Topic: God Calls The Shots — Tuesday October 17, 2017.

Text: 2 Chronicles 14:1-15

Key Verse: “And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.” (2 Chronicles 14:11).

A combination of self-confidence, forgetfulness and outright rebellion had been the hallmark of Israel through the ages. The result was that Israel was left so spiritually bankrupt that even tiny nations rode roughshod over her.

King Asa must have learnt a great deal from Israel’s checkered history in warfare. He resolved to do all things to please God. Happy are those who walk by this rule: not to do that which is right in their own eyes or in the eyes of the world, but only what is approved by God. We find by experience that it is good to seek the Lord.

However, aiming at pleasing the Lord while pursuing the world, will amount to vexation of spirit. King Asa consulted with the people and concluded that they cannot afford to be complacent. He fortified Israel with defenced cities in strategic locations, and raised a combined army of five hundred and eighty thousand men from Judah and Benjamin. No sooner had he done this, than Ethiopia, heavily buoyed by a million-man strong army and three hundred chariots, invaded his kingdom.

This was a test of Israel’s allegiance to God. Asa’s prayer was short, but it was a real language of faith and expectation from God. He succeeded because he understood the meaning of handing over the reins to God, at his most vulnerable moment.

In times of turbulence, where lies your loyalty? It has to be firmly rooted in the Almighty. We should, by all means, avoid spiritual complacency because the state of today’s world demands watchfulness and intense prayers. God is ever willing to arm us with the requisite grace. As we go forth in His name, we are sure to win, knowing that all things work together for the good of those who love Him and enjoy His favour.

Thought for the day: Victory is sure when we fully trust in Jesus, the Master Strategist.

Bible Reading in one Year: 2 Kings 11-13

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: Living the Love Life [Tuesday October 17, 2017]

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:13

We often think of “laying down your life” for someone else in terms of dying. That’s what Jesus did. He loved us so much He laid down His life by dying in our place so that we could live.

But now, He’s asked us to lay down our lives in a different way. He’s asked us to show our love, not by dying for others, but by living for them.

Exactly what does that mean?

Sometimes it means giving our lives by spending time in prayer for someone. Other times it means giving of ourselves with love and understanding. Many times it means laying down our own selfish desires in order to meet the needs of another.

Romans 15:1 puts it this way, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

When you lay down your life, you live to please God instead of yourself. You let your life be guided by His love. If love leads you to the person next door, you follow. When love calls you to intercede for someone in need, you yield.

Commit yourself today to lay down your own life—and take up the love life. Say:

“Father, in Jesus’ Name, I see from Your Word that You were willing to give of Yourself, in the person of Your Son, for all men. I understand that because Jesus is Lord of my life, I, too, am called to give myself to others. I choose to accept that calling today.

“I’ll give of my time. I’ll give of Your love in me. I’ll be strong and lift up those who are weak. I’m willing to be available to be used of You so that those around me might experience the abundant life You have provided.

“You have loved me, Lord, with the greatest love there is. I count it a privilege now to share that love with others. I thank You for it in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:22-26, Galatians 6:1-3

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: Living the Love Life [Tuesday October 17, 2017]

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:13

We often think of “laying down your life” for someone else in terms of dying. That’s what Jesus did. He loved us so much He laid down His life by dying in our place so that we could live.

But now, He’s asked us to lay down our lives in a different way. He’s asked us to show our love, not by dying for others, but by living for them.

Exactly what does that mean?

Sometimes it means giving our lives by spending time in prayer for someone. Other times it means giving of ourselves with love and understanding. Many times it means laying down our own selfish desires in order to meet the needs of another.

Romans 15:1 puts it this way, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

When you lay down your life, you live to please God instead of yourself. You let your life be guided by His love. If love leads you to the person next door, you follow. When love calls you to intercede for someone in need, you yield.

Commit yourself today to lay down your own life—and take up the love life. Say:

“Father, in Jesus’ Name, I see from Your Word that You were willing to give of Yourself, in the person of Your Son, for all men. I understand that because Jesus is Lord of my life, I, too, am called to give myself to others. I choose to accept that calling today.

“I’ll give of my time. I’ll give of Your love in me. I’ll be strong and lift up those who are weak. I’m willing to be available to be used of You so that those around me might experience the abundant life You have provided.

“You have loved me, Lord, with the greatest love there is. I count it a privilege now to share that love with others. I thank You for it in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:22-26, Galatians 6:1-3

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: Invisible Influence — Tuesday October 17, 2017.

Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24, Bible in a Year: Isaiah 50–52; 1 Thessalonians 5

Do not quench the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:19

On a visit to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, I saw a masterpiece called The Wind. The painting showed a storm moving through a wooded area. Tall, thin trees leaned to the left. Bushes thrashed in the same direction.

In an even more powerful sense, the Holy Spirit is able to sway believers in the direction of God’s goodness and truth. If we go along with the Spirit, we can expect to become more courageous and more loving. We will also become more discerning about how to handle our desires (2 Tim. 1:7).

In some situations, however, the Spirit nudges us toward spiritual growth and change, but we respond with a “no.” Continually stonewalling this conviction is what Scripture calls “quench[ing] the Spirit” (1 Thess. 5:19). Over time, things we once considered wrong appear not to be quite as bad.

When our relationship with God seems distant and disconnected, this may be because the Spirit’s conviction has been repeatedly brushed aside. The longer this goes on, the harder it is to see the root of the problem. Thankfully, we can pray and ask God to show us our sin. If we turn away from sin and recommit ourselves to Him, God will forgive us and revive the power and influence of His Spirit within us.

Prayer: God, show me how I have resisted Your Holy Spirit. Help me to listen when You speak. I want to be right with You again.

Yielding to the Holy Spirit leads to right living.

Insight:

In Paul’s day, Thessalonica was the largest city of Macedonia with as many as 200,000 people (mainly Greeks). The city had a thriving seaport and was located on the Egnatian Way, a famous trade route built by the Romans. Paul and Silas visited this city on Paul’s second missionary journey, and while there Paul preached in its synagogues for three Sabbaths (Acts 17:1–3). During their visit, some Jews plus “a large number of God-fearing Greeks” and many prominent women were persuaded to follow Jesus (v. 4). But Paul’s stay was cut short when some jealous Jews formed a mob and started a riot (vv. 5–9). As soon as he could, Paul sent Timothy to the young church to encourage and strengthen the new believers in their faith (1 Thess. 3:1–5). Timothy returned to Paul with good news: the people were standing firm despite persecution (vv. 6–8). In response, Paul wrote First Thessalonians from Corinth to further encourage the church. His warning to not “quench the Spirit” appears in a list of final instructions he gave the Thessalonians (5:19).

Is there an area of your life where you’ve been resisting the “nudge” of the Holy Spirit?

This message was written By Jennifer Benson Schuldt [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]