Topic: Accept The Gift Of Forgiveness [Thursday December 7, 2017]

Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

Forgiveness of sins is one of the great themes of the Bible. There is so much that scripture says about it that it would take volumes of books to adequately deal with the subject. It will suffice to say that the blood of Jesus is what provided us with forgiveness of sins. That sacrifice was so great that it outweighed all our sins. It covered all the sins of the world-past, present, and future.

Most Christians have the concept that the sins they committed before they professed faith in Christ are forgiven at salvation, but any sins that are committed after that time are not forgiven until they repent and ask for forgiveness. This is not the case.

All our sins: past, present, and future were forgiven through the one offering of Jesus. If God can’t forgive future sins, then none of us can be saved because Jesus only died once, nearly 2,000 years ago, before we had committed any sins. All our sins have been forgiven.

The forgiveness of our sins is not the ultimate goal of our salvation. It is just a necessary step. The real goal of salvation is relationship with the Father and sin is a barrier to that relationship. So, it had to be dealt with, and it was, through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who stop with the forgiveness of sins and don’t go on into eternal life are missing the heart of salvation. Our sins have been forgiven so that we may enter into intimacy with the Lord.

It is through the riches of God’s grace that we have received forgiveness for our sins. There is nothing we can do to obtain forgiveness except humble ourselves and receive forgiveness as a gift through faith in Christ.

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 Manifestation of Faith [Thursday December 7, 2017]

. . . we can come to the Lord with perfect assurance and trust . . . — 1 John 3:21 (TLB)

The Bible teaches that faith will manifest itself in three ways. It will manifest itself in doctrine—in what you believe. It will manifest itself in worship—your communion with God and the fellowship of the church. It will manifest itself in morality—in the way you live and behave. . . . The Bible also teaches that faith does not end with trust in Christ for your salvation. Faith continues. Faith grows. It may be weak at first, but it will become stronger as you begin to read the Bible, pray, go to church, and experience God’s faithfulness in your Christian life. You will learn more and more how to rely on Christ for every need, in meeting every circumstance, and every trial.

What does it mean to grow in your faith?

Prayer for the day: Your Word teaches how greatly You desire for me to rely on Your love and strength. I praise Your name, my Lord and my Redeemer.

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: Press In [Thursday December 7, 2017]

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…. – Colossians 3:16

Things in this old world aren’t getting any better, and in recent times, the Holy Spirit has been speaking an urgent message to my heart. He’s been saying, Press in. Draw in to a more intimate relationship with your heavenly Father. If you don’t, you won’t make it. If you do, you will see more glorious outpourings of God than you can imagine.

That message isn’t just for me. It’s also for you—and for every other believer on the earth today. We are in the last of the last days of this age. Jesus is coming soon. It’s an exciting time, but it’s also a dangerous time. Those who don’t do what the Spirit says, who don’t press in to the Lord, are going to go from disaster to disaster. But those who do will defeat the disasters and turn them into glory, in Jesus’ Name!

Your first step in drawing closer to God is to realize that you know God first in His Word. Time spent meditating in the New Testament is time spent with Jesus.

Most people don’t realize that. So, instead of getting to know the Lord through His Word, they try to know Him through their feelings and that just won’t work.

Letting the Word dominate your thinking is to allow the Holy Spirit to have control over your mind. As you do that, your feelings will eventually fall in line.

Remember this: John 1 tells us that Jesus is the Word. That means, when you spend time in it, you’re spending time with Jesus. When His Word is dwelling in you richly, then Jesus is dwelling in you richly too!

Don’t go from disaster to disaster. Take those disasters and turn them into glory, in Jesus’ Name. Press in to Jesus. Press in to the Word and you’ll make it through these dangerous days just fine!

Scripture Reading: John 1:1-14

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 — The Flood That Sank The President: Look Up! [Thursday, December 7, 2017]

Basic Scripture: Amos 5;1-9

I remember year ago, just before the end of August 2005, American witnessed one of its worst hurricane disasters in many years. The Hurricane was called KATRINA. The worst hit at that time was New Orleans. Hurricane Kitrina left hundreds of people dead and thousands homeless and confused. It was a pathetic sight as lot of people, young and old, were helpless and begging for help from anywhere.

For millions on earth, it was really thought-provoking! The question asked worldwide where: “Where then can we hide? Is there really safety anywhere?” That was America-the dreamland of millions, “God’s own country” where it is assumed that anything works, yet American were left at the mercy of Katrina, stranded for days on rooftops of trees and disappointed in the government of that day! In fact the then president, George W. Bush, admitted that they have failed! Critics described Katrina as the as the beginning of the end of the 43rd President of the USA – President George Bush! Yet more vocal critics named that Hurricane as: “THE FLOOD THAT SANK PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH!” Yes indeed, President Bush never recovered politically from Katrina! Oh! Amos 5:4 says, “…seek me and ye shall live.”

This is an assurance of every child of God, because on this earth as long as you are in this mortal body! You are prone to natural, human or artificial disasters in which even the best government is helpless! SEEK HIM! NOT MEN! STOP LOOKING AROUND TO MEN! LOOK UP TO HIM! Psalm 91:1 declares: “He that dwelleth  in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH IS SAFER THAN THE SHELTER PLACE OF A BILLION MEN!

When God allows certain, odd circumstances severe and trial phases in your life there is an assurance that God is right there in the midst of it with you and for you because He will never take you where His grace will not show up! Receive that grace now as you pray! Look up and determine never to miss the LAST- MINUTE MIRACLE ANOINTING service this Saturday! Don’t quit now!

MARK THIS TWO DAYS!!! THE LAGOS (OGUDU) MOUNTAIN ANOINTINGSERVICE is this Saturday December 9th ; TIME: 8am-11.30am. Theme: “THE BEST FOR THE LAST: ANOINTING FOR LAST-MINUTE MIRACLE” and Sunday December 10th is the ANNUAL ODM (INTERDENOMINATIONAL) THANKSGIVING SERVICE.

Prayer Points: Take this song: Because He Lives…

1. Thank God for another brand new day and pry about today’s message as it has affected you.

2. As 2107 ends, Lord help me to re-direct my focus on You and from man.

3. Pray about today as led. CANCEL every end-of –year EVIL! Loose good news now!

4. Learn a success secret today! See the GEMS For Success  Today/Daily!

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

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

Topic: First Things First — Thursday December 7, 2017.

Read: 1 Timothy 4:12–16, Bible in a Year: Daniel 5–7; 2 John

Watch your life and doctrine closely. 1 Timothy 4:16

When you travel by air, before the flight takes off an airline employee presents a safety briefing, which explains what to do if there is a loss of cabin pressure. Passengers are told that oxygen masks will drop from the compartment above and they are to put one on themselves before helping others. Why? Because before you can help anyone else, you need to be physically alert yourself.

When Paul wrote to Timothy, he stressed the importance of maintaining his own spiritual health before helping and serving others. He reminded Timothy of his many responsibilities as a pastor: There were false teachings to contend with (1 Tim. 4:1–5) and wrong doctrines to correct (vv. 6–8). But to discharge his duties well, what was most important was to “watch [his] life and doctrine closely [and] persevere in them” (v. 16). He needed to take care of his own relationship with the Lord first before he could attend to others.

What Paul told Timothy applies to us too. Each day we encounter people who do not know the Lord. When we tank up on our spiritual oxygen first through time in God’s Word, prayer, and the enabling of the Holy Spirit, we keep our relationship right with God. Then we will be spiritually alert to help others.

Prayer: Lord, open Your Word to me now. Let me breathe in its freshness before I go out to be Your light to the world.

A Christian’s life is the window through which others can see Jesus.

Insight:

The importance of our relationship with God is also a prominent theme in the Old Testament. As Moses passed the leadership of the Israelites over to Joshua, he reminded his protégé that he must keep a right relationship with God. Joshua was to study God’s Word, “to meditate on it day and night,” and “be careful to do everything written in it.” Only then would Joshua successfully lead his people into the Promised Land (Josh. 1:7–8). Four hundred years later, David gave similar advice to his son Solomon: “Learn to know [God] intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. . . . The Lord has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work” (1 Chron. 28:9–10 nlt). Heeding his father’s wise advice, Solomon humbly sought the Lord and succeeded in building the temple (1 Kings 3:3–15; 6:14, 38).

What steps can you take this week to strengthen your personal relationship with God?

This message was written By C. P. Hia [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Too Surrounded To Surrender [Thursday December 7, 2017]

Scripture: For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. Zechariah 2:5

Thought For The Day: Who surrounds you determines what you can survive.

God’s children are created to fulfil the purpose of God on earth. This is why they cannot be wasted in life. Our anchor scripture clearly reveals God as a wall of fire around His children.

The truth is, if you were not needed on earth, you would not be created. Since you are needed and have been created, you cannot be wasted by any devil.

When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the burning furnace (Daniel 3: 1-30), they could not be burnt because they were surrounded by a higher fire (God). So, they could not surrender to the fire of Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den (Daniel 6:16-23) but he could not be eaten up by the lions because of who surrounded him.

Beloved, who surrounds you determines what you can survive. Your company determines your security.

Today, I decree to you that you are too surrounded to surrender to the devil. In this month of December, no devil is permitted to cut your life short in Jesus’ Name.

Remember This: Who surrounds you determines what you can survive.

Assignment(S):

1. Live with the mentality that you are too surrounded to be wasted. Talk it, behave it and live it.

2. In whatever you do, camp with God.

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

Prayer: LORD, I connect with Your preservation agenda for my life. Deliver me, O LORD, from every orchestration of the enemy to waste my life or the lives of my loved ones, in Jesus’ Name.

Quote: The closer you get to God, the more secured your life will be. The farther you move away from God, the more vulnerable your life and destiny will be. Culled from15 KINGDOM STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL by Dr Paul Enenche.

Daily Reading: Hosea 6:1 to 9:17, 3 John 1 to 15, Psalm 126:1 to 6, Proverbs 29:12 to 14

Today In History: 07/12/1909: Inventor Leo Baekeland created the first thermo-setting plastic, Bakelite, sparking the birth of the plastics industry

Amazing Fact: Rats’ tails help them to balance, communicate and regulate their body temperature.

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: Blessed Assurance — Thursday December 7, 2017.

Text: Job 33:14-33

Key Verse: “He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness” (Job 33:26).

Afflictions and chastisements are definitely unpleasant to man and are often adjudged as coming from the enemy. This makes some undiscerning believers to pray amiss. Our passage today sheds clear light on the fact that afflictions and chastisements could also be instruments for correction from God. Patience, prayer and meditation on God’s words open man’s understanding to see God’s purpose and plan for every experience we may be passing through.

When passing through an adverse experience, we should first look inwards and examine ourselves. Then, let us “…hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it” (Micah 6:9). Afflictions and adversity are often God’s instrument of restraining man from pride, ungodly purposes and destruction. Preachers, counselors and ‘interpreters’ of the scriptures should faithfully point the afflicted to self-examination before recommending prayer of warfare against imaginary ‘enemies’ during adversity. God’s assurance of answer to the right type of prayer at the time of adversity is comforting. “He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness” (Job 33:26).

This is a kind and loving assurance from a Father who does not want anyone to perish but come to repentance. The afflicted is also assured of God’s great intervention after genuine prayer of repentance. His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s; he shall return to the days of his youth; he shall see God’s face with joy; God shall deliver his soul from going to hell; and his life shall see light (Job 33:25,26,28). Can anything be more desirable than these? What a great assurance!

Thought for the day: Praying God’s way attracts heaven’s attention.

Bible Reading in one Year: Luke 11-12

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: Blessed Assurance — Thursday December 7, 2017.

Text: Job 33:14-33

Key Verse: “He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness” (Job 33:26).

Afflictions and chastisements are definitely unpleasant to man and are often adjudged as coming from the enemy. This makes some undiscerning believers to pray amiss. Our passage today sheds clear light on the fact that afflictions and chastisements could also be instruments for correction from God. Patience, prayer and meditation on God’s words open man’s understanding to see God’s purpose and plan for every experience we may be passing through.

When passing through an adverse experience, we should first look inwards and examine ourselves. Then, let us “…hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it” (Micah 6:9). Afflictions and adversity are often God’s instrument of restraining man from pride, ungodly purposes and destruction. Preachers, counselors and ‘interpreters’ of the scriptures should faithfully point the afflicted to self-examination before recommending prayer of warfare against imaginary ‘enemies’ during adversity. God’s assurance of answer to the right type of prayer at the time of adversity is comforting. “He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness” (Job 33:26).

This is a kind and loving assurance from a Father who does not want anyone to perish but come to repentance. The afflicted is also assured of God’s great intervention after genuine prayer of repentance. His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s; he shall return to the days of his youth; he shall see God’s face with joy; God shall deliver his soul from going to hell; and his life shall see light (Job 33:25,26,28). Can anything be more desirable than these? What a great assurance!

Thought for the day: Praying God’s way attracts heaven’s attention.

Bible Reading in one Year: Luke 11-12

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.