Topic: Growing Gratitude [Our Daily Bread 17th Wednesday January, 2018]

Read: Romans 11:33–36, Bible in a Year: Genesis 41–42; Matthew 12:1–23

For from him and through him and for him are all things. Romans 11:36

Would you like to cultivate a greater sense of gratitude? George Herbert, a seventeenth-century British poet, encourages readers toward that goal in his poem “Gratefulness”: “Thou that hast given so much to me, give one thing more: a grateful heart.”

Herbert recognized the only thing he needed in order to be thankful was simply an awareness of the blessings God had already given him.

The Bible declares Christ Jesus as the source of all blessing in Romans 11:36, “For from him and through him and for him are all things.” “All things” encompasses both the extravagant and the mundane, everyday gifts in our lives. Everything we receive in life comes directly from our heavenly Father (James 1:17), and He willingly gives us those gifts out of His love for us.

To expand my awareness of God’s blessings in my life, I am learning to cultivate a heart that acknowledges the source of all the joys I experience each day, but especially the ones I often take for granted. Today those included a crisp morning to run, the anticipation of an evening with friends, a stocked pantry so I could make French toast with my daughters, the beauty of the world outside my window, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

What is the “so much” that God has already given to you? Opening our eyes to those blessings will help us to develop grateful hearts.

Prayer: Take a few minutes to thank God for what comes to your mind right now. Try to do that throughout the day as well.

When you think of all that’s good, thank God.

Insight:

Do you tend to think of yourself as more or less thankful than other people? Consider how the apostle Paul used that question to set a love-trap for some of his readers. Early in his letter to the Romans he describes those who have no interest in worshiping or giving thanks to their Creator (Romans 1:21). For the rest of chapter he describes the unraveling lives of those who refuse to acknowledge the goodness of their God.

Then it happens. Paul anticipates that someone has taken the bait. With no warning he asks his readers whether they really think they are any different than the unthankful sinners he has been condemning (2:1). Paul then spends much of the rest of his letter giving his readers reasons to give thanks to God for revealing in Christ the greatest good news the world has ever heard. Just before erupting in his great expression of worshipful praise to God (11:33–36), Paul concludes, “For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all” (v. 32).

In the smallest kindness, a thankful heart can sense the greatness of our God. Mart DeHaan

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

Topic: Lord Change The Rule For My Sake! [Our Daily Manna ODM Wednesday, January 17th, 2018]

Basic Scripture: Judges 16: 4-20

Yet another divine encounter which encourage you: “Good morning sir, I have a testimony, I was at Lekker manna mountain on Sunday, the 4th of June 2017, the prayer points during the preaching was for God to show us favor and raise helpers for us, a prophecy for unusual promotion before Thursday that week was made. I keyed into it with faith. Exactly on that Same Thursday, I was told at work that my salary has been increased by 50%, I received a letter yesterday of my salary increase in this time of recession and hard times in Nigeria. It can only be God ;I give Him all the Glory. He gave me an unusual promotion to the next level in my career in Jesus name. Amen! (Chigozie Egbunefu, +2348057128721).

What is affecting millions for bad shall pass over you! The lord shall take you from the crowd this year! What they call recession shall be your reset season! Isaiah says you shall not fear his fears! Just like heaven changed the rule for this testifier in today’s devotional, that shall be your story this year! When there was darkness in the whole of Egypt, the land of GOSHEN had light! I prophesy: the God of GOSHEN, the GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, The God of Moses shall show up for you and your family this year! EMPTIERS AND SCATTERERS WILL DRY UP! The word says: “when men are cast down, then thou shall say there is a lifting up; and he shall save the humble person” (job 22:29), because this year, YOUR CASE IS DIFFERENT and you cannot end empty!

TODAY IS DAY 12 of this 21 day fasting programme. Turn to WAR AGAINST HAMAN – 13 for today’s special prayers. Then be at the world anointing DECORATION night (January 26th) with your POINTS OF CONTACT AND DRESS YOU CAN AFFORD TO HEAR THAT NIGHT! Sow your DECORATION SEED as led also. Peace!

Prayer Points: Take your best worship song to God.

1. Thank God for today’s word and pray as you are led!

2. Lord, make me the next Goshen of my generation. SCATTER those that plan to scatter me!

3. Change the rules for my sake, others lord concerning the following issues of my destiny (mention them).

4. Pray for the testifier and his family.

5. Pray about today seriously and any other issues affecting your peace.

By Bishop (Dr) Chris E. Kwakpovwe (Cek)
Publisher/Writer Of ODM And

Rev (Mrs) Flora E. Kwakpovwe (Fek)
Co-Publisher/Writer Of ODM.

Topic: Going All The Way With God [Seeds of Destiny Wednesday January 17th, 2018]

Scripture: And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. Ruth 1:16-17.

Thought For The Day: If you do not serve God, neither the devil nor a native doctor is an option.

Dedication to God has been identified as the mark of authentic Christianity. People who are dedicated to God are distinguished in life. On the other hand, people who are not dedicated to God live average lives and are usually swallowed in the crowd.

Previously, we saw that dedication means being sold out to God; it is a state of not having a vision independent of God’s purpose for one’s life.
Another meaning of dedication is willingness to go all the way with God.

Now, what does it mean to go all the way with God?

Going all the way with God means wholehearted commitment to God.

The willingness to go all the way with God is not a half-hearted commitment to God; it is a commitment of no-return in your relationship with God. It is having a passionate desire and decision to serve God without the possibility of reconsideration of such decision to serve God. It is serving God on an unconditional basis without the tendency to backslide when things do not go as expected. People who easily turn away from God because of perceived lack of blessing do not know God at all.

I once heard God’s servant, Bishop David Oyedepo say that he told God one day that even if he discovered later that there was no heaven, he would still follow God.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego demonstrated a commitment of no- return when they accepted to be cast into the fiery furnace instead of bowing down to the image set up by King Nebuchadnezzar. They said that God would deliver them but even if God did not deliver them, they would not bow to the image.

Beloved, if you do not serve God, neither the devil nor a native doctor is an option. Therefore, make up your mind to go all the way with God.

Remember This: If you do not serve God, neither the devil nor a native doctor is an option.

Assignments:

1. Discard your personal ambitions that are contrary to God’s Purpose for your life.

2. Make up your mind to go all the way with God.

Prayer: O Lord, I ask for the grace to go all the way with you like Abraham. Help me not to miss You in the journey of life and destiny, Lord in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: UNDERSTANDING DEDICATION.

Amazing Fact: About 32 million bacteria call every inch of your skin home, but they are mostly harmless and some of them are even helpful.

Today In History: 17/01/1997 – Israel gave over 80% of Hebron to Palestinian rule, but held the remainder where several hundred Jewish settlers lived among 20,000 Palestinians.

Daily Reading: Genesis 35: 1 to 36: 43, Matthew 12: 1 to 21, Psalm 15: 1 to 5, Proverbs 3:21 to 26.

Quote: The depth of your character also determines the height of your destiny. Culled from 30 SECRETS TO THE TOP 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.