Topic: No Comparison [Our Daily Bread 1 March 2019 Devotional]
Bible in a Year: Numbers 23–25; Mark 7:14–37
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. – Proverbs 14:30
Today’s Scripture & Insight: John 21:17-25
“One of these days I’m going to put it all on Facebook—not just the good stuff!”
My friend Sue’s comment—made casually over lunch with her husband—caused me to laugh out loud and also to think. Social media can be a good thing, helping us stay in touch with and pray for friends across the years and miles. But if we’re not careful, it can also create an unrealistic outlook on life. When much of what we see posted is a “highlight reel” of “the good stuff,” we can be misled into thinking others’ lives are without trouble, and wonder where our own went wrong.
Comparing ourselves with others is a sure recipe for unhappiness. When the disciples compared themselves to each other (see Luke 9:46; 22:24), Jesus quickly discouraged it. Soon after His resurrection, Jesus told Peter how he would suffer for his faith. Peter then turned to John and asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me” (John 21:21–22).
Jesus pointed Peter to the best remedy for unhealthy comparisons. When our minds are focused on God and all He’s done for us, self-focused thoughts fall gently away and we long to follow Him. In place of the world’s competitive strain and stress, He gives us His loving presence and peace. Nothing can compare with Him.
Today’s Reflection How can you use social media in a God-honoring way? How can a real relationship with God keep you from making unhealthy comparisons?
Topic: Let God Rub Off on You [Kenneth Copeland Devotional 1 March 2019]
For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning…to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness]. – Romans 8:29, The Amplified Bible
As a believer, you’re destined to be molded into the image of Jesus, to grow in spirit until you look just like Him. God’s supernatural power began that process the moment you were born again. You were changed on the inside instantly. How successful you are in allowing this change to progress to the outer man is mostly up to you. We grow up spiritually just like we grow up physically.
What can you do to speed this growing process along?
Spend more time pursuing the things of the Spirit than you spend pursuing the things of the flesh. Become dedicated to the Word of God and to fellowship with Him. Be willing to pull aside from the busy things of life and get alone with Him, so He can guide you, teach you and share His likeness with you.
Have you ever noticed that if you spend time around people who have strong personalities, you will automatically be affected by them? You’ll find yourself doing the things they do. Their mannerisms will rub off on you. You can’t help it. They just influence you, especially if they are people you respect and admire.
The same thing is true in your relationship with God. If you spend enough time with Him, He’s going to rub off on you! His ways will become your ways.
So make yourself available to Him by praying in the spirit and worshiping and loving Him. Hang around His Word and the people who love His Word and live it.
Before you know it, you’ll begin to notice yourself changing. You’ll find your character becoming more like His. You’ll begin to think like He does and talk like He does and even act like He does. His image will begin to shine forth in 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.
Rhapsody of Realities 1 March 2019 By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome – Life And Immortality Through The Gospel
Topic: Life And Immortality Through The Gospel
…but be thou…made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:8-10).
In Christ Jesus, life and immortality have been unveiled. This life isn’t the mere human or biological life that’s depraved, degenerate and broken; it’s the life and nature of God that transcends the ordinary human life. In 1 John 5:13, the Apostle John writes, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life….” So, being a Christian means that the human life that’s subject to death, with which you came into this world, has been supplanted by the life and nature of God, making you immortal; divine.
Could this be real? “Is it true that death has been abolished?” some may ask. Well, the Word says so, and that settles it! Notice the tenses that Paul used; he said death has been abolished; that’s in the past tense; it’s not a promise; it’s been done already; you’re not an ordinary person; you’re divine. 2 Peter 1:4 says, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature….”
As a replacement for the abolished death-doomed human nature, He gave us divinity; He made us partakers of the divine nature; associates of the God-kind; comrades of the divine order. Let this understanding change the way you live; you’re a victor in this life. You have the life of God in you.
As you walk in Christ and preach the Word of God, you’re participating in divinity, and unveiling life and immortality through the Gospel, so those who are lost can hear, receive, and become partakers of this glorious life as well. Hallelujah!
PRAYER Dear Father, I thank you for giving me life and immortality, making me a partaker of your divine nature. I declare that by the power of the Holy Spirit working in me, I’m effective in the divine experience and bearing fruits in every good work, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: John 11:25; 1 Corinthians 15:55; John 5:24
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Mark 9:14-32 & Numbers 7-8
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 19:1-12 & Exodus 10
Rhapsody of Realities 1st March 2019 Devotional was written by Pastor Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.). President of Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy Int’l.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Be Indicted for Bribery, Breach of Trust
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be indicted for bribery and breach of trust.
According to CBN News, Israel’s attorney general Avichai Mandleblit announced that after two years of investigations, his office would be indicting Netanyahu based on findings of corruption.
Leading up to the announcement, Netanyahu – who has received President Donald Trump’s outspoken support – was being investigated in three different cases, one of which claims that he fired Israel’s communications ministry director so that top Israeli news site, Walla! News would report in favor of him.
According to NBC News, Israeli police recommended Netanyahu face charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
With that in mind, Mandleblit announced Thursday morning that the Prime Minister will face three counts of breach of trust and one count of bribery.
Ministry of Justice spokesman Adi Livni noted in a statement, however, that the charges are not yet final. Before the charges can be finalized, the spokesperson noted that prosecutors will have to complete a pre-indictment hearing.
Livni said, “It should be noted that the decision regarding an indictment is not yet final since the Attorney General will offer to conduct a pre-indictment hearing before reaching any final decision, according to Israeli law.”
World’s Smallest Baby to Survive Is Discharged from Hospital
A baby boy born in Tokyo is believed to be the world’s smallest recorded preemie. He has recently been discharged from the hospital in good health, having survived delivery at 24 weeks.
Weighing “the same as a large onion” at 268 grams, the baby was so small he fit into an adult’s cupped hands.
He was delivered by emergency C-section in Keio University Hospital after he reportedly stopped growing in the womb.
He spent 5 months in the hospital for treatment in intensive care. When released last week, two months after his initial due date, he had grown to a weight of 3.2 kg, and is “now feeding normally,” BBC News reports.
“I can only say I’m happy that he has grown this big because honestly, I wasn’t sure he could survive,” said the child’s mother.
The doctor who treated the infant, Doctor Takeshi Arimitsu, told the BBC that according to a database compiled by the University of Iowa of the world’s smallest surviving babies, the boy was the littlest infant born on record to be released from a hospital.
The doctor said he wanted people to know that “there is a possibility that babies will be able to leave the hospital in good health even though they are born small.”
The survival rates for the smallest premature boys is significantly lower than girls. Medical experts are not sure why, though Keio hospital says it may be linked…
South Dakota House Rejects Proposal to Keep Transgender Students from Competing with Opposite Sex
The South Dakota House rejected a proposal this week that would have kept gender-confused students from competing with students of the opposite sex in high school.
With a tie vote of 34-34, the bill cannot go to the State Senate.
House Bill 1225 would have established that the “sole determinant of a student’s sexual identity is the sexual identity noted on the student’s certificate of birth.”
If no sexual identity is disclosed on the birth certificate, the “sole determinant” would be “sexual identity noted on the South Dakota High School Activities Association Physical Exam Form that is completed by a health care professional at the student’s physical examination.”
“South Dakota is breaking no new ground by doing this,” said House Majority Leader Lee Qualm, who sponsored the bill, the Associated Press reported. “This is all about fair competition. Boys competing against boys, girls competing against girls, based on the birth certificate.”
The current South Dakota High School Activities Association’s current rule is that all students are allowed to participate “in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on a student’s records.”
“No one is harmed by allowing transgender people to compete consistent with who they are. House Bill 1225 is clearly fueled by a fear…
Open Heaven 1 March 2019 Friday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Focusing on Jesus I
Topic: Focusing on Jesus I (Open Heaven 1 March 2019)
Memorise: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”- Hebrews 12:2
Read: Hebrews 12:1-3 (KJV)
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Bible in One Year: Acts 17-18, Isaiah 50:1-51:3
Open Heaven 1 March 2019 Friday MESSAGE:
Have you ever wondered why the Bible admonished us to keep looking unto Jesus? The answer lies in our memory verse. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. In other words, our faith is based on Him and on what He is capable of doing for and through us. No wonder Apostle Paul declared in Philippians 4:13:
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
The discovery of this truth should convince every child of God of how important it is to focus on the One who alone can help us accomplish what is humanly difficult or impossible to do. There are many reasons why we should focus on Jesus as we journey through the wilderness of this world, one being that He is the perfect image of God in Colossians 1:14-15 says these about Him:
“14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”
As the image of the invisible God, He stands as the perfect representation of who we are meant to be in this world. Speaking on this truth in 1 John 4:17, the Holy Spirit says:
“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.”
In order words, the knowledge of who we are as partakers of God’s divine nature only becomes clearer when we focus on Jesus, and this enables us to manifest the glory of who we really are.
Genesis 1:26 tells us that man was created to have dominion. However, this dominion was lost when man fell into sin. To restore us to our rightful place, Jesus Christ was made the last Adam. He declared in Matthew 28:18b
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
Do you know that He is ready to give this power to whosoever desires and will look up to Him for it? He demonstrated this while He was here on earth, as seen in Luke 9:1:
“Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.”
You cannot give what you do not have. Because Jesus Christ possesses all power, authority and dominion, He was able to give power to His disciples and He is still capable of giving it to those who would accept Him as their Lord and personal Savior. Looking elsewhere for power is a waste of time because genuine power belongs to Jesus, and He gives it to those who answer His call to salvation. Have you answered this call? Keep your focus on Him.
Open Heaven 1 March 2019 Friday Key Point:
How much time daily do you spend meditating on Jesus?
Open Heaven 1 March 2019 Friday Hymn 8: My Faith Looks Up To Thee
My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!
May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!
While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.
When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!
Open Heaven 1 March 2019 Friday 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 1 March 2019 Friday Daily Devotional.
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Missouri Targets Abortion with Bill Stating ‘God Is the Author of Life’
The Missouri House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday that has been labeled the “strongest pro-life bill in the country” and that even states “God is the author of life.”
The bill, H.B. 126, passed by a vote of 117-39 and now heads to the Senate. Both are controlled by Republicans. Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, supports it.
The bill has multiple provisions related to abortion — including bans on abortion when there is a heartbeat and when the unborn baby can feel pain — but is unique in mentioning God.
“In recognition that God is the author of life and that Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution of Missouri provides that all persons have a natural right to life,” the bill begins, “it is the intention of the general assembly of the state of Missouri” to “defend the right to life of all humans, born and unborn” and to “declare that the state and all of its political subdivisions are a ‘sanctuary of life’ that protects pregnant women and their unborn children.”
Republican Speaker Elijah Haahr called it “the strongest pro-life bill in the country.”
The bill, among other things:
— bans abortion at eight weeks gestational age or later, when a heartbeat can be detected.
— bans abortion at 20 weeks or later, when an unborn baby can feel pain.
— bans abortions for a race, gender or a Down syndrome…
Topic: Meditate on Scripture [Billy Graham Devotional 1 March 2019]
How can a young man stay pure? By reading your Word and following its rules. — Psalm 119:9 (TLB)
Many of the difficulties we experience as Christians can be traced to a lack of Bible study and reading. We should not be content to skim through a chapter merely to satisfy our conscience. Hide the Word of God in your heart! A little portion well digested is of greater value to the soul than a lengthy portion scanned hurriedly. Do not be discouraged because you cannot understand it all. Go on reading. As you read, the Holy Spirit will enlighten the passages for you. Reading the Bible has a purifying effect upon the heart and mind.
Prayer for the day: Let the enlightenment of the riches of Your Word sink deep within my soul, Lord.
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.
She was consecrated during a two hour service presided over by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, attended by more than 160 people from Cumbria.
Rt Rev Sarah Clark was also consecrated as Bishop of Jarrow in the Diocese of Durham.
Bishop Emma said: “It’s been a wonderful day. It’s been very special to worship with everyone, listen to a fantastic sermon and hear all those voices singing praise to God.
“‘Hills of the North’ was one of the hymns that was sung and that seemed very appropriate for Cumbria and Durham!”
The Rt Rev Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester, who is a long-time friend of Bishop Emma, gave the sermon.
She told the congregation: “It seems a very, very long time ago that Emma first mentioned to me on a campsite at Lee Abbey that she was wondering if she was being called to ordination. Since then it’s been wonderful to see how her ordained adventure with God has unfolded among different people and places.
“As Sarah and Emma leave the service today, each with a pastoral staff in their hand, they do so because they are being ordained bishops to be shepherds of Christ’s flock, bishops of being ‘with’: being with God, with people and with place.”
Following the consecration she enjoyed a small celebration with family and friends, adding: “I’m very much looking forward to all that is to come in Cumbria.”
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