Topic: Count Your Blessings [Joyce Meyer’s Devotional Monday July 23, 2018]

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. — Daniel 6:10

Recently I have been writing down 10 things each day that I am thankful for, and each day I try to make them something different. I am literally counting my blessings, and it has been a fun project.

It is amazing how many things we can begin to take for granted unless we purpose to remember how blessed we are. By looking for 10 different things each day, I have gone beyond the things I would normally think of, and have been pleasantly surprised by all the things I have realized are blessings in my life that I certainly would not want to do without—even things like the smell of a good candle or hot and cold running water.

Let’s be aggressive in offering God the fruit of lips thankfully praising Him!

Prayer Starter: Father, help me realize how much I have to be thankful for. Thank You for reminding me to be thankful!

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

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

Topic: Two Becoming One (Part 3)

Dear Reader,

It is a new day for you! For the past two weeks I have shown you the mystery of two becoming one and two people having one life. Today, I will be taking you through: the concept of oneness.

In marriage, a man is united to his wife. Their unity is based upon vows to live together as husband and wife and be faithful to each other, whatever the circumstances, until ‘death do us part’. Their vows are made in the presence of God, and He is the divine witness to the marriage. Husbands and wives are, in fact, entering into a covenant relationship that cannot be broken, except by death; even when one partner proves unfaithful. In their heart and conscience, they know that the bond created by marriage is for life.

The marriage union provides the fullest expression of mutual loving companionship that human beings can experience in this world. The union created by marriage is not only physical but also an emotional and spiritual unity of profound dimensions, as the husband and wife become one flesh.

The importance of the concept of oneness in marriage cannot be over-emphasized. The Bible declares that it is good and pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity (Psalm 133:1). If it is good for brethren to dwell together in unity, it is certainly more so for a couple to be united. When unity exists between a couple, tremendous powers are made available and the impossible becomes possible to them. The Word of God says: Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 18:19).

There is a fascinating story of the effect of oneness in Genesis 11:1-9. The people were one and had one language. That means they were united. They purposed to build a tower and a city that would reach heaven. Because of their oneness, even though it looked like an impossible task, God Himself acknowledged possibility. The Word of God says: And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do (Matthew 18:19).

If a couple is truly merged in spirit, soul and body, nothing will be impossible unto them. This is the force of unity at work. It is the original concept of God in marriage that couples enjoy the benefits of oneness. The concept of oneness teaches the believer so many lessons: – firstly, if you are truly one with your spouse, you will treat him/her as yourself. The Word of God says: For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it (Ephesians 5:29). If you, for any reason, hate your spouse, it is a sign that you are not united with him/her. The Word of God says: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them… (Matthew 7:12). Whatever you cannot do to yourself, you will not do to your spouse. An understanding of this will chase away selfishness from your home and family.

Secondly, the concept of oneness will make it easy for a husband and a wife to share their bodies freely with one another. It will also make it possible to derive a greater degree of pleasure from their physical union, which is their procreative power. If this concept is understood and followed, it will reduce the problems experienced in the home today.

A lady once said that a man’s procreative power is only meant for childbearing. She could not accept that it is also to be enjoyed. Every effort to make her understand and believe proved abortive. Shortly afterwards, she discovered that her misconception and attitude had driven her husband to start flirting with other women. Give no place to the devil.

Thirdly, the concept of oneness teaches that divorce is not part of God’s programme for the home. The husband in the home is likened to the head, while the wife is likened to the body. Even in the physical, you don’t separate the head from the body, or else it will result in death. …And they twain shall be one flesh… (Matthew 19:5-6). God’s concept is that you do not put asunder what God has joined together.

Jesus was teaching on the subject of divorce in Matthew 19:3-12. In verses 5-6, He particularly noted that no one should put asunder what God has joined together. That has an added implication that the couple should not put asunder what God has joined together as well.

The Pharisees were puzzled at Jesus’ stand on the subject of divorce. They could not reconcile that teaching with what Moses said. So, they asked Him to explain why Moses asked men to write a bill of divorcement, if they choose. The Word of God says, He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so (Matthew 19:8).

When the Pharisees challenged Jesus about the grounds for divorce, he took the opportunity to re-emphasize God’s plan for marriage. He pointed out that the divine blueprint for marriage was given at the time of Creation and quoted from Genesis 2:24, thereby reiterating its importance. Jesus said: Haven’t you read, …that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate (Matthew 19:4–6).

The Lord’s presence in your home is the first step to peace. Allow Jesus to come into your heart now and your story will change. If you are not yet born again and you desire to do so right now, please pray this prayer with faith in your heart: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

“Please click Here to read other inspiring articles by Pastor Faith Oyedepo”

Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.

Topic: Can Strangers See Jesus in You? [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland 23rd July 2018 Daily Devotional]

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. – Acts 4:13

How would you like to be so full of the glory of God that it’s unmistakable to those around you? How would you like for people to be able to know just by looking at you that you’d been with Jesus? It’s entirely possible if you are born again and filled with the Holy Spirit. The same mighty power that changed you inwardly when you were saved can so revolutionize you outwardly that even strangers on the street will be able to see Jesus in you.

One of my favorite testimonies is the one Jerry Savelle tells of the time he was in a shopping mall with his wife, Carolyn. He was sauntering from one store to another, casually passing time until Carolyn finished her shopping.

A woman walked up to Jerry and said, “Will you pray for me?” Since he didn’t know the woman, he was puzzled. “Out of all the people in that mall, how was it that you picked me out?” he asked.

She said, “The Lord told me to come to this mall and someone would be here who could pray for me. I came here looking for that person. I noticed a beam of light. It would go into one store, wander around, then go to another store and wander around some more. I followed the light until I found where it was coming from—and it was coming from you!”

What was that light? The glory of God! It was shining from Jerry much like it shone from the face of Moses when he came down from Mount Sinai. And that radiant presence of God brought healing to that woman when Jerry prayed.

Just as the fact that Peter and John had been with Jesus was unmistakable, so was the fact that Jerry Savelle had been with Jesus when that lady walked up to him in the mall.

When you spend time with Jesus, it will be undeniable. His power and His glory will be reflected in you to the world. And His presence upon you will meet needs everywhere you go. Take time to be with Jesus today!

Scripture Reading: Acts 4:1-20

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Kenneth and Gloria Copeland’s Daily Devotional Here’’

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: Watchful Care [Our Daily Bread 22 Monday July, 2018]

Read: Jeremiah 23:20–24, Bible in a Year: Psalms 33–34; Acts 24

“Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:24

Before he raced out the door to school, I asked my son if he had brushed his teeth. Asking again, I reminded him of the importance of telling the truth. Unmoved by my gentle admonishment, he half-jokingly informed me that what I really needed was a security camera in the bathroom. Then I could check for myself if he had brushed his teeth and he wouldn’t be tempted to lie.

While the presence of a security camera may help remind us to follow the rules, there are still places we can go unnoticed or ways we can avoid being seen. Although we may evade or trick a security camera, we fool ourselves if we think we are ever outside the gaze of God.

God asks, “Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” (Jeremiah 23:24). There is both an encouragement and a warning in His question.

The warning is that we cannot hide from God. We can’t outrun or fool Him. Everything we do is visible to Him.

The encouragement is that there is no place on earth or in the heavens where we are outside the watchful care of our heavenly Father. Even when we feel alone, God is with us. No matter where we go today, may the awareness of that truth encourage us to choose obedience to His Word and receive comfort—He watches over us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that there is nowhere I can go that is outside of Your loving gaze. Knowing You see me, help me to honor You with my words and actions.

We are never outside the watchful care of our heavenly Father.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Our Daily Bread Devotionals HERE”

This message was written By Lisa Samra [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Who Is Saved? [Andrew Wommack 23rd July 2018 Daily Devotional]

Luke 13:23-24 “Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”

Text: Luke 13: 22-27

Jesus said that many will seek to enter salvation and will not be able to. There are many reasons for this, but it is not because God refused salvation to anyone. “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men . . .” (Ti. 2:11) and God “is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).

There is effort involved in obtaining salvation. The effort is not for the purpose of earning salvation. That is a free gift (Rom. 5:15); but we do have to fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12). Faith in Jesus’ goodness is what saves us – not our own goodness – and Satan is constantly trying to destroy our faith. We have to earnestly contend for the faith. True salvation is not just mental assent, but a real heart-felt commitment.

Many people today think that going to church and associating with Christians will provide them with salvation. Some people think that they are Christians because their parents were. But salvation is having a personal relationship with the Lord. You cannot inherit salvation through the natural birth process. “You must be born again.”

We can rest assured that all those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled (Mt. 5:6). “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Also Read: Andrew Wommack Daily Devotional

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: Sufficient to Meet Your Needs [Billy Graham’s Devotional Monday July 23, 2018]

I am with you, that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people. — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (TLB)

A director of a camp whose purpose is to lead young hoodlums to Christ says, “Being a Christian is the toughest thing in the world. What’s tougher than loving your enemy?” One boy, who developed into a rugged disciple of Christ at this camp, said, “In this outfit we’re all brothers and we’re all men. It was too tough for me at first, but then I heard that through Christ everything is possible. Then the roughness went away. I say a man is not a man, not a full man, until he gets to know Jesus Christ.” Yes, the Christian life is tough and rough; but it’s challenging. It’s worth everything it costs to be a follower of Jesus Christ. You will soon find that the cross is not greater than His grace. When you pick up the cross of unpopularity, wherever you may be, you will find God’s grace is there, more than sufficient to meet your every need.

Prayer for the day: Lord Jesus, teach me the lesson that Your grace is abundantly sufficient to meet my every need.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Billy Graham’s Daily Devotional HERE

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.