Topic: The Father’s Plan [Andrew Wommack Devotional 16 December 2018]
Luke 24:21“But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.”
When the right time came, God sent forth His Son from Heaven in His pre-existent state, into the world. He was born of a woman (virgin birth) and was made subject to the requirements of the law. Jesus was sent at a specific time. The entrance of Jesus into the physical realm was not a random thing occurring at a haphazard time. There were developments that had to take place before Christ could come to earth and redeem man. The Father sent His Son to the earth at the earliest possible time. Anytime prior to the time Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, would have been premature.
His purpose for coming into the world was twofold. First, He came to “redeem them that were under the law.” He did this by perfectly keeping the law, fulfilling it, and paying its curse (Mt. 5:17; Gal. 3:13). Thus, Christ delivered us from the entire system of the law. The Greek word for redeem means “to buy OUT OF the slave market.”
Secondly, Christ gave us the status of sonship with all its privileges. Not only were we redeemed from the bondage of the law, but we were redeemed unto sonship. Many people stop short, only realizing what they were delivered from, not what they inherit. Sure, we need to rejoice that we are redeemed, but we also need to move on, and realize the full benefits of our inheritance.
God created us for Himself but we sold ourselves into slavery to the devil. God bought us back through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. No amount of effort, human works, or man’s own righteousness could bring the divine favor that we needed. It was the actual life of God (Lev. 17:11) that purchased our redemption.
This message was written by The Association of Related Ministries International (ARMI) is an extension of Andrew Wommack Ministries (AWM). ARMI is a unique partnership committed to providing resources to help like-minded ministers succeed in a spirit of excellence and to draw from the experience and expertise of both the AWM and Charis Bible College staff. (www.awmi.net).
Topic: Why the Righteous Suffer [Billy Graham Devotional 16 December 2018]
God will tenderly comfort you when you undergo these same sufferings . . . — 2 Corinthians 1:7 (TLB)
This question, “Why must the righteous suffer?” is as old as time. There is only one place that we can find an answer, and that is in the Bible. You do not need to study the Scriptures long to learn why sinners meet reverses and anguish. They are apart from God. Their sorrow is the result of their sins. But-why do Christians suffer?
Scripture teaches that many Christians suffer so that they may fellowship with others who are in affliction. Only those who have known sorrow and suffering can have fellowship with those in affliction. The Word of God also teaches that Christians suffer in order that they might glorify God in their lives. The Bible further teaches that Christians suffer in order that God might teach them lessons in prayer. Also, Christians suffer in order that God might bring them to repentance.
Prayer for the day: How tender is Your comfort, Lord. How loving Your chastening.
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: Mirrors and Hearers [Our Daily Bread 16 December 2018 Devotional]
Read: James 1:16–27, Bible in a Year: Amos 4–6; Revelation 7
Whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it . . . will be blessed in what they do.James 1:25
When I emerged from my hotel in Kampala, Uganda, my hostess, who had come to pick me up for our seminar, looked at me with an amused grin. “What’s so funny?” I inquired. She laughed and asked, “Did you comb your hair?” It was my turn to laugh, for I had indeed forgotten to comb my hair. I’d looked at my reflection in the hotel mirror. How come I took no notice of what I saw?
In a practical analogy, James gives us a useful dimension to make our study of Scripture more beneficial. We look in the mirror to examine ourselves to see if anything needs correction—hair combed, face washed, shirt properly buttoned. Like a mirror, the Bible helps us to examine our character, attitude, thoughts, and behavior (James 1:23–24). This enables us to align our lives according to the principles of what God has revealed. We will “keep a tight rein” on our tongues (v. 26) and “look after orphans and widows” (v. 27). We will pay heed to God’s Holy Spirit within us and keep ourselves “from being polluted by the world” (v. 27).
When we look attentively into “the perfect law that gives freedom” and apply it to our lives, we will be blessed in what we do (v. 25). As we look into the mirror of Scripture, we can “humbly accept the word planted in [us]” (v. 21).
Prayer:Heavenly Father, “open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law” (Psalm 119:18). Help me to order my life according to what You show me in Scripture.
As a mirror reflects our image, the Bible reveals our inner being.
INSIGHT What’s interesting about James’s definitions of good and bad religion is that they’re not simply opposites. James says bad religion is summarized by not controlling one’s speech (v. 26). Following that, we would expect James to say that good religion has something to do with taming our tongue. Instead, good religion is defined by looking after the helpless and needy and not being influenced by the ways of the world. J.R. Hudberg
MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 16 December 2018 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – Your Choice and Destiny
TOPIC:Your Choice and Destiny (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 16 December 2018)
FIRE SCRIPTURE: John 15:16-17
MEMORY VERSE: “And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:” – Acts 19:11
The MESSAGE:
The choices we make in life affect our destiny either positively or negatively. When an individual makes a wrong choice in life, it affects the destiny of the person negatively either in the present or the future. As believers, we must be able to make right choices in accordance with the will of God for our lives because His will for our lives is to be able to make the right choices.
Your destiny is God’s programme and timetable for your life. Your destiny is what you are created to live for. You are not the owner of your life; therefore, there is no way you can programme your destiny by yourself. Everything falls in place according to God’s perfect purpose for your life. In the same vein, God has given you choices to decide if you want to follow His designed plan for your life or not. It is indeed pertinent for you to ask God for His will for your destiny so you can make the right choices that will affect your destiny positively. As an example, we have Apostle Paul who asked Jesus: “What would you have me do?” and a voice told him what to do and the choice he made on that day seriously affected his destiny positively. Through this choice, Paul was able to write almost half of the New Testament.
In the beginning of time, man fell because God gave them a choice and they decided to distort their destiny by themselves. Today, God has given us the power of choice either for good or bad, positive or negative. When you follow God’s commandment and abide by it, you will be able to fulfill your destiny faster. Obedience is another virtue one must possess to fulfil destiny. When you invite a stranger into your life without God’s backup, your destiny can be manipulated.
People make different types of choices: worldly choices, divine or dangerous choice, etc. As a believer, you have been ordained and you must manifest and shine. You are not created to be a passer-by because God has deposited something glorious into your life. When you begin to manifest and things start changing, people will see God’s glory in your life. Anything you are currently experiencing is a pause or a bus stop and not a full stop. According to God’s purpose, you will fulfil destiny and God’s name will be proclaimed in your life, in Jesus’ name.
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE: YOUR DESTINY IS WHAT YOU ARE CREATED TO LIVE FOR.
PROPHETIC WORD: You shall fulfill your destiny and God’s name will be glorified in your life.
PRAYER POINTS:
MORNING
Power to make right choices in life, my life is available, fall upon me, in the name of Jesus.
Spirit of error, my life is not your candidate, die by fire in the mighty name of Jesus.
I receive the grace to be obedient to the word of God, in the mighty name of Jesus.
EVENING
Glorious impartation of God in my life, manifest by fire, in the name of Jesus.
Every power assigned to derail me, die by fire, in the name of Jesus.
O God arise, order my steps by Your power, in the name of Jesus.
I will fulfil my destiny, whether the devil likes it or not, in the name of Jesus.
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: The Hand of the Lord and the Voice of the Lord [Seeds of Destiny 16 December 2018 Devotional]
Scripture:But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him.2 Kings 3:15
Thought For The Day: When the Hand of the Lord is released, the Voice of the Lord is express.
It is clear throughout Scriptures that there is an inextricable connection between the Hand of the Lord and the Voice of the Lord. The Hand of the Lord has influence on the Voice of the Lord and vice versa.
Now, what is the connection between the Hand of the Lord and the Voice of the Lord?
The Hand of the Lord releases the Voice of the Lord
Everywhere the Hand of the Lord arises, the Voice of the Lord is heard (Isaiah 8:11). Every time we ask God to lay His Hands on us, we are asking God to speak to us. When the Hand of the Lord is released, the Voice of the Lord is express.
The Hand of the Lord releases the vision and revelation of the Lord
The Hand of the Lord is key to the impartation of supernatural eyesight (Ezekiel 37:1). Vision and revelation is necessary because where there is no vision, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18).
Now, why is the Voice of God critical to life and destiny?
The Voice of the Lord is the cure for crisis (Psalm 85:8). The Voice of the Lord arrests battles and imparts tranquillity.
The Voice of the Lord is key to supernatural supplies. It is the key to the end of scarcity, shortage and empty-handedness.
Beloved, I prophesy to you today that the Hand of the Lord is coming upon you; and you shall hear His Voice expressly in Jesus’ Name.
Remember This: When the Hand of the Lord is released, the Voice of the Lord is express.
Assignments:
Ask God to release His Hands upon Your life
Study the Word of God diligently in order to hear His Voice.
Prayer: O Lord, lay Your Hands on me. Let Your Hand bring about the end of every shame and reproach from my life, Lord in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE HAND OF THE LORD AND THE VOICE OF THE LORD
Quote: Your spirituality is not for the purpose of luxury; your spirituality determines your immunity and affects your security. Culled from 15 KINGDOM STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL by Dr Paul Enenche
Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 22:1 to 23:32, Romans 3:9 to 31, Psalm 12:1 to 8, Proverbs 19:13 to 14.
Amazing Fact: The Anambra waxbill, a small bird of many beautiful colours, is found only in Southern Nigeria and nowhere else on earth.
Today In History: 16/12/1969 – The British House of Commons voted 343 – 185 to abolish the death penalty in England.
Prophetic Parental Declaration:This month of December shall favour you! In this month, doors shall open for you with lots of favour in Jesus’ Name.
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 — Fruit of the Spirit; Faith [Open Heavens for Teens 16 December 2018]
Memorise:But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
Read: Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
Bible In One Year: Amos 7-9, Revelation 7
MESSAGE:
Faith is one of the most important attributes of a Christian. The Bible says without faith, it is impossible to please God. Christianity is based on faith; we do not see God, yet we believe He is alive – that is faith. With this, you should know that your claim to be a Christian is a very funny joke if you do not have faith.
Asides this foundational faith, a Christian is meant to be full of faith; a genuine child of God must have an unwavering confidence in God’s Words and promises. But this world is filled with distractions and doubt inducing circumstances, hence having blind faith in God is an impossible task for anyone who isn’t filled with the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit in you that will feed your inside with faith in God. Afterwards you are entrusted with the responsibility to strengthen that faith by studying the Word of God and getting yourself acquainted with His numerous promises.
Prayer Point: Sweet Holy Spirit, please fill my heart with faith, and give me the grace to strengthen that faith by studying Your Word constantly.
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.
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: Winning The Home Battle [DCLM Daily Manna 16 December 2018 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Judges 6:6-16 (KJV)
Key Verse:“And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?”(Judges 6:14).
MESSAGE:
One of the toughest battles to fight is the battle within. It is a lot easier to identify external foes, study their tactics and take them on in battle. But most times, we hardly recognise the internal foes or we are not bold enough to see them as deadly foes that must be defeated. Our lack of courage may be due to our fear of the reaction of those who will be affected by our decisions or because of whatever temporary pleasure we may forfeit for fighting this battle.
Gideon faced this kind of tough task in the first leadership assignment God gave him. The biggest problem he faced was not the Midianites, but his people who were given wholly to the worship of Baal. His first task therefore was to throw down the idol of his father’s house, signalling his disgust for idolatry. That was sure to incur the wrath of his people, but he had to do this otherwise they would never have victory over their external foes. And thank God, he did!
Before we can take on external enemies, we have to first examine potential problems in our own souls. Check up if you have thrown down those idols of “Baal” around you. They may be long-held family traditions and practices that run contrary to the will and word of God. They may be bottled-up enmity and grudges against another; or a long-cherished carnal indulgence that hinders you from giving your best to the Lord. Understand that no amount of prayers and deliverances conducted for you can give you total and permanent victory until you willingly throw down those idols! Take the step now.
Thought For The Day: It is wisdom to make those changes that make people around you uncomfortable.
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.
Open Heaven 16 December 2018 Sunday Daily Devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Fourth Man in the Furnace
Topic: The Fourth Man in the Furnace (Open Heaven 16 December 2018)
Memorise:“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”- Isaiah 43:2
Read: Daniel 3:20-30 (KJV)
20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
22 Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.
27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
Bible in One Year: Hosea 10-14, John 12:9-26
Open Heaven 16 December 2018 Sunday MESSAGE:
Our memory verse reminds us of God’s promise to be with His children whenever they pass through the storms, rivers and fires of life. We see this promise literarily fulfilled in the lives of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they were confronted with Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace. For your own good, you need to understand that these words proclaimed by God in Isaiah 43:2 are not empty promises. To the three Hebrew boys, the Lord who helped the Israelites walk through the waters during their exodus from Egypt was also able to deliver them from the fire of Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace in accordance to His promise. In contrast to these young men, many people today would not want to take this promise of God literarily. However, the experience of the three Hebrew boys shows that none of God’s promise will go unfulfilled in our lives if we hold unto them.
Let us consider what the young Hebrew men did to draw the presence of the Fourth Man into the furnace and see how it applies to each one of us. Essentially, they decided to be different and lived a separated life in the land of unbelievers. They took a collective decision with Daniel not to defile themselves with pagan lifestyles and delicacies (Daniel 1:8-17). A proverb in my native tongue says, “There is a tendency for a child to change his good name in a foreign land”. This was not the case with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. For this reason, the Lord of Host Himself came to join them when they were thrown into the burning furnace. The fourth man in the furnace was no other person than the Son of the Living God (Daniel 13:25).
Beloved, if God could fulfill His promise in Isaiah 43:2 in the lives of these men, He will also fulfill this promise to us. However, you need to ask yourself if you are living a separated life. Is there any difference between you and everyone else who does not know your God? Do you behave one way in church and another way outside church? If someone spends time with you, can they indeed say that you have been with Jesus? You need to live a life that gives a positive answer to these questions. I decree into your life today that the grace to live a separated life will come upon you in Jesus’ Name. The waters of life will not drown you, and the fire of the enemy will not burn you in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heaven 16 December 2018 Sunday Prayer Point:
Sweet Holy spirit, I ask that You convict my heart to live a separated life daily.
Open Heaven 16 December 2018 Sunday Hymn 5: I Have Decided To Follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though- none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.
Open Heaven 16 December 2018 Sunday 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 16 December 2018 Sunday 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.
Pastor Wang Yi wrote in September that he would “categorically” deny any “filth” he was accused of by authorities but he would serve any sentence if jailed.
He said: “Those who lock me up will one day be locked up by angels. Those who interrogate me will finally be questioned and judged by Christ.
“When I think of this, the Lord fills me with a natural compassion and grief toward those who are attempting to and actively imprisoning me.
“Pray that the Lord would use me, that he would grant me patience and wisdom, that I might take the gospel to them.”
The note was handed to colleagues on the basis it should be shared publicly if he ever became detained for more than 48 hours.
The senior pastor was among more than 100 people held at the Early Rain Covenant Church in the south-western city of Chengdu, Sichuan province on Sunday.
Wang’s elderly mother told the South China Morning Post her son had been arrested “for allegedly inciting subversion of state power”.
The letter indicates a strong disdain for the Chinese authorities, with Wang accusing them of “wickedness” in “depriving people of the freedoms of religion and of conscience”.
It continued: “As a pastor of a Christian church, I must denounce this wickedness openly and severely.
“The calling that I have received requires me to use non-violent methods to disobey those…
Supporters of Asia Bibi, who spent eight years on death row, say she will spend the festive season under close protection in a mystery location.
Wilson Chowdhry from the British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA) said: “Despite her joy at being free, I cannot believe that Asia Bibi is feeling like much of a winner today.
“Especially as she remains under police protection in Pakistan at a secret location, unable to even exit the room she is in for fear she will be instantly killed…”
Reunited with her husband, the mother-of-five remains separated from her wider family – amid a bid by hard-line Islamists to reverse her acquittal in October. They want to see Ms Bibi publicly executed.
In an update to supporters, the BPCA said it had received confirmation from Pakistani authorities that a petition challenging the Supreme Court ruling will be heard in January.
Ms Bibi was sentenced to death in 2010 after being convicted of blasphemy. She had been accused of insulting the Islamic prophet Muhammad following a row with a group of Muslim woman over a water cup.
Meanwhile, Christians are being urged to pray for more than a dozen believers in Pakistan who remain in prison while their appeals against blasphemy convictions are pending.
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