Topic: When God Says No [Our Daily Bread 29 December 2018 Devotional]

Read: Isaiah 25:1–5, Bible in a Year: Zechariah 9–12; Revelation 20

In perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1

When I was conscripted into the military at age eighteen, as all young Singaporean men are, I prayed desperately for an easy posting. A clerk or driver, perhaps. Not being particularly strong, I hoped to be spared the rigors of combat training. But one evening as I read my Bible, one verse leaped off the page: “My grace is sufficient for you . . .” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

My heart dropped—but it shouldn’t have. God had answered my prayers. Even if I received a difficult assignment, He would provide for me.

So I ended up as an armored infantryman, doing things I didn’t always enjoy. Looking back now, I’m grateful God didn’t give me what I wanted. The training and experience toughened me physically and mentally and gave me confidence to enter adulthood.

In Isaiah 25:1–5, after prophesying Israel’s punishment and subsequent deliverance from her enemies, the prophet praises God for His plans. All these “wonderful things,” Isaiah notes, had been “planned long ago” (v. 1), yet they included some arduous times.

It can be hard to hear God saying no, and even harder to understand when we’re praying for something good—like someone’s deliverance from a crisis. That’s when we need to hold on to the truth of God’s good plans. We may not understand why, but we can keep trusting in His love, goodness, and faithfulness.

Prayer: Lord, give me the faith to keep trusting You even when You say no.

When God says no, He has a plan. Keep trusting Him!

INSIGHT
Throughout Isaiah we see dark and dire prophecies interspersed with oases of hope. We may think these dramatically different sections contrast with each other—and they do—but they’re also complementary. Note how Isaiah 25 responds to previous pronouncements of judgment, which the prophet praises God for.

Chapter 24 declares that the entire earth will be devastated (vv. 1–3). Then it concludes by saying, “The Lord Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before its elders—with great glory” (v. 23). This sets the stage for Isaiah 25. “In perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things,” says the prophet (v. 1). These things include God’s judgment: “You have made the city a heap of rubble” (v. 2). Because of the judgment, “strong peoples” will honor the Lord, and “cities of ruthless nations will revere you” (v. 3). Even God’s judgment draws His creation to Him.
Tim Gustafson

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

This message was written By Leslie Koh [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: You Are A World Overcomer [TREM Devotional 29 December 2018]

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” – 1 Jn. 5:4-5

Many times we lose out on what God has in stock for us because we fail to see ourselves the way He sees us. Stop cowering, you are the child of the King of kings and Lord of lords. You are not the child of a king – one of the kings around, no! Your Father is the one in control and because He is in control, He has bequeathed that power to you. Square up your shoulder and walk around with the boldness of an overcomer.

The scripture above makes your position very clear. It is not debatable, it is not an assumption, it is a statement of fact: whatsoever is born of God. The simple question is: are you born again? Now if you are not, then you are not a world overcomer. But the good news is that you can give your life to Him today just where you are by inviting Him into your life. However, if you are born again, you have invited Jesus into your life, then welcome to the company of the world overcomers.

Yes, you may not look like it, things might still be rough, you might still be struggling to make ends meet, but that does not change who you are in Christ. What you need to do is to appropriate His blessings. Gal. 4: 1 says, “.. the heir as long as he is a child differeth nothing from a servant” because he is too young to appropriate the father’s wealth. The same thing happens to Christians who do not know their right. While everything is at their disposal, they carry cup in their hands begging, and the devil is excited. Today, I prophesy over your life that your eyes will be open to see what is available to you in the covenant and much more that you will walk into 2019 victoriously to the glory of God the Father.

Further Reading: 1 Cor. 3: 1-15; 1 Pet. 2: 1- 3

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Zechariah 9-12; Evening- Revelation 20

“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 29 December 2018 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – Flee Youthful Lust

TOPIC: Flee Youthful Lust (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 29 December 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 2:22

MEMORY VERSE: “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” – Proverbs 1:10

The MESSAGE:

Lust is a strong emotional pull that is meant to drag a person into the pit of destruction. The world today is filled with all sorts of profane and vain activities and uncontrolled emotions such as lust. Lust refers to unrestrained craving for something. It could be money, power, sex, etc, and it is one of the major temptations facing all of us today, especially our youths (young adults). The youths are mostly caught in the web of lust because of the adventurous nature of their age grade. As believers, Jesus urged us to flee from all appearances of evil, or simply put, youthful lusts.

The Bible says some important things about lust, which we must consider:

• It says that the lust of the flesh entails fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind (Ephesians 2:3).
• It tells us that lust is of the world and not of the Father (1 John 2:16).
• It admonishes us not to make provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts, but to put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14).
• It tells us to “Flee” (Run away from) youthful lusts but follow righteousness (2 Timothy 2:22).

The story of Amnon and Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-39) shows the destruction that follows yielding to lust. Amnon received wrong advice from his friends, Jonadab, to follow through with the lust he had for his sister. Rather than flee, he (Amnon) had his way with his sister. He faced the consequence of his actions, not immediately but two years later when Absalom ordered servants to kill him. Yielding to lust is a channel the enemy uses to terminate destinies. Therefore, we must be vigilant and prayerful. We must also ask for God’s help to retrace our steps wherever we have gone astray.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
FLEE YOUTHFUL LUSTS AND FOLLOW AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS.

PROPHETIC WORD:
The LORD will separate you from evil friends.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

1. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lead me back to the right path wherever I have gone astray, in the name of Jesus.
2. I render ineffective, every plan of the enemy to waste my life through lust, in the name of Jesus.
3. My Father, separate evil friends from me, in the name of Jesus.
   EVENING
4. I uproot anything that the Father has not planted in my life, in the name of Jesus.
5. Agenda of the enemy to bring me down, fail, in the name of Jesus.
6. Every plantation of lust in my life, be uprooted by fire, in the name of Jesus.
7. O God my Father, deliver me from the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, 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)

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: Find Perfect Peace [DCLM Daily Manna 29 December 2018 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]

Text: Isaiah 26:1-11 (KJV)

Key Verse: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee“ (Isaiah 26:3).

MESSAGE:

On a Sunday morning in August, 1875, the vicar of Harrogate, Canon Gibbon, happened to preach from the text, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee,” and alluded to the fact that in the Hebrew language, the words are “Peace, Peace” twice repeated, and happily translated in the 1611 translation by the phrase, “Perfect Peace”. He emphasised that perfect peace could only be found in Jesus Christ. This sermon gave birth to Bishop Edward Henry Bickersteth’s great hymn “Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin? The blood of Jesus whispers peace within”. Truly, only the blood of Jesus can guarantee perfect peace.

We can never avoid strifes in the world, but with God we can know perfect peace even in turmoil. When we are devoted to Him, our whole attitude is steady and stable. With God’s unchanging love and mighty power, we are not perturbed by the raging sea. From our text, the affirmation of God’s protection and peaceful life for the righteous is vividly presented. He is our everlasting strength, we must trust in Him to bring all things to pass.

However, there are conditions to be fulfilled before you become beneficiaries of His perfect peace and divine protection. Only when you focus your mind on Him, trust in Him, desire Him with all your heart and patiently wait for Him that you can experience perfect peace.”Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”, says the Lord.

Thought For The Day: Life without Christ is a life of crisis.

Bible Reading In One Year: Revelation 6-11

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Deeper Christian Life Ministry, DCLM Daily Manna HERE

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: The Covering of the Covenant [Seeds of Destiny 29 December 2018 Devotional]

Scripture: The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. Psalms 20:1-3

Thought For The Day: Those who walk in God’s covenant enjoy His covering.

A covenant walk with God is a relationship of very high commitment. A covenant walk with God is characterised by effortless and sacrificial living. A person in covenant walk with God is highly committed – his sacrifice of time, energy, resources are effortless.

Those who walk in God’s covenant enjoy His covering. A person with a high level of commitment to God is a candidate for substantial Divine covering and preservation.

There are Scriptural examples of people who walked with God in covenant and enjoyed God’s covering, protection and preservation:

1. Noah walked in the covenant by sacrifice and God took the curse off the ground. God also placed on Noah, ‘The terror of the Lord.’ That is, what others feared began to fear Noah (Genesis 8:20, 9:1-2). Nothing covers a person like the covenant.
2. Abraham was a man of altars and sacrifices (Genesis 2:1, 12:7-8). Abraham sacrificed his comfort, relationships and almost sacrificed his son because of his covenant walk with God. When Pharaoh took Abrahams wife, God plagued Pharaoh’s house with a great plague because of Abraham’s wife. No man can dare a man that is covered by covenant without facing the consequence.

Today, I prophesy to you that as you walk in the covenant, no evil shall befall you. No man or woman can dare you in Jesus’ Name.

Remember This: Those who walk in God’s covenant enjoy His covering.

Assignments:

1. Be active in your covenant walk with God.
2. Let the sacrifice of your time, resources, talent etc. be your lifestyle.

Prayer: O Lord, I am totally committed to serve You. I ask that as I walk with You, You will surround my life with Your terror as a shield, Lord in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE COVERING OF THE COVENANT

Quote: The Blessing in your life is as strong as the blessing over your life. Your prophetic coverage determines your destiny coverage. Culled from 30 SECRETS TO THE TOP by Dr Paul Enenche

Daily Reading: Zechariah 14:1 to 21, Revelation 20:1 to 5, Psalm 148:1 to 14, Proverbs 31:8 to 9

Amazing Fact: Hot water is heavier than cold water.

Today In History: 29/12/1851 – The First American Young Men’s Christian Association was organized, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Also Read: Click HERE to read Other Inspirational Messages by Pastor 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: Good Vs God (II) [Open Heavens for Teens 29 December 2018]

Memorise: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” – 1 Corinthians 10:23

Read: Proverbs 14:12 (KJV)

Bible In One Year: Zechariah 10-12, Revelation 20

MESSAGE:

Life is filled with good pleasures, but not all good things are godly things. The difference between a good and godly thing is their end results. For example going on a date with a boy or a girl may seem enjoyable, but what will be the end result? Whereas, sitting at home to read your books may seem unpleasant, but the end result is success. Not all that glitters is gold. Check everything that looks good with the Word of God because only those that are godly will end in good results, while the ungodly ones will regret. Galatians 6:7 says “God is not mocked: whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Check the advice that your friends are giving you, check the thoughts that are coming to your mind. Weigh them with God’s Word to determine whether they are good or Godly. Whatever you do today is a seed, and you will surely reap the harvest sometime soon.

Key Point: Let your watchword be: Good is bad and God is best.

Also Read: Teen Open Heaven Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye

Hymn 16:

1. Christian, seek not yet repose
   Hear thy gracious Savior say;
   Thou art in the midst of foes:
   Watch and pray.
2. Principalities and power
   Mustering their unseen array
   Wait for the unguarded hours:
   Watch and pray
3. Gird the heavenly armor on,
   Wear it ever night and day;
   Ambushed lies the evil one:
   Watch and pray.
4. Hear the victors who o’ercame,
   Still they mark each warrior’s way;
   All with one sweet voice exclaim,
   Watch and pray.
5. Hear, above all, hear thy Lord,
   Him thou loves to obey;
   Hide within thy heart His word:
   Watch and pray.
6. Watch, as if on that alone
   Hung the issue of the day;
   Pray, that help may be sent down:
   Watch and pray.

Daily Devotional for Teen’s 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.

Open Heaven 29 December 2018 Prayer Points on Today – Riches Stored In Heaven

Riches Stored In Heaven

1.Thank You, Father, for giving us all things, freely, to enjoy, through Christ Jesus, our lord.

2.Father, in anyway I have fallen short of your glory, please, have mercy and forgive me, in Jesus name.

3.Father, give me the grace to use your resources in my hand, for the benefit and promotion of Your kingdom, in Jesus name.

4.Father, help me to place my affection on things above; and store my wealth in heaven, where moths, thieves and devourers, do not destroy, in Jesus name.

5.Father, empower me to always seek first Your kingdom and righteousness, and as I do, let all things that I need be added unto me, in Jesus name.

6.Father, help me to shift my focus and attention away, from earthly and mundane things, and concentrate on heavenly things that have eternal spiritual values, in Jesus name.

7.Father, please, cause me to prosper in this world, even, as my soul also prospers in the hereafter, in Jesus name.

8.Father, give me the grace to humble myself with Your riches; and to give generously to the poor and the needy, around me, in Jesus name.

9.Father, please, help me to live through today, without committing a single sin, in Jesus name.

10.Father, let no evil hand be able to touch all the good things, You have done for and through, Your son, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, in Jesus name.

11.Father, bless Your son, that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures; help him to overcome every challenge of getting these prayer points across to Your children timely, on daily basis, in Jesus name.

Also Read: Open Heaven 29 December 2018 – Riches Stored in Heaven

12.Your Personal petitions.
( Philippians 4:6)
13.In Jesus name I pray.
(John 14:13-14; 15:16)
14.Thank you Father for answered prayers.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18).

These prayers have no expiry date! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name.

Kindly, purchase your own hard copy or online version of the Open Heavens devotional & buy for your friends too, as a potent evangelism tool. God bless you, as you sow, into Pastor E.A. Adeboye’s book Ministry, in Jesus name.

Open Heaven 29 December 2018 Prayer Points on Today – Riches Stored In Heaven