Topic: Miracle-Producing Obedience [Tuesday 21, November 2017]

Memorise: “His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” – John 2:5

Read: John 2:1-11

1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

Bible In One Year: Acts 20-21. Hymn: Sing Hymn 5 — Oh Spread The Tiding Round

MESSAGE:

Many people do not know the secret of daily miraculous living. They do not know that a life of obedience enhances the supernatural intervention that results in miraculous events. It is unfortunate that even some children of God are missing out this truth as well. In our Bible reading for today, we can see the confirmation of the title today’s reading. There was a marriage ceremony in Cana of Galilee and our Lord Jesus, His family and disciples were present. There came a need that only God could meet. The mother of Jesus Christ knew that the Representative of God was on ground to do what was humanly impossible.

Afterwards, Jesus Christ instructed the servants to fill the empty water pots with water and asked them to go ahead and serve it as wine. I decree to someone using this devotional; whatever potential shame the enemies are planning concerning you or your parents, God will intervene with a miracle that will nullify it. Beloved, perfect obedience will change your story, just be willing to do whatever God asks you to do.

Prayer Point: Father, give me the spirit that trembles at Your Word and does whatever You want me to do.

Sing Hymn 5: Oh Spread The Tiding Round

Oh, spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found,
Wherever human hearts and human woes abound;
Let every Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound: The Comforter has come!

Chorus:
The Comforter has come,
The Comforter has come!
The Holy Ghost from heav’n,
The Lord’s dear promise giv’n;
Oh, spread the tidings ’round,
Wherever man is found,
The Comforter has come!

2. The long, long night is past, the morning breaks at last;
And hushed the dreadful wail and fury of the blast,
As o’er the golden hills the day advances fast!
The Comforter has come!
Chorus:

3. Lo, the great King of kings, with healing in His wings,
To every captive soul a full deliv’rance brings;
And through the vacant cells the song of triumph rings:
The Comforter has come!
Chorus:

4. O boundless love divine! how shall this tongue of mine
To wond’ring mortals tell the matchless grace divine
That I, a child of hell, should in His image shine!
The Comforter has come!
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: Love & Marriage (3)

Dear Reader,

It is a new week of great opportunities and lines are fallen in pleasant places for you! Indeed, God will give you a goodly heritage this week. Just be filled with expectations because your marital story is about to change!

Marriage is very precious in the sight of God. He has laid down principles in His Word for both the man and the woman to follow, if they must find joy and fulfilment in it. However, it is important to note that in exercising the mantle of leadership, the man must be a loving leader and not a taskmaster.

Love is a necessary ingredient for effective leadership. Without it, those who are being led may eventually refuse to follow and choose to go their own ways. Jesus Christ heads the Church with the rod of love. Likewise, every husband will need the same rod of love, to get the effective followership of his family members.

When a husband demonstrates his love for his wife and children, he will be able to lead his home with ease. The truth is that no one hates to be loved. As a husband, don’t just rejoice at the fact that you are the head of the home; be ready to fulfil the responsibilities attached – make your home a loveable place.

The first home ever created was Eden which means ‘delight’, ‘pleasure’ or ‘enjoyment’. God’s original intent is for the home to be a place of peace and quietness – not in the sense of silence, but of rest.

Some spouses find it hard to say, “I am sorry,” “Please forgive me,” etc., because of their ego. However, anyone that desires his/her marriage to be “heaven on earth” won’t let ego stand between him and his spouse or children. Learn to say, “I am sorry,” when you offend your spouse. It works! If you do that, the countenance of your spouse will change.

As a husband, you need to always compliment your wife’s good qualities and that will bring out the best in her. Everyone loves to be praised, either for what he or she has done or simply for who they are. No one is perfect; so express your appreciation in areas your spouse is good at, whether small or great. You can also show appreciation by giving little gifts. Make room for praise in your home!

As couples, you must learn each other’s love language. If your spouse responds positively to physical touch, then learn to do that. If he likes words of encouragement, speak encouragement often to him or her. If he or she is the type that responds to acts of service, then be pro-active and always try to give a helping hand. This is how you make each other feel good.

Love is something you must choose to express, by choosing to be patient, pleasing, forgiving, trusting, understanding, and also learn to grow, encourage, help, be truthful, faithful, unselfish, and hopeful. Communicate in love with your spouse for the rest of your life. This is a choice you must make today.

Even if you are troubled in your marriage or your partner is not responding as you would like him or her to, you must still choose to love. Do not let your heart become hardened. It may not be easy to do all of these in the energy of the flesh. But help is available for you, as you ask God for the strength you need to choose to “love” sacrificially and unconditionally, beginning from today.

To be able to truly walk in love with all sincerity of heart, you need to become a bonafide child of God.  You become a child of God by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour.  If you are set for it, please say this prayer in faith:  Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.

Topic: What’s Your Perception of Yourself [Tuesday, 21st November, 2017]

And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. Numbers 13:33

One thing is certain, as a man thinks in his heart so he is. That is, the opinion you have formed about yourself, your perception about yourself, the value you place on yourself, the way you treat yourself, that is who you are. Another certainty is this, nobody will see you more than how you see yourself. Nobody will treat you better than you treat yourself. People will generally toe the line of your perception about you. They will form their opinion base on the value you are exuding. Yes, it is true that sometimes people hold a wrong opinion different from the one you are exhibiting, such opinion are also characterized with how you’ve presented yourself, actively or passively, to them.

This principle was glaring in scripture. Moses sent spies, twelve spies to go spy the land of Canaan. When the spies came back, ten of them reported back with these words: “and there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight” (Numbers 13:33). Notice that they said “AND WE WERE IN OUR OWN SIGHT AS GRASSHOPPERS, and so we were in their sight.” The children Anak only got to see them as grasshoppers because they’ve already seen themselves as such. They acted like grasshoppers before them, their carriage were that of a grasshopper, the value they placed on themselves were that of a grasshopper, the opinion they had of themselves were that of grasshoppers. So they behave as such, and the children of Anak saw them as grasshoppers. Guess what, they died like grasshoppers.

When Caleb, who was part of the spy group, was urging the people to go up against them because they are able to defeat them, these ten spies were insisting they won’t be able to go up against them because they – the children of Anak – are more stronger. Guess what, those ten spies were defeated. What is opinion do you hold of yourself, what value do you place on yourself, what is your perception of yourself. Let this scripture guide you on that: “but ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Keep winning daily.

Wise Action:

Let the Word of God dictate your perception of yourself. View yourself from the mirror of the Word, and don’t ever forget what you see. Hold and live the image you see from the Word.

Topic: You Have No Margin For Failure — Tuesday November 21, 2017.

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” (2 Corinthians 2:14 KJV)

What was the end of Pharaoh in the book of Exodus 14? He drowned with all his best military hardware and personnel. They drowned in the red sea that God’s people walked through. The enemy that they saw same day, they saw them no more. You can’t pursue God’s people when you know God will arise to help them. How dare you think you can overwhelm a child of God? The fact that God allows certain things in your life does not mean he is weak. He is simply saying, my child, you can handle it. When it is all said and done, the last testimony belongs to you.

There is no margin for failure for a child of God. So be thankful because in Christ we are always victorious. You must always remember that you have no failure material in you. You win always. You may not look like it, but don’t ever set your face towards failure. It is an insult to the finished work of redemption. Don’t ever accept failure. If you accept failure, then Christ has failed because you are in Christ. Christ has done it all. Also, God sees you in Christ because the price has been fully paid for. When you, therefore, say that you are a failure because of a temporal situation, the enemy will be wondering if you know who you are and what Christ has done.

In Exodus 14, the enemy drowned because they pursued the people of God. I decree that the enterprise of the enemy will never succeed in your life. In the book of Joshua 6:1, Jericho was shut because of the children of Israel, none went in and none came out. It was shut to prevent God’s people from entering. But God showed up and proved himself to be God. I see God proving himself in that situation. Every door of hindrance is broken today. The supernatural open door is your portion.

Further Reading: Exodus 14:28-30, Joshua 1:1-9, Psalms 106:7-10

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Ezekiel 16-17; Evening- James 3

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.