Topic: Student For Life! — Tuesday 19, December 2017.

Memorise: A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: – Proverbs 1:5

Read: Proverbs 1:1-6 (KJV)

1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

Bible in One Year: Proverbs 1-4, Zachariah 7:1-8:8, Hymn: Sing Hymn 12: How Sweet The Name Of Jesus

MESSAGE:

“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:” – Proverbs 1:5

According to the above scripture, knowledge is good, although not all knowledge is necessary for the children of God. It also states that only a wise fellow will benefit from what he hears. If you are taught something but you fail to act on it, you are at a great disadvantage compared to those who were not exposed to such information at all. Why? Jesus says that on the last day, it is the word of God that will judge us. In other words, any sound teaching from God’s word that you heard but fail to act upon will stand against you on the last day. This means that just as the word of God can liberate a person, that same word can also condemn him or her. May you not be condemned by what you have heard in Jesus’ Name! This is why you need to live your life by every word of God or teaching from the Bible you have received.

From Proverbs 1:5, we also learn that if knowledge is given its rightful position in your life, what you are taught will provoke you to desire more knowledge. In other words, if you are wise, you will always remain a student throughout your life, because one revelation of God’s word will prompt you to search for another in an unending chain. In this regard, believers are expected to be like professionals who need to constantly update their knowledge. Are you always seeking to know more? Do you find time to read good, inspiring books? It is popularly said that leaders are readers. If you fail to read and learn from the experiences and wealth of knowledge of others, you will only be left with the stale information that you have inside you. Therefore, seek knowledge from today! For you to lead in your group, you ought to know what others do not know. According to Ecclesiastics 9:18, winning a war is not only dependent on the nature of the weapons available to you, but more on what you know and your ability to apply what you know to the situation at hand. If there is one area every believer in Christ should work on, it is to know God more. How well are you doing in this area?

Key Point: It is either you are current and relevant, or you become stale and abandoned. It’s your choice to make!

Sing Hymn 12: How Sweet The Name Of Jesus

1. How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrow, heals his wounds,
And drives away our fear.

2. It makes the wounded spirit whole,
And calms the troubled breast;
’Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary rest,

3. O Jesus, Shepherd, Guardian, Friend,
My Prophet, Priest, and King;
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
Accept the praise I bring,

4. How weak the effort of my heart,
How cold my warmest thought;
But when I see you as you are,
I’ll praise you as I ought.

5. Till then I would your love proclaim
With every fleeting breath;
And may the music of your name
Refresh my soul in death.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

Topic: God Is Watching You — Tuesday December 19, 2017.

Text: Proverbs 24:1-20

Key Verse: “If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” (Proverbs 24:12).

Among the numerous words of admonition the Lord issues out in our text is the unfeigned rebuke for those who neglect the work of soul-winning. If the totality of the Scriptures from the Old Testament through the New is to demonstrate the love God displayed in sending Jesus Christ to die for the sinner, then it goes without saying that soul-winning by saved Christians is dearest to God’s heart.

If the condition of the lost was not a grave concern to God, He would not have sent His Son to the world. This is why God’s words in verses 11 and 12 bear irrefutable relevance and urgency: “If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” Those who have received the grace of God and have been forgiven their sins are warned that they have no excuse not to evangelise. They cannot claim not to know the demand of the Great Commission on all Christians.

They cannot claim that they are not aware of the eternal doom awaiting unrepentant sinners. The Bible says God will not accept such excuses. God says, He knows the heart of every man and will judge those who put up needless reasons for not sacrificing time, energy, money, skill and talent to “Go… into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,” and thus deliver them from the wrath to come. No excuse for failing to preach the gospel is acceptable to God (Proverbs 24:10). After all, everyone comes to the knowledge of the gospel and salvation as a result of the Word preached by some other people who obeyed the Lord’s commandment.

Thought for the day: Excuse making is not tolerable in matters of soul-winning.

Bible Reading in one Year: Revelation 18-20

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

Topic: God Will Disgrace Zerah [Tuesday, December 19, 2017]

Heaven will do a mighty work in your lie and ministry today. Today’s scripture Vs.11 is clear: “And Asa cried unto the Lord his God and said, ‘Lord, it is nothing with Thee to help whether with them that have many or with them that have no power; help us O Lord our God; for we rest in Thee and in thy name go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God, let not man prevail against Thee.”

This verse is a prayer you must pray regularly when you are surrounded by the “ZERAHS” of this wicked world (unfriendly friends, problems and mysterious difficulties). As you journey through planet earth, in times of trial, remind God of His responsibility. The odds against Asa’s men were enormous. Zerah the Ethiopian (Cushite) marched against them with a host of a thousand thousand (a million soldiers). It seemed impossible humanly speaking, because Asa had no helper! His only hope was in God! A user of this devotional is in a similar case right now and heaven will do for you what He did for ASA! Asa’s men were half of Zerah’s men, yet in the end, Zerah was crushed.

Your God does not depend on numbers to win His battle. Ask Gideon! He does not depend on your connections to lift you. Ask Esther! He does not depend on your education to magnify you. As Peter! Yes, your God does not need your finances or your social class to change your story. Ask Mephiboshet! All He needs is a simple heart of trust, prayer and confidence.

Hear Joseph Parker: “Abraham believed God and said to His eyes, ‘Stand back’; to the laws of nature, ‘Hold your peace,’ and onto any unbelieving heart, ‘Silence, you lying heart.’ He simply believed God.” Do the same in every similar battle and watch heaven disgrace that big mountain, that big ZERAH! Amen!

Prayer Points: Take your best worship song to God

1. Pray about today’s word as it has touched you.

2. Pray 2 chronicles 14:11 now concerning every difficulty your life , family and ministry!

3. Lord, as 2017 ends and 2018 begins, disgrace every shame manufactured concerning me in Jesus name.

4. You can win against HOUSEHLD WICKEDNESS as2017 ends.

5. Pray in the morning afternoon/evening of today’s devotional prayer points.

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

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

Topic: Power Failure [Tuesday December 19, 2017]

Scripture: For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. Psalms 96:5

Thought For The Day: There is no future for the possessors of any power that is contrary to the Power of God.

I heard the story of a soldier who had the power to disappear and reappear at will. During the Nigerian Civil War, each time the fight became heated, he would disappear. During fierce gun battles, he would disappear and land in a safe zone, but one day, in the midst of a fierce battle and gun fire, he disappeared as usual but this time around, he appeared in the camp of the enemy, right in their midst. Incredible! What happened to him? His charms and amulets failed him.

Beloved, the power of the devil can fail. The god of this world is prone to failure, the god of mammon, fashion, materialism, entertainment are subject to failure. Political power can fail. The powers of witchcraft can fail. The powers of the occult can fail, and the powers of native doctors can fail.

Thus, there is no future for the possessors of any power that is contrary to the Power of God. The truth is, there is only one power that cannot and will never fail; it is the Power of the Almighty God. It is only the Power of Jesus Christ that does not suffer failure.

Right now, I decree the expiration of every contrary power working against your life to cause you sorrow in this season, in Jesus’ Name.

Remember This: There is no future for the possessors of any power that is contrary to the Power of God.

Assignments:

1. Resist every invitation to seek any alternative power to the Power of God.

2. Never relent in your faith, trust, hope or confidence in God no matter the persistence of your situation.

Prayer: O LORD, I receive the grace to develop an unwavering confidence in You. Frustrate every contrary power in my life, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE NECESSITY OF THE WORD

Quote: The Secret Place is the safest place on earth. Culled from 15 KINGDOM STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL by Dr Paul Enenche

Don’t Forget To Attend: The 2 Power-Packed Communion Services tomorrow by 4:45pm and 6:30pm respectively. Invite friends and loved ones. God bless you.

Daily Reading: Zephaniah 1:1 to 3:20, Revelation 10:1 to 11, Psalm 138:1 to 8, Proverbs 30:11 to 14

Amazing Fact: Horses can engage in a race competition within hours after birth

Today In History: 19/12/1875- Historian Carter Woodson was born in New Canton, Virginia. He introduced black studies to American colleges and universities. His works included; The Negro in Our History and The Education of the Negro Prior to 1861

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: Extreme Measures — Tuesday December 19, 2017.

Read: Luke 19:1–10, Bible in a Year: Jonah 1–4; Revelation 10

The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10

A few years ago, a friend of mine lost track of her young son while walking through a swarm of people at Union Station in Chicago. Needless to say, it was a terrifying experience. Frantically, she yelled his name and ran back up the escalator, retracing her steps in an effort to find her little boy. The minutes of separation seemed like hours, until suddenly—thankfully—her son emerged from the crowd and ran to the safety of her arms.

Thinking of my friend who would have done anything to find her child fills me with a renewed sense of gratitude for the amazing work God did to save us. From the time God’s first image-bearers—Adam and Eve—wandered off in sin, He lamented the loss of fellowship with His people. He went to great lengths to restore the relationship by sending His one and only Son “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Without the birth of Jesus, and without His willingness to die to pay the price for our sin and to bring us to God, we would have nothing to celebrate at Christmastime.

So this Christmas, let’s be thankful that God took extreme measures by sending Jesus to reclaim our fellowship with Him. Although we once were lost, because of Jesus we have been found!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, in the midst of all the joy of Christmas, remind me that the true meaning of this season lies in the depth of Your love. Thank You for sending Jesus to reclaim undeserving people like me!

Christmas is about God taking extreme measures to reclaim those who were lost.

Insight:

Do you know someone who has broken hearts by turning their back on friends, family, or faith? Is that person now living as someone who has lost their way?

Consider Zacchaeus. Though Jewish, he was no friend of Israel. Working for the Roman occupation he collected taxes from his countrymen and lived off the wealth of his overcharges. Who wouldn’t resent someone who loved money more than family, country, or neighbor?

That’s why Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus. He wasn’t just trying to see over the religious crowd that had their reasons for hating him. He was a lost child of Israel and maybe the most unlikely person in Jericho to be given special notice and honor.

That was the day God chose Zacchaeus to show us, or maybe those who are hiding from us, that no one is too lost to be found and changed by Jesus. Mart DeHaan

This message was written By Joe Stowell [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Don’t Settle for Second Best [Tuesday December 19, 2017]

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. – James 1:2-3

I admit, it’s tough to be enthusiastic about going through tests and trials. But can you get excited about being totally supplied in every way, in want of nothing? Well, according to the Word of God, if you’ll use your trials to develop patience, you’re going to be in precisely that position!

You see, patience doesn’t mean what you thought it meant. It does not mean settling sweetly for second best. It does not mean standing meekly by while the devil romps all over you.

No, patience is a powerful word. The New Testament meaning of it as translated literally from the Greek is “to be consistently constant or to be the same way all the time, regardless of what happens.”

To understand how much power is involved in that, you have to realize that it’s one of the most outstanding attributes of God Himself. The Bible says He’s the same yesterday, today and forever.

Think about that for a minute. The guy who absolutely cannot be changed by anyone or anything is an extremely powerful fellow, wouldn’t you say? Obviously, God has that much power.

But you know what? You do too!

By the power of the Holy Ghost working within you, you can be the same every day no matter what happens. If you’ll put your trust in the Word of God and let patience go to work, it won’t matter what happens. You won’t ever have to accept anything less than victory again.

Now that’s something to get excited about.

Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 3:10-17

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: God Pours Out His Spirit [Tuesday December 19, 2017]

Luke 24:49 “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

John’s baptism was a baptism with water unto repentance for the remission of sins. John preached that the Lamb of God came to take away the sins of the world (Jn. 1:29), but he didn’t administer the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

However, both John the Baptist and Jesus prophesied the church age, when believers would be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost, but it was not only for these few individuals. Peter said in Acts 2:39, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” This same power is available to all believers today.

The promise of the Spirit being poured out on “all flesh” is speaking of all manners of flesh or mankind. It is evident that not everyone has the Holy Spirit. Rather, this reveals that the door of salvation and the filling of the Holy Spirit is opened unto Jew and Gentile, male and female, adult, and child.

Many people argue whether or not we are in the last days. Joel prophesied that this outpouring of the Holy Ghost would take place in the last days and Peter said that was what happened here, on the day of Pentecost.

If the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, which happened nearly 2,000 years ago, was the beginning of the last days, then the time must certainly be getting short for us. This should settle the argument for those who believe the Bible. Nevertheless, we can confidently say that this is our last generation. We need to be about our Father’s work.

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).