Topic: He Cares for You and Wants to Comfort You [Joyce Meyer Devotional 18 November 2018]

For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised. — Hebrews 10:36 (AMP)

I believe God mourns with us when we suffer a great loss. After all, when Jesus taught us to pray, He told us to call God “Abba,” which is best translated as “Daddy.”

What daddy doesn’t ache when his little boy comes home defeated after striking out at his Little League game? What mother doesn’t feel her own heart break as her little girl comes home from school having been taunted on the playground?

In the overall scheme of things, these are tiny losses and hurts, and the parent knows that. But the pain of seeing your child suffering is piercing nonetheless.

Immediately after teaching the disciples to pray what we know as the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus asked, What man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent? (Matthew 7:9–10 AMPC).

In other words, because He is our Father, God suffers when we suffer. And while He could change our circumstances in an instant, more often than not, He doesn’t. But when He sees His child suffer, He suffers, too.

When you are feeling loss and sorrow, ask God to hold you in the hollow of His hand, to whisper His comfort and to stroke your head, like a parent fussing over his fevered child. You may or may not feel that comfort, but God’s Word is true, and so is He.

Prayer Starter: Thank You, Father, that You are the God of all comfort and You suffer when I suffer. Please comfort me today. Help me to sense Your loving presence in everything I do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional HERE’’

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

Topic: Look From Where You Are [TREM Devotional 18 November 2018]

“And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.” Genesis 13:14, 15 KJV

Abraham and Lot were having some contention over grazing land. Their herdsmen were having quarrels and Abraham came to Lot and said look, let there be no quarrel between us. Look at the land before us and choose. If you take the right I will go to the left. If you choose the left I will go to the right. Lot therefore looked at the fresh and lustre land heading towards Sodom and chose it. He saw it with his natural eyes and it was beautiful. And what Abraham was left with was dry. It was like a desert. It seemed like Abraham had lost everything. It was like there was no hope for him.

You know sometimes God will orchestrate some departure, so that you can see clearly, so that those people can leave you because when they are around you cannot go far. And oftentimes when we don’t understand the move of God in our lives, we get upset. There are some people God will deliberately get out of your life because of what He wants to birth through you. There are people that God will deliberately keep away because he does not want them to be part of your celebration.

When Lot was separated, God said to Abraham, now lift your eyes from where you are. In other, words stop looking at what you are facing. Mourning and crying over what you are facing will not help you. Lift up your eyes and see what is beyond what you are facing. As far as your eyes can see; north, south, east and west shall be given unto you for a possession. God wants to give you blessing without measure. What can you see from where you are?

Further Reading: Genesis 13:1-18

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Ezekiel 8-10; Evening- Hebrews 13

“If you missed yesterday devotional click HERE to read TREM Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’

Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.

Understanding the Anointing! By David Oyedepo

Topic: Understanding the Anointing!

Welcome to another impactful week! I hope you were blessed by last week teaching. Today, we shall focus on: Understanding the Anointing!

Anointing is a divine enabling. It is an outflow of the Holy Spirit through a human vessel. There is a difference between the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the anointing. Baptism of the Holy Spirit is just the beginning of the race. It is the matriculation ceremony into the school of anointing and power. It is like an initiation into spiritual depth. Initiation brings about identification; and it is in the course of identification that we receive an overflow –a higher dimension of the Holy Spirit. Let us explore the different levels of the Holy Spirit.

A Well: The Bible records: Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life(John 4: 13-14). In the above scripture, Jesus met a Samaritan woman at the well and asked her to give Him water to drink. The woman was astonished, because the Jews didn’t have anything to do with the Samaritans. As a result, Jesus tried to show her that He was more than just a Jew; He had something more to offer her that she knew not of –a well of living water flowing from inside her. This illustration is talking about our encounter with the Holy Spirit at new birth, for no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. This experience is compared to a well of water. The level of the Holy Spirit in us at conversion is likened to a well of water.

Also Read: Understanding Our right to Health in Redemption! By David Oyedepo

A River: It is written in John 7:37-39: In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified. This scripture talks about the baptism of the Holy Spirit which is received by those who already believe. This experience is likened to a river of water.

The Rain: In the Scripture, the anointing is likened to rain. It is written: Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field (Zechariah 10:1; see also Joel 2:23). These scriptures clearly refer to the anointing. This is the rain of God’s power from above. Rain is the life wire of the well and river. It determines their welfare and is the only way by which they are filled up. The function to which a river is put is determined by the level of water it has and this level of water is dependent on rain.

What qualifies us for the Anointing?

Be Righteous: Jesus loved righteousness and hated wickedness; that was why He never ran out of the anointing. He was anointed with the Oil of Gladness above His fellows. It follows therefore that anyone who will receive the anointing must love righteousness and hate iniquity. We should not be deceived; sin places a limit on the anointing. If we are ignorant of this fact, we may continue to sin and not be able to grow in the anointing. Moreover, the level to which we love righteousness and hate iniquity determines the level of our anointing. The Bible says: Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows (Psalm 45:6-7)

Walk in Love: All issues of life emanate from love. This also goes with the anointing. A man that will flow in the anointing and demonstrate the power of the Spirit must be a man of love. The Bible records: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised (Luke 4:18). Every time Jesus was moved with compassion, there was a release of anointing which gave birth to signs and wonders. So, anointing is basically for service.

Live a Praiseful Life: Nothing short circuits anointing more than a life void of praise and worship. Murmuring and complaining keeps anointing far away from our territory. The more we praise, the more the unction; the more the worship, the more the anointing. God is fearful in praises. It is written: Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders (Exodus 15:11). He manifests Himself in an atmosphere of thanksgiving. Jesus never complained, neither did He murmur. He was never offended in God. No wonder He never lacked the anointing. Praise keeps the anointing flowing and destroys every yoke in our lives.

In conclusion, righteousness has its price. God has paid His own price by sending His dear Son to die on the cross of Calvary. Therefore, you need to play your own part too by being a bonafide child of God. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”

For further reading, please get my books: Anointing for Breakthrough, Understanding the Anointing, Anointing for Exploits, Release of Power and Manifestation of the Spirit. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: [email protected]; Face book: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/; Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin

Please click HERE to read other inspiring MESSAGES by Bishop David Oyedepo

David O. Oyedepo is a Nigerian Christian author, architect, preacher, and the founder and presiding bishop of the mega church, Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners’ Chapel

Sanctification: Platform For Wonders by David Ibiyeomie

Topic — Sanctification: Platform For Wonders

Romans 8:19 (KJV) For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Christianity is not a religion; but a call to manifestation. The whole world is waiting for your manifestation and not your explanation. The only way to prove to the world that Jesus is alive is by the signs and wonders we command.

John 4:48 (KJV) Then said Jesus unto him, except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

John 14:12 (KJV) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

As a child of God, working in signs and wonders is your birthright. To be born-again is to be born into signs and wonders. However, sanctification is what gives you the platform and foundation for a life of signs and wonders. Before Jesus could operate in signs and wonders, He had platforms of holiness, purity and sanctification. So to operate in signs and wonders, you must live a holy life.

Also Read: Divine Power by David Ibiyeomie

Joshua 3:5 (KJV) And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.

Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a regenerated Christian that purifies, quickens the conscience to be alive and destroys the quest for sin. Until you are sanctified, you cannot see wonders. Sanctification is essential for every child of God because it guarantees divine intervention.

Psalms 45:7-8 (KJV) Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

God anoints you for wonders when you forsake sin.

Also sanctification enables you have a relationship with God.

John 8:29b (KJV) …For I do always those things that please him.

Factors that Guarantee Sanctification:

1. New birth- When you are born-again, your spirit rules over the flesh. John 3:3 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

2. The Use of the Will-Power- 1 Corinthians 9:27 (KJV) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

3. The Help of the Holy Spirit- Romans 8:26 (KJV) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

The Holy Spirit helps us through His voice and when we pray in other tongues.

Consciously walk in purity from today and be launched into an endless season of signs and wonders in Jesus Name – Amen!

God bless you

Also Read: Other Inspiring Messages by Pastor David Ibiyeomie

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

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