Topic: Held by God — Saturday October 14, 2017.

Read: Psalm 131, Bible in a Year: Isaiah 43–44; 1 Thessalonians 2

I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Psalm 131:2

As I was nearing the end of lunch with my sister and her children one afternoon, my sister told my three-year-old niece, Annica, it was time to get ready for her nap. Her face filled with alarm. “But Aunt Monica did not hold me yet today!” she objected, tears filling her eyes. My sister smiled. “Okay, she may hold you first—how long do you need?” “Five minutes,” she replied.

As I held my niece, I was grateful for how, without even trying, she constantly reminds me what it looks like to love and be loved. I think sometimes we forget that our faith journey is one of learning to experience love—God’s love—more fully than we can imagine (Eph. 3:18). When we lose that focus, we can find ourselves, like the older brother in Jesus’s parable of the prodigal son, trying desperately to win God’s approval while missing out on all He has already given us (Luke 15:25–32).

Psalm 131 is one prayer in Scripture that can help us to “become like little children” (Matt. 18:3) and to let go of the battle in our mind over what we don’t understand (Ps. 131:1). Instead, through time with Him we can return to a place of peace (v. 2), finding the hope we need (v. 3) in His love—as calm and quiet as if we were children again in our mothers’ arms (v. 2).

Prayer: Lord, we are so grateful for those in our lives who remind us what it means to love and be loved. Help us to be ever more deeply rooted in Your love.

Like children, we can learn to rest in the love of God.

Insight:

Psalm 131, written by David, is one of fifteen “songs of ascents” (Pss.120–134). Pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem sang these songs to celebrate the annual feasts (Deut. 16:16). In this psalm, David acknowledged that there are some things about God that he just couldn’t understand (cf. Deut. 29:29; Job 42:3; Eccl. 11:5; Isa. 55:8–9; Rom. 11:33–34). But David chose not to be troubled by matters that properly belonged to God (Ps. 131:1). Instead, like a weaned, contented child enjoying the protection and provision of a mother (v.2), David simply trusted God with a childlike faith and quiet confidence. Psalm 131 is a prayer of humility (v. 1), contentment (v. 2), and hope (v. 3).

How does reflecting on the character and love of God comfort you and allow you to rest in Him? Sim Kay Tee

This message was written By Monica Brands [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Your Conduct Can Make Or Mar You! [Saturday, October 14, 2017]

God wants you never to forget that many favours and open doors can be yours through an act as little as a smile. A smile can win friends and open doors! Courtesy, style and success are all connected.

That insignificant smile of approval, that display of pleasantness and emphasis on neatness of profile, all make up the keys that can open greater doors to you or sustain your God-given position. God wants you to be mindful of first impression may be all you’ve got with the people that God will send across your life. Never forget that there may not be second chance when it comes to first impression!

A good, working environment is a strong publicity for any organization. Like the human conduct, the environment dictates the true colour and feeling of any organization. It spells out in clear terms, the type of people that populate a given business environment. Learn to smile, shake hands and call people by their names. It was Rebecca’s courtesy that made her the grandmother of Jesus of Nazareth.

Courtesy (your manna and conduct) can make or mar your destiny. Pastors can learn this for church and ministry growth! No wonder years ago, the palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa, banned the first lady of Nigeria, the late Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, from eating in public.

Hear the Oba then: “Like all Benin chiefs, Mrs. Obasanjo is expected to maintain the decorum of a chief when wearing the bead and is not expected to eat in public.” Oh! You represent a HIGHER KINGDOM FROM ABOVE! Therefore, observe decorum in the way you eat outside, dress or talk and be the first to greet with a smile. Never forget that: There may be not second chance when it comes to first impression. May God restore your lost, past opportunities as 2017 ends and 2018 begins in Jesus name!

Don’t miss the Lagos (Lekki) Anointing Service of Saturday October 28th; Time: 8am-11.30am. Theme: “AHITHOPHEL MUST DIE! HOUSEHOLD WICKEDNESS MUST DIE!” Bring names of your family members! Fire will fall!

Prayer Points: Take song as led.

1. Scatter every plan to demote you as 2017 ends.

2. I uproot ever satanic plan to stagnate my life through my conduct. Lord, use my conduct – my smile, my speech, my courtesy, to take me higher in life and ministry in Jesus name.

3. Lord, connect my life, family, business and ministry to new helpers/clients that will promote my life (Pray it seriously). pray about today now.

Assignment: Which conduct must you change? Which new conduct will you acquire?

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

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

Topic: That Glorious Name [Saturday October 14, 2017]

And I will do [I Myself will grant] whatever you may ask in My name [as presenting all that I AM,] so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in (through) the Son. – John 14:13, The Amplified Bible

In Jesus’ Name. It’s more than a phrase we tack onto the end of our prayers. All that God is and does is represented in the Name of Jesus. The Amplified Bible says when you ask in His Name, you present your requests to the Father on the basis of all that Jesus is. So you can boldly expect to have those requests granted—not because you’re worthy, but because He is!

What’s more, the Name of Jesus carries authority over all other names. In Philippians 2:5-11, the Apostle Paul tells us, “God also hath highly exalted him [Jesus], and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.”

In spite of all the Word of God has to say about the power of the Name of Jesus, most believers don’t seem to put much stock in it. They’ll pray in the Name of Jesus, then turn right around and say, “I sure hope God answers that prayer.” They don’t realize that if they only had the faith to believe it, Jesus’ Name alone carries enough clout to guarantee their prayers will be answered.

They even let religious slang rob them of the power of using that Name. I’ve heard many a well-meaning believer end his prayer with the phrase, “For Jesus’ sake.” But Jesus didn’t say to pray for His sake. He said to pray in His Name.

I used to make that mistake myself. One night I was praying because I was suffering from a stomachache. “Oh, for Jesus’ sake,” I prayed, “heal my stomach.”

After I’d said that a few times, the Lord spoke up on the inside of me. Wait a minute, He said, whose stomach is hurting here, Mine or yours?

“Mine!” I answered.

Then He very plainly said, In that case, pray for your stomach’s sake, in My Name!

Jesus’ Name. Dig in to the Word and find out just how much power and authority it really carries. Then use that power every time you pray. Stop hoping God will answer and start expecting Him to cause every circumstance in your life to bow its knee in honor of that glorious Name!

Scripture Reading: John 16:13-24

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: Pure in Heart [Saturday October 14, 2017]

He that walketh righteously . . . shall dwell on high. — Isaiah 33:15,16

Being pure in conduct also includes honesty and integrity in dealing with our fellowmen. A Christian should be known in his neighborhood or place of business as an honest person, a person who can be trusted. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Do you want to be happy? All right, apply this Beatitude to your heart. Take it to yourself.

The pure in heart are the only ones who can know what it means to be supremely happy. Their hearts are pure toward God and, as a result are pure toward their fellowmen. They are happy because, in possessing Him who is All and in All, they envy no man’s worldly goods. They are happy because they envy not another man’s praise. Because they are the enemy of no man, they regard no man as their enemy. The result is peace with God and the world.

Prayer for the day: Forgive me, Lord Jesus, my heart is far from pure. I confess to You all my innermost thoughts.

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: We Are Complete, Only In Him – Saturday October 14, 2017.

Matthew 26:28 “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

Text: Matthew 26:27-29

The principle of the Old Covenant was “do” and you shall live. The principle of the New Covenant is “it is done,” and includes redemption, reconciliation, righteousness, and sanctification. The work is finished! We are complete in Him!

If the Old Covenant had no defects, there would have been no attempt to institute another (Heb. 8:7). In the Old Covenant, men found themselves unable to abide in its agreement, for it was based upon a man’s performance.

The new agreement, however, is based totally upon God’s grace. Under the Old Covenant, men approached God through a priest, while under the New Covenant, we have direct access to the Father through Jesus Christ. Under the Old Covenant, a man’s sin led to his death while under the New Covenant, God is merciful to our unrighteousness. Under the Old Covenant, man could not be cleansed of a consciousness of sin while under the New Covenant, our sins and iniquities are remembered no more, and our guilty consciences are cleansed.

Prior to salvation we are incomplete and there is a constant striving in every person to satisfy their hunger. Through the new birth we are complete in Christ and our hunger now should only be for more revelation of what we already have in Christ.

In the same way that Jesus had the fullness of God in Him, we also have the fullness of Christ in us. That makes us complete or perfect in Him, that is speaking of our spiritual man. Our born-again spirit is identical in righteousness, authority, and power to Christ’s spirit, because our born-again spirit is the Spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:9). It has been sent into our hearts crying “Abba Father” (Gal. 4:6).

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).