Topic: Mosaic of Beauty [Our Daily Bread 15 December 2018 Devotional]
Read: Luke 1:46–55, Bible in a Year: Amos 1–3; Revelation 6
My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.Luke 1:46–47
Sitting in the courtyard of the Church of the Visitation in Ein Karem, Israel, I was overwhelmed with the beautiful display of sixty-seven mosaics containing the words of Luke 1:46–55 in as many languages. Traditionally known as the Magnificat from the Latin “to magnify,” these verses are Mary’s joyous response to the announcement that she will be the mother of the Messiah.
Each plaque contains Mary’s words, including: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. . . . For the Mighty One has done great things for me” (vv. 46–49). The biblical hymn etched in the tiles is a song of praise as Mary recounts the faithfulness of God to her and the nation of Israel.
A grateful recipient of God’s grace, Mary rejoices in her salvation (v. 47). She acknowledges that God’s mercy has extended to the Israelites for generations (v. 50). Looking back over God’s care for the Israelites, Mary praises God for His powerful acts on behalf of His people (v. 51). She also thanks God, recognizing that her daily provision comes from His hand (v. 53).
Mary shows us that recounting the great things God has done for us is a way to express praise and can lead us to rejoice. This Christmas season, consider God’s goodness as you reflect on the year. In doing so, you may create a mosaic of great beauty with your words of praise.
Prayer: Father, we praise You for the great things You’ve done in our lives this year. We rejoice in Your mercy and care for us.
Make a list of the ways God has blessed you this year and reflect on it in silence. Then share stories of His goodness with someone.
INSIGHT The birth of Jesus was a miracle because the Holy Spirit formed the body of Jesus in the womb of a young virgin girl. That this information comes to us from Luke is significant, because Luke was a doctor (Colossians 4:14) and understood the audacity of the claims of Jesus’s virgin conception and birth. But Luke first tells of another miraculous conception that predated Jesus by six months—that of John the Baptist (Luke 1:24–26). By human standards, his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, were too old to have a baby (vv. 7, 18). But in both the birth of Jesus and John the Baptist we see the working of God for whom nothing is impossible (v. 37 nasb). For more, see Mary and Joseph: Reflecting on the Wonder of Christmas at discoveryseries.org/hp074. Bill Crowder
Topic: Run That You May Obtain [TREM Devotional 15 December 2018]
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain”1 COR. 9:24
I want to encourage you this morning to run that you may obtain. The fact that we are involved in a race is no longer new, but what is unique about this race is that all of us can be winners. Unlike the track and field events and other competitions that produce only one winner (either a single individual or a team depending on the game), the Christian race is so designed that everyone can be a winner.
Looking at this scripture, you will understand the fact that he was writing to the whole church and encouraging everyone to run to obtain the prize. Beloved, if there is a prize, and since there is a prize, without a doubt, there is also a price. So what does it take to win in this race?
Let us look at The Living Bible translation of that scripture:
“In a race everyone runs, but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. ….. I fight to win. I’m not just shadow-boxing or playing around. Like an athlete I punish my body, treating it roughly, training it to do what it should, not what it wants to. Otherwise I fear that after enlisting others for the race, I myself might be declared unfit and ordered to stand aside.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (TLB)
Beloved, you do not have a choice but to run the race to win. God forbid that you run the race in vain. God forbid that the devil will successfully trip you on this race. However, there are certain things to note and that is what Apostle Paul went on to highlight that we must take note of if we must obtain the prize. We will look at that tomorrow.
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.
A yoke is a device that is used to connect two bulls together for farming purpose. The yoke will not allow one to go beyond the other because it is placed on their necks to keep them at the same pace. The animals yoked together must walk at the same level and drag their burden, the plough, in order to satisfy the purpose for which the farmer yoked them together. The same is applicable to a believer who is connected to an unbeliever in an intimate relationship. The weight of sin of the unbeliever will drag the believer’s holy life backward because the believer may need to compromise if he or she intends to continue in the relationship.
Bimpe’s mother placed two pots on two different stoves. She poured half a glass of water into one of the pots and poured some oil into the other pot, leaving Bimpe to wonder. She had just told her mother about her decision to marry the love of her life and all her mother had decided to do was bring her to the kitchen. She watched as her mother allowed the water boil and the oil to heat up. “Can you see that they are both hot?” her mother asked. “Yes”, Bimpe answered, wondering what that had to do with anything. She however, nearly shouted when her mother poured the hot water into the hot oil. “Can I still use this oil to fry plantain at this point?” her mother asked. “No now” Bimpe replied, “You’ve wasted the whole time the oil used in heating up”.
There are many believers like Bimpe, who allow themselves to be consumed by the passion and interests they have. Passion and attraction may however bring you to the same temperature level, but it does not necessarily indicate that you are on the right course.
Getting married to someone who is not a believer will only dampen and waste you. Quite a number of Christians may not agree with this because the cloud and influence of technology and modern living has blinded many, but the word of God remains true. A believer should not become unequally yoked with an unbeliever in marriage. This is not only about good character, or respectable family background. Christ Jesus has to be the foundation of your relationship and this trumps good character, attitude and personality, family reputation, etc. Do not make the common but unacceptable mistake of deciding to get married first and hoping to convert your spouse afterwards. You must trust God to bring you your jewel of inestimable value in due time. Stay within the kingdom. “Two will only walk together if they agree”. You have to agree, believe and know Jesus.
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE: CHRIST JESUS HAS TO BE THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP AND THIS TRUMPS GOOD CHARACTER, ATTITUDE AND PERSONALITY.
PROPHETIC WORD: May you walk with those who agree with God.
PRAYER POINTS:
MORNING
Every power that is yoking me with the child of the devil, die, in the name of Jesus.
Every yoke of darkness upon my life, break by fire, in the name of Jesus.
Powers of my father’s house, yoking my life with bondage, die, in the name of Jesus.
EVENING
O God my Father, deliver me from any evil association or relationship that I found myself in, in the name of Jesus.
Every power connecting me to evil partners, die by fire, in the name of Jesus.
O God my Father, connect me with my divine partners, in the name of Jesus.
I plug my head into the socket of divine favour, 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 — Fruit of the Spirit; Goodness [Open Heavens for Teens 15 December 2018]
Memorise:As we have therefore the opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. – Galatians 6:10
Read: Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
Bible In One Year: Amos 4-6, Revelation 6
MESSAGE:
Goodness is the essence of God’s nature. God is the only one that is filled with true goodness and hands it out to everyone, even people who are not in alignment with His will. Men on the other hand are naturally bad. Because of our sinful nature, it is simply impossible to exhibit true, undiluted goodness to everyone around us just for the sake of it and not for what we will get in return. Our natural urge is to defy God with sins and override fellow men into getting our own way.
However, there is good news for us! The Holy Spirit was sent to eradicate the wickedness in our flesh and replace it with goodness! Now it is very possible for a sinful man to do good and be truly goo through the help of the Holy spirit. Being good entails knowing the right thing to do and then doing it. It means exhibiting the love of God to fellow men. It means being fair, considerate and gracious to everyone at all times. And this can be possible only by relying solely on the Holy Spirit and obeying Him completely.
Prayer Point: Sweet Holy Spirit, please fill my heart with goodness.
Is your life a channel of blessing?
Is the love of God flowing through you?
Are you telling the lost of the Savior?
Are you ready His service to do?
Chorus:
Make me a channel of blessing today,
Make me a channel of blessing, I pray;
My life possessing, my service blessing,
Make me a channel of blessing today.
Is your life a channel of blessing?
Are you burdened for those that are lost?
Have you urged upon those who are straying
The Savior who does on the cross
Is your life a channel of blessing?
Is it a daily telling for Him?
Have you spoken the word of salvation?
To those who are dying in sin?
We cannot be channels of blessing
If our lives are not free from sin;
We will barriers be and a hindrance
To those we are trying to win.
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: Sure Hiding Place [DCLM Daily Manna 15 December 2018 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Psalm 102:1-11 (KJV)
Key Verse:“Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily” (Psalm 102:2).
MESSAGE:
As humans, as long as we still carry this corruptible body, we are exposed and prone to different physical (health), social, financial and environmental hazards capable of inflicting injuries upon our flesh and minds. In certain instances, these afflictions are from the conditions of living in the society. They challenge our faith, confession and profession.
Afflictions come in different shades and forms. They can take the form of serious sicknesses, plague, infirmities, depression, recession, oppression, social isolation and constriction, hostile environment and incessant family squabbles. These afflictions draw tears from our eyes but we should not allow the tears to form a cloud of darkness to blind us from discerning the source of the problem and sourcing for respite. Rather, it should produce sparkles of stars to lead us to God, the One who can give us support, succour and final deliverance from affliction.
Seeking help from the wrong sources is like groping in the dark during a storm. God is the only Source of respite. He is omniscient: He knows the very source of the affliction. He knows the solution and has the power to stop the affliction.
God’s panacea has no side-effect and no strings attached. When He delivers His own, He secures them under His protection, away from the power behind the affliction. He is worthy to be called upon and awaits our call when life around us is dark and dreary.
Thought For The Day: Prayer and faith are the antidotes to the storms of life.
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 Life of Sacrifice – A Way of the Covenant [Seeds of Destiny 15 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: Our willingness to sacrifice is an indication of our devotion to God.
A sacrificial life is a life that is committed fully and wholeheartedly to the things of God. A sacrificial person is one that is ready to give his/her life, time, resources and energy for the purpose of the Kingdom of God. Our willingness to sacrifice is an indication of our devotion to God. This means that whatever God demands of us per time is releasable to him.
To be in covenant with God is to live the life of sacrifice.
Now, what does the life of sacrifice do in a life of a person?
Sacrifice facilitates the reversal of curses
When God saw the sacrifice of Noah, He promised not to curse the ground again for man’s sake (Genesis 8:21). This implies that your sacrifice can neutralise every generational, family or witchcraft curse against your life. A person of sacrifice is not be-witchable, curse-able or charm-able.
Sacrifice and covenant living activate the intervention of God in times of trouble (Psalm 50:5, 14-15).
God remembers your sacrifice and intervenes in times of trouble.
Beloved, my counsel is, maintain an unwavering commitment to God by living a life of sacrifice. Be so committed until God bears you witness and can even boast about you. Do not move about looking for human approval because most times, human approval does not equal Divine verdict. God can never do serious things with unserious people. Be serious with God in your covenant walk with Him.
Remember This: Our willingness to sacrifice is an indication of our devotion to God.
Assignments:
Use your gift, talents, time, resources etc. to serve God faithfully.
Avoid the lifestyle of grumbling and complaining
Prayer: O Lord, I ask that You help me to live a life of sacrifice. I refuse to murmur and complain. I lay my all at Your Feet, Lord in Jesus Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE COVERING OF THE COVENANT
Quote: Do not do anything at all, if you are not willing to do it well. Culled from 21 UNCOMMON KEYS TO FINANCIAL OVERFLOW by Dr Paul Enenche
Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 19:1 to 21:30, Romans 2:25 to 3:8, Psalm 11:1 to 7, Proverbs 19:10 to 12.
Amazing Fact: You share your birthday with at least 9 million other people in the world.
Today In History: 15/12/1891 – James Naismith invented the sport of basketball.
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: A Carefree Christmas [Kenneth Copeland Devotional 15 December 2018]
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. – Philippians 4:6
Can you really have a merry Christmas even when you have a thousand and one pressures bearing down on you? Yes, you can—and you don’t have to leave the country to do it. No matter how intense or how trivial the problems are that you’re facing right now, you can have the most wonderful, most carefree Christmas season you’ve ever had in your life; and you can start having it today.
As a believer, you’re probably familiar with that scripture that says to be anxious for nothing. But, have you ever taken it seriously enough to put it into action? There’s a good chance you haven’t because you haven’t understood just how dangerous those anxieties are. You probably haven’t realized that they’re a deadly part of the devil’s strategy against you.
That’s right. Worry is one of the chief weapons of his warfare. If he can get you to worry about them, he can use the financial pressures and family pressures and scheduling problems that are just a “normal” part of everyday life to weigh you down and drag you into more trouble than you think possible.
Medical science tells us that a high percentage of the people hospitalized in the U.S.A. are there with ailments caused by worry and tension. Yet, a great many believers worry without even thinking about it. They’ll worry about being too short or too skinny. They’ll stew over this and that and not even realize they’ve been sinning.
“Sinning, Brother Copeland?”
Yes! For the born-again, Spirit-filled believer who owns a Bible—worrying is a sin. So, even if the Christmas cards are late and 45 people are coming to your house for Christmas dinner, don’t worry.
Instead, do what the Bible says to do. Pray, making your request known to God…and praise Him for the answer. Then you’ll have peace.
Now, go ahead and have a truly merry Christmas, you carefree thing 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.
Topic: Proof Of The Resurrection [Andrew Wommack Devotional 15 December 2018]
Matthew 28:11“Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and showed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.”
In the Jews’ efforts to prevent anything from happening that would cause people to believe that Jesus was resurrected, they gave one of the most sure proofs of His resurrection. They sealed the tomb so it would be obvious if it had been opened and they obtained a guard of soldiers to protect it.
This removes all doubt that the followers of Jesus could have stolen His body. Therefore, the enemies of Jesus became a historical witness that Jesus literally rose from the dead.
The guards told the chief priests everything that happened at the tomb. This means that they had a complete account of the earthquake, the angels rolling away the stone, and the angels giving the message to the women that Jesus was alive from the dead. They may have even seen Jesus walk out of the tomb.
The very ones that the Jews had secured to guarantee there would be no rumors of Jesus being raised from the dead, became the first witnesses and heralds of the resurrection. Yet, with the testimony of impartial, non-religious eyewitnesses, they chose not to believe (Lk. 16:31).
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).
Lord Chesterton once said, “I believe in bedside repentance, but I do not want to depend upon it.” During a serious illness a person’s mind does not function normally. Getting right with God is something one should do in the bloom of health. However, as far as the Lord is concerned, “His ear is not heavy that He cannot hear, nor His arm shortened that He cannot save.” He loves us equally, in sickness or in health; while we are living, or while we are dying. In my experience, I have not known of too many people who found Christ on their deathbed. When we come to Christ in our youth, a life is saved. When we come in old age, a soul is salvaged and life eternal is assured; but the opportunity to live a life for Christ has been lost.
Prayer for the day: Lord God, burden my heart to reach out to the young persons starting their adventure in life—and the old persons dreading the end of their journey. Let me tell them the message of Your saving love.
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.
Open Heaven 15 December 2018 Saturday Daily Devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Pay Attention to the Heart
Topic: Pay Attention to the Heart (Open Heaven 15 December 2018)
Memorise:“Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.”-Matthew 23:28
Read: Matthew 23:24-28 (KJV)
24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Bible in One Year: Hosea 5-9, John 11:44-12:8
Open Heaven 15 December 2018 Saturday MESSAGE:
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” – Matthew 22:39
For us not to lose our reward from God, we need to pay close attention to the words He uses when He speaks to us. The words in the above scripture say, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself” and not “Acts as though you love your neighbor as you love yourself” I have come to observe that the Christian life of many professed Christian has become a stage play. They act out characters that are completely different from who really are. If God was to show the state of your heart to those you relate with, will they still see you the same way you have always portrayed yourself to be?
God not recognize humility by how many people you call “sir” or “ma”; He looks into your heart to see if you have a humble heart. He does not recognize love by the sweet words you say; He checks your intentions. God cannot be deceived, and even if you deceive your pastor, my God sees your heart and knows those who are His and those who are not (2 Timothy 2:19). I wonder why a person will try to look holy when looking holy does not count at all before God? Looking holy will not take anyone to heaven, but being holy will. Which is most important to you: how God sees you or how your fellow human beings see you? To me, it does not matter how holy people say I am; I am only interested in what my God says. Sometime ago, at a Christian conference, the organizers asked that soft music be played while we all mediate. While meditating, I went into a trance and saw myself in a place that looked like the throne room of God. All the angels were so pure that they were transparent, and I looked extremely dirty in their midst. When I got out of that trance, I determined that if I was to enter that room again in a trance, I would not look the way I saw myself that day. I was already a holiness preacher by then, and people all around said I was holy man, but that did not matter to me. All that matters to me now is how Jesus sees me. Stop pretending to be holy; rather, live a holy life for real!
On the other hand, some people dress and act like unbelievers, and then they turn around to say their outward appearance does not matter, because God looks inward. This is true, but what is on the inside will show on the outside. Stop deceiving yourself; if you like to look and talk like an unbeliever, then you are just the same as them. It is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). Your outward life needs to reflect the transformation you claim has occurred inside your heart. Is your life reflecting this transformation?
Open Heaven 15 December 2018 Saturday Action Point:
Pay attention to how God sees you and not what people think of you.
Open Heaven 15 December 2018 Saturday Hymn 12: Take My Life, And Let It Be
1.Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise,
Let them flow in endless praise.
2.Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
3.Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold, Not a mite would I withhold. Take my intellect and use Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose, Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it Thine, It shall be no longer mine. Take my heart, it is Thine own, It shall be Thy royal throne, It shall be Thy royal throne.
6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure store. Take myself and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee, Ever, only, all for Thee.
Open Heaven 15 December 2018 Saturday 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 15 December 2018 Saturday 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.
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