Topic: Breaking Forth In Fasting [Seeds of Destiny 14 December 2018 Devotional]
Scripture:Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?…Isaiah 58:6
Thought For The Day: Fasting comes with a force that breaks things forth and opens doors where necessary.
Fasting is a major key to breaking forth in life and destiny. The period of fasting is a period of breaking forth in many realms. Fasting comes with a force that breaks things forth and opens doors where necessary.
There are many dimensions of breaking forth brought about by fasting. Let me give you three of them:
Breaking Forth into Liberty
The period of fasting is a period for breaking of chains, ancestral and generational yokes and diverse bondages. It is a period of captivity turnaround (Isaiah 58:6).
Breaking Forth of Light
The fast period is a period of multi-dimensional explosions of light; it is the season where scriptures come alive (Isaiah 58:8).
Breaking Forth in Health
During the period of fast, diverse ailments and afflictions are healed (Isaiah 58:8).
Now, how do we fast productively?
Reach out to the needy as a lifestyle
Reaching out to the needy is a key to a productive fast. People who are hardened against the needy do not see much result from their fast (Isaiah 58:7).
Avoid careless talk
The period of fasting is the period of spiritual exercise and soberness. We must avoid vanity, loquacity and talkativeness (Isaiah 58:9).
Avoid wordless fast
We must study the scriptures while fasting. Light and revelations come out from the Word during fasting (John 1:1-5).
Beloved, make up your mind to fast often in order to deepen your relationship with God.
Remember This: Fasting comes with a force that breaks things forth and open doors where necessary.
Assignments:
Take at least one day in the week to wait on the Lord in fasting, praying and studying of the Word.
Let prayer flow sufficiently during fasting.
Prayer: O Lord, I ask for the grace to wait on You in fasting. Open my eyes to see and hear from You in this season, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: BREAKING FORTH IN FASTING.
Quote: Any step taken outside of God is a step unto disaster. Culled from 21 FOOLISH THINGS PEOPLE DO by Dr Paul Enenche
Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 16:37 to 18:17, Romans 2:1 to 24, Psalm 10:16 to 18, Proverbs 19:8 to 9.
Amazing Fact: A year on Mercury is just 88 days long.
Today In History: 14/12/1918 – British women voted for the first time in a general election and were allowed to run for office.
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
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RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 16 December 2018 Lesson 16 – Knowing God’s In Marriage
TOPIC: Knowing God’s In Marriage
OPENING PRAYER: Father, let all our youth discover your will in marriage and help them to do it.(Scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 16 DECEMBER 2018 HYMN)
MEMORY VERSE:“Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” – Proverbs 18:22 (scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 16 DECEMBER 2018 HYMN)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 24:1-19 KJV (RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 16 December 2018)
1 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
3 And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.
7 The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.
8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.
10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
12 And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
LESSON INTRODUCTION: Marriage is ordained by God and it is a legal relationship between a man and a woman that should last for a life time. Gen. 2:22-23. The step taken before going into this journey is very important to prevent pitfalls. In knowing God’s will therefore, you do not have to rely vague feelings and strange rituals.
TEXT REVIEW: GEN. 24:1-19 “MARRIAGE TO WRATH” i. The instruction to seek only God’s will for Isaac in marriage was followed by an oath. Gen. 24:2-3,8. ii. In Isaac’s days it involved travelling to Mesopotamia from Canaan to the city of Major. Gen. 24 :10-11. iii. Living in the land of Canaan did not translate to marrying the Canaanite. Abraham identified himself as a stranger Canaan. He said, ” I am a stranger and a sojourner with you”. Gen. 23:24, but thou, my servant shall go to my country and to my kindred, Gen. 24:4 and take a wife for my son, Isaac. Gen. 24:4. iv. The effort of going out of Canaan to Nahor might look cumbersome especially in the light of verse 10 of Gen. 24, but if we consider the characters and spiritual dispositions of the Canaanite, we would prefer to follow the instruction. Psalm 106:38 indicates that blood of innocent sons and daughters were shed as sacrifice to Canaan’s idols. Sons and daughters were sacrificed to demons. Verse 37-38. v. Canaanite represent ungodly people, therefore intermarriage with them might open the believers to the risk of mingling with the gentles. Psalm 106:35-36. Such attitude would surely attract the wrath of God. Psalm 106:40.
LESSON OUTLINE 1: RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD FIRST i. God created/started marriage. Gen. 2:18. ii. God will give right thing to His children who rely on Him. Her. 10:23. iii. God does not do or allow guess game. 1 Cor. 14:33 iv. God reveals right path to His children who seek for guidance. Psalm 119:105. v. God’s children must develop a relationship with Him first. Psalm 119:130. vi. Believers must learn to fellowship with God and not fear. 2 Tim. 1:7. vii. Believers must develop their God-given gift and watch their step.Psalm 85: 8; 37:23. viii. Believers must develop their purpose through relationship with Jesus Christ. John 18:37. ix. Discovering purpose will reduce stress and prepare one for eternity. 2 Peter 1:3-4. x. Believers must work in God’s vineyard. They must also have source of income. Gen. 2:15-18.
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Why do some people marry outside God’s will?
LESSON OUTLINE 2: HOW DO WE RECOGNISE HIS WILL IN MARRIAGE? Since God does want His children to be joined with unbelievers in marriage, ( 2 Cro. 6:14-17)then, there must be specific guidelines to be followed as indicates below: i. Discover His will through His word. Prov. 3:5-7. His word Israel and not shadow. ii. Pray for God’s approval. Prov. 18:22; Gen. 19:14. iii. Be sensitive and pay attention to those doors He opens and closes with regard to the issue of marriage. Phil. 2:12. iv. God will use circumstances and situations to perfect His will. Phil. 2:13. v. God reveals His will through the counsel from elders or spiritual heads in the church. Psalm 1:1; Pro.19:21; 11:14; 15:22; Acts 1:24; Titus 2:3-5. vi. Believers should not despise Godly counsel from spiritual heads. Prov. 14:29b; Isa. 52:12. vii. Avoid pressures from peer, passion for sex, age and poverty to be cloud your reasoning or influence your decision and lead you into temptation. Matt. 26:41. viii. Keep company with believers and avoid company with unbelievers. 1 Cor. 15:33.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Identify some consequences of making marital choice with God’s will.
SUMMARY: Believers must marry only God’s will.
CONCLUSION: Prayer, pure word of God, worship, fellowship and service for God and right environment of good spiritual nourishment are factors that aid our spiritual sensitivity. As a child of God, you have His word, His spirit within you and His ministers to guide and counsel you.
EVALUATION: How can believers know God’s will.
CLOSING PRAYER: Father, let your will be done in marriages in our church.
ASSIGNMENT: Find out ten (10) attractions that could lead a person to choose a marriage partner outside the will of God.
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RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 16 DECEMBER 2018 HYMN
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
TOPIC: Knowing God’s In Marriage [RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 16 December 2018]
MEMORY VERSE: “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” – Proverbs 18:22 (scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 16 DECEMBER 2018 HYMN)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 24:1-19 (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 16 December 2018)
1 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
3 And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.
7 The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.
8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.
10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
12 And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
LESSON INTRODUCTION: Marriage is ordained by God and it is a legal relationship between a man and a woman that should last for a life time. Gen. 2:22-23. The step taken before going into this journey is very important to prevent pitfalls. In knowing God’s will therefore, you do not have to rely vague feelings and strange rituals.
LESSON OUTLINES
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD FIRST
HOW DO WE RECOGNISE HIS WILL IN MARRIAGE?
1. RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD FIRST Marriage is a creation of God, it all started from Him(Gen. 2:18).God will only guide His own(Jer. 10:23). He will not play a guessing game with His people(1 Cor. 14:33). He wants us to know and do His will and He is actively involved in revealing it. Therefore, before seeking God’s will in marriage, develop a relationship with Him(Psalm 119:105,130). You must not live your life in fear but in fellowship with God(2 Tim. 1:7). Develop your God’s given gift and master how God deals with or guides your steps( Psalm 85:8; 37:23). Discover your purpose through a relationship with Jesus Christ (John 18 :37). This will reduce stress, give your life meaning and prepare you for eternity (2 Peter 1:3-4). You must be found working in His vineyard like Adam and have a source of income( Gen. 2:15-18) because marriage is not for lazy people. Marriage is for matured adults, not juveniles.
2. HOW DO WE RECOGNISE HIS WILL IN MARRIAGE? The Scripture is clear about the fact that God does not His people to be joined with unbelievers in marriage (2 Cor. 6:14-17). How then do we recognise his will in marriage?
Through the word of God. (Prov. 3:5-7)
God has placed His words in our hands so that we can have a more objective set of guidelines to follow than dreams, feelings and impulses. Despite your dreams and your conviction, pray to have spiritual backing.( Prov. 18:22; 19:14; Gen. 2:22).
God will work in you to do His will. He will use circumstances and situations to perfect His will for your life.(Rom. 8:28; Phil. 2::12-13).
Through the counsel from elders or spiritual heads in the church. (Psalm 1:1; Prov.19:21; 11:14; 15:22; Acts 1:24; Titus 2:3-5). Do not despise Godly counsel from spiritual heads. (Prov.14:29b; Isa. 52:12).
However, be careful of the following pitfalls: i. Passion for sex, peer/ parental pressure, age and poverty etc may influence your hasty decision or push you into marriage. Watch and pray to overcome temptations (Matt. 26:41) ii. The environment you are in and the friend you keep may also influence your choice. Therefore, keep company with believers and not unbelievers (1 Cor. 15:33).
CONCLUSION: Prayer, pure word of God, worship, fellowship and service for God and right environment of good spiritual nourishment are factors that aid our spiritual sensitivity. As a child of God, you have His word, His spirit within you and His ministers to guide and counsel you.
QUESTIONS:
Why have a relationship with God before marriage?
How do you know God’s will in marriage?
ASSIGNMENT: Find out ten (10) attractions that could lead a person to choose a marriage partner outside the will of God.
For Further Reading: 1 Cor. 7:32; Prov. 20:18; Judges 14:1-3; Psalm 25:9.
Topic: No Deposit—No Return [Kenneth Copeland Devotional 14 December 2018]
…Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments…. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. –Psalm 112:1,7
Are you ready to face a crisis? Don’t wait until one hits to find out. Prepare yourself now.
That’s what a couple of my Partners did. They faced a situation that would have made many people panic. But when the crisis hit, their hearts were so deeply established on the Word of God that their first response was not one of fear but of faith.
What affected me most when I heard their testimony was one particular phrase they kept using:
No Deposit—No Return
What they meant by that was that if you don’t take the time to deposit the Word in your heart now, it won’t be there later when you really need it. You’ll end up in a crisis with only doubt and unbelief instead of the faith and power you need to see you through. In a situation like the one this couple faced, that could be deadly.
You see, their 2-year-old son had suffered a fall that had cracked his skull and critically injured his neck. He had no feeling in his arms and legs and was unable to move. Yet as they rushed him to the emergency room, a great sense of peace rested on them. Rather than crying with fear, they prayed in faith and declared, “By Jesus’ stripes, our son is healed!”
Sure enough, within hours, their boy was totally restored. Even the X-rays verified the fact that a miracle had taken place.
What’s important to understand about that story is this: The victory was not won when the damage to that little boy’s body disappeared. It was won all during the days and weeks and months before when his parents were listening to tapes and studying the Word and praying in the spirit. It was won because these people had spent time building a foundation on the Word so that when this storm came, they were able to stand.
Now is the time for you to build a rock-solid foundation! Don’t wait around until you’re faced with a crisis. Get the Word in your heart in abundance now, so when you really need it, it will flow out in power.
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.
Apple’s CEO Tim Cook Commits to Censoring Speech against the Company’s Agenda, Franklin Graham Responds
Apple CEO Tim Cook announced to the Anti-Defamation League that the company will ban speech or news content that they do not like.
According to CBN News, Cook who received the “Courage Against Hate” award from the league, reportedly defended his company’s decision to ban speech on Apple platforms that “violate[d] the values of the company” during the 2016 election.
While accepting his award, Cook noted that since the “earliest days of I-Tunes” the company has ban songs that spread hate. Cook said, “At Apple, we are not afraid to say that our values drive our curation decisions.”
He continued, “We believe the future should belong to those who use technology to build a better, more inclusive, and more hopeful world.”
“I believe the most sacred thing that each of us is given is our judgment, our morality, our own innate desire to separate right from wrong. Choosing to set that responsibility aside in a moment of trial is a sin,” he added.
Following Cook’s announcement, Evangelist Franklin Graham responded to Apple’s decision to censor speech. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Graham asked his readers, “Who defines morality?”
He continued, “Apple CEO Tim Cook recently received the Courage Against Hate award, ‘for his work as a champion of unity, diversity, and social progress.’”
Topic: Value Christ Higher Than Self [Andrew Wommack Devotional 14 December 2018]
Matthew 28:9“And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.”
Self-denial is embraced by much of Christianity today. Historically, self-denial has always been a big part of false religion. Most religions of the world teach an abasement of self, but they do it as penitence in order to obtain salvation. This is not the denying of self that the Bible advocates.
True self-denial as the scriptures promote is not self hatred or masochism, but rather an enthroning of Christ above self. We have a new identity in Christ that replaces the old self. We don’t deny self in order to obtain salvation, but it is a love response to what Christ has already done for us. He gave His all for us and we willingly give our all back to Him.
Denying self in an attempt to earn salvation is most always motivated by guilt and characterized by rigid rules. True Christianity, on the other hand, is not the observance of rituals, but a relationship that produces holiness as a fruit and not the root of salvation.
Holiness doesn’t come from the outside and work its way inside. When we are born again we become righteous, and we work that holiness out into our physical lives.
Trying to destroy the power of self through harsh laws actually arouses and strengthens sin. Christians must not let life become a set of rules, but rather a response to a loving relationship with Jesus Christ.
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: He Hears You [Billy Graham Devotional 14 December 2018]
If we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. — 1 John 5:14
God has said, “If my people . . . pray . . . then will I hear from heaven.” Before three thousand people were brought into the Church on the day of Pentecost, the disciples had spent ten days in prayer, fasting, and spiritual travail. God desires that Christians be concerned and burdened for a lost world. If we pray this kind of prayer, an era of peace may come to the world and the hordes of wickedness may be turned back.
Prayer for the day: Almighty God, burden my heart for those in the world who have not experienced Your peace in their lives.
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 14 December 2018 Friday Daily Devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Need for Discernment
Topic: The Need for Discernment (Open Heaven 14 December 2018)
Memorise:“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”– 1 John 4:1
Read: Joshua 9:1-16, Acts 16:16-18 (KJV)
Joshua 9:1-16: 1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
2 That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.
3 And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,
4 They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up;
5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.
6 And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us.
7 And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you?
8 And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye?
9 And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt,
10 And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth.
11 Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us.
12 This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy:
13 And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.
14 And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.
15 And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.
16 And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.
Acts 16:16-18: 16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
Bible in One Year: Hosea 1-4, John 11:27-44
Open Heaven 14 December 2018 Friday MESSAGE:
There are so many con-artists in the Church and in the world today, so much so that the gift of discernment has become a necessity in the life of every believer. In your business dealings, if you do not want to fall victim to the cankerworm of cheats and frauds, you need to rely on the Holy Spirit to help you exercise discernment over business opportunities that are brought your way. In your job, if you do want to escape from agents of darkness looking for every opportunity to milk their employers dry and implicate innocent people along the way, you need the gift of discernment to begin to operate in your life. The stories narrated in our Bible readings are good life lessons on the need of the gift of discernment. Joshua was hasty in entering into a pact with the Gibeonites without first consulting God and he ended up falling for a lie; the impact of which continued to affect the Israelites generations after (2 Samuel 21:1-9). Be wary of any deal or matter that is brought before you which requires you to make a hasty commitment. Also, at your work place, be careful when a document is brought for your signature and pressure is being applied on you to sign it quickly without thoroughly scrutinizing its contents.
In contrast to Joshua who fell for the lies of the Gibeonites, we also read of Paul who was able to detect the spirit of divination at work in the supposed “public relations secretary” who volunteered to serve his missionary team in Thyatira. She followed Paul and his team for several days, publicizing what Paul and his team came to do in that locality. Thank God that Paul, through the gift of discernment, detected after many days that it was a demonic spirit at work in her. If this was not found out, many people would have assumed that she was operating with the same spirit as Paul and his team, luring them to follow her and enabling the evil spirit in her to make merchandize of them. This would have brought shame to the Name of Jesus Christ, and the message of the gospel would have been adulterated. This is a great lesson for evangelist and missionaries: volunteers should be handled with caution. Free services may not be free at the end of the day. We have had such experiences in our ministry, where people have come to tell us that there are openings in some countries for missions, only for us to later find out that they were just trying to use the church to realize their dream of getting out of the country, or even trying to swindle the church of her money. We therefore, need the gift of discernment to be able to detect the wily moves of the enemy. This gift is freely given when you thirst and ask God for it in prayer. Ask for it today.
Open Heaven 14 December 2018 Friday Prayer Point:
Father, please endow me with the gift of discernment so that I can always distinguise falsehood from the truth.
Open Heaven 14 December 2018 Friday Hymn 15: Nearer My God To Thee
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness comes over me, my rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
There let me see the sight, an open Heaven;
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;
So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
Open Heaven 14 December 2018 Friday 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 14 December 2018 Friday Daily Devotional
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An article from CBN reports that the vocal 72-year-old didn’t hesitate when responding to the critique that “reading it feels like being upbraided by a passionate preacher.”
“The Publishers Weekly review is exactly what I hoped for. I decided from the very beginning that I would tell it like it is because I have not—and will not—be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God’s truth is always right, and I’m very proud that this notable publication has accused me of preaching it,” Robertson stated in a press release.
“And preach I will—more of it, and louder. That’s exactly why I wrote The Theft of America’s Soul to begin with. It is one long sermon from my heart to the soul of America,” he added.
The Theft of America’s Soul is set to be released on February 5th, 2019. Those interested in a preview are welcome to download the first chapter here.
Robertson is best known for his time on the former A&E series “Duck Dynasty.” Joined by various other members of the duck-calling Robertson clan, the…
Terrorist Yelled ‘Allah is Great!’ during Fatal Christmas Market Shooting
A manhunt is taking place in France as officials search for a gunman who opened fire on the crowded Christmas shopping center in Strasbourg close to the border with Germany. The man was heard yelling Allahu Akbar, which translates to “Allah is great” in Arabic.
The attack left two dead, one brain dead, and a total of 12 individuals receiving wounds. Many of the victims are in critical condition.
According to French police, the suspect in question is Cherif Chekatt, a 29-year-old with a lengthy criminal record in France and Germany. Chekatt has a total of 25 cases against him and is regarded as an “extremist.”
The nation remains on high alert as more than 700 officers are deployed in the manhunt along with an additional 1,800 soldiers that have been given the task of guarding the streets.
Tensions were high as the military managed to corner Chekatt at one point, only to have him escape shortly after.
One onlooker mentions that when the shots were first fired, he wasn’t sure what was taking place. “I heard gunshots outside. I heard like 2 or 3 gunshots at first, which I thought were just firecrackers,” Maurice stated.
Reactions to the shooting were varied, with some recording videos of the area with the gunshots echoing in the background, and others scrambling to take shelter in an effort to protect themselves.
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