Topic: The Victory We Have in Jesus [Thursday November 23, 2017]

For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. — Ephesians 2:10

The Bible says that Jesus experienced death for us. So you and I do not have to experience eternal death because He has paid the penalty for our sin and given us the gift of eternal life. Now that is something to rejoice about!

Because of Christ’s resurrection and victory over death, each new morning is a new opportunity for us to live out the victory we have in Christ. I believe that when Christians put their feet on the floor in the morning, hell ought to shake. Demons should tremble when they realize we’re awake!

That’s exactly what will happen when we realize who we are in Christ and understand the authority we have in Him. We are soldiers in the army of God. We have authority in Him!

Jesus has defeated sin and death. Now we need to consistently walk in the authority and victory that He provides for us. That’s when we’re extremely dangerous to the enemy of God!

Prayer Starter: God, thank You for the victory I have in You. Every day, help me to further understand the price You paid for me so I can walk in all the authority and victory that You have for me.

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries

Topic: Get A Team [Thursday, 23rd November, 2017]

Ese Ehimare Dave

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. Ecclesiastes 4:9

Being alone, or doing things alone is stressful most times. Although, results are guaranteed even though you are working alone, but that result will be limited compared to working in a team. Working alone limits the mental and physical resources at your disposal, it is more psychologically tasking. Ever wonder why Jesus Christ, despite Him being Omnipotent, still went ahead to get a team of people to carry out His assignment on earth? It is because He understood that He will achieve more result than if He were to operate alone.

Most organizations today always have a team of people working on a project because they know that they will achieve more with a team than having individuals work alone. “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour” (Ecclesiastes 4:9). For better reward, work with a team. A business that is own by two or more people is more likely to last longer than a solely owned business. There will be more strategies for growth, more human resources, more energy to expend on it. There would be more fight in them. What would have made the business go under, if it were solely owned, will be better withstood if the ownership is more than one. Scriptures say in Ecclesiastes 4:12: “and if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

The truth is, no man is an island. You cannot possibly survive in the world being alone. Get into partnership with people with shared values and vision. Get a team to work with you on the project you want to execute. Don’t go solo always. Even a solo musician have to work with a team to produce his music. God never intended that the male man would be alone. The woman was always part of the plan. It was not an afterthought to make the woman. How do I know, scripture says: “so God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27). He created man, both male (man) and female (woman) at the beginning. He only made the woman physically when the time was right. So, He always knew that it is better  to have a team than to be alone. Be like God.

Keep winning daily.

Wise Action:

While is it good to work alone, it is better to work with a team. Get a team of people to work with you on your next project. You will achieve more.

Topic: Dealing With Ancestral Curses II [Thursday 23, November 2017]

Memorise: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” – Colossians 2:14

Read: Colossians 2:14-18

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Bible In One Year: Acts 24-26. Hymn: Sing Hymn 9 — My Faith Has Found Resting A Place

MESSAGE:

Man people today live under bondage as a result of their forefather’s sins. For example an uncontrollable anger or promiscuity may be noticed in a teenager and upon investigation; such is traced to the parents and grandparents. Exodus 34:7 says:

“…visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and upon the children’s children, unto the fourth generation.”

However, the moment God comes into such a life, things change dramatically. When God is in control of your life, it is evident through the tremendous peace that will calm your storms, but when the devil rules the life of an individual, there will be total confusion. 1 Corinthians 14:33 says God has nothing to do with confusion. When people engage in things that can destroy them, it means their heads are manipulated by the devil. If you find it difficult to submit to authority or comply with simple rules, examine yourself. The state of the head is revealed by the conduct of the body. No matter how refined an individual looks, if something is wrong with the head, it will show.

Prayer Point: Father, please completely destroy the power of ancestral curses in my life in Jesus’ Name.

Sing Hymn 9: My Faith Has Found Resting A Place

My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.

Chorus:
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He’ll never cast me out.
Chorus:

My heart is leaning on the Word,
The living Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s Name,
Salvation through His blood.
Chorus:

My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave.
Chorus.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional for Teen’s 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: The Abundant Life [Thursday November 23, 2017]

He that eateth, eateth to the Lord; for he giveth God thanks . . . — Romans 14:6

Do you think that God would have bothered to send His Son to the world, if man had been able to face life and eternity alone? Christ’s coming to the world proved that God was not happy with man’s unhappiness. He sent Him not only that we might have eternal life but that we might have life here and now, and that we might have it more abundantly—Life with a capital L!

Jesus’ teaching was unique and different. He took religion out of the theoretical category and placed it in the practical. He spoke with authority! He spoke with finality! He spoke as though He knew … and He did! His was not the soft empty conjecture of the philosopher, who professes to search for truth-but readily admits he has never found it. It was more the confident voice of the mathematician who gives his answers unhesitatingly, because the proof of the answers can be found within the problem.

Prayer for the day: Lord God, I know that I am completely dependent upon You. Thank You for daily providing all that my body needs

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: The Silence of the Son [Thursday November 23, 2017]

Luke 22:63-64 “And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?”

Here is the account of God’s own creation mocking and insulting His Son without Him intervening. The pain that this must have caused the Father defies description.

Those who struck Jesus and told Him to prophesy who it was that struck Him, must have taken Jesus’ silence as proof that He was not who He claimed to be.

The natural mind could not conceive that Almighty God would take this kind of abuse from His creation. But this was the plan of God.

Isaiah prophesied that, as a lamb before its shearers is dumb (Isa. 53:7), so Jesus would not open His mouth. Isaiah also mentioned that Jesus “was taken from prison and from judgment” referring to the fact that He was not given a fair trial (Isa. 53:8). Isaiah went on to prophesy in Isaiah 53:9 that Jesus would make “his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death.” This was fulfilled when Jesus was crucified between two thieves and buried in a rich man’s tomb.

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: You Are Partaker Of A Divine Order — Thursday November 23, 2017.

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1:7 KJV)

Beloved, one thing that we must be confident of as children of God, especially in these last days, is that we are partakers of a divine order that was enacted upon the precious blood of the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ. It is an order wherein the enemy cannot level any accusations against us because our High Priest constantly makes intercession for us. Therefore, on the strength of this covenant, ratified in His blood, God is obligated to take care of you. He takes your case personally and ensures that you are victorious, irrespective of what your challenges are. In fact, according to His word, He has already perfected all that concerns you – not some, not few, but all. Because He is your Father!

Apostle Paul highlighted this in his epistle in Romans 8:15 (NKJV), “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba Father’”. He was through this scripture, describing the relationship you now have with God because of Jesus. Your relationship is no longer a distant one, but an intimate one. And you must never forget this; He is your Father. He has accepted you in His beloved.

Beloved, rather than speak the wrong words when faced with a challenge, speak the words of your Father. Your Father is favourably disposed to dispense only good to you. He loves you with an everlasting love and has inscribed you upon the palm of His hands, where no evil can touch you. As you go about your assignment, evil will bow before you. The wicked will bow at your gate. God will fight your battles. He will shut the mouth of the enemy and silence the voice of the wicked. His purpose and plan for your life shall be accomplished. Your dreams and expectations shall not be cut off. Your testimonies will not be aborted.

Further Reading: Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 7:22-25, 2 Peter 1:2-4

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Ezekiel 20-21; Evening- James 5

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.