Topic: Move Past Regret and Make New Choices [Monday December 11, 2017]

Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. — Psalm 1:1

Wrong choices cause regret, and when we experience regret we need to deal with it and let it teach us how to make better choices in the future.

I understand firsthand that wrong choices lead to regret. I remember a time several years ago when I looked at myself and saw a noticeable difference between my husband, Dave, and me, because he has exercised all his life and is healthy, strong and in good physical shape.

Initially, I merely regretted that I wasn’t as strong as Dave, but then I realized I could do something about it. I now exercise regularly and have been amazed by the positive difference it has made.

The Bible says that with God, you are a new creation. You don’t have to live in your old ways, but you can now make new, better choices empowered by the Holy Spirit. If you find yourself regretting some of the unwise choices you have made in the past, don’t be deceived into thinking it is too late to do anything about it. Just start doing what’s right and then stick with it.

As you start making better choices, you will come to experience a life of enjoying God’s blessings every day.

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, I know that I have been made a new creation. I don’t want to live in regret about the past. Help me to make good choices so I can enjoy the future You have for me.

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries

Topic: Christ Is Alive In Us [Monday December 11, 2017]

John 19:30 “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

When Jesus cried, “It is finished,” He was not referring to the whole plan of salvation as being completed. He still had to descend into the lower parts of the earth and lead the captives out (Eph. 4:8-9), as well as come back from the dead and ascend to the Father to make intercession for us (Heb. 7:25).

Paul made it very clear in 1 Corinthians 15:14 and 17, that if Jesus did not rise from the dead, then our faith is vain and we are yet in our sins.

Why is the resurrection so important? The resurrection of Jesus makes Christianity different from religion because we are dealing with a real, live person, not just principles. Christianity is fellowship with a real person who is alive.

Also, forgiveness of sins is not obtained by a doctrine, but by Christ Himself. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, He cannot give salvation to us. However, He did rise from the dead and now He lives forever to make intercession for us (Heb. 7:25).

It is Christ living in us that gives us power to live a victorious life. If there was no resurrection, there would be no power.

The resurrected life of Jesus is the guarantee of our physical regeneration.

Because Jesus conquered death, the fear and sting of death have been removed for us. This produces great comfort for those who believe.

So, faith in the present ministry of Jesus is essential to true Christianity, and would be impossible if Jesus was not alive. Without Jesus being alive, Christianity would be just another dead religion.

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: What Is Idolatry? [Monday December 11, 2017]

Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father . . . — Matthew 10:33

What is idolatry? Idolatry is anything that comes between us and God. Joshua told his people that their nation would be destroyed if they persisted in idolatry, and their souls would suffer eternal death. He said, “You must make your decision today. You must decide whether you want to serve the idols of this life, or the living God.” “Choose you this day,” said Joshua, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” What about you? Are you taking your stand with Joshua? No matter what the cost? I am asking you to choose this day whom you will serve. Our families cannot choose Christ for us. Our friends cannot do it. God is a great God, but even God can’t make the decision for us. He can help, but only we can decide. We have to make our own choice.

Prayer for the day: Lord Jesus Christ, take away the idols in my life so that, completely undivided, I may serve You, my Savior.

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: Seek God First [Monday December 11, 2017]

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. – Luke 2:13-14

Christmas is a very important time of year. It’s a time of year when the whole world is hearing the message of the birth of Jesus. It’s a time when people are tenderhearted…the perfect time to plant seeds of love in the lives of those you meet.

Sometimes those seeds may just take the form of a kind word in the middle of rush-hour shopping. Other times, you may get the opportunity to pray and minister to someone. But whatever the situation, keep a sharp eye out for even the smallest chance to assist people.

I’ve had some outstanding experiences giving a few dollars to someone in need. As they are taking the money, I tell them, “This money is from the Lord Jesus Christ. I serve Him. He is the One who instructed me to help you.”

It’s amazing how many people are ready to hear what you have to say when you say it in love. They’re starved for someone to really care. Be that someone this Christmas season. Spread the Word about the peace that’s available in Jesus. Tell about His goodwill toward men.

Who knows how many of those small seeds may one day take root and bring one more precious person into the glorious kingdom of God?

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-20

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: Who Are You Listening To? — Monday December 11, 2017.

“Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye, shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” – Genesis 3:1 (KJV)

As a child of God that wants to live in continuous victory. To achieve this, you must avoid listening to any other voice apart from the voice of the Lord. Many today, are listening to the second voice – because it is so loud and compelling. The first key to controlling the second voice is to identify it, the next thing you do is to cast it down. Don’t give it any room to grow in your life especially at a time like this. Counter it with the word of God. Learn from Eve, Eve could have conquered the devil if, when he started the conversation, she had stopped him with the word of God. But rather than tell him “Thus saith the Lord” she went into a conversation and the rest is history.

When Jesus came, the devil tempted Him in the same way; but He knew better than to dialogue with the devil. Each time the devil made a suggestion, He responded “It is written” and by the third time, He said to the devil, “…get thee behind me” and the devil had no choice but to obey. Who you listen to will determine your destiny in life.

God spoke to Abraham in Genesis 17 that He would make him the father of many nations, but the second voice came to Abraham and he laughed because he looked at himself and the deadness of Sarah’s womb, but thank God the story did not end there. God’s reply to him was – ‘’…Is anything too hard for me?’’ The second voice will always make you disbelieve God’s word. This word of assurance from God helped Abraham and his family to overcome the voice of the adversary.

Learn to shut down the second voice, and always remember that He who hath begun a good work in you, will surely perform it.

Further Reading: Genesis 3:1-10; Luke 4:1-10

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Hosea 5-8; Evening- Revelation 2

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: It’s All a Gift! — Monday December 11, 2017.

Read: Ephesians 2:1–9, Bible in a Year: Hosea 5–8; Revelation 2

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

London’s Café Rendezvous has nice lighting, comfortable couches, and the smell of coffee in the air. What it doesn’t have are prices. Originally started as a business by a local church, the café was transformed a year after it started. The managers felt that God was calling them to do something radical—make everything on the menu free. Today you can order a coffee, cake, or sandwich without cost. There isn’t even a donation jar. It’s all a gift.

I asked the manager why they were so generous. “We’re just trying to treat people the way God treats us,” he said. “God gives to us whether we thank him or not. He’s generous to us beyond our imaginations.”

Jesus died to rescue us from our sins and reconcile us with God. He rose from the grave and is alive now. Because of this, every wrong thing we’ve done can be forgiven, and we can have new life today (Eph. 2:1–5). And one of the most amazing things about this is that it is all free. We can’t buy the new life Jesus offers. We can’t even donate toward the cost (vv. 8–9). It’s all a gift.

As the folks at Café Rendezvous serve their cakes and coffees, they give people a glimpse of God’s generosity. You and I are offered eternal life for free because Jesus has paid the bill.

Prayer: Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17

Eternal life is a free gift ready to be received.

Insight:

What does the phrase “dead in your sins” mean? (Eph. 2:1). Dead means lifeless, powerless, inanimate. It means we were incapable of doing anything to change our situation. Sin refers to our rebellion against God. Humanity instinctively rejects God, and this rebellion is expressed through words, deeds, and attitudes.

The spiritually dead have no relationship with God. To be spiritually dead means we are completely cut off from Him and unable to reach out to Him. We cannot fix the things we’ve done that offended Him. We can’t apologize to God for rebelling against Him, for pretending He doesn’t exist, and for living as though we are God.

Any solution to our deadness must come from somewhere other than us. Through Jesus God took action to bring our spiritually dead hearts to life and restore us to a right relationship with Him. What amazing grace!

This message was written By Sheridan Voysey [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Behold He Cometh! — Monday December 11, 2017.

Text: Luke 19:28-40

Key Verse: “And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;” (Luke 19:37).

It is commonly observed that when two distant mountains are viewed, they immediately seem too close as if to touch each other, but as one gets closer to them, the fact that they are far apart and visibly separated by a huge valley becomes clearer. Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem had been predicted 500 years before its fulfillment (Zechariah 9:9).

And just as His first prophecy was fulfilled with His first coming so will His second coming certainly come true. Nearly all prophecies concerning our Lord Jesus Christ have been fulfilled. What we read in our text is the fulfillment of Prophet Zechariah’s prediction over five centuries earlier. Did many believe? How would they accept their King who would come in such lowliness and humility? By riding into Jerusalem, the holy city, this way, Jesus declared Himself to be the Messiah and Saviour.

Just as there were doubters and disputers then, there are many more today. However, if there is any event that is so certain and beyond all reasonable doubt, it is Christ’s second coming. Knowing that time is short, we should be prepared for His return. It will be tragic should the King come and find you unprepared. The wise believer will quit the ranks of doubters and jokers who hold Christ’s second coming as a fascinating story. Whether it is believed or not, Christ surely “…cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him…” (Rev 1:7).

Thought for the day: He came before; He is coming again.

Bible Reading in one Year: Luke 22

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.