Topic: What Do the Experts Say? — Thursday January 4, 2018.

Read: John 5:31–40, Bible in a Year: Genesis 10–12; Matthew 4

These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. John 5:39–40

Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby writes of the “uncanny ability of experts to get things hopelessly, cataclysmically wrong.” A quick glance at recent history shows he’s right. The great inventor Thomas Edison, for instance, once declared that talking movies would never replace silent films. And in 1928, Henry Ford declared, “People are becoming too intelligent ever to have another war.” Countless other predictions by “experts” have missed the mark badly. Genius obviously has its limits.

Only one Person is completely reliable, and He had strong words for some so-called experts. The religious leaders of Jesus’s day claimed to have the truth. These scholars and theologians thought they knew what the promised Messiah would be like when He arrived.

Jesus cautioned them, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life.” Then He pointed out how they were missing the heart of the matter. “These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life” (John 5:39–40).

As another new year gets underway, we’ll hear predictions ranging from the terrifying to the wildly optimistic. Many of them will be stated with a great deal of confidence and authority. Don’t be alarmed. Our confidence remains in the One at the very heart of the Scriptures. He has a firm grip on us and on our future.

Prayer: Father, whenever we are troubled or alarmed, help us to seek You. We commit this coming year and all it holds to You.

Knowing the future is uncertain; knowing the One who holds the future is a sure thing.

Insight:

An Old Testament example of “experts” who missed the mark is the account of the “wise men” in the book of Daniel. King Nebuchadnezzar ordered them to explain his dreams, but these experts admitted, “No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans” (2:11). However, God enabled Daniel to explain the dreams, and he told the king: “No wise man . . . can explain . . . the mystery. . . ,  but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (vv. 27–28). The king’s experts were right to say no one can reveal mysteries except God, but they were clearly wrong that God does “not live among humans” (v. 11). The Scriptures tell us, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14).

How does knowing Jesus is God and lives in us through the Spirit give you confidence in this world of uncertainty? Sim Kay Tee

This message was written By Tim Gustafson [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Habits That Provoke The Fire! [Thursday, January 4, 2018]

Basic Scripture 1 kings 18:17-40

It has been said that a man should activate only those habits that he is willing should have mastery over him. This year 2018 is young! Cultivate the habit of good planning! Planning is the father of progress and uncle of decoration! Yes! Before the fire could fall when Elijah prayed in 1 kings 18, the following 9 things happened in the sequence/order below:

1. He told the people to “come near.” Not far! They were near! 2. He repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. 3. He took twelve stones. Not 13 or 200 stones! 4. He built an altar in the name of the LORD 5. He made a trench ( a ditch) around the altar. 6. He put the wood in order! Not scattered Wood! He arranged the wood! Scattered wood will not attract fire! 7. He cut the bullock (animal) in pieces and laid it on the wood. 8. He poured water in the ditch and made sure the water ran roundabout the altar. 9. And he waited for the timing. Time of offering the evening sacrifice! Wow! Wonderful God!

All the 9 points above stands for planning and timing!

He waited for the time of the evening sacrifice! Please form the habit of sticking to time and schedules as the year progresses. Break the habit of postponing your plans. Procrastination is a habit you must conquer this year.

Also, in Luke 4:16, Jesus, our supreme example, had the habit of never missing His fellowship with God. He was well planned. Note the words: “As his custom was…” what are your customs (habits)? You can form the habit of using the “finishing-the-bible-in-one-year reading plan” at the back of this devotional. Yes! You. Must finish your Bible this year. Make it your habit Every year to finish your bible once!

Bad habits also include compulsive TV watching, missing church services, eating recklessly, staying with your phone 24/7, alcoholism, lateness to work, meetings, appointments in church, always criticizing others, etc. You must kill these killers this year! Never forget that behind every bad habit, there is always an innocent reason. Deal with it! Addiction to food can become a bad habit! Start cutting down your food intake now as you prepare for the 21-day Worldwide fasting starting in 48 hours-January 6th-26th! Let the fire fall this year! Establish good habits and let them guide you daily as you go through this year! Pray now!

Pray the “Prayers just before any fasting” on page 108 of “War Against Haman-13” booklet for the next 2 days.

Prayer points: Take song 5: when the roll is called….

1. Pray over every bad habit you know has gripped you!

Don’t miss the coming 21-days fast of their year. Deal with bad habits by name now! Break the yoke forever! Fire will fall in Jesus name! Pray about today seriously now!

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

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

Topic: God Is Love — Thursday January 4, 2018.

“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:8 KJV

Love is not optional for the believer. We are not advised to love. Love must be our nature because God is love. When you invited Jesus into your life, the fullness of love came into you. You have the full capacity of love, but you must activate it. When you understand love, you will discover that it is impossible to walk in Christ and not walk in love.

Our scripture for today puts a fine line between us and the world. The world does not have the capacity to love; no wonder the world is being overtaken by hate speeches all over the media. That is because they speak of their father, the devil. However, we cannot talk like the world, because we are not of the world. We speak like our Father and our Father is love. Some believers, because of the challenges they are facing, are now talking as if the world, we cannot allow this. We must be immune by filling ourselves with the consciousness of the love of God. Start your day thinking about the love of God. Meditate on it, speak to yourself about His love and you will see your life radiating the love of God. Think of the fact that He loved you when you are unlovable. Just take five to ten minutes of your day thinking about the love of God and you will see your life radiating His love in a dark world.

Further Reading: 1 John 4:4-8

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Gen. 10-11 / Evening- Matt.4

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: Let The World Know [Thursday January 4, 2018]

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word…. that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me…. – John 17:20-23

Over the years the Church has come up with all kinds of elaborate ways to evangelize the world. We get together and map out plans and strategies and raise money for it. But through it all, we rarely mention the plan that Jesus gave us.

Most believers don’t even realize that He gave us the key to winning the world, but He did. He prayed about it right before He went to the Cross. He asked the Father to bring us into a place of such oneness with each other and with Him that the world would know that He had been sent from God.

If you and I and all the rest of the Body of Christ would get together and start loving each other, we’d evangelize the world so fast it would make your head swim. It’s true. But until recently, we’ve been too busy scrapping with one another and getting our feelings hurt to give it much thought.

But, praise God, it’s beginning to dawn on some folks now that we need to stop that stuff. We need to start treating Jesus’ command that we love one another as a command instead of an alternative. We need to drop our silly arguments and be unified by the Spirit of God.

Do you want to take a step toward evangelizing the world today? Then start praying for oneness. Make up your mind that you’re going to start loving your fellow believers instead of criticizing, complaining and talking ugly about them.

Start confessing that the Church of God is going to rise up together in faith and love as one glorious Body driven by the power of Jesus Himself. We are, you know. Jesus prayed that it would happen, and the Holy Spirit is already bringing it to pass.

Satan would like to stop it, but he can’t. It’s far more powerful than he is—and it’s going to blast a hole in his operation that’s big enough to drive a train through. It’s going to let the whole world know that Jesus truly is Lord!

Scripture Reading: John 17:9-26

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: Can You Believe It? [Thursday January 4, 2018]

Luke 1:18, “And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.”

Text: Luke 1:5-25

Zacharias and Elisabeth were righteous people (v. 6) who prayed for a child for many years. They felt the same disappointments and frustrations that any of us would feel and yet they kept believing God. The Lord finally answered their prayers and sent His angel to announce the good news.

What was Zacharias’ reaction? He couldn’t believe it! The very thing that he had been praying for was granted and he doubted that it was true. In Zacharias’ case he received his miracle anyway. Perhaps his wife’s faith pulled him through.

Likewise, you may be praying for the right things. You may even be sincere and earnest, but would you be surprised if those prayers were suddenly answered today? Have you made preparations for your prayers to be answered?

Before the children of Israel were actually delivered from Egypt, they ate the passover meal by faith. Their bags were packed and ready to go. We need to anticipate our prayers being answered.

Right now, imagine how you would feel or what you would do if the answer to your prayers was manifested this very minute. Then, as much as possible begin to think and act that way. You’ll find out that your whole attitude will change as you focus on your answer instead of the problem.

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: Assurance of His Love [Thursday January 4, 2018]

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? — Psalm 27:1

Today many people are living in the bondage of fear. In a recent study a psychiatrist said that the greatest problem facing his patients was fear. Fear of going insane, committing suicide, being alone, or fear of heart disease, cancer, disaster, or death. We are becoming a nation of fearful people. Down through the centuries in times of trouble, temptation, trial, bereavement, and crisis, God has brought courage to the hearts of those who love Him. The Bible is crowded with assurances of God’s help and comfort in every kind of trouble which might cause fears to arise in the human heart.

Today the Christian can come to the Scriptures with full assurance that God is going to deliver the person who puts his trust and confidence in God. Christians can look into the future with promise, hope, and joy, and without fear, discouragement, or despondency.

Prayer for the day: Your assurances of love still the fears of my heart, Lord.

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.