Topic: Understanding Human Nature [Monday January 8, 2018]

But Jesus, for His part, did not entrust Himself to them, because He knew all people [and understood the superficiality and fickleness of human nature], and He did not need anyone to testify concerning man [and human nature], for He Himself knew what was in man [in their hearts–in the very core of their being]. — John 2:24-25

One time after I had been involved in a disappointing church situation, God brought John 2:24-25 to my attention. It speaks of Jesus’ relationship with His disciples.

It plainly says that Jesus did not trust Himself to them. While He gave Himself to them relationally and lived life with them, He knew that they were not perfect. He understood human nature and He did not trust Himself to them in an unbalanced way.

This made me realize that I had placed my trust in people at church that should only belong to God and had set myself up for disappointment.

We can go only so far in any human relationship. If we go beyond godly wisdom, we will likely be hurt. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that some people will never hurt us, only to be disappointed when they don’t live up to those standards. No one’s perfect.

The good news is that God is perfect and will not disappoint. He is always loving and good. Don’t give trust to people when it belongs to God, but rather, give yourself completely to Him. He alone is perfectly trustworthy.

Prayer Starter: God, no human is perfect, but You are. I want to put my trust in You at all times, and believe You will not disappoint. I find comfort today in Your perfection.

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

Topic: Live A Life Of Sacrifice — Monday January 8, 2018.

“And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” (Genesis 22:2 (KJV)

The scriptures tell us that Abraham was asked of God to sacrifice his son Isaac, and immediately he made arrangements to offer his son. That was a huge demand placed on Abraham and yet he obeyed. The question is why did Abraham go to that length? Abraham saw beyond the gift. He saw the giver of the gift, and he knew the giver could give him much more. Oftentimes we are concerned about our gifts and fail to realise that no man can out give God. God, in response to Abraham’s sacrifice, God said, now I know that you truly love Me and therefore, in blessing I will bless you and in multiplication, I will multiply you; I will so much bless you that your seed will possess the gates of your enemies.

Beloved, if you want to activate that level of blessing in your life, you must be ready to live a life of sacrifice. Yes, it may not be convenient, but when you think of the goodness of God upon your life, your act of sacrifice becomes a natural response. When you think of how much grace He has lavished on you, your response to Him can only be to give back out of the abundance He has given you. I challenge you today to cultivate a heart of sacrifice. Learn to give when the opportunity arises. Don’t grumble or murmur or rule out yourself because things appear tough for you. Sow your seeds cheerfully and you will experience the abundance that comes from the throne of grace. For God loves a cheerful giver.

As you continually live a life of sacrifice, I declare that God will meet you at the very point of your needs and fill your mouth with good things. No more empty meal barrel! No more scratching the surface in your life! Abundance is your portion.

Further Reading: Genesis 22:1-18, Psalm 126:5

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Gen 20, 21, 22 / Evening- Matt: 6:19-34

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.

Topic: The Blessing Of Vision [Monday January 8, 2018]

Scripture: And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. Habakkuk 2:2

Thought For The Day: God looks into your heart to see what your hand is qualified for.

Yesterday, we established that there is a relationship between vision and the Blessing of God. Men of old like Abraham, Isaac Jacob, Joseph, Moses and David who saw massive provisions of God in their lives were men of vision.

Today, we shall be looking at how vision produces the Blessing of God?

Now, I would like to give you two key facts:

1. The visions of the heart of man determine the release of provisions from the Hand of God

Anything that is in your heart is what God will put in your hand. If it is not in your heart, it cannot be in your hand. So, God looks into your heart to see what your hand is qualified for.

2. Vision is a magnet of provision.

A wise man once said that you cannot travel on your inside and stand still on the outside. Every inside move attracts a corresponding external move. When the snail for instance moves, its shell also follows. So, your outward life will always conform to your inward convictions. External conditions are always lined up to conform to internal visions and convictions. In the same way, vision magnetises provision.

Beloved, my counsel is: never possess an empty heart; do not allow your situation to limit your vision.

Remember This: God looks into your heart to see what your hand is qualified for.

Assignments:

1. Deal with every spell of empty heartedness.

2. Make demands on God for the divine provisions in your life.

Prayer: O LORD, I ask that You fill my heart with Your vision for Your Kingdom. Give me access to Your provisions, LORD, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: VISION AND THE BLESSING (PART 3).

Amazing Fact: Humans are bioluminescent and glow in the dark. The light that we emit is 1,000 times weaker than our human eyes are able to pick up.

Today In History: 08/01/1935 – The spectrophotometer was patented by A.C. Hardy.

Daily Reading: Genesis 18:16 to 19:38, Matthew 6:25 to 7:14, Psalm 8:1 to 9, Proverbs 2:6 to 15.

Don’t Forget To Attend: The Healing and Deliverance Service tomorrow by 9am for the healing of your spirit, soul and body. Invite someone as you come

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.

Topic: Believers Receive [Monday January 8, 2018]

Luke 1:45, “And blessed [is] she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

Text: Luke 1:39-56

There are many reasons why God’s blessings don’t always come to pass in a person’s life, but the most frequent cause is simply unbelief on our part. There are no limitations on God’s part. He is willing and able to do anything He has promised. The problem is with our believing.

The Lord has given every believer faith (Rom. 12:3). It was given to us at salvation through hearing the Word of God (Eph. 2:8; Rom. 10:17). It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22). However, we must choose to exercise it.

Our faith is linked to our knowledge (2 Pet. 1:1-4). What we think on is how we will be (Pro. 23:7). The problem is not that we don’t have faith. The problem occurs when we don’t allow our faith to work because we don’t keep our minds stayed on God’s Word. Then our faith is choked out by the cares of this life (Mk. 4:19).

Keeping our minds stayed on God’s Word will release our faith and thereby release the power of God in our lives. Certainly Mary must have been a person who put God’s Word first in her life.

Mary saw a performance of what she believed. We receive what we believe, not what we desire or even need. Today believe the word that the Lord has spoken about you.

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 Us [Monday January 8, 2018]

What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe . . .  — Mark 11:24

We are to pray in times of adversity, lest we become faithless and unbelieving. We are to pray in times of prosperity, lest we become boastful and proud. We are to pray in times of danger, lest we become fearful and doubting. We need to pray in times of security, lest we become self-sufficient. Sinners, pray to a merciful God for forgiveness. Christians, pray for an outpouring of God’s Spirit upon a willful, evil, unrepentant world. Parents, pray that God may crown your home with grace and mercy. Children, pray for the salvation of your parents. Christians, saints of God, pray that the dew of heaven may fall on earth’s dry, thirsty ground, and that righteousness may cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.

Prayer for the day: Let me pour everything out to You, Lord. Thank You for the knowledge that You hear me!

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.

Topic: The Debt Eraser— Monday January 8, 2018.

Read: Psalm 103:1–12, Bible in a Year: Genesis 20–22; Matthew 6:19–34

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

I blinked back tears as I reviewed my medical bill. Considering my husband’s severe cut in salary after a lengthy unemployment, even paying half of the balance would require years of small monthly installments. I prayed before calling the doctor’s office to explain our situation and request a payment plan.

After leaving me on hold for a short time, the receptionist informed me the doctor had zeroed out our account.

I sobbed a thank you. The generous gift overwhelmed me with gratitude. Hanging up the phone, I praised God. I considered saving the bill, not as a reminder of what I used to owe but as a reminder of what God had done.

My physician’s choice to pardon my debt brought to mind God’s choice to forgive the insurmountable debt of my sins. Scripture assures us God is “compassionate and gracious” and “abounding in love” (Psalm 103:8). He “does not treat us as our sins deserve” (v. 10). He removes our sins “as far as the east is from the west” (v. 12), when we repent and accept Christ as our Savior. His sacrifice erases the debt we once owed. Completely.

Once forgiven, we aren’t defined by or limited by our past debt. In response to the Lord’s extravagant gift, we can acknowledge all He’s done. Offering our devoted worship and grateful affection, we can live for Him and share Him with others.

Prayer: Thank You for erasing our debt completely when we place our confidence in You, Lord.

Our greatest debt, caused by sin, is erased by our greater God.

Insight:

Psalm 103:13–14 is an example of the Bible’s characterization of God as a powerful, protective father (see Psalm 68:5; Isaiah 63:8). When Jesus came, He emphasized this idea, teaching His disciples to pray to God as Father (Matthew 6:9; 18:19). Remembering that God loves us like a father is a powerful reminder of His unconditional love. No matter how many mistakes their children make, good parents never stop loving them. And when children stray into danger, loving parents are willing to do anything to bring them safely home.

Jesus taught us that God feels the same about us (see Luke 15:11–32).

When humankind walked away from Him, God was willing to pay the ultimate price to restore us into His family, enduring the weight of all our sin (Ephesians 1:7). Because of Jesus, believers need never doubt that they are God’s children (Romans 8:14–17).

How does remembering that God is your Father encourage you? Monica Brands

This message was written By Xochitl Dixon [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Step Across the Faith Line [Monday January 8, 2018]

And being not weak in faith, [Abraham] considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. – Romans 4:19-20

In the years I’ve spent living by faith, there’s something I’ve learned to do that helps me receive from God in the toughest of situations. It’s something I call stepping over the faith line.

A faith line is what you need when you want God to do the “impossible” in your life. It’s what you need when you want to be firm in your faith and yet you keep wavering back and forth between your circumstances and God’s promises—believing first one, then the other.

It’s what can make you like faithful Abraham. You know, Abraham had natural facts to deal with just like we do. He knew there was no natural way for God’s promise to him to come true.

Yet the Word says Abraham considered not his own body. In other words, Abraham ignored the natural evidence around him and believed only God’s promise.

Somewhere he stepped across the line of faith.

He made an irreversible decision to go with the Word of God. He made a final commitment. He chose to step past the point of no return. And if you and I are ever going to see God do the impossible in our lives, we’re going to have to do the same thing!

How do you draw that faith line?

Begin with the Word. Search the promises of God and purposely believe what He has said, and is saying, about your need. Meditate on those promises until faith rises in your heart.

Then draw the line of faith. Draw it in your mind and heart. Draw it across the floor in your prayer room. Say, “In the presence of God, in the presence of all the angels in this room, and in the devils face, I am stepping across the line of faith. From this moment on, I consider this matter done. From this day forward, I give God the praise and the glory in the Name of Jesus.”

From that moment on, speak only as if your miracle has already happened. Turn your back on the problems, on the doubts, and turn your face toward Jesus.

God will do the impossible in your life. Dare to step across the faith line!

Scripture Reading: Romans 4:13-21

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.