Topic: See Yourself as the Righteousness of God — Wednesday August 23, 2017.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” – 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)

When Christ came into you, you receive a totally and completely new image that is born of the Spirit of God. You are now of the class of God. You are not a child of circumstance, you are not a child of your tradition, you are not a child of the condition in your environment, you are a child of God. And your God is not limited. You are not a sinner. The fact that you committed sin doesn’t make you a sinner. If you have invited Jesus into your heart, you are not a sinner.

Think of it: God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. So you are righteous. When you see yourself as a sinner, you will keep on committing sin. When the image you have built into you is the image of sin, no matter how much you pray and ask God to forgive you, you will keep on committing sin. But when you begin to see yourself as the righteousness of God, you will be living a life of victory over sin. That is why God speaks to our strength. God does not speak to our weakness. When you allow your strength to take over, your weakness will bow to your strength. The enemy delights in speaking to your weakness. He builds the image of your weakness and your shortcomings and your mistakes inside you. With the result that you are so concerned about them but you are not concerned about that which God has done. Every time you say anything negative and contrary to what God has done, you are saying in effect that what God did is not perfect? You are saying in effect that Jesus did not pay a hundred percent price. Your righteousness is perfectly perfect in Christ! See yourself as righteous.

Further Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 5:15-21

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 113-115; Evening- 1 Corinthians 6

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: Leaving the Low Life Behind — Wednesday August 23, 2017.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. – Matthew 16:25

The high life…or the low life? God’s kind of life…or the world’s kind of life? You can’t have them both. It’s one or the other. You have to choose.

You may try to put off that choice. You may try to hang on to the low life while reaching out for the high life at the same time, so you can see if it’s something you really want before you give up everything the world has to offer. But, believe me, you’re not that tall!

You’ll never be able to sample the high life for yourself until you’re willing to let go, until you’re willing to take God at His Word and trust Him to take care of you.

What will happen to you when you do that? You’ll start living the kind of life God describes in Psalm 1. You’ll be like “a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; [your] leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever [you] doeth shall prosper” (verse 3).

In West Texas talk that means your roots will go down so deep that no drought can dry you up and no storm can blow you down. No matter what happens in the world around you, you’ll prosper.

The stronger the wind blows, the more you’ll bend in the breeze. Depression and inflation won’t be able to break you. When the rains stop coming and everyone else is withering away, you’ll just keep on thriving and bearing the fruit of the spirit because you’re drawing up nourishment from the riverbed!

That’s what the high life is like and there’s nothing that the world has to offer that can even compare. I know that from experience. Once you dare to let go and trust God…so will you.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-26

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: Where You Stand and How You End [Wednesday August 23, 2017]

Scripture: And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. – I King 17:1

Thought For The Day: Where you stand determines what you can face.

Our anchor scripture confirms that where a person stands determines how he ends. When we talk about stand, we are talking about where the confidence and strength of a person is.

Abraham stood before the Lord; the Lord was his strength and confidence so he ended in the covenant blessing. Elijah said, before God whom I stand; God was his strength and he ended in power and authority.

When a child stands in front of his father, he can talk to older children anyhow and would not be afraid of being beaten or hurt. Where you stand determines what you can face.

There are five categories of people as far as where they stand is concerned and today, we shall look at two of the categories, and subsequently, we will see the remaining.

1. People who stand on their natural abilities (wisdom, talent, intelligence, energy, beauty and handsomeness etc.): It is possible to be swift and still lose a race; it is possible to be strong and still lose a battle (Ecclesiastes 9:11). It is possible to be intelligent and still fail a test. It is possible to be smart and still lack money. Those who stand on natural abilities, end in frustration in this world and in eternity.

2. People who stand on human connection: When people make man their confidence, they end in abysmal failure and disappointment. When you trust in a Governor, Senator, President or any rich person you know, God said, ‘you are under a curse’ (Jeremiah 17:5).

Beloved, look up to God and He will provide all you need.

Remember this: where you stand determines what you can face.

Assignment(s):

1. Take your mind off anyone you put your trust in.

2. Refuse to rely on your natural abilities.

3. Look up to God for the solution to the challenge you may be facing.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: WHERE ARE YOU STANDING?

Prayer: O LORD, You are my Hope. My life and my future are in Your Hands. I will trust You till the end because I know that in You are the answers to my questions. Thank You for the answers, Lord in Jesus’ Name.

Quote: To rely on human wisdom is to attempt to carry your problem on your head. That is tantamount to collapse.

Daily Reading: Job 8:1 to 11:20, 1 Corinthians 15:1 to 28, Psalm 38:1 to 22, Proverbs 21:28 to 29

Amazing Fact: According to Astronauts, space smells like seared steak, hot metal and welding fumes

Today In History: 23/8/1991 – The World Wide Web is opened to the public.

Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), is a powerfully anointed church, headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Dr Paul and Dr 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: Our Guilt Is Gone — Wednesday August 23, 2017.

Read: Psalm 32:1–11, Bible in a Year: Psalms 113–115; 1 Corinthians 6

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:5

As a young girl, I invited a friend to browse with me through a gift shop near my home. She shocked me, though, by shoving a handful of colorful crayon-shaped barrettes into my pocket and yanking me out the door of the shop without paying for them. Guilt gnawed at me for a week before I approached my mom—my confession pouring out as quickly as my tears.

Grieved over my bad choice of not resisting my friend, I returned the stolen items, apologized, and vowed never to steal again. The owner told me never to come back. But because my mom forgave me and assured me that I had done my best to make things right, I slept peacefully that night.

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:5

King David also rested in forgiveness through confession (Ps. 32:1–2). He had hidden his sins against Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Sam. 11–12) until his “strength was sapped” (Ps. 32:3–4). But once David refused to “cover up” his wrongs, the Lord erased his guilt (v. 5). God protected him “from trouble” and wrapped him in “songs of deliverance” (v. 7). David rejoiced because the “Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him” (v. 10).

We can’t choose the consequences of our sins or control people’s responses when we confess and seek forgiveness. But the Lord can empower us to enjoy freedom from the bondage of sin and peace through confession, as He confirms that our guilt is gone—forever.

Prayer: Lord, when we confess our sins and receive Your forgiveness, please help us believe our guilt is completely and forever wiped away.

When God forgives, our guilt is gone.

Insight:

A burdened conscience is a heavy weight to carry. Ever since the fall of man in the garden of Eden, our response to sin has been either to blame others (Gen. 3:12–13) or take responsibility for our transgression before God (1 John 1:9). The penitent in today’s psalm acknowledges his transgressions to his Creator and Redeemer and experiences the cleansing of his conscience and with it the lifting of a burdensome load. Clearly this psalm teaches us that we can experience freedom from the bondage of sin through divine forgiveness.

When has guilt and remorse racked your soul? How did God’s forgiveness and cleansing provide freedom? Dennis Fisher

This message was written By Xochitl Dixon [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: We Must Decrease — Wednesday August 23, 2017

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. — Lamentations 3:40

Our modern philosophy of self-reliance and self-sufficiency has caused many to believe that we can make the grade without God. “Religion,” they argue, “may be all right for certain emotional people, but you can’t beat a man who believes in himself.” But this self-confident generation has produced more alcoholics, more dope addicts, more criminals, more wars, more broken homes, more assaults, more embezzlements, more murders, and more suicides than any other generation that ever lived.

It is time for all of us to take stock of our failures, blunders, and costly mistakes. It is about time that we are putting less confidence in ourselves and more trust and faith in God.

Prayer for the day: As I examine my heart, I see so much of self there. I ask that You would forgive me, Lord—my confidence will be in Your leading.

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: It’s Not What You Do – Wednesday August 23, 2017.

Matthew 20:8 “So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.”

Text: Matthew 20:1-16

This parable begins with Jesus’ statement that the kingdom of heaven is likened to a man who is a householder (owner of an estate). He went out early in the morning to hire workers to work in his vineyard for the day. An agreed upon price was set at a penny, the normal wage paid daily for a laborer. Later, around 9 a.m., the landowner encouraged others, standing idle in the marketplace, to work in the vineyard, not for a set wage but for “whatsoever is right.” The landowner employed more laborers at noon, at 3 p.m. and even some at 5 p.m. when there was only one hour left to work.

According to Jewish law, wages must be paid each evening before the sun sets. When it came time for the steward to pay the laborers, he began with those working the shortest amount of time and paid each man a penny (a full day’s wage). Those working the entire day murmured, for they supposed they would have received more. They agreed, however, to work for a penny, the stipulated wage agreed upon.

The context of this parable supports the teaching that it is impossible to earn the generosity of the Master. This is a lesson on grace. Regardless of whether or not our performance is better than someone else’s, we all need God’s grace because we have all come short of God’s standard. The landowner gave freely, making all equal. Jesus is saying that the benefits of the kingdom are the same for all who have become subject to its King, regardless of what they have done. Therefore, those who are last (or least) in the sense that they have not served the Lord as long or as well as others, will truly become “first” when they share equally of the Lord’s goodness with those who “have borne the burden and heat of the day” (Mt. 20:12).

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)

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Technology is a beautiful thing. The Internet has been used as a powerful tool to spread the love of Jesus and the life-changing message of the Gospel around the world. It’s also misused on a daily basis by so many of us. The world sees one Christian’s behavior and associates it with all Christians. They see one person’s actions and assume it represents the God we are supposed to serve.

Our behavior, particularly our interactions online, are always under a microscope. The problem so many encounter is that they lose sight of that fact.

One of my favorite passages of Scripture is found in Romans 12, which gives an outline – or how-to guide – for living the Christian life. In fact, in the ESV version, Romans 12:9-21 appears under the heading of “Marks of a True Christian.” The truths expressed in this passage give us a roadmap to how to exhibit true Christian behavior. When these “marks” are represented in our real life, it’s only natural that they’ll come through in our interactions online.

Love people genuinely. Love is critical in the life of a follower of Christ. In fact, it’s a command. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). It’s our identifying characteristic. Everything we do on social media should reflect love – real love. “…let us not love in word or talk but indeed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).

Be Empathetic. One of the reasons there is so much cruelty on the Internet, and much of it from Christians, is because we have a hard time understanding the feelings of others. We think our views are the only right views, and it’s impossible to fathom another’s. We need to take time to listen and understand our brothers and sisters. As the old saying goes, “God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason.” It’s to listen twice as much as we speak.

Overcome evil with good. When someone hurts us, our tendency is to want to hurt them back. But, Jesus tells us to “bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:28). Jesus’ brother, James, puts a fine point on it: “With [our tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:9-11). We need to remember that the people we encounter online – especially the ones with whom we disagree the most – are made in the image of God. Jesus died for them, just as He died for us.

Before posting anything online, we should ask ourselves:

Is this loving? Is it honorable? Am I being empathetic? Is it bringing peace, or is it divisive? Am I being prideful? Am I trying to overcome darkness with more darkness? If we can’t answer all of these questions the way we ought, perhaps we should step away from the keyboard.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for choosing us. Thank you for allowing us to have a relationship with You. Please forgive us for the occasions when we allow our earthly desires to take precedent over what you would have us to do. Thank you for the technology you have given us. Help us to be good stewards, and through your Holy Spirit, leads us in how we use it. When we interact online, helps us to be full of love, empathy, grace, mercy, peace, humility and goodness. Amen.

Written by Brent Rinehart

Today’s Scripture: “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust.” – (Psalm 4:8, AMPC)

Topic: Dwell in Safety and Trust [Tuesday August 22, 2017]

All throughout Scripture, God has promised to be your Protector, Defender, your Strength, your Shelter and so much more. Even when the storms of life come against you, as long as you are dwelling in Him, you dwell in safety and trust—nothing can take away your peace and joy. What does it mean to dwell in Him? One of the definitions of the word “dwell” means to keep your attention directed toward something. The more you keep your attention directed toward God, the more you will know Him, and the more confidence you will have in Him. When you focus your heart and mind on the Word of God and declare His promises over your life, you are dwelling in Him. When you lift your voice in worship and give Him glory and honor, you are dwelling in Him. When you spend time meditating on Him and connecting with Him through prayer, you are dwelling in Him.

Are you facing a difficult situation? Give your attention to the Father. Do you need His peace and protection? Focus your heart and mind on Him. As you dwell on Him, you will see His goodness, and you’ll live in peace and victory all the days of your life!

A Prayer for Today: “Father in heaven, thank You for Your promise of peace and safety in my life. I choose to give my attention to You. Have Your way in me and let everything I do bring glory to You in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: He Repented And Returned [22/08/2017]

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee. Luke 15:18. Lk 15:17-21

We have been looking at the story of the prodigal son and the lessons we can actually learn from his rash decision and avoid taking the same wrong decision but applying the good ones to our lives. He was a son when he was connected to his father. He became a prodigal son when he was disconnected and became a lost but found son when he returned and was reconnected. Yesterday, we saw how his father yearned for his return daily because of his love for him in spite of his grave misbehavior against him.

Here, you discover that in spite of his father’s yearning for his return, his daily prayer for him to return home, if he had not returned, he wouldn’t have been restored and reconnected. Though his father’s love and prayers of intercession worked for him, he himself had to take the bold step of returning. First, repented and then made a resolution within, even if my father refuse to take me back as a son because of my grievous offense, I will beg him to take me as a servant. This means, no matter what you have done and how far you might have gone in your sin against God, if you can sincerely repent and return to him and ask Him for forgiveness, He will not only accept you back but restore you. Are you willing to repent and return?

#BiblePromisesPrayer

Father, I humbly come in repentance of all my wrongs I might have committed against You, please, restore me in Jesus Mighty Name

Topic: Be Super-Filled [Tuesday, 22nd August 2017]

Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him. Ephesians 5:18 MSG

Daily, the Lord wants us to, not only have a taste of the Holy Spirit, but to be super-filled with Him. Our lives will be much better, more enjoyable, more smooth, less worrisome and more joyful if we daily are super-filled with the Holy Ghost. We will be more enabled to do the works that the Lord has asked us to do, we will also be more capable to perform at a high and excellent rate in our personal endeavors when we are super-filled with the Holy Spirit. Note, this is not the Holy Ghost baptism, this is rather a fresh filling that we experience from time to time.

In Acts 4, after Peter and John were arrested for healing and preaching in the name of Jesus, they were released with a stern warning to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. But they went back to the company of disciples, and after narrating their ordeal, they prayed together in one accord. Scriptures recorded that “while they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God’s Word with fearless confidence” (Acts 4:31 MSG).

They were not just filled with the Holy Ghost, it was an experience that charged them up to continue to preach in the name of Jesus with FEARLESS CONFIDENCE. They were super-filled to the extent that no form of intimidation could cow them. Also, “with great ability and power the apostles were continuously testifying to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace [God’s remarkable lovingkindness and favor and goodwill] rested richly upon them all” (Acts 4:33 AMP). This happened when they were super-filled with the Holy Spirit, after engaging in prayers. This is what God wants us to experience daily. Don’t miss out on this. Be super-filled with the Holy Ghost daily.

Keep winning daily.

Prayer:

Pray in other tongues, as you open your heart to the Lord, so He can fill you.