Topic: Don’t Panic, Because God Is Laughing [TREM Devotional 24 December 2018]

“He Who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision [and in supreme contempt He mocks them].” Ps. 2:4 (AMP)

You are God’s child and as He is, so are you. This means that God expects you to take the same position with Him and laugh at the devil. When your Father in heaven is laughing, why are you panicking? One of the major strategies of the devil is to cage you in the place of fear. Fear like it has been rightly interpreted, is False Evidence Appearing Real.

Fear is a major tool of the devil that he uses to kill the people of God, but today I have come to challenge you to stop him. Don’t give in to his tricks, stand like your Father in heaven and when the devil comes like a flood, because you know that the Lord has already raised a standard against him, rather than panic you laugh.

Your ability to laugh in the face of challenges is based on the truth of the Word of God you know, so I challenge you today to take time to study the Word of God. Like Paul encouraged Timothy, even so I encourage you today to study to show yourself approved unto God. The more of the Word of God you study, the more aware you are of your rights and privileges in God.

Take time today to begin to study the Word. Take a translation you are most comfortable with, it does not have to be the King James Version, take any translation and set out time to study the Word and as you do, you build your spirit man and then you can withstand any arrow of the devil knowing that your victory is assured. Interestingly, we are in the holiday season, take advantage of it to start a Bible study habit. The more of the Word you know, the more secure and relaxed you will be. So, why panic? Be in the company of God and laugh at the devil because you are already an overcomer.

Further reading: 2 Tim. 2: 1- 15; Ps. 2: 1 – 9

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Habakkuk; Evening- Revelation 15

“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.

Topic: Ponder It [Our Daily Bread 24 December 2018 Devotional]

Read: Luke 2:8–20, Bible in a Year: Habakkuk 1–3; Revelation 15

Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

During Oswald Chambers’ years at the Bible Training College in London (1911–15), he often startled the students with things he said during his lectures. One young woman explained that because discussion was reserved for the following mealtime together, Chambers would frequently be bombarded with questions and objections. She recalled that Oswald would often simply smile and say, “Just leave it for now; it will come to you later.” He encouraged them to ponder the issues and allow God to reveal His truth to them.

To ponder something is to concentrate and think deeply about it. After the events leading to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, followed by the appearance of angels and the shepherds who came to see the Messiah, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). New Testament scholar W. E. Vine said that ponder means “to throw together, confer, to put one thing with another in considering circumstances” (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words).

When we struggle to understand the meaning of what’s happening in our lives, we have Mary’s wonderful example of what it means to seek God and His wisdom.

When we, like her, accept God’s leading in our lives, we have many new things about His loving guidance to treasure and ponder in our hearts.

Prayer: Father, guide us by Your Holy Spirit as we consider Your great love and embrace Your plan for our lives.

Allow yourself a few minutes of quiet during this busy season to sit and listen for what God might be saying to you.

INSIGHT
Shepherds were considered to be irreligious because their shepherding work prevented them from performing their religious obligations at the temple. Because they were in contact with dead animals, birds, and insects, they were rendered ceremonially “unclean” all the time (Leviticus 5:2–5; 11:4–43). It’s noteworthy that the birth of the Messiah—the Lamb of God (John 1:29) who is called our Good Shepherd (10:11)—was first announced to despised shepherds!
K. T. Sim

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

This message was written By David C. McCasland [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Don’t Be Discouraged [Open Heavens for Teens 24 December 2018]

Memorise: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28

Read: Isaiah 40:28-31 (KJV)

Bible In One Year: Zephaniah 1-3, Revelation 15

MESSAGE:

There are so many things happening in the world right now that are so fear and worry inducing that one can’t help but be discouraged. Even for you teens, discouragement is not far-fetched. The devil rules over this present world and one of his tools especially against children of God is discouragement. But we are serving a living God. We serve a God who does not sleep nor slumber, and He never forsakes His children. So if you can just take your focus off discouraging situation and put that focus on Christ, you will find out that everything will smoothen out.

Are your grades low? Don’t give up. Even if your parents have stopped believing in you. Hold on tighter to God and His Word. Dig deep into His Word and find strength and solace. God is always present to get you out of whatever situation you can ever find yourself, just believe and hold on tight through prayers.

Key Point: When you allow discouragement, you allow the devil.

Also Read: Teen Open Heaven Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye

Hymn 1:

1. 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!
2. 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!
3. 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.
4. 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.

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.

Topic: The Purpose of the Law [DCLM Daily Manna 24 December 2018 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]

Text: Exodus 24:12-18 (KJV)

Key Verse: “And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them“(Exodus 24:12).

MESSAGE:

God, “…who at sundry times and in diverse manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son…” (Hebrews 1:1,2). The question is, why does God send His word to men? What is the purpose of giving the Holy Bible to mankind? It is, of course, to reveal Himself and His purpose to man.

As God called Moses to the mountain to give him the Law and commandments which he was to teach the people, he went with Joshua up to the cloud-covered mountain. Aaron and Hur were mandated to take charge in the absence of Moses. He stayed six days before God called him up on the seventh day. He was to stay in that glory-covered mountain for forty days, before coming back with the two tables of stone containing the Ten Commandments of God.

The unquantifiable privilege God has given to man by sending to him the Holy Bible is invaluable. While many still grope in the dark today because they do not believe the written word of God, those who accept it, have greatly benefitted from His provisions of salvation from sin, holiness of life, power of the Holy Spirit, healing, deliverance, material provisions and a place in heaven.

However, except a man is saved and has the Spirit of God, he will not understand the Bible and its message of redemption. That is the purpose of the Law which only the redeemed can understand. Take full advantage of God’s word, spend quality time with it and determine to fully abide by it.

Thought For The Day: God’s law lifts man from the pit of ignorance into the plain of enlightenment.

Bible Reading In One Year: 2 Timothy

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.

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