Topic: You Are Righteous [Friday January 5, 2018]

…not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. – Philippians 3:9

I don’t care how badly you may have messed things up yesterday or how many mistakes you have made, I want you to begin this day knowing you are righteous! Not because of anything you’ve done but because you’ve received, by faith in Jesus, the very righteousness of God.

Just look at the kinds of benefits the Word of God says that righteousness will bring:

“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree” (Psalm 92:12).

“When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth” (Proverbs 11:10).

“The seed of the righteous shall be delivered” (Proverbs 11:21).

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers” (1 Peter 3:12).

“For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield” (Psalms 5:12).

“The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles” (Psalms 34:17).

“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psalms 37:25).

“The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever” (Psalms 37:29).

“The Lord loveth the righteous” (Psalms 146:8).

Don’t let the devil rob you of even one of these blessings by telling you you’re unworthy of them. Run him off. Shout out loud, “I am the righteousness of God!” Then step out in faith and enjoy the privileges God has prepared for you!

Scripture Reading: Romans 3:21-28

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: Take A Risk This Year [Friday, January 5, 2018]

Basic Scripture 2 Kings 7:1-20; James 2:17

‘’life is a risk’’ says the philosopher .most people whose lives have affected nation and communities have been great risk takers. There is a popular saying that, “No venture no success’’. Both the fearful and the brave will die but once!

The risk taken by the seven lepers in the today 1st scripture changed their destinies, Place in human history and the destiny of a nation. The historical and literary character, Julius Caesar once said, “COWARDS DIE MANY TIMES BEFORE THEIR DEATH’’ In the new year 2018, make up your mind to take those Business, Marital, Spiritual risk and decision you have been postponing due to fear of failure or criticism. I remember that the great south African Human Right Activist Desmond Tutu, once made a profound statement .He said “FAITH IS A PROFOUND RISK BUT IT IS A RISK I WILL NOT LIVING WITHOUT’’.

In your daily walk on this planet this year, have faith in God and in his word and take bold or bolder decisions. Noah took a risk by building the ark! It took him, 120 years to build and ark that was used for 40 days. Abraham took a risk by relocating his entire family at an old age. Job took a risk for nine months by trusting God despite his strange, satanic attacks. Note that you will never stop taking risk as you go through life because: SUCCESS IS IN VARIOUS LEVELS! There are HIGHER LEVELS of testimonies, success and decoration awaiting you as you BEGIN AND CONCLUDED THE WORLDWIDE 21-DAY FASTING which begin tomorrow!

Get your “WAR AGAINST HUMAN 13”booklet which contains the prayer point of the 21 days FAST! To PRAY and RISK which will RE WRIT YOUR LIFE STORY FOR GOOD! In fact, the higher you go, the greater the risks you will take for greater levels of success. RESIST DISCOURAGEMENT BECAUSE THE GREATEST RISK IN LIFE IS TO RISK NOTHING! Hear Eleanor Roosevelt” Do one thing every day that scare you” wow! That is faith! Act first! I am captivated by John Rohn: ‘’IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO RISK THE UNUSUAL, you will have to settle for the ordinary’’ May you not die as ORDINARY!

Failure and fear are twins! Avoid and conquer them this year! Take a bold step! Fast again sow again! Be at the world anointing night again! No venture, no success!

STILL GIVE OUT A COPY OF OUR DAILY MANNA, CHILDREN ODM AND ‘’WAR AGAINST HAMAN-13‘’ BOOKLETS. Help someone join the upcoming 21 day fasting program which begins from tomorrow till Friday 26th January!

By Bishop (Dr) Chris E. Kwakpovwe (Cek)
Publisher/Writer Of ODM And

Rev (Mrs) Flora E. Kwakpovwe (Fek)
Co-Publisher/Writer Of ODM.

Topic: Just Like My Father — Friday January 5, 2018.

Read: 1 Peter 5:8–12, Bible in a Year: Genesis 13–15; Matthew 5:1–26

It is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16

My father’s dusty, heeled-over, cowboy boots rest on the floor of my study, daily reminders of the kind of man he was.

Among other things, he raised and trained cutting horses—equine athletes that move like quicksilver. I loved to watch him at work, marveling that he could stay astride.

As a boy, growing up, I wanted to be just like him. I’m in my eighties, and his boots are still too large for me to fill.

My father’s in heaven now, but I have another Father to emulate. I want to be just like Him—filled with His goodness, fragrant with His love. I’m not there and never will be in this life; His boots are much too large for me to fill.

But the apostle Peter said this: “The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ . . . will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10). He has the wisdom and power to do that, you know (v. 11).

Our lack of likeness to our heavenly Father will not last forever. God has called us to share the beauty of character that is His. In this life we reflect Him poorly, but in heaven our sin and sorrow will be no more and we’ll reflect Him more fully! This is the “true grace of God” (v. 12).

Prayer: Father God, we want to be just like You. Help us to grow more and more like You each day!

Through the cross, believers are made perfect in His sight.

Insight:

Not everyone has a father whose boots they wish to fill. Some of us don’t even know our father. But the Bible gives us real hope! We have a Father who welcomes us with open arms. And He tells us, “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

We shouldn’t let that lofty challenge frighten us. Our loving Father gives us what we need to follow Him, even when we fail. Just look at Simon Peter’s life. Peter wrote to a church facing intense persecution, and he warned of a mortal enemy—the devil—who “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (5:8). That imagery reminds us of Jesus’s warning to Peter before His crucifixion: “Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31–32).

Jesus prayed for Peter. He prays for us too. Wherever we are today we can “turn back,” as Peter did, and find our Father’s welcome.

What hinders you from enjoying God’s acceptance and love? Tim Gustafson

This message was written By David H. Roper [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Knowing God’s Will Is Not Enough [Friday January 5, 2018]

Luke 1:34, “Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”

Text: Luke 1:26-38

Contrast Mary’s question and Gabriel’s response with the question that Zacharias asked Gabriel and the response that he received (Luke 1:18-20). You will find the questions are similar but the responses are totally different.

Both Mary and Zacharias asked how these miracles would occur but it is evident that Mary was asking “how” in faith while Zacharias was asking “how” in unbelief. It is a clear Bible teaching that unbelief doesn’t please God (Heb. 11:6), but the Lord doesn’t mind us questioning Him for the purpose of instruction so we can cooperate with His will in our lives.

Abram knew that it was God’s will for him to have a son but Abram and Sarai came up with their own plan which caused them and the world much grief (Gen. 16:1-6). Abram would have avoided many problems if he had asked the Lord how He was going to accomplish this miraculous event.

If Mary had not questioned this angel, she might have reasoned that Jesus would be born through the natural union of her and Joseph. This would have been a grave mistake. It would have disqualified her from being used.

It’s not enough just to know God’s will. We need to continue to seek the Lord until we know God’s plan for accomplishing that will.

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: The Home [Friday January 5, 2018]

Love never faileth . . . — 1 Corinthians 13:8

The first essential for a happy Christian home is that love must be practiced. Homes that are built on animal attraction and lust are destined to crumble and fall. Love is the cohesive force that holds the family together. True love contains an element of spiritual mystery. It embodies loyalty, reverence, and understanding. Love imposes a tremendous responsibility on all members of a family, but it is a responsibility accompanied by glorious rewards. “Love,” says the Bible, “even as Christ . . . loved the church, and gave Himself for it.” How did Christ love the church? He loved it despite its faults, its mistakes, and its weaknesses. True love does not fail. It loves despite personality defects, physical blemishes, and mental quirks. Love is deep, abiding, and eternal. Nothing can bring a sense of security into the home as true love can.

Prayer for the day: Help me today, to listen, to love and care for my loved ones with a heart that is made sensitive by You, Jesus.

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.