Topic: Meditation Produces Success [Joyce Meyer Devotional 20 March 2019]

My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. — Proverbs 4:20-22 (NKJV)

When we refer to “meditating,” we mean we ponder something and give it our full attention. A French couple helped me see that meditation is like eating. They will take a bite of food after they have enjoyed the way it looks on the plate. They comment on the pleasant aroma and often mention one or two special ingredients. They chew slowly and deliberately, and they sometimes even comment on how it makes the inside of their mouth feel.

That seems a bit too much for most Americans, but that’s a good picture of meditating on God’s Word. We don’t just wolf down a few words or a verse and hurry on to the next. We pause to reflect on a word, a phrase, or a concept. We compare that scripture with others that come to mind. We feel in no hurry to dash to the end of the chapter.

The words are there for us to savor and enjoy. We should learn to be more concerned about quality than quantity. It is more important to get a deep understanding of one verse of Scripture than it is to read five chapters and understand nothing.

Meditating on God’s Word demands discipline. We live in such a fast-paced world that few of us make time to meditate. We should form a habit of setting aside time just to sit and think about God’s Word and the wonderful promises He has made to those who believe in Him.

The blessed person mentioned in Psalm 1 is the person who meditates on God’s Word “by day and by night.” The expression “by day and by night” means that it is a major part of a person’s life. It’s a way of saying that thinking about the Word of God should be a regular part of daily activity. This will require casting down wrong thoughts when they come and choosing to think on things that will benefit us. If we keep ourselves focused, it pays off spiritually.

I spend time with God in prayer and in study of His Word each morning, but I also apply the Word to situations that I deal with all throughout the day. During the writing of this devotion, I got some bad news by phone, and my response was to quote and think about various promises in God’s Word. His Word strengthens us and helps us keep our peace and joy.

I titled this “Meditation Produces Success” because it’s important for us to understand that contemplating the meaning of Scripture isn’t simply a good thing to do or an activity reserved for scholars. It’s God’s command to all of us. It is a requirement for true success.

I thought of the instructions to Joshua as he prepared to lead the people into the Promised Land. The first few verses of the book of Joshua provide God’s direction for him. There were at least two million people going into the land, and the responsibility of leading them was immense.

God promised to be with Joshua as He was with Moses, and He urged the new leader to be very courageous. Then He said, This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success (Joshua 1:8 AMPC).

The instructions seem clear. Joshua had the commands of God, and his primary responsibility was to contemplate those words. By immersing himself in the law, he was learning to understand the mind of God more fully. God went on to say that if Joshua kept his mind and heart on the law, he would be prosperous and successful.

Too often people focus on their problems instead of meditating on God’s promises. As they do, their problems seem to get bigger, and God’s power diminishes.

God doesn’t want Satan to fill your mind. He doesn’t want you to give him the opportunity to inject wrong and negative thoughts into your head. For the enemy to control your life, all he needs to do is to control your thoughts. Make a decision right now that you will not allow him to do that. Don’t let him defeat you.

Prayer Starter: Father God, You have told me to meditate on Your Word, and I ask You to help me do that. I want Your Word to be the focus of my life. When problems come, help me turn to Your Word immediately. When Satan attacks my mind, remind me to counterattack with Your Word. As I meditate on Your Word regularly, I believe I will see good progress in my life. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

MARCH 2019 IMPARTATION SERVICE – 17TH MARCH 2019
ANCHOR SCRIPTURE(S): GENESIS 12:2-3
MESSAGE TOPIC: THE WAY OF THE BLESSING

SERVICE OBJECTIVE: Understanding what it takes to access the Blessing of God

The Bible makes it clear that in Christ Jesus we are potentially blessed (Gal. 3:13-14; Eph. 1:3)

But the fact is that not every child of God is walking in the reality of the Blessing

THE WAY OF THE BLESSING:

1. The way of uprightness (Ps. 1:1-3; 5:12; 24:3-5; Job 1:1-3)
The way of uprightness is the way of blessedness but the way of crookedness is the way of cursefulness.
The upright cannot escape the blessing of God and the crooked can never access the blessing of God

2. The way of Divine guidance (Gen. 12:1; 13:2; 26:1-2, 12-14; Isa. 45:1-3; 48:21)
The way of Divine guidance is the way of Divine abundance but the way of assumption is the way of frustration.
When you are guided you can never be stranded; when you are directed you can never be frustrated
If you want the Blessing of God, find out from God what He wants you to do.
Don’t make a move or take a step when you have lost your peace.

3. The way of absolute obedience (Gen. 12:1-3; 13:2; Deut. 28:1-2; Luke 5:4-6; Isa. 48:18; Ps. 68:6)
There is a connection between obedience and abundance and there is also a connection between disobedience and deprivation
The obedient will access peace like a river but the disobedient will dwell in a dry land (Isa. 48:18; Ps. 68:6).

The path of Divine direction is the path of total satisfaction

4. The way of giving (being a blessing both to God and to man) (Gen. 12:2; Acts 20:35; Mal. 3:10-11; Gen. 14:18-20; Ps. 41:1-2; Prov. 19:17)
When you refuse to exist as a blessing, you have refused to access the Blessing.
The giver is always at a higher level than the receiver (Acts 20:35)
a. Giving to God (Mal. 3:10-11; Gen. 14:18-20)
b. Giving to the poor and the less privileged (Ps. 41:1-2; Prov. 19:17)

5. The way of submission to priestly authority (Num. 6:23-26; Heb. 7:7)
This refers to submission to pastoral and prophetic authority
Priests are supernatural channels of the Blessing
When you release submission you get transmission; connection brings collection, and association brings assimilation
Whenever God has placed a person in your life as priest or prophet, ensure not to get too familiar as familiarity destroys connectivity; there must be a sense of value in order to connect virtue

6. The way of praise and gratitude (John 6:11-12; Ps. 67:5-7; 1Cor. 10:10; Joel 1:11-12; Hab. 3:17-18; Phil. 4:4; Eccl. 9:4)
Appreciation brings elevation; appreciation brings multiplication
To be grateful is to be great and to grumble is to be grounded
To grumble is to continue to struggle
To grumble is to continue to struggle (1Cor. 10:10)
You can enjoy where you are on the way to where you are going
Joy is not a gift, it is a choice

7. The way of scriptural light (Deut. 29:29; Isa. 60:1; Matt. 16:17)
i. Revelation leads to possession and light brings a lift
What is not revealed to you cannot be released to you
ii. What you see out of the Word of God determines what you will see out of life

Also Read: Come Up Hither – Abraham’s Divine Encounter By Pastor Paul Enenche

CONCLUSION:

The way you follow determines the place you will end

WHAT IS THE BLESSING?

1. Divine peace and tranquillity (Prov. 10:22)
2. Divine protection (Job 1:10; Isa. 65:8)
3. Divine health and vitality (Ps. 41:1-3; 3John 1:2)
4. Generational greatness (Ps. 112:1-3)
5. Transgenerational transfer (Gen. 22:15-17)
6. Divine wisdom
7. Divine favour (Ps. 5:12)
8. Divine strength and energy (Ps. 29:11; Gen. 14:14)

PRAYER

Father, thank You for Your Word to me today. To You be all the glory Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYERS FOR THE LEGAL PROFESSION (ISAIAH 33:22; 2 SAMUEL 23:3):

COUNSEL TO THE JUDICIARY:

1. Be just
2. Function in the fear of God
3. Do what you can defend before God.
4. Let not profit or gain be a driving force; let conscience and integrity guide all actions even at gunpoint.

PRAYER FOCUS FOR THE JUDICIARY:

• Healing for the judiciary
• For the fear of God to pervade the legal profession
• For the right people be appointed in the right positions

‘Father we make demands on healing for the judiciary, and for the legal profession in Nigeria – for the bar and for the bench in Nigeria Lord, in Jesus’ Name.’

‘Father, let the fear of the Lord invade the judicial system and legal profession in Nigeria. Let the fear of the Lord and Divine order invade this profession in Nigeria, oh Lord, in Jesus’ Name’

‘Father, help us to get it right in Nigeria in the judiciary. Let the dignity of the legal profession in Nigeria be restored, in Jesus’ Name.’

‘Father, in the Name of Jesus, we surrender the justice system and legal profession in Nigeria into Your Hands, take it over. Let Your fear pervade the system and let the dignity of the legal profession be restored. Let judgments that are just, real and honest begin to emanate from the court at all levels. Intervene Lord for a healthy respect between the arms of government, in Jesus’ Name.’

IMPARTATION PRAYER/DECLARATIONS (DEUT. 28:8):

• Your hands shall not be empty!
• Everything that is yours for the month of March, I declare it is released into your hands
• Systems shall lose their peace, sleep and rest until what is yours enters into your hands
• Miracles and testimonies that are specific to the Glory Dome shall be your portion
• Between 24hours, they shall look for your credentials and look for you!
• Anything missing in your life, I declare instant restoration!
• The angels that minister upon this altar, may they give you your testimony!

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:

• Every premature death organised for you in this season, I declare it is returned back to hell!
• You will not die carelessly! You will not die another person’s death!
• You will not die by another person’s mistake!
• Everything that is an expectation in your life today, your God and my God will do it for you!
• That burden you came in here because of enemy threat and conspiracy. I am anointed to announce, that conspiracy is arrested!
• Dry bones shall rise again! There is a restoration of health, resources, and welfare!
• The spirit of rejection and discouragement is leaving right now!
• There is a Balm in Gilead! There is a healing coming from you!
• No devil can give you cancer! That pain and symptom in the hand, today they return back to hell!
• Every spirit of death or cancer that followed you up to this point is arrested and returned back to hell!
• Everything the devil has blocked in your life is opening up right now!
• Every affliction from the pit of hell or arrow fired into your life from hell, today they backfire to sender!
• Every liability that followed you from your mother’s womb, today, they shall expire!
• Every embarrassment of your life, today, it is over forever!

Also Read: Click HERE to read Other Inspirational Messages by Pastor Paul Enenche

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.

Prophetic Prayer For You by Pastor David Ibiyeomie

Topic: Prophetic Prayer For You

My God that called me bless you in the name of Jesus! This day, anything stopping you from lifting your head, I command it to be destroyed in the name of Jesus!

That thing making you to shed tears is over today! Whatever that is making you to cry, I command it to be destroyed in the name of Jesus Christ! My God supply all your needs!

I decree that here you were mocked, my God give you a miracle! Here you shed tears, go and laugh! Where you were rejected in the past, you will be accepted! Whatever that was not working before, I command it to begin to work for you!

Also Read: Be Committed To God by Pastor David Ibiyeomie

Be blessed in the name of Jesus! Be delivered in the name of Jesus! The yoke is destroyed! Be set free! I declare you prosperous! I command doors to be opened to you! I command you to be fruitful in the name of Jesus the Christ!

Whatever your faith could not carry, my God give it to you now! What took others 10years, my God give it to you in 10 weeks! I command that barrier before you to be lifted! I decree a release to your favour! I command shame to be removed and reproach to be rolled away in the name of Jesus!

That devil tormenting your destiny, I command it to let go of your destiny right now! That sickness leaves your body right now! I pronounce you blessed! The chains on you are broken in the name of Jesus!

They laughed at you before now but from now, they will look for you! When they say there is no way for others, there will be a way out for you!

Be blessed!

Be blessed!

Be blessed in the name of Jesus the Christ –Amen!!!

Also Read: Other Inspiring Messages by Pastor David Ibiyeomie

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.

Rhapsody of Realities 20 March 2019 By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome – Avoid wrong Associations

Topic: Avoid wrong Associations

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them (Romans 16:17).

The scripture above admonishes us to mark and avoid those who cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine of Christ. You’ve been taught the love of Christ; you’ve been indoctrinated with the Word of God in a certain direction; continue in the Word. Mark and avoid those who live contrary to the truth of the Gospel; the truth that you’ve been taught. This is God’s instruction. It’s the same warning He gave through the Apostle Paul to the Philippian church; he said, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision” (Philippians 3:2).

Now, this admonition is primarily for us to stay away from those in the church who don’t follow the truth, who cause dissension and strife. When you see a sign in a building that says, “Beware of dogs,” the sign isn’t telling you about the dogs outside that building, but the ones inside that particular house. So, when the Apostle Paul said, “Beware of dogs; beware of evil workers; beware of the concision,” he was referring to mischief makers in the Church.

These could be people in the same local church, same cell group, same estate, neighbourhood, office, etc., and they’re Christians. He wouldn’t warn you about them if He didn’t think your association with them would be inimical to your Christian walk. Many have found themselves in serious trouble for fraternizing with the wrong people. The Lord’s admonition is clear: you’re to “mark” and “avoid” mischief makers, not try to change them. Don’t keep company with people who deliberately don’t walk in love, people who engender disunity in the Church; divisive elements who mislead others.

People get messed up when they get involved with a messed up person. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” If you’ve had, or have friends with whom you’re not experiencing any meaningful spiritual progress, or whose friendship hinders your effectiveness in the Gospel, it’s high time you gave up such friendships. Don’t negotiate; just end it, so your participation in the faith—your Christian life—would be effectual as it should be. Glory to God!

PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you, for your Word is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. Through the Word, I’m trained and cultured in the godly life and ways of doing things. I’m filled with thoughts of righteousness, and walk in the path of righteousness, which you prearranged for me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Romans 16:17-18; 2 Timothy 3:2-5 AMPC

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Luke 3:1-38 & Deuteronomy 16-17

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Matthew 24:23-33 & Exodus 29

Click HERE to Read previous Messages

Rhapsody of Realities 20th March 2019 Devotional was written by Pastor Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.). President of Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy Int’l.