Topic: Leading [Joyce Meyer Devotional 15 December 2018]

…[Love] is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly.… — 1 Corinthians 13:5 (AMPC)

In order to reach our goals, you and I must follow God’s leading. People will offer us a lot of advice, and some of it may be good, but some of it may not. Or it may be good advice, but simply not what will work for us.

It’s important that we always look to God first and listen for His guidance and instruction.

God has created us as unique individuals, and He does not lead us all in the same way. So, if you want to win your race, you will need to find your own running style or your own way of doing things.

Of course, we can learn from other people, but we dare not try to copy them at the cost of losing our own individuality. Appreciate the advice and example of others, but follow God’s leading in your life.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I know You have a great plan for my life, and You desire to lead and guide me every step of the way. Help me to seek and follow Your leadership in my life more than anyone or anything else. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional HERE’’

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

Topic: Mosaic of Beauty [Our Daily Bread 15 December 2018 Devotional]

Read: Luke 1:46–55, Bible in a Year: Amos 1–3; Revelation 6

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Luke 1:46–47

Sitting in the courtyard of the Church of the Visitation in Ein Karem, Israel, I was overwhelmed with the beautiful display of sixty-seven mosaics containing the words of Luke 1:46–55 in as many languages. Traditionally known as the Magnificat from the Latin “to magnify,” these verses are Mary’s joyous response to the announcement that she will be the mother of the Messiah.

Each plaque contains Mary’s words, including: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. . . . For the Mighty One has done great things for me” (vv. 46–49). The biblical hymn etched in the tiles is a song of praise as Mary recounts the faithfulness of God to her and the nation of Israel.

A grateful recipient of God’s grace, Mary rejoices in her salvation (v. 47). She acknowledges that God’s mercy has extended to the Israelites for generations (v. 50). Looking back over God’s care for the Israelites, Mary praises God for His powerful acts on behalf of His people (v. 51). She also thanks God, recognizing that her daily provision comes from His hand (v. 53).

Mary shows us that recounting the great things God has done for us is a way to express praise and can lead us to rejoice. This Christmas season, consider God’s goodness as you reflect on the year. In doing so, you may create a mosaic of great beauty with your words of praise.

Prayer: Father, we praise You for the great things You’ve done in our lives this year. We rejoice in Your mercy and care for us.

Make a list of the ways God has blessed you this year and reflect on it in silence. Then share stories of His goodness with someone.

INSIGHT
The birth of Jesus was a miracle because the Holy Spirit formed the body of Jesus in the womb of a young virgin girl. That this information comes to us from Luke is significant, because Luke was a doctor (Colossians 4:14) and understood the audacity of the claims of Jesus’s virgin conception and birth. But Luke first tells of another miraculous conception that predated Jesus by six months—that of John the Baptist (Luke 1:24–26). By human standards, his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, were too old to have a baby (vv. 7, 18). But in both the birth of Jesus and John the Baptist we see the working of God for whom nothing is impossible (v. 37 nasb).
For more, see Mary and Joseph: Reflecting on the Wonder of Christmas at discoveryseries.org/hp074.
Bill Crowder

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Our Daily Bread Devotionals HERE”

This message was written By Lisa Samra [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Run That You May Obtain [TREM Devotional 15 December 2018]

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain” 1 COR. 9:24

I want to encourage you this morning to run that you may obtain. The fact that we are involved in a race is no longer new, but what is unique about this race is that all of us can be winners. Unlike the track and field events and other competitions that produce only one winner (either a single individual or a team depending on the game), the Christian race is so designed that everyone can be a winner.

Looking at this scripture, you will understand the fact that he was writing to the whole church and encouraging everyone to run to obtain the prize. Beloved, if there is a prize, and since there is a prize, without a doubt, there is also a price. So what does it take to win in this race?

Let us look at The Living Bible translation of that scripture:

“In a race everyone runs, but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. ….. I fight to win. I’m not just shadow-boxing or playing around. Like an athlete I punish my body, treating it roughly, training it to do what it should, not what it wants to. Otherwise I fear that after enlisting others for the race, I myself might be declared unfit and ordered to stand aside.”

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (TLB)

Beloved, you do not have a choice but to run the race to win. God forbid that you run the race in vain. God forbid that the devil will successfully trip you on this race. However, there are certain things to note and that is what Apostle Paul went on to highlight that we must take note of if we must obtain the prize. We will look at that tomorrow.

Further Reading: 1 Cor. 9:24-27

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Amos 1-3; Evening- Revelation 6

“If you missed yesterday devotional click HERE to read TREM Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’ 

Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.

MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 15 December 2018 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – Yoked Together

TOPIC: Yoked Together (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 15 December 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

MEMORY VERSE: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” – Amos 3:3

The MESSAGE:

A yoke is a device that is used to connect two bulls together for farming purpose. The yoke will not allow one to go beyond the other because it is placed on their necks to keep them at the same pace. The animals yoked together must walk at the same level and drag their burden, the plough, in order to satisfy the purpose for which the farmer yoked them together. The same is applicable to a believer who is connected to an unbeliever in an intimate relationship. The weight of sin of the unbeliever will drag the believer’s holy life backward because the believer may need to compromise if he or she intends to continue in the relationship.

Bimpe’s mother placed two pots on two different stoves. She poured half a glass of water into one of the pots and poured some oil into the other pot, leaving Bimpe to wonder. She had just told her mother about her decision to marry the love of her life and all her mother had decided to do was bring her to the kitchen. She watched as her mother allowed the water boil and the oil to heat up. “Can you see that they are both hot?” her mother asked. “Yes”, Bimpe answered, wondering what that had to do with anything. She however, nearly shouted when her mother poured the hot water into the hot oil. “Can I still use this oil to fry plantain at this point?” her mother asked. “No now” Bimpe replied, “You’ve wasted the whole time the oil used in heating up”.

There are many believers like Bimpe, who allow themselves to be consumed by the passion and interests they have. Passion and attraction may however bring you to the same temperature level, but it does not necessarily indicate that you are on the right course.

Getting married to someone who is not a believer will only dampen and waste you. Quite a number of Christians may not agree with this because the cloud and influence of technology and modern living has blinded many, but the word of God remains true. A believer should not become unequally yoked with an unbeliever in marriage. This is not only about good character, or respectable family background. Christ Jesus has to be the foundation of your relationship and this trumps good character, attitude and personality, family reputation, etc. Do not make the common but unacceptable mistake of deciding to get married first and hoping to convert your spouse afterwards. You must trust God to bring you your jewel of inestimable value in due time. Stay within the kingdom. “Two will only walk together if they agree”. You have to agree, believe and know Jesus.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
CHRIST JESUS HAS TO BE THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP AND THIS TRUMPS GOOD CHARACTER, ATTITUDE AND PERSONALITY.

PROPHETIC WORD:
May you walk with those who agree with God.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

1. Every power that is yoking me with the child of the devil, die, in the name of Jesus.
2. Every yoke of darkness upon my life, break by fire, in the name of Jesus.
3. Powers of my father’s house, yoking my life with bondage, die, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING

1. O God my Father, deliver me from any evil association or relationship that I found myself in, in the name of Jesus.
2. Every power connecting me to evil partners, die by fire, in the name of Jesus.
3. O God my Father, connect me with my divine partners, in the name of Jesus.
4. I plug my head into the socket of divine favour, in the name of Jesus.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional HERE

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Worldwide)

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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.

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