Topic: Be Careful What You Think [Joyce Meyer’s Devotional Thursday May 7, 2018]

To the Lord our God belong mercy and lovingkindness and forgiveness…. — Daniel 9:9

In the early days of computers, they used to say, “Garbage in, garbage out.” That was a way of explaining that the computer only worked with the data put into the machine. If we wanted different results, we needed to put in different information.

With computers, most people have no trouble grasping that concept, but when it comes to their minds, they don’t seem to get it. Or perhaps they don’t want to get it. So many things demand their attention and beg for their focus. They’re not just sinful things. The apostle Paul said that although everything was lawful for him, not everything was helpful (see 1 Corinthians 6:12).

If you are going to win the battle of the mind and defeat your enemy, where you focus your attention is crucial. The more you meditate on God’s Word, the stronger you’ll become and the more easily you’ll win the victories.

Too many Christians don’t realize the difference between meditating on the Bible and reading the Bible. They like to think that whenever they read God’s Word, they’re absorbing the deep things of God. Too often people will read a chapter of the Bible, and when they get to the last verse, they have little idea of what they’ve read. Those who meditate on God’s Word are those who think—and think seriously—about what they’re reading.

They may not put it in these words, but they are saying, “God, speak to me. Teach me. As I ponder Your Word, reveal its depth to me.”

Psalm 1 begins by defining the person who is blessed, and then points out the right actions of that person. The psalmist wrote that those who meditate—and do it day and night—are like productive trees…and everything they do shall prosper.

The psalmist made it quite clear that meditating on and thinking about God’s Word brings results. As you ponder who God is and what He’s saying to you, you’ll grow. It’s really that simple. Another way to put it is to say that whatever you focus on, you become. If you read about and allow your mind to focus on God’s love and power, that’s what operates in you.

The apostle Paul says it beautifully in Philippians 4:8: …whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].

It’s sad, but most Christians don’t put much effort into their study of the Word. They go to hear others teach and preach, and they may listen to sermons online and read the Bible occasionally, but they’re not dedicated to making God’s Word a major part of their lives.

Be careful what you think about. The more you think about good things, the better your life will seem. The more you think about Jesus Christ and the principles He taught, the more you become like Jesus and the stronger you grow. And as you grow, you win the battle for your mind.

Prayer Starter: Lord God, help me think about the things that honor You. Fill my life with a hunger for more of You and Your Word so that in everything I may prosper. I ask this through Jesus Christ, Amen.

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

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

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Topic: Commanding exploits through divine wisdom!

Welcome to a new month of enviable testimonies and liftings! All through this month, we shall explore the force of divine wisdom which, I believe, shall impact on every area of our lives. It will also grant us an unusual access into the deep things of God; thereby, empowering us into next- levels of exploits after the order of Christ and bringing about supernatural turnarounds in our lives. Therefore, I want you to get set for an impartation of supernatural wisdom via the teachings of this month.

We discover from scriptures that exploits answer largely to the operations and manifestations of divine wisdom. By ‘exploits’, we mean extraordinary accomplishments. It connotes breaking new grounds, and setting new records. It implies out of this world order of accomplishments and outstanding successes with strange impacts. As it is written: But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

However, while exploit is God’s agenda for the redeemed, it takes wisdom to experience it. In other words, divine wisdom is the bedrock of exploits and everything answers to its operations and manifestations. The Scripture says: Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding (Proverbs 4:7). Obviously, without divine wisdom at work, exploits will remain an uphill task. Thus, we cannot disregard divine wisdom and experience exploits.

What, then, is Divine Wisdom?

Divine wisdom is the wisdom from above. It is superior to all other kinds of wisdom, and it generates mighty and inexplicable works. Divine wisdom is knowing the right thing to do from scriptures. Also, it is walking in the light of God’s Word as revealed from the scriptures. Furthermore, it is thinking, speaking and working the Word. Interestingly, this wisdom is peaceable, ‘track-able’ pure, easily entreated, full of good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy. Thus, it delivers the same way and at the same rate to anyone who engages it; there is no racial discrimination or partiality associated with it (John 3:31; Romans 2:11). We must understand that God has reserved the strongest wave of divine wisdom for the end-time Church which is going to be the mystery behind their exploits (Ephesians 3:8-11).

Remember, divine wisdom is not strange to us as it has been since the time of old and individuals who operated by it experienced supernatural liftings and glory. There are diverse scriptural examples of individuals who traded divine wisdom and emerged men of exploits and conquest as exemplified in the following:

Joseph: Through divine wisdom, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and provided solution to the negative impact of the famine that was about to hit the land of Egypt. The Bible records: Thereafter, pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art…(Genesis 41:39-40).

Solomon: By divine wisdom, Solomon wrote 1005 songs and 3000 proverbs. Furthermore, the queen of Sheba heard of his fame and she came to see Solomon’s riches and test the depth of his wisdom. Subsequently, she was very impressed with Solomon’s wisdom and prosperity that she praise God for such a wise King (1 Kings 4:32).

Daniel: Among others, the display of the wisdom from above at work in Daniel empowered him to interpret the King’s dream which hitherto was too difficult for the magicians to do. This amazed king Nebuchadnezzar to the point that he… made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon( Daniel 2:48 , 1:20)

Like I have always said, the secret of men are in their stories. It is impossible to find any story on exploits that is not traced to divine wisdom. We cannot have this kind of wisdom and not do exploit in life, which will put us ahead of others just like it did in the lives of the Patriarchs. If the Patriarchs engaged it and turned them to men of exploits, I believed it is worth emulating. Therefore, as you do, I see you moving unto ‘next levels’ of exploits after the order of Christ, In Jesus’ name! Welcome to your realm of unlimited possibilities! Remain ever blessed!

Nevertheless to gain access to this wisdom, you need to be born-again. 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. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”

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 to read other inspiring MESSAGES by Bishop David Oyedepo

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Topic: Word Power [Andrew Wommack Monday May 7, 2018]

Matthew 14:29, “And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.”

This one word “come” was spoken by the one who made all things (Jn. 1:3) and it had just as much power in it as the words that were spoken at creation. This is where the power came from for Peter to walk on the water. Likewise, any word spoken to us by God carries in itself the anointing and power it takes to fulfill that word, if we will release it by believing it and acting on it.

We need to not only know God’s power, but the greatness of God’s power, and then the exceeding greatness of God’s power. This exceeding greatness of God’s power is towards us. That means that it is for us and our benefit. Some people get glimpses of God’s power, but very few have the revelation that it is for us and at our disposal. It doesn’t do us any good to believe that God has power if we don’t believe that it will work for us. This great power of God is effectual only for those who believe. We must believe to receive, or if we doubt, we do without.

Despite all the criticism that might be leveled at Peter in this instance, he did walk on the water. There were eleven other disciples in the boat and although they clearly saw Jesus and Peter walking on the water, they still did not participate. One of the important steps in receiving a miracle from God is to leave the security of your natural resources (get out of your boat) and put yourself in the position where there has to be a miracle from God to hold you up. God is no respecter of persons (Rom. 2:11). Any of the disciples could have walked on the water, if they would have asked and gotten out of the boat.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Andrew Wommack’s Daily Devotional HERE

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).

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Topic: Be Committed To The Wellbeing Of Others [TREM Devotional Monday May 7, 2018]

“Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul” Acts 11:25

When Paul left for Tarsus, it looked as if he had gone into a sea of forgetfulness, no one remembered him. But Barnabas departed to Tarsus to look for Paul. As a group leader, when a member of your group has not been to church two or three times; are you concerned? God expects us to be our brother’s keeper. That is why we are subdivided into cells and groups for ease of fellowship. Everyone is an extension of the Pastor. You belong to the same cell or group; therefore, you should notice who is not in church and then put a call across to the person.

The church is all about people. We are all members of the same body – everyone should look after the other person. The difference between coming to church and watching a telecast is fellowship. Do not get too busy to look out for other people in the church. No matter how big the church is, make it a point of duty to connect with at least one new person every Sunday. Imagine if you connect to one person a week, within a year, your life would have positively impacted 52 people and by extension 52 families. Stop and ask yourself, since the beginning of this year to date, who have you affected? Who is in the church today because you looked out for him or her?

Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Paul and brought him back. Today you can hardly preach without quoting Paul because somebody picked him up and believed in him. Who are you picking up in church? It’s not difficult for a church to be filled, it only takes everyone who attends that church most especially leaders to make a quality decision that I must bring one person to church and establish that person. You will discover that in few years the church will be filled. If others will not, you can decide to be different.

Further Reading: Acts 11:25-26, Luke 15:3-9

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 2 Kings 1-3; Evening- Luke 24:1-35

“If you missed yesterday devotional click 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.

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