Topic: Overcoming Like Jesus — Thursday 30, November 2017.

Memorise: To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. – Revelation 3:21

Read: Revelation 3:21-22 (KJV)

21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Bible in One Year: Psalm 78-80, Micah 7:8-20, Hymn: Sing Hymn 2 – What A Friend We Have In Jesus

MESSAGE:

Man’s surest source of rest is Jesus Christ because He never breaks His promises (Matthew 11:28-29, 2 Corinthians 1:20). In John 16:33, He assures us that as long as we are in this world, tribulations and problems will come, but because He successfully overcame them, He will see us through if we put our trust in Him. Therefore, because He overcame and we are following in His footsteps, we are also bound to overcome. Are you struggling with sin and expressing doubts on whether you can ever overcome like Jesus did? Fear not and do not doubt! You can overcome that besetting sin! The truth with such sin is that the one who keeps falling into them has not truly made up his or her mind to stop them. The Bible declares that sin shall not have dominion over you, and God cannot lie (Romans 6:14). If you are therefore falling into sin and you probe yourself a little deeper, you will find some level of tolerance for that sin, or some excuse you always give for that sin, or even some iota of likeness for that sin. If the devil can find any of these in you, he will celebrate, knowing that any of these can keep you perpetually at the bus stop of that sin. If you are serious about stopping a bad habit, you will have zero-tolerance for it.

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” – Revelation 3:21

God does not have double standards in the criteria He uses for allowing people into Heaven, or for giving them rewards for work done on earth. Jesus Christ is God’s standard. So if you will enter into eternal rest in Heaven, you must meet with God’s standard as exemplified by Jesus Christ. If you will be rewarded by God in heaven, Jesus says you must be prepared to overcome the same way He overcame while He was here on earth. You can run the Christian race without stress when you follow in His steps. Have you taken pains to study the life of Jesus? Have you noted how He responded to temptations, sin, enemies, friends, difficulties, lack, needs, challenges in ministry, and betrayal by associates? God expects you to respond as Jesus did in all these situations. If you do so, you will be granted access to the privileges reserved for overcomers in Heaven.

Key Point: You cannot overcome if you fail to study Jesus Christ and respond to situations the way He did.

Hymn 2: What A Friend We Have In Jesus

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.

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.

Topic: Prophet Amongst Prophets — Thursday November 30, 2017.

Text: Deuteronomy 18:15-22

Key Verse: “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken” (Deuteronomy 18:15).

In his book, Prophet, novelist Frank Peretti tells the story of a television news anchor, John Barnett, who upon his father’s accidental death, is encouraged to investigate and report on problems at an abortion clinic. He soon discovers his producer attempting to fabricate a story and himself hearing mysterious “voices”. In the process of continuing his investigations John finds God and Truth.

Prophets and prophecies are always associated with truth. Even when they are false, it is the truth that exposes them as false. Moses knew his time was up: his ministry as a prophet and leader of the Israelites was coming to an end. As a true prophet, God revealed His plan for the coming generation to him. This great plan of God was the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, as a Prophet like Moses, who would reveal the will of God to the people and rescue them from the power of sin. But Satan knew about the curiosity of man for the future.

He knew how insatiable the crave for information about the future by man would be. He therefore made his own plan too to flood the world with his own prophets who will go all out to deceive the people. Moses then explained further how to know the fake from the true prophet. The key is simply the ability to tell the truth. True prophets will say the truth about what is going on now and what is coming in the future but false prophets on the other hand will deceive their followers with falsehood. False prophets are literally controlling the lives of many people with revelation on who to marry, the type of job to do, place to live or even what to wear.

Some people can no longer visit their parents or family members because so-called prophets have warned them against it. Christ is the true Prophet of God; He sets captives free and guides us on the path of life. You cannot follow Him and be lost.

Thought for the day: Wise men still seek Jesus.

Bible Reading in one Year: Ezekiel 47-48

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: Depression- An Enemy Of Restoration [Thursday November 30, 2017]

Scripture: Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David was greatly distressed… 1 Sam 30:4 and 6a

Thought For The Day: There is no celebration in depression, and there can be no restoration where there is depression.

Medically, depression is viewed as an illness that involves the body, mood and thought of a person. Simply put, depression is an act of feeling sad and suppressed emotionally.

Depression is an enemy of acceleration and restoration. There can be no restoration in depression. Where there is depression, restoration is scarce.

Our anchor scripture shows that David wept until there was no strength to weep again. The truth is, depression deprives a person of energy to pursue. And what is not pursued cannot be restored. The inability to pursue is the reason for deficiency in restoration.

Depression is a confirmation of defeat. You cannot be depressed and attain your destiny. There is no celebration in depression, and there can be no restoration where there is depression.

My counsel is, determine to maintain a permanent atmosphere of excitement around your life. Whatever the devil wants you to do, do the opposite – if he wants you sad, be glad, if he wants you depressed, jubilate, if he wants you to mourn, make merriment.

I prophesy the restoration of joy and celebration in your life, in Jesus’ Name.

Remember This: There is no celebration in depression and there can be no restoration where there is depression.

Assignment(S):

1. Make up your mind to avoid depression as you would avoid cancer

2. Be happy!

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: SECRETS OF RESTORATION

Prayer: O Lord, deliver me from the plague of depression. Baptize me with the spirit of celebration and jubilation, Lord in Jesus’ Name.

Quote: The Presence of God is key to celebration in life. Culled from BE WISE AND RISE by Dr. Paul Enenche.

Daily Reading: Daniel 7:1 to 28, 1 John 1:1 to 10, Psalm 119:153 to 176, Proverbs 28:23 to 24

Amazing Fact: A baby horse can walk and run after just a few hours of being born

Today In History: 30/11/1406, Angelo Correr was elected Pope Gregory XII

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: Connect To God’s Wisdom — Thursday November 30, 2017.

“Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:” (Daniel 2:20 KJV)

Reading through the account in Daniel 2, it is clear that unlike the astrologers, magicians and Chaldeans who had no answer and had no place to turn to for a solution, Daniel knew he had a God who reveals deep and secret things. The book of Daniel 11:32 (KJV) says, “…but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” Daniel had confidence in God, and he approached the situation from that standpoint. If you truly must leverage on this wisdom, which has been ordained for your glory, then you must be connected to the Father who is the source of all wisdom. Proverbs 2:7 (NKJV) addresses this clearly and it says, “He stores up sound wisdom for the upright…” The upright is the one who is in the relationship and has right standing with the Father.

Daniel had the boldness to go to God when confronted with that difficult situation because of the relationship he had developed. Beloved, what is the condition of your relationship with your Father? What is the quality of your prayer life? As believers, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in tongues. But how many of us take advantage of this? God reveals incredible things in righteousness when we pray in tongues. But some of us don’t know it. Unfortunately, to our detriment, some of us think of God as a spare tyre. The God that revealed the king’s dream and its interpretation to Daniel is still on the throne and He is no respecter of persons.

Beloved, you are called to be the lighthouse wherever you find yourself. In your office, you should be indispensable by reason of the wisdom of God that is revealed through you. But you must take your relationship with God seriously. Like Daniel, choose to function on the superior platform of godly wisdom and you will be distinguished.

Further Reading: Daniel 2:1-30

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Ezekiel 37-39; Evening- 2 Peter 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: His Presence [Thursday November 30, 2017]

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings . . . — Philippians 3:10

W.C. Burns of India wrote, “Oh to have a martyr’s heart, if not a martyr’s crown.” Popularity and adulation are far more dangerous for the Christian than persecution. It is easy, when all goes smoothly, to lose our sense of balance and our perspective. The important thing is to walk with Christ, to live for Christ, and to have one consuming passion—to please Him. Then, whatever happens, we know that He has permitted it in order to teach us some priceless lesson and to perfect us for His service. He will enrich our circumstances, be they pleasant or disagreeable, by the fact of His presence with us.

Prayer for the day: Lord, my soul wants to love and know You far more deeply. Forgive the times I have set my eyes on things that keep me from You.

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: You’re Not Alone In Persecution [Thursday November 30, 2017]

Luke 23:11 “And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.”

All of Christ’s sufferings did not end when He finished His earthly ministry.

He still takes the persecution of His people personally as is revealed by His statement to Saul on the road to Damascus: “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” He didn’t ask Paul why he was persecuting His people. He said, “Why are you persecuting Me?” When we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, it is actually Christ who is being persecuted.

One of the most trying aspects of persecution is the feeling that God has forsaken you. “If God wanted to, He could stop the persecution, right?

Therefore, He doesn’t care.” That’s the way the devil tries to make us think.

However, the Lord is with you in persecution. If you remember this, it will keep you from being discouraged when persecution comes.

True Christianity is exactly the opposite of the whole-world system. We are heading in a selfless direction, while the world is consumed with self. Jesus teaches us to love, while the world is full of hate. We are supposed to turn the other cheek, while the world takes opportunities to hurt us. The world and Christianity are in conflict. The only reason a Christian would not suffer persecution is if he is heading in the same direction as an unbeliever. When we go God’s way, we will bump into the devil.

Christ is still suffering persecution today when His people are persecuted.

He will continue to do so until the establishment of His physical kingdom.

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).