Topic: What Ghandi Said… [Sunday, December 10, 2017]

Years ago, a company in the USA started delivering the Word of God as a reminder for daily prayers. Alan Westenberg  said, “It began with a promise to pray for each other at 3 o’clock every day. I kept forgetting to do it, so being a computer person, I programmed a machine to send a reminder Psalm to my wife and myself every day. Soon, friends and family started asking if they could join and today, It has grown and reaching out to millions all over the world.”

What was a disadvantage led to an advantage. Also, today, you can get various versions of the Bible in your phone. So, dear child of God, there is no excuse whatsoever anymore, why your knowledge based on the Word of God should not grow. David said, “…give me understanding that I may learn thy commandments. In this age of internet, video, audio, books are now digital Bible technology, lack of knowledge or busy schedule excuses should become history I your life. Hear what former, most powerful men in the world (American president) speak about the Bible you carry: “Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face”

(Ronald Reagan). “Take all you can of this Book upon reason, and the balance of faith, and you will live and die a happier man” (Abraham Lincoln said this when a skeptic expressed surprise to see him reading a Bible). Oh, hear the great Dwight Lyman Moody: “Out of 100 men, one will read the Bible; the other 99 will read the Christian.” Be in that 1%. Hear a non-Christian, Mahatma Gandhi:

“You Christians look after a document containing enough dynamite to blow all civilization to pieces, turn the world upside down and bring peace to a battle-torn planet. But you treat it as though it is nothing more than a piece of literature.”

Wow! As 2017 ends, and 2018 begins, conquer laziness and begin reading and studying the Word afresh. You could do a study on a topic you don’t quite understand, for example, the Blood of Jesus, power, holiness or just read the books till you finish your Bible. Many books can inform! Only the Bible can transform! Fall in love with your Bible again. Remember what Mahatma Gandhi said!

TODAY IS THE ANNUAL ODM (INTERNATIONAL) THANKSGIVING FOR THE YEAR 2017.

Prayer Points: Take any song of worship as led.

1. Thank God for the word today. Repent from laziness!

2. Believe God for the grace to finish your Bible as soon as possible.

3. Ask for the grace to be disciplined enough to study your Bible afresh DAILY this year and in the upcoming year 2018.

4. Decree that despite your busy schedule, you will stay with the Word again. The era of excuses is over! Pray about today

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

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

Topic: Come Into His Presence Rejoicing — Sunday December 10, 2017.

“Let them praise his name in dance; strike up the band and make great music!” – Psalm 149:3 (MSG)

Today, no matter where you are put on a good music and give the Lord a dance offering. Dance before Him not because every desire has manifested, but dance before Him in trust that He that has promised is faithful and He will do it.

Praise God for His mercies over your life. Praise Him for the seen and unseen miracles. Praise Him for members of your family. Praise Him for His preservation over the years. Stop and think. Take a moment to think of all that the Lord has done for you this year. Think of the air that you breathe; think of the fact that, in spite of the population increase, we are not short of air to breathe and yet it is free of charge. Can you imagine that? If air was for a fee, do you think you could afford it?

Think of your salvation. Out of the multiplied billions all over the world, He saved you. Yes, Jesus died for everyone, but not everyone has come to the realisation of the finished work of Calvary. God singled you out and opened your eyes to see and you accepted Him as your Lord. He died just for you and He saved you free of charge. Again, stop and think: can you pay for your salvation? No matter how wealthy you may be, you cannot buy your salvation.

Beloved, if you can only think, you will burst for thanking Him and rejoicing in His goodness. Stop and make melody in your heart unto the Lord. Thank Him sincerely, not out of compulsion, but out of love. Give Him the sacrifice of thanksgiving, which is the fruit of your lips, and as you do, get ready because the heaven over you is opened and blessings are pouring out. You must have heard it said over and over again that when praises go up, blessings come down. It is not a religious cliché, it is real and it is my prayer that as you praise God today, you will experience incredible miracles and long-standing cases will give way in Jesus’ name.

Further Reading: Psalm 149:1-9; Psalm 150:1-6

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Hosea 1-4; Evening- Revelation 1

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: Restored Failures — Sunday December 10, 2017.

Read: Psalm 145:1–16, Bible in a Year: Hosea 1–4; Revelation 1

The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. Psalm 145:14

A guest band was leading praise and worship at our church, and their passion for the Lord was moving. We could see—and feel—their enthusiasm.

Then the musicians revealed that they were all ex-prisoners. Suddenly their songs took on special meaning, and I saw why their words of praise meant so much to them. Their worship was a testimony of lives broken and restored.

The world may embrace success. But stories of past failure offer people hope too. They assure us that God loves us no matter how many times we have failed. Pastor Gary Inrig says that what we call the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11 could well be entitled God’s Hall of Reclaimed Failures. “There is scarcely an individual in that chapter without a serious blemish in his or her life,” he observes. “But God is in the business of restoring failures . . . . That is a great principle of God’s grace.”

I love the comfort of Psalm 145, which speaks of God’s “wonderful works” (vv. 5–6) and glorious kingdom (v. 11). It describes His compassion (vv. 8–9) and faithfulness (v. 13)—then immediately tells us that He lifts up those who have fallen (v. 14). All His attributes are expressed when He picks us up. He is indeed in the business of restoration.

Have you failed before? We all have. Have you been restored? All who have been redeemed are stories of God’s grace.

Our stories of failure can be God’s stories of success.

Insight:

For the believer, the living God is the ultimate safety net. The psalmist says, “The Lord upholds all who fall” (Ps. 145:14). Despite allowing disappointment, loss, and failure, God provides the power and resources to keep us going when we stumble.

How might you praise God today for His steadfast love that reaches out to you after you fall? Dennis Fisher

This message was written By Leslie Koh [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Do Not Lose Your Head — Sunday December 10, 2017.

Text: Deuteronomy 18:8-13

Key Verse: “When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations” (Deuteronomy 18:9).

There was a story of a successful man who always moved about with a particular box anywhere he went. People wondered endlessly about the contents of the box because he hardly ever opened it in the public glare. But there came a day when he had to unleash the mystery of the box. The only thing in the box was an old picture of his when he was ragged and wretched. Any time the feeling of pride overtook him, he went into a closet to look at the old picture as a constant reminder of his humble beginning.

There was a clear instruction to the children of Israel in our text that “When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shall not learn to do after the abominations of those nations” (Deuteronomy 18:9). But no sooner did they get to the Promised Land than they forgot all the instructions and started doing exactly what they were commanded against. An example was Saul, the first king in Israel, who went to inquire from the witch at Endor contrary to God’s directive in our text not to consult with familiar spirits or necromancers (Deuteronomy 18:10,11).

Many other kings after him soon followed suit, erecting high places for idol worship and leading the people in the wrong direction. Some who were very fervent and humble when they were nothing become proud at the slightest elevation. They have forgotten that their wealth and comfort here on earth do not equate with heaven’s grandeur in any way. Some others patronize Satan in order to keep the position given to them by God. What a pity! These things happen gradually.

A little carelessness here and there, and before long, the substance is gone. Hence, the warning not to go after the abominations of those nations (Deuteronomy 18:9). Believers are further encouraged to watch and pray lest they fall into temptation (Matthew 26:41).

Thought for the day: It is wisdom to always remember the Lord as the Architect of all goodness.

Bible Reading in one Year: Luke 20-21

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: The Lord Shall Fight For You [Sunday December 10, 2017]

Scripture: The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Exodus 14:14

Thought For The Day: If you are on cause of God, no curse from the enemy can prevail against your life.

From our anchor scripture above, it is established that God is committed to fighting for His children. As long as you are on cause of God, no curse from the enemy can prevail against your life.

This fact was depicted in Numbers 16:26-32 when Korah, Dathan and Abiram rose against Moses. Moses ordered the people to step away from them as directed by God and he decreed that if Korah, Dathan and Abiram died a natural death, then, God did not send him, but if the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, then he was truly called of God. Fearful! Before Moses finished speaking, the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up.

That was the first time people entered hell by direct entry. They entered hell bodily without death. The tragedy of Korah, Dathan and Abiram came as a result of their tampering with the man that was connected to God in prophetic service.

Beloved, as long as you are connected to God, you have no devil to fear; you become untouchable by the enemy.

In this DECEMBER, I decree to you and to everyone connected, related or associated with you that you are not waste-able materials. The Lord shall fight for you in your office, business and family. You are preserved, in Jesus’ Name.

Remember This: If you are on cause of God, no curse from the enemy can prevail against your life.

Assignments:

1. Remain connected to God at all times

2. Maintain a life of holiness, study of the Word, prayer, etc. in order to remain in touch with God.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: TOO NEEDED TO BE WASTED.

Prayer: Lord, give me the grace to remain connected to You. I make demands on Your power to fight my battles, O Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

Daily Reading: Amos 1:1 to 3:15, Revelations 2:1 to 17, Psalm 129:1 to 8, Proverbs 29:19 to 20

Quote: Your assignment is key to your consignment. Your assignment determines your security. Culled from 365 WISDOM CAPSULES by Dr Paul Enenche.

Today In History: 10/12/1950 – Dr. Ralph Bunche became the first African American man awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, for his efforts in mediation between Israel and nearby Arab states the previous year.

Amazing Fact: The Sun is 109 times wider than the earth and 330,000 times as massive.

Prophetic Parental Blessing: This week, I decree your deliverance from accident. No devil shall baptize you with sorrow in this season, in Jesus’ Name.

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: Invitation To Greater Works — Sunday 10, December 2017.

Memorise: Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. – Luke 10:19

Read: Matthew 14:23-29 (KJV)

23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

Bible in One Year: Psalm 135-141, Zephaniah 3:9-20, Hymn: Sing Hymn 14 – Take My Life

MESSAGE:

On one of their journeys by sea, the disciples saw Jesus walking towards them on water. Astonished to see this wonder, Peter asked the lord Jesus Christ if he could join Him, and the Lord invited him to come. Peter’s fellow disciples watched in amazement as he walked towards Jesus on the water. If only they too had responded to the Lord’s invitation, they would have partaken of this awesome experience, but they were not courageous enough to step out. Nevertheless, that invitation to do the impossible was not limited to them. It is still open to you and me today. In John 14:12, Jesus said,

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”

Beloved, the call to do the works of Jesus and even perform greater works than He did is a call to do the impossible. To be able to do this, you must be prepared to believe in Jesus Christ with all your heart, leaving no space for doubt. Do you believe in Him? Why then do you still leave room for doubt? Don’t you know that the Lord never fails?

Furthermore, Jesus invites us to follow Him. John 8:12 says,

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

As the Light, if you follow Jesus, you will not walk in darkness, and neither will you stumble. Also, if you follow Him, He will make something great out of your life. He will make you what you never dreamt you could become. Consider a person like Peter: he would have died an unknown fisherman if he had not accepted Christ’s invitation to follow Him (Matthew 4:18-19). Have you accepted that invitation to follow Jesus? Today, some people give various excuses for not following Him. One of such excuses is that they do not want to be disturbed or distracted from their life’s goal or ambition, failing to realize that if only they accepted the Lord’s invitation, they would have had a greater future and they would have enjoyed His backing in all their life’s endeavors. Have you heeded his invitation?

Key Point: The call to follow Jesus is a call to true discipleship. Are you His disciple?

Hymn 14: Take My Life

1. Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.

2. Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3. Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.

4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.

5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.

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 — THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: JOY AND PEACE [SUNDAY, 10TH DECEMBER 2017]

OPENING PRAYER:

Father, Let the church experience joy and peace through this lesson.

BIBLE PASSAGE: James 3:13-18

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

MEMORY VERSE: Romans: 14:17: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

LESSON INTRODUCTION:

Literally, the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ is the what happens when the Holy Spirit indwells a believer. The ‘fruit’ is the product of the Holy Spirit’s cultivation of character in a heart. Gal5:22-23 describes what that fruit looks like. The second and third characteristics listed are joy and peace respectively. We are to submit our wills to God’s leading and our actions to God’s word, but the actual results are up to Him. Only God can give true joy and create peace through the work of the Holy Spirit.

TEXT REVIEW: James 3:13-18

James 3:13-18 identifies two categories of wisdom: the earthly wisdom and the wisdom which is from above. The wisdom which is from above i.e true wisdom has the following characteristics:

1. Produces good conversation. James 3:3a

2. Meekness James 3:13b

3. Purity James 3:17

4. Peaceable James 3:17

5. Gentle James 3:17

6. Easy to be entreated James 3:17

7. Full of Mercy James 3:17

8. Good fruits James 3:17

9. Sincerity and justice James 3:17

10. Truth James 3:17.

Believers who allow the Holy Spirit to manifest the above-stated fruits in their lives will experience various categories of joy and peace on every side. However the worldly wisdom carries the red signal of:

1. Bitterness, envy and strife in the hearts. James 3:14

2. Shame and lies. James 3:14

3. Sensual and devilish tendencies James 3:15

4. Confusion and evil work. James 3:16

The carrier of these inglorious attributes of the flesh and the devil can never experience joy. They will rather experience sorrow and war. James 4:1 states that war and fighting comes from list i.e from the father of lust, the devil. Peace comes from the Holy Spirit. James 3:17

LESSON OUTLINE 1: JOY

i. Greek word for joy is ‘Chara’

ii. Joy is an expression of gladness to the fulfilled promises of God

iii. The Greek word ‘Charis’ which means ‘grace’ or gift’ is closely related to ‘chara’

iv. When believers yield to the Holy Spirit, He will release grace upon such believer which produces joy. Roman15:13

v. Experiences/categories of joy:-

a. The joy of deliverance: when God sets someone free, rejoicing is in order.1Sam2:1; Acts12:14

b. The joy of salvation: our greatest reason to be joyful is that God wants to save us and spend eternity with us.Lk15:7; Acts8:8; 15:3

c. The joy of spiritual maturity: As the Holy Spirit works in us to bear more fruit, we become confident in God’s promises and rejoice in our walk with Him and with other believers .2Corinth1:24; 1Thess.2:19-20

d. The joy of God’s presence: The Holy Spirit draws us to God, in whose presence we can know true joy. Without the Holy Spirit, no one would seek God. PS16:11; Matthew2:10

CLASS Activity 1:

Each student should mention one thing/event which had given or still gives them joy.

LESSON OUTLINE 2: PEACE

i. Through lust, human race declared war on God. James4:1

ii. God through grace and mercy, declared peace on human race by sending the Prince of Peace. Isaiah9:6

iii. The Lord Jesus restored human race to peace and abolished hostilities through His life. Isaiah53:5

iv. Through the Prince of peace believers have lasting relationship with God of peace and made us do what is pleasing in the sight of God. Heb13:20-21

v. The Holy Spirit brings believers into sweet relationship and maintains us in His Presence. Eph2:11-18

vi. Through the Holy Spirit, we have confidence before the Lord and have become His friend. Heb4:16 and John15:5

vii. The peace which God gives the believer goes beyond any earthly peace and anxiety. Phil4:4-7

viii. The believer’s peace is not scanty. It is rather abundant and available in every circumstance. John14:27

ix. Those who are filled with the fruit of joy have overcome fear, anxiety, doubt, alarm and dread.

CLASS activity 2:

Class should identify reasons why we have wars and conflicts among nations today.

SUMMARY:

Believers have right to joy instead of sorrow and peace instead of war. These rights are conferred on them through the Holy Spirit.

CONCLUSION:

As believers, we must allow God to work in our hearts and in our relationships by laying down our own schedule and trust in God. Through the help of the Holy Spirit we can experience and manifest true joy and peace.

CLOSING PRAYER:

Father, let war cease in every home and nation. Let joy and peace return in abundance.

ASSIGNMENT:

Mention 5 things which the church can do to bring to end hostilities among nations.