It is strange that the world accepts enthusiasm in every realm but the spiritual. The world appreciates and understands emotion and enthusiasm, until it becomes a religious fervor—then immediately it is suspect. When you bring a grand and glorious abandon to your dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ, you are thought by many of your neighbors to be mad, to have “gone too far” in religion.
The whole history of missionary enterprise is filled with names like William Carey, Hudson Taylor, John Paton, David Livingstone, and others, who were thought by their generations to be mad. Their dedication was beyond the understanding of those who loved the smugness and the ease of contemporary life . . . And yet, in the last analysis, who are the mad ones? Are they not the complacent, self-centered, and smug who are so selfish that they tire of their own smugness, tire of their pleasures, and even tire of themselves?
Prayer for the day: Let me rededicate my life to You, with complete abandonment, Lord Jesus.
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.
Topic: You Have God’s DNA [TREM Devotional 20 December 2018]
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”2 Corinthians 5:17
The day you gave your life to Christ, you not only crossed from sin to life, you also became a member of a separate family. If you clearly understand this fact you will never explain away why you should have certain diseases. Have you noticed that the first thing that happens when you get into the hospital is that they want to know if someone in the family tree had a similar disease before? The moment you confirm that one person does, they begin to treat you for it and see it as normal; but when you come to the realization of who you are in Christ, you will not accept any disease as normal. You will rise in the Spirit and stand tall against it because the Word of God rightly declares that you are a new creation the moment you gave your life to Christ.
The way I love to explain that scripture “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature” is that he is a new specie of being that never existed before. The Living Bible puts it this way: 2 Cor. 5:17 (TLB) “When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!” Are you a Christian? Then you don’t have to live in the past. You are not refurbished. You are not inseparable with the world. Your spirit is totally new and the Spirit controls the physical; when you meditate on your new nature, everything about you begins to change. Then the popular song becomes true: “The things I used to do, I do them no more; the things I used to say, I say them no more because there is a great change, since I’m born again …”
Take time to think about the new creature reality in this season as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
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: Following the Leader [Our Daily Bread 20 December 2018 Devotional]
Read: Luke 9:21–24, Bible in a Year: Micah 1–3; Revelation 11
Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23
In the sky over our house, three fighter jets scream through the sky—flying in formation so close together they appear to be one. “Wow,” I say to my husband, Dan. “Impressive,” he agrees. We live near an Air Force base and it’s not unusual to see such sights.
Every time these jets fly over, however, I have the same question: How can they fly so close together and not lose control? One obvious reason, I learned, is humility. Trusting that the lead pilot is traveling at precisely the correct speed and trajectory, the wing pilots surrender any desire to switch directions or question their leader’s path. Instead, they get in formation and closely follow. The result? A more powerful team.
It’s no different for followers of Jesus. He says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
His path was one of self-denial and suffering, which can be hard to follow. But to be His effective disciples, we too are invited to put aside selfish desires and pick up spiritual burdens daily—serving others first instead of ourselves, for example—as we closely follow Him.
It’s quite a sight, this humbling, close walk with God. Following His lead, and staying so close, we can appear with Christ as one. Then others won’t see us, they’ll see Him. There’s a simple word for what that looks like: “Wow!”
Prayer: Please, God, draw us close to You. Fill us with Your Spirit of love and joy and peace. Enable us to be a shining light in our world.
Our lives are a window through which others can see Jesus.
INSIGHT Jesus had been proclaiming His identity and mission for years, and now His closest followers understood who He is. But Jesus answers Peter’s confession that Jesus is “God’s Messiah” (Luke 9:20) with a curious warning “not to tell this to anyone” (v. 21). Jesus says in no uncertain terms that the disciples should keep quiet about His identity. Why would Jesus tell them not to let people know who He is? The answer may be in verse 22, specifically in the word must. Spreading Jesus’s true identity may have interfered with His larger mission. He needed to die, and if the crowds knew He was the Messiah, they may have taken actions that might have interfered, such as making Him king by force (John 6:15) or perhaps stoning Him (10:31). Jesus told them to keep His identity a secret for the sake of His mission—“to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). J.R. Hudberg
MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 20 December 2018 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – Bearing Fruits in Old Age (II)
TOPIC: Bearing Fruits in Old Age (II) (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 20 December 2018)
FIRE SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 10:6-8
MEMORY VERSE:“The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.” –Proverbs 16:31
The MESSAGE:
The retirement age should not be the time to idle away. You might have disengaged from active work life, but you are not expected to retire from serving the Lord and bearing fruits, even in your old age. An old or aged believer has a wealth of experience in both physical and spiritual matters that young people can benefit from. Bearing fruit in old age entails using your life, talent, time and other resources to serve God. Only those who abide in Christ in old age can bring forth good fruits for Him.
Let us examine some of the things you can do to bear fruits in old age: First, you can witness for the Lord. Sharing the gospel and winning souls are highly rewarding spiritual exercises. God cares about the perishing souls all over the world and will reward you if you reach out to them with the Great Commission and save them from eternal damnation. Second, you can intercede, as Simeon and Anna did, that the will of God be done in people’s lives, the Church as well as in nations of the world. In addition, you can use your old age to fast and pray for Christian marriages and homes as well as for pastors and ministers of the gospel. Depending on your gift and calling, you can devote your old age to counselling and mentoring young people, especially Christians. Remember that Moses was 80 years old when God called him and he served God faithfully till be died at 120 years old. Caleb was still strong and active in God’s service at a ripe old age.
Beloved, the final phase of life called old age is when you should assess your walk with God, align yourself with Him and intensify your preparation to spend eternity in heaven. It is the time to let others know all the pitfalls of life and guide them not to make the mistakes you made in different areas of life, including the spiritual life. It is when you play these roles that you are considered as being fruitful in old age and heaven will reward you handsomely.
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE: DIVINE EMPOWERMENT IS ENCAPSULATED IN “BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY; REPLENISH THE EARTH AND SUBDUE IT”.
PROPHETIC WORD: Power to bring forth and produce your kind in righteousness is comferred on you.
PRAYER POINTS:
MORNING
Father, give me the grace and strength to witness and win souls for you even in my old age, in Jesus’ name.
Lord, make me an untiring prayer warrior and intercesssor throughout my lifetime, in Jesus’ name.
Father, make me a positive influence and inspiration for the younger generation, in the name of Jesus.
EVENING
O Lord, help me to abide in You, so that I keep bearing fruit in Jesus’ name.
My love for the Lord will not grow cold in old age, in Jesus’ name.
I will not lose my heavenly focus in old age, in Jesus’ name.
I receive the grace to be a Godly counsellor to the younger generation, in Jesus’ name.
“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional HERE https://flatimes.com/category/mfm/
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 — Saving; A Requirement Of Wealth [Open Heavens for Teens 20 December 2018]
Memorise:There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. – Proverbs 21:20
Read: Genesis 41:29-36 (KJV)
Bible In One Year: Micah 4-5, Revelation 11
MESSAGE:
One of the major ways God provides for us is through money. Going by this, it would mean that the money we have isn’t ours, but God’s. Hence, God is very interested in what we do with the money He gives us. Asides spending the money wisely and for His glory, saving part of the money shows good stewardship on our part.
A good saving culture can never be over emphasized. As a teen, you might think that you have no reason to save since your parents provide your needs. According to our Bible reading for today, no one could ever have known that a terrible famine was waiting to happen. If they hadn’t saved up when they had plenty, they would have died when the famine came. That is what saving does; it provides a sure covering on rainy days. How much do you get daily from your parents? You should decide to save up a bit of that money.
Key Point: A wise man saves for his future, a fool doesn’t.
There shall be showers of blessing
This is the promise of love;
There shall be season refreshing
Sent from the Savior above
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy drop ’round are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
There shall be showers of blessing
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.
There shall be showers of blessing
Send them upon us O Lord
Grant to us a refreshing;
Come now and honor Thy Word.
There shall be showers of blessing
Oh that today thy might fall,
Now as to God we are confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!
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 Lord’s Way [DCLM Daily Manna 20 December 2018 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Colossians 3:18-25 (KJV)
Key Verse: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:23).
MESSAGE:
Far back in Europe during the Middle Ages, a group of religious men and women thought that because the world had morally sunk too low for corporate safety, they needed to physically separate from society in order to avoid contamination. They believed that this would make them escape the eventual hell waiting for those defiling themselves in the world. So, they established monasteries where, far removed from the populations of their communities, they lived in expectation of Christ’s Second Coming to take His bride home. But alas, a great deal of acts of defilement and promiscuity were reported to have been committed in the monasteries.
Contrary to what the medieval monks believed and practised, the Bible teaches that the solution to the challenge of moral decadence in the society is for believers to faithfully obey rules for Christian households, which the world would notice and emulate. The answer is not to run from them or abandon our position as light bearers in this world of darkness. We are to use every opportunity and ability at our disposal to preach to the degenerates around us and exhibit virtues of heavenly love and patience along with meekness.
The wife should submit to the husband, who in turn loves his wife and is not bitter towards her. Children should obey their parents and fathers should be careful not to provoke them. Servants must be honest in the discharge of their duties while they display a fear of God that entails obedience to the authority at home.
The Christian home should be the storehouse of learning that the world looks up to as their Bible. We can change the world and make it conform to heavenly attitude if we conduct ourselves “as to the Lord, and not unto man”.
Thought For The Day: The faithful Christian is the Bible of the unbeliever.
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 Word of God – A Channel of the Blessing [Seeds of Destiny 20 December 2018 Devotional]
Scripture: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.Genesis 12:2-3
Thought For The Day: Whenever a Word is revealed to you from Scriptures, it shifts your level in the Blessing.
The Blessing of God is one the greatest assets of man on earth. It was the Blessing that God gave to man as a deposit and investment at creation for the sustenance of man until the fall of man and the arrival of the curse. It is also important to know that the Blessing of God is a difference maker.
The difference between Abraham and the negative circumstances and events of his family was the Blessing. The Blessing makes a person’s case different. The Blessing is a destiny opener. The Blessing of God has the capacity to locate a person and open up his destiny.
Abraham was at a loss in his father’s house; his life and destiny were locked up until he had an encounter with God and his life was opened up by the Blessing.
Now, it is very important to know that one channel of the Blessing is the Word of God. The Bible says, blessed is the man whose delight is in the Law of the Lord… (Psalms 1:1-3). Other people pursue the Blessing but the Blessing pursues the people of the Word. Whenever a Word is revealed to you from Scriptures, it shifts your level in the Blessing.
Beloved, my counsel is, let your life be anchored on the Word of God and no devil can contest your Blessing.
Remember This: Whenever a Word is revealed to you from Scriptures, it shifts your level in the Blessing.
Assignments:
Let the Word of God be your guide daily.
Ask God for an encounter that will produce the Blessing on your life.
Prayer: O Lord, I ask for the release of Your Blessing on my life. Let Your Blessing swallow every curse in my life, Lord in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE BLESSING – CONTENT AND CHANNELS
Quote: To look up to man is to limit your destiny. To look up to man is to provoke the jealousy of God. Culled from 21 UNCOMMON KEYS TO FINANCIAL OVERFLOW by Dr Paul Enenche
Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 1:1 to 3:17, Romans 6:1 to 23, Psalm 16:1 to 11, Proverbs 19:20 to 21.
Amazing Fact: The spine is so flexible it can bend far enough to form two thirds of a circle.
Today In History: 20/12/2007 – Elizabeth II becomes the oldest monarch of the United Kingdom, surpassing Queen Victoria, who lived for 81 years, 7 months and 29 days.
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.
Open Heaven 20 December 2018 Thursday Daily Devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – You can Succeed
Topic: You can Succeed (Open Heaven 20 December 2018)
Memorise:“And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.”– Deuteronomy 28:2
Read: Luke 5:1-10 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
Bible in One Year: Amos 7-9, John 14:15-31
Open Heaven 20 December 2018 Thursday MESSAGE:
To succeed in life, one must know how. Many people are failing today not because they want to, but because they were not taught how to succeed. However, we thank God who has given us the Bible, where we can learn how to succeed. The problem is how many people read and study the Bible, which contains the secrets of success? One of these secrets is found in Deuteronomy 28:2, which says:
“And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.”
In Luke 4:4, our Lord Jesus Christ also showed us that the secrets of success are hidden in God’s word. Quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, He said:
“…It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” – Luke 4:4
It is an exercise in futility for a fellow to seek success outside the dictates of God in His word. I am a living testimony of this truth. My success as a PhD student of mathematics was gotten from a Bible passage. An equation that would have made it impossible for me to solve the problem in my thesis was solved with the aid of a passage of scripture. If God’s word can be applied in such scenario, it is grievous for a pastor to attempt using human gimmicks in order to succeed. The secrets of Church growth and growth in other endeavor of life are in the Bible; if only we care to read, study, meditate and act on it. A good example of success through diligent listening and acting on God’s instruction is found in today’s Bible reading. Peter and his colleagues toiled throughout the night, using all their expertise in fishing to no avail. As they were washing their nets and mending them for another night of struggle, Jesus came into the scene. After allowing Him to use their boat, the “Rewarder of those who diligently serve Him”said to Simon Peter in Luke 5:4b:
“Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.”
Take note of the words of this instruction. The Lord said to Peter that they should let down their nets not just for some fishes but for a draught, meaning a great catch. Our Lord is not a gambler: He gives precise instructions because He is the Almighty who make the impossible possible and brings success out of failure. He knew what He was saying when He told Peter to let down his “nets” and not “net”. Beloved, you will succeed if only you listen to what God is telling you to do about that business, project or career. The Lord will teach your hands to war, and you will not be a victim but a success in Jesus’ Name (Psalm 144:1-2).
Open Heaven 20 December 2018 Thursday Prayer Point:
Father, the listening ear, the receptive heart and the grace to do according to your word, give them to me today, and cause me to succeed in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heaven 20 December 2018 Thursday Hymn 4: Trust and Obey
1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey.
Chorus:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, But His smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay; For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows, Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet, Or we’ll walk by His side in the way; What He says we will do, where He sends we will go; Never fear, only trust and obey.
Open Heaven 20 December 2018 Thursday 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 20 December 2018 Thursday Daily Devotional.
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.
Singer Robin Thicke Experiences Spiritual Awakening Following Father’s Death and Girlfriend’s Miscarriage
Pop singer Robin Thicke has experienced somewhat of a spiritual awakening following his father’s abrupt passing in 2016 and his girlfriend’s miscarriage, which she made public earlier in 2018.
Thicke released a new single, “Testify,” last week, and it hits a few spiritual notes — a 180 degree turn from the endlessly sexual, made-for-radio pop tunes for which he’s known.
Alan Thicke, father to the 41-year-old singer, suddenly collapsed while playing a game of ice hockey with his youngest, son, Carter, at Pickwick Gardens in Burbank 2 years ago in December 2016. The 69-year-old was best known for his role as Dr. Jason Seaver in the popular 1980s sitcom “Growing Pains.”
After being rushed to the hospital, Alan Thicke died of a heart attack.
In August, Thicke’s 24-year old girlfriend, model April Love Geary, opened up about her experience suffering a miscarriage before the birth of the pair’s daughter, Mia Love. Thicke and Geary are currently expecting their second child.
“It’s cathartic just to be able to say it and then let it live, as opposed to in the middle of a conversation or a quote,” Thicke mentioned to People. “Once you put it into song form, then it can live forever. And so the message in the song is really about the hope and the light at the end of that tunnel when you feel that you lost or…
Vice President Mike Pence Announces the Launch of the Space Force, Thanks God for His Help
Vice President Mike Pence thanked God for all of his help, Tuesday when he announced that the United States military would be going to space.
According to CBN News, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Pence announced the start of the military Space Force, Tuesday.
Pence told the audience, “A new era of American national security in space begins today.”
He continued noting that the program can only be successful because of the service and dedication of the men and women in the military. He said, “With your unwavering commitment, with the courage of our men and women in uniform, with the continued support of the American people, with the vision and leadership of our commander-in-chief, and with God’s help, I know we will give America the defense she needs here on Earth and in the outer reaches of space,” he continued.
In the announcement, which comes almost a half a century after the Apollo 8 mission, Pence reminded the American people that though NASA will not be involved in the program, the program will not be built from scratch.
He said, “Now, to be clear, the Space Force will not be built from scratch because the men and the women who run and protect our nation’s space programs today are already the best in the world. And since the dawn of the Space Age, America has remained the best in space.”
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