Topic: Stop The Haste! Let Things Happen! [Tuesday, October 24, 2017]

Basic Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Welcome to today’s devotional encounter with He that is the Chief inventor, the Genesis, the Author, the Convener, the Sustainer and the Finisher or your destiny!

The Holy Ghost is reminding you that no matter how your year 2017 has been, to everything there is a reason and a time to every purpose (Verse 1 in today’s basic text). Whether you are depressed, weep, murmur, complain or use every physical effort at your disposal, I want you to know that until your time for a miracle is up, you are wasting your time. If you don’t have your expectation fulfilled yet, be patient. Don’t fight God secretly in your heart! His calendar for you is on course.

This is the last quarter of this year! Many have died since the year began! That the devil could not kill you and you are alive to be reading this write-up shows that you will be celebrated on this earth, because when there is life, there is hope! Someone said, “The haste of a fool is the slowest thing in the world.”Worry and haste slows down every dream and opens the door for failure and shame!

Never make the mistake of comparing yourself to the people that are ahead of you already. Don’t forget that even the formal Head of Microsoft Corporation, Mr. Bill Gates (also the official richest man in the world today with a personal fortune of over 86 billion dollars), said it took him 26 years when he had a desire/vision , to place a computer on every desk in most homes. He said that the road had been rough and many times, he had felt like switching jobs. But within a quarter of a century, most homes in the developed countries can boast of a computer.

Even though the developing countries are not ‘set free’ yet, he believes his vision is not in vain. Please no matter how it takes, wait! Life is lived in seasons. Your own time for breakthrough is nearer than you think. Premature victory is dangerous! Remember that destiny is an adventure you have to keep pace with. Never forget that the greatest killer of dreams is haste: The desire to reach out for things before the divinely appointed time. Please understand that: There is a time to make things happen and a time to let things happen. Heaven has a great plan for you! Wait! Look up! You will never end up in shame!

Prayer Points: Take this song: Because He lives…

1. Lord of my times and seasons, I wait upon you! I shall not be ashamed (Pray this point seriously).

2. Spirit of self-pity, comparison and haste, loose my family and me and go now in Jesus name!

3. Ask for the grace to wait concerning … (Mention any battle or problem confronting you). Pray about today now!

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

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

Topic: Prejudice Is Weakness [Tuesday October 24, 2017]

Judge not, that ye be not judged.— Matthew 7:1

The word prejudice means “prejudging” or “making an estimate of others without knowing the facts.” Prejudice is a mark of weakness, not of strength. Prejudice is measured by computing the distance between our own biased opinions and the real truth. If we would all be perfectly honest before God, there would be no prejudice.

Prayer for the day: You love each one of us with a love that breaks through all prejudicial barriers, Father. Forgive me for the times I judge others. Purify my heart, that I may be used to draw people together into the bond of Christ’s unifying love.

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: Let God Prune You His Way – Tuesday October 24, 2017.

John 15:2 “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”

Text: John 15:2

This purging has been interpreted in many ways. The illustration that Jesus is using is one of pruning; therefore, some have said this purging is a very painful process where the Lord cuts and slashes us through things like sickness, death, poverty, and other forms of tragedy so that eventually we will bear more fruit. This teaching not only promotes problems as being good, but necessary, if we want to bear more fruit.

That thinking is not consistent with the rest of God’s Word or even the context of this verse. The text makes it very clear that the purging that Jesus speaks of is done through the Word that He has spoken unto us.

Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that God’s Word was given to us “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” That is God’s method of pruning us, and He doesn’t need the devil’s help. His word will make us “perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

That is not to say that we cannot learn through tragedy: but God has a better way. If we mistakenly think that God is bringing tragedy into our lives to make us more fruitful, then we’ll not resist the tragedies and they will not flee from us. All of us will learn by hard knocks, but the man who welcomes them with wide open arms will suffer greatly and be far behind the man who lets God’s Word have His perfect work in him.

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: Jesus in Disguise — Tuesday October 24, 2017.

Read: Matthew 25:31–40, Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 3–5; 1 Timothy 4

Whatever you did for one of the least of these . . . you did for me. – Matthew 25:40

When a friend cared for her housebound mother-in-law, she asked her what she longed for the most. Her mother-in-law said, “For my feet to be washed.” My friend admitted, “How I hated that job! Each time she asked me to do it I was resentful, and would ask God to hide my feelings from her.”

But one day her grumbling attitude changed in a flash. As she got out the bowl and towel and knelt at her mother-in-law’s feet, she said, “I looked up, and for a moment I felt like I was washing the feet of Jesus Himself. She was Jesus in disguise!” After that, she felt honored to wash her mother-in-law’s feet.

When I heard this moving account, I thought of Jesus’s story about the end of time that He taught on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. The King welcomes into His kingdom His sons and daughters, saying that when they visited the sick or fed the hungry, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40). We too serve Jesus Himself when we visit those in prison or give clothes to the needy.

Today, might you echo my friend, who now wonders when she meets someone new, “Are you Jesus in disguise?”

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, You can transform the most mundane of tasks. Help me to love others in Your name.

When we serve others, we serve Jesus.

Insight:

Matthew 25:31–40 is a powerful reminder of Jesus’s care for those who are hurting. In fact, since the “least of these” (v. 40) in Matthew consistently refers to followers of Jesus (see 10:42; 18:6), the passage implies we are likely to find true believers in Jesus in circumstances of great suffering. Those who are not in such suffering are judged on their willingness to serve and join with those who are. When they do, they encounter Jesus Himself (v. 40).

When have you most strongly experienced the presence of Jesus through being with someone who was suffering?

This message was written By Amy Boucher Pye [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]