and loving me even when I do wrong.
God views us through eyes of love.
INSIGHT As the book of beginnings, Genesis gives us our first look at how God responds to our sin with a just balance of mercy and consequence. Our Father’s ability to judge sin while loving the sinner shows up in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:14–21) and later when Cain kills his brother (4:8–16). We see it again and again in a pattern that leads through Sinai (Exodus 34:5–7), the songs of Israel (Psalm 99:8), and most completely in the crucifixion of Jesus (Luke 23:34). Mart DeHaan
MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 3 January 2019 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – Why God Grants Mercy
TOPIC: Why God Grants Mercy (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 3 January 2019)
FIRE SCRIPTURE: Exodus 34:5-8
MEMORY VERSE: “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” – Matthew 5:45
The MESSAGE:
Yesterday, we affirmed, using the words of A. W. Tozer, that mercy is not what God has, but what God is. A greater affirmation of this is in Exodus 34:5-8, “And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.” God’s mercy is fresh and new every morning.
Let us examine some of the reasons God grants mercy to people. To start with, the mercy of God is to give you time to turn from your sin. His kindness is meant to lead you to repent (Romans 2:4). In addition, 2 Peter 3:15 says that God’s patience as manifested through His mercy is giving you an opportunity to be saved. Another reason God bestows His mercy on His children is that He loves us too much to leave us in a state of sin. He desires our holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16). Also, God gives mercy to His children so that they can have an opportunity, motivated by the power of perfect love, to be like Jesus. Apostle Paul affirmed this when he said, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:12-17). Finally, God’s mercy has come to us so that those who do not believe now will also obtain mercy through our mercy (Romans 11:31). We that have obtained mercy from God must grant mercy to others and ensure that they are saved.
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE: WHEN YOUR WAY PLEASES THE LORD, MERCY WILL ALWAYS STAND FOR YOU.
PROPHETIC WORD: Helpers of destiny shall not be scarce in your life.
PRAYER POINTS:
MORNING
Father, I thank You for Your mercy that endures forever, in the name of Jesus.
Thank You Lord, for Your grace that always abounds towards me, in the name of Jesus.
Any power working against the mercy of God upon my life, die, in the name of Jesus.
Holy Spirit, fill me afresh, in the name of Jesus. EVENING
My life, conform to the divine will of God for my destiny, in the name of Jesus.
Satanic arrows, fired against my favour, backfire, in the name of Jesus.
Evil habits that will deny me access to the grace and mercy of God, die, in the name of Jesus.
MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Worldwide)
Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:
Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.
If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
Topic: The Demands for God’s Lifting [Seeds of Destiny 3 January 2019 Devotional]
Scripture:And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.Genesis 32:24
Thought For The Day: There is no possibility without responsibility; there is no success without secrets.
It has been confirmed that God is a Lifter and Shifter of human lives and destinies (Romans 1:17, Proverbs 4:18, 2 Corinthians 3:18); God has lifted me as a person and is still lifting me; and He has shifted us as a church and is still lifting us and would continue to lift us.
However, it is important to know that supernatural lifts and shifts happen for those who meet the demands. There is no possibility without responsibility; there is no success without secrets. There are demands for experiencing lifts and shifts of life. It is only those who meet these demands that experience a lift and shift in life.
Now, the question is, what do we do to experience a lift and shift of our life and destiny to the next level?
i. Desperation (Genesis 32:26)
Desperation breaks existence in stagnation and in the status quo; desperation brings elevation.
ii. Supplication (Genesis 32:26)
Supplication is key to lifting and shifting; desperation leads to supplication and intercession.
iii. Revelation
This refers to the revelation of the Word. When your word comes, your lift comes (Psalm 105:17-20).
iv. Sensitivity
You need sensitivity to Divine timing and signals in order to experience a lift and shift in life. God is not only the God of purpose but also the God of seasons and timing (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
v. Divine Encounter (Genesis 32:27)
Divine encounter is a destiny up-lifter. Divine encounter is a doorway to life’s turnaround. When God meets you, things change.
Beloved, my counsel is, combine desperation, supplication, revelation, sensitivity with divine encounter and you will surely experience drastic lift and shift of life and destiny.
Remember this: There is no possibility without responsibility; there is no success without secrets.
Assignments:
Go through today’s message again thoroughly and thoughtfully.
Make up your mind to meet the demands of supernatural lift and shift in order to be lifted in life.
Prayer: O Lord, I ask for the grace for desperation, supplication and diligent study of Your Word. Help me Lord, to be sensitive to divine timing and signals in order to experience a lift and shift in life and destiny, Lord in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: COME UP HITHER-SUPERNATURAL LIFTS AND SHIFTS.
Today In History: 03/01/1888 – The drinking straw was patented
Daily Reading: Genesis 5:1 to 7:24, Matthew 3:7 to 4:11, Psalm 3:1 to 8, Proverbs 1:10 to 19
Amazing Fact: The world smallest jet is the BD-5 Micro. Its wingspan is 14-21 feet and weighs just 358 pounds
Quote: When your time arrives, you don’t move by steps; you move by dimensions! Culled from GO IN THIS THY MIGHT by Dr Paul Enenche.
Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Paul Enenche of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Pastor Paul and 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
Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:
Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.
If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
Topic: A Crocodile Smile [DCLM Daily Manna 3 January 2019 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: 1 Samuel 18:22-30 (KJV)
Key Verse:“And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king’s son in law”(1 Samuel 18:22).
MESSAGE:
Not too long ago, a country’s army within the West African subregion launched an operation which is code-named, “Operation Crocodile Smile” in a particular region of the country to combat the frequent incidence of vandals sabotaging oil installations in the region. We all know that crocodiles don’t smile; therefore, this code was used metaphorically to denote something more serious.
Saul, a master schemer, sent his servants to David to persuade him to become the king’s son-in-law and to tell him how much the king and his servants loved him. Meanwhile, he was busy laying a terrible snare for his life. For the bride price, he asked for him for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, intending to have him killed in the process of securing them. Against all odds, David got even more than what was required and Saul was compelled to give his daughter, Michal, in marriage to him. But this was the beginning of the games on his life.
Saul had been David’s arch enemy right from the day he killed Goliath to dwarf his achievements and reputation as Israel’s king. And when the women rose up in songs heralding the exploits of this young lad, Saul was envious, and unjustly planned to have David eliminated. He played nice in order to make him relax and not be on his guard so that he would kill him. But God delivered David from his evil plans.
As believers, we must realise that the murky waters of life are infested with hidden enemies like crocodiles, waiting to make a kill. Therefore, we should walk carefully and prayerfully under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to overcome in the battles of life. Through prayer and watchfulness, we must not succumb to the wiles of the devil.
Thought For The Day: It is folly to succumb to the subtle strategies of evil men.
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
Flatimes’ Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:
Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.
If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
Topic: Be a Blessing [Kenneth Copeland Devotional 3 January 2019]
Let those who favor my righteous cause and have pleasure in my uprightness shout for joy and be glad and say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, Who takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant. – Psalm 35:27, The Amplified Bible
If traditional religion has taught you that God wants you poor and oppressed, I have good news for you today. The Bible says, “God takes pleasure” in your prosperity. God wants you to prosper!
Not just in the financial realm but in every area of your life…spirit, soul and body.
No matter where you are or who you are, God wants to see you delivered from every adverse situation.
Why? Because He loves you and He has a job for you to do. He wants you to help meet the needs of mankind and He’s smart enough to know that you can’t give away what you don’t have. You can’t give to spread the gospel or buy food for the hungry when you’re broke. You can’t go out laying hands on the sick when you’re lying in a hospital bed. You can’t minister joy to others when you’re being held captive by depression. No! You have to be blessed to be a blessing.
If you really want to tap into the riches of God today, make up your mind to be a blessing to others, and before you know it, you’ll be receiving more from God than you ever dreamed.
That’s what happened to me. I decided years ago, first and foremost, to be a giver. I developed a lifestyle of giving. Today, I literally “live to give.” And I don’t mind telling you, God dumps blessings on me by the truckload!
He’ll do the same for you if you’ll become His servant—if you’ll lay down your time and your money and your love for those who need it. Become a giver—and God will take pleasure in prospering you!
This message was written by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, the leader of the Kenneth Copeland Ministries (www.KCM.org) that specializes in teaching principles of bible faith – prayer, healing, salvation and other biblical topics.
Topic: About Genealogies [Andrew Wommack Devotional 3 January 2019]
Luke 3:23, “And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli.”
Text: Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38
Even the genealogies are inspired by God and profitable (2 Tim. 3:16). Matthew traces Jesus’ genealogy through Joseph back to Solomon. However, there was a curse placed on one of Solomon’s sons named Jechonias (Jer. 22:24-30), which Jesus avoided by being born of a virgin.
Luke mentions Jesus as being the supposed son of Joseph who was the son of Heli. It was actually Mary who was the daughter of Heli. This was done in other Old Testament instances (Num. 27:1-11; 36:12 with Ruth 4:6). Mary’s genealogy was also from David but through Nathan, a half brother of Solomon. Thus the lineage was preserved but the curse bypassed.
These genealogies show the infinite wisdom of God in fulfilling His promises despite the corruption of man. In fact these genealogies are full of murderers, adulterers, and every sort of pervert know to man, and yet these same people were used of God, not because of their actions but in spite of them. This means there is still hope for us.
God has never had anyone qualified working for Him yet and we won’t be the first. The history of God’s dealings with man reveal that He has always used less than perfect vessels. We can rejoice and take comfort in the fact that God uses us because of our faith and not our holiness.
This message was written by The Association of Related Ministries International (ARMI) is an extension of Andrew Wommack Ministries (AWM). ARMI is a unique partnership committed to providing resources to help like-minded ministers succeed in a spirit of excellence and to draw from the experience and expertise of both the AWM and Charis Bible College staff. (www.awmi.net).
The great Swiss theologian, Dr. Karl Barth, was probably in his generation the greatest theologian in the world, and a great philosopher as well. I did not always agree with him, but he was my friend and I respected him. While he was in this country, a student at one of the seminaries said, “Dr. Barth, what is the greatest truth that ever crossed your mind?” All the seminary students were sitting on the edge of their seats to hear some great, profound, deep, complicated answer. Dr. Barth slowly raised his great shaggy gray head and looked at the student and said, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
Prayer for the day: Lord Jesus, may I always keep the knowledge of Your love in true simplicity—unencumbered by much learning. Thank You for loving me.
Written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.
Officials Locate Mass Grave of 34 Ethiopian Christians Executed by ISIS
The interior ministry’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) made an announcement on Sunday stating that a mass grave with 34 Ethiopian Christians was found in Libya.
According to Reuters, the grave, which held nearly three dozen Christians who were executed by ISIS in 2015 in it, was found after the department was able to get information from arrested ISIS members.
Reportedly, the Christians in the mass grave are the victims shown in a video that was posted to social media in 2015 that showed them being shot or beheaded.
Reuters reports that in a statement on the CID Facebook page, the department confirmed that the victim’s bodies will be repatriated to Ethiopia after “domestic and international legal procedures are completed.”
The leading cause of death in 2018 around the world was abortions, according to LifeNews.
The news site and data site Worldometers reported that 42 million abortions took place in the world in 2018.
Officially, the 42 million abortions are not included in the total death count worldwide, which was 59 million for last year. With abortions counted, the death toll is 101 million from 2018, according to CBN News.
Later this month, pro-life supporters are expected to rally in Washington, D.C. for the 46thAnnual March for Life rally. This year’s theme is “Unique from Day One.”
“When life begins and the stages of prenatal development are scientific facts. Humanity – and our uniqueness as individuals – begins at day one, at fertilization. Life, in its most vulnerable form, should be protected,” the group says in a statement on its website. “That, in essence, is why we march. We march to end abortion, with the vision of a world where the beauty, dignity, and uniqueness of every human life are valued and protected.”
Pro-life supporters are pushing President Donald Trump to defund Planned Parenthood. During his presidential campaign, he vowed to defund the organization.
“It’s very simple. Abortion is not health care,” Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life, told CBN News last year in an interview. “Planned Parenthood is not an institution where women go to get a flu shot or a…
Open Heaven 3 January 2019 Thursday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Lessons from the Sower I
Topic: Lessons from the Sower I (Open Heaven 3 January 2019)
Memorise: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”– Proverbs 4:7
Read: Matthew 13:1-9 (KJV)
1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Bible in One Year: Matthew 6-8, Isaiah 2:6-22
Open Heaven 3 January 2019 Thursday MESSAGE:
If you have heard or read the Parable of the Sower as told by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, you must have learnt some lessons from it. However, if the Lord tarries, the Holy Spirit will be teaching us some more lessons from the parable over the next few days. The first lesson is that the sower was not prudent enough in the business of sowing. He sowed carelessly and in so doing, wasted a lot of good seed on inappropriate ground. This situation applies to the lives of many people who waste their energy and resources on unprofitable ventures because they are not wise enough to identify the appropriate business, places and people to invest in. It is unimaginable but true that some people sentimentally site their bakery in a village of less than a hundred inhabitants. Among such inhabitants, hardly would twenty people buy a loaf of bread in three days because not only are they used to their local foods, they are also not rich enough to afford a loaf of bread. The story was told of a poor fellow who was very loyal to his king’s business. Whenever the king called for volunteers to work on his farmland, this fellow was the first to show up and the last to leave; he was indeed very hardworking and dedicated. One day, the King decided to help him out of his poverty. He disguised a huge some of money in a big loaf of bread and gave it to him. “Take this bread home and let me see how it will transform your life for the better,” said the king. Incidentally, the value of the bread was enough to pay for the food that the poor man could eat for five days. To the disappointment of the king, the poor man sold the loaf of bread, not knowing what was in it, and that was how he lost the fortune of a lifetime.
Some ventures are like sowing among thorns or on stony ground. Initially, such ventures may appear as though they have prospects, only for diminishing returns to set in later. It is one thing to be hardworking and another thing to work wisely. It is one thing to keep busy and another thing to be busy doing something profitable. Even as minister of the gospel, you need God’s wisdom in the business of Church planting. It is counterproductive to build a three thousand-seater capacity auditorium in a community of 500 people. It is true that the souls of men are more valuable than money and that those souls in the village are not inferior to the souls in the city, but wisdom dictates that a congregation cannot grow beyond the number of people living in the community where it is located. This is the reason why the Holy Spirit inspired the words of today’s memory verse. Wisdom enables the soul-winner to engage in profitable methods of evangelism and church-planting. Praying for a miracle of any kind for an unrepentant sinner, apart from the miracle of salvation, may be equivalent to sowing by the roadside. I pray that the wisdom you need to experience breakthroughs in all dimensions of life will be given to you in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heaven 3 January 2019 Thursday Prayer Point:
Father, I ask for wisdom that is rooted in Your word for all aspects of my life in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heaven 3 January 2019 Thursday Hymn 3: Trust and Obey
1. When we walk with the Lord In the light of His word What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey
Chorus:
Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, Not a cloud in the skies, But His smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt nor a fear Not a sigh nor a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, Not a sorrow we share But our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief nor a loss, Not a frown nor a cross, But is blest if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove The delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay; For the favour He shows, And the joy He bestows, Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet We will sit at His feet, Or we’ll walk by His side in the way; What He says we will do Where He sends we will go Never fear, only trust and obey.
Open Heaven 3 January 2019 Thursday Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven 3 January 2019 Thursday Daily Devotional.
Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:
Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.
If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
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