Topic: A Life of Discipline Will Bring God’s Peace [Sunday December 17, 2017]

For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness–in conformity to God’s will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God]. — Hebrews 12:11

Too many things compete for our limited resources of attention, energy and time.

I used to complain to God about my schedule being overwhelming. I’d cry, “God, how could anyone be expected to do all that I have to do?”

Then it hit me: I was the one who made my schedule, and nobody could change it but me! I could no longer spend time wishing things were different because wishing wouldn’t change anything.

God showed me that I had to discipline myself in order to simplify my life.

You’ll have to do that too if you want life to slow down. Ask the Holy Spirit for help. He can guide you, showing you what commitments to make and which ones to turn down.

It may be tough at first, especially if you haven’t been disciplined in the past, but the rewards of discipline and self-control are worth the effort. The Bible says that discipline brings peaceable fruit. Begin disciplining yourself today, and you can begin to enjoy the peaceful life that God has waiting for you.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I want to experience the peaceful fruit of a well-disciplined life. When I’m tempted to over-commit and stretch myself too far, help me to slow down and only do the things You want me to do.

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries

Topic: Let God’s Peace Lead You [Sunday December 17, 2017]

Luke 24:36 “And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.”

Just as every sport has disputes that must be settled by the officials, the peace of God is the umpire that settles all disputes as to what the will of God is for our lives. We must learn to listen to and heed the peace of God in our hearts.

God’s peace is something that every born-again believer has. It’s a fruit of the Spirit. That peace is always umpiring; we just don’t always pay attention. How many times have you acted contrary to the peace in your heart and afterwards, you experience disaster? You say, “I never did feel good about that.” That was the peace of God umpiring, but we chose to play by our own rules.

There are some things we can do to facilitate the peace of God umpiring in our hearts. First, consider ALL the options. Many wrong decisions have been made because not all the options were considered. Don’t let fear rule out God’s possibilities. Next, use your imagination to explore what will happen with each choice. You should be able to discern a greater peace as you consider the option the Lord would have you take. That is not to say that there will be total peace with any of the choices. In your spirit there will be total peace over the right choice, but we aren’t always totally in the Spirit and it is not unusual for some turmoil to exist. Just as an umpire has to make a call, be bold enough to follow the direction that gives you the most peace.

The rudder on a ship can’t go any direction until the ship is moving. The ship doesn’t have to be going full steam ahead for the rudder to work, but it does have to be moving. Likewise, we have to act before the peace of God will give us perfect direction. Even if you make a mistake, you will have made it in faith, trying to follow the peace of God in your heart. The Lord can bless a wrong decision made in faith from a pure heart, more than He can bless indecision (Rom. 14:23).

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 Prince of Peace [Sunday December 17, 2017]

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. — Proverbs 10:12

To hate, to discriminate against those who look different, who talk different, who have different national backgrounds, or who act differently from the dominant group, is a universal trait of human nature. I say that there is only one possible solution and that is a vital experience with Christ on the part of all races. In Christ the middle wall of partition is broken down, the Bible says. There is no Jew or Gentile, or black or white or yellow or red. We could be one great brotherhood in Christ. However, until we come to recognize Him as the Prince of Peace, and receive His love in our hearts, the racial tensions will increase.

Prayer for the day: I pray for Your love, Lord Jesus, to conquer hate or prejudice—whenever these ugly transgressions seep into my heart.

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 — Do Not Flaunt Your Works: Lean On Grace — Sunday December 17, 2017.

“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV)

Yesterday, I showed you that it is not about you, but about who you have on the inside of you, that is why you must constantly and consciously lean on His grace. No matter the results you get, never take the glory that belongs to God. Realise that you are who you are simply by grace.

In the same vein, you cannot come to God flaunting your service or achievement and think you can impress Him or arm twist Him to bless you. Oftentimes, people come with a mindset of ‘I am holy because I have been in church for 20 years’ or ‘I can quote scriptures’. ‘I am the biggest giver’. ‘I am always in church’. ‘Lord if you do not bless me who would you bless’. And they stay in their self-righteousness and heaven is silent. Then a newcomer prays, Lord I have nothing to flaunt. ‘If you don’t bless me, no one will help me’. And you are surprised that the person who just came yesterday receives blessings.

You may think that God is partial. No, He is not! He wants you to trust Him and stop depending on yourself. Learn to rest upon the obedience of Christ. Follow Him as the sheep of His pasture.

When you gave your life to Christ, He took over, but you also need to consciously surrender otherwise, He will not struggle with you; rather He will leave you to run your life the way you want, but the tragedy of that is that you will struggle all the way. Realise that He is God and you are not. He has paid the price and so rest in Him, acknowledge Him in all your ways. Leave the driver’s seat of your life and let Him take over and you will be surprised at the speed at which things will be sorted in your life.

Further Reading: Romans 9:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-10

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Amos 7-9; Evening- Revelation 8

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.