Topic: A New Name — Friday October 13, 2017.

Read: John 1:35–42, Bible in a Year: Isaiah 41–42; 1 Thessalonians 1

Jesus looked at him, and said, . . . “You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter). John 1:42

In the article “Leading by Naming,” Mark Labberton wrote about the power of a name. He said: “I can still feel the impact of a musical friend who one day called me ‘musical.’ No one had ever called me that. I didn’t really play an instrument. I was no soloist. Yet . . . I instantly felt known and loved. . . . [He] noticed, validated, and appreciated something deeply true about me.”

Perhaps this is what Simon felt when Jesus renamed him. After Andrew was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah, he immediately found his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus (John 1:41–42). Jesus peered into his soul and validated and appreciated something deeply true about Simon. Yes, Jesus saw the failure and impetuous nature that would get him into trouble. But more than that He saw the potential of Simon to become a leader in the church. Jesus named him Cephas—Aramaic for Peter—a rock (John 1:42; see Matt. 16:18).

And so it is with us. God sees our pride, anger, and lack of love for others, but He also knows who we are in Christ. He calls us justified and reconciled (Rom. 5:9–10); forgiven, holy, and beloved (Col. 2:13; 3:12); chosen and faithful (Rev. 17:14). Remember how God sees you and seek to let that define who you are.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for knowing me fully, yet loving me like no other. Help me to see others through Your eyes.

No one can steal your identity in Christ.

Insight:

Renaming people was common in the Scriptures, for a name described something about the person. In Genesis 17:5–15 Abram is renamed Abraham. Abram, which means “exalted father,” became Abraham, “father of multitudes.” Abraham’s grandson Jacob, whose name means “heel-grabber” and “schemer,” was renamed Israel, “prince of God.” The despondent Naomi asked her neighbors to no longer call her Naomi (delightful), but Mara (bitterness) because of the hard life she had experienced (Ruth 1:20). In the New Testament, a Christ-follower named Joseph was called Barnabas by the apostles (Acts 4:36). Barnabas means “son of encouragement,” which perfectly captured this man’s interactions with other believers and with the church.

What name would describe you as a follower of Christ? Bill Crowder

This message was written By Marvin Williams [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: From Religion to Reality [Friday October 13, 2017]

For [God] hath made [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. – 2 Corinthians 5:21

When you were born again, you weren’t half-reborn, you weren’t made half-righteous or a quarter righteous. You were made the righteousness of God in Christ! You were made a “joint-heir with Him.” According to Strong’s Concordance that term joint heir refers to “a personal equality based on an equality of possession.”

Jesus went to the cross to give you what He already possessed. He rose again so you could be recreated in His image. You are the victory of Almighty God! You are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. You are everything to the Father that Jesus is. John 17:23 actually says that God loves you as much as He loves Jesus.

Once you dare to accept that fact, your life will be forever changed. You’ll no longer be satisfied to just sit around whining and wishing things were different. You’ll want to step up to the position of authority that Jesus has given you, to take your rightful place beside Him and learn to operate the way He does.

As His people, we are everything to God that Jesus is.

If you’ll receive that message, if you’ll dare to believe it, if you’ll dare to put it into action, it will radically alter your life. It will take you from religion to reality!

Scripture Reading: John 17:16-26

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: The Story of Mr Soul! [Friday, October 13, 2017]

A man named “Mr. Soul” who was a young Christian was walking in a garden when he was met by a beautiful and seductive woman named, “Temptation.” She said, “Hello, I am Temptation. I have what you want.” “What do I want?” replied Mr. Soul. “You want to do all things which are of the flesh,” said Temptation. Mr. Soul replied, “Okay, lead me on.” So, he and Temptation went off and fulfilled the desires of the flesh.

As soon as Temptation left, another wicked-looking man called, “Condemnation” appeared in the garden. He said. “I am Condemnation and I always come after Temptation. We walk hand –in-hand.”

He took a cane and began to beat Mr. Soul mercilessly, for about 3 days. On the third day, a man named “MERCY” ran into the garden and shouted: “I command you Temptation to stop beating Mr. Soul.” He drew out a sword and cut Condemnation into two. MERCY then told Mr. Soul, “I was sent here by God and He told me to introduce you to a friend of mine called, “REDEMPTION.” REDEMPTION told Mr. Soul: “I am a part of the love of Jesus. I help you feel forgiven.

Temptation would still try to show up, but I have a friend called “Grace” who will help you to overcome Temptation. The last person who entered the garden was called FAITH. He said, “Mr. Soul, I give you hope and determination to overcome Temptation and conquer adversity.” Oh, how marvelous a story! As 2017 ends and 2018 begins, no matter what you going through, never cry or feel low. GRACE and GREATER GRACE will see you through.

Read the basic scriptures again and never forget: “To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness’ (Bertrand Russell). So, when all your needs are not met or life’s battle rage on, never forget MERCY, GRACE AND FAITH. With them you cannot lose! Stop getting depressed! Laugh often! Look up! Trust God! Your best days are still ahead! Amen! Pray now seriously!

Prayer Points: Take any worship song as led.

1. Pray about today’s word a led.

2. I scatter every satanic arrow/temptation programmed to bring me down as 2017 ends in Jesus name.

3. CANCEL every END-OF-YEAR WEEPING TODAY AND FOR THE NEXT 3 DAYS! It’s serious!

4. Pray in the morning, afternoon and evening of this devotional payer points, and pray generally as led on your life and any other issue(s).

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

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

Topic: Our God Is The Great I Am — Friday October 13, 2017.

“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (Exodus 3:14 KJV)

God is not in any way contending with the devil. As I travel around the world I’ve discovered that some people function as though God is in a thug of war with the devil. That is an insult to God the creator. The God that you and I serve is a creator. He is the Almighty God, he’s the possessor of the heaven and the earth. He is the one that shuts and no one opens, he opens and no one shuts. He can kill and he can make alive. He is the one that laid the beams of his chambers upon the waters and rides upon the wings of the wind like a chariot and spreads the heavens like a curtain. He laid the foundation stone of the earth and said it should never be moved. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending. He’s the bright and the morning star. He is the one that upholds all things by the word of His power.

Moses wanted to know his name, but God said I’m too big to be confided to one compartment. He said go and tell them that my name is I AM. What type of name is that? I AM THAT! What do you mean by ‘That’? I am ‘That’, because your ‘That’ may differ from someone else’s ‘That’. Your ‘That’ might be a husband, another person’s might be a wife. Her ‘That” might be a house, and his ‘That’ might be a promotion.

Therefore, whatever your ‘That’ is, that I AM. You can’t put God in a compartment. From everlasting to everlasting he is God. He is the one that stops the violence of the fire, shuts the mouth of the lion and quenches the edge of the sword. He is the Almighty God who spoke the universe into existence by the words of mouth. How dare you think he would contend with a being he created. He is a Great God.

Further Reading: Exodus 3:1-15

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Isaiah 41-42; Evening- 1 Thessalonians 1

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: True Freedom [Friday October 13, 2017]

. . . believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable . . . — 1 Peter 1:8

Christ is the answer to sadness and discouragement. This is a world of thwarted hopes, broken dreams, and frustrated desires. G.K. Chesterton says, “Everywhere there is speed, noise and confusion, but nowhere deep happiness and quiet hearts.”

A Hollywood columnist wrote about a famous movie star, “The bright, carefree radiance has gone from her pretty face.” Optimism and cheerfulness are products of knowing Christ. If the heart has been attuned to God through faith in Christ, then its overflow will be joyous optimism and good cheer.

You will never be free from discouragement and despondency until you have been tuned to God. Christ is the wellspring of happiness. He is the fountainhead of joy. Here is the Christian’s secret of joy.

Prayer for the day: By Your love I experience the delight of a quiet heart. Deep down is the joy that cannot be taken away. Lord, may I always keep my eyes on You, my source of joy.

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 Minister To You – Friday October 13, 2017.

John 13:8 “Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”

Text: John 13:5-8

Peter’s refusal to let Jesus wash his feet came from a knowledge that he was totally unworthy to have the sinless Son of God serve him as a common servant would. Peter was correct in his assessment of his relative worth, but what he missed was that God doesn’t minister to us because of our worth but because of His love.

Even though Peter’s attitude looked holy and humble, he was actually resisting God’s will and committing an act of pride. Pride is not only exalting yourself above what is proper, but also, it can be debasing yourself below what is proper. Pride is simply self-centeredness or being self-willed instead of God-centered and submitted to God’s will. Peter should have been humble enough to know that Jesus knew what He was doing and he should have submitted himself to God’s will.

Likewise today, some people refuse to let God bless them, thinking they are unworthy of His favor. While it is true that our actions don’t warrant God’s goodness, a truly humble person will receive the Lord’s blessings as an expression of His love and grace toward them. Misguided humility is every bit as damaging as exaggerated pride.

Peter wanted to serve Jesus, but did not want to be served by Jesus. Jesus was telling Peter that unless he received His ministry to him, Peter would be unfit to serve Him. We cannot cleanse ourselves or others. We are totally dependent on the work of God’s grace in our lives. Then and only then, are we equipped to minister to others. Before we can be the blessing that we desire to be to God or to others, we have to let God be the blessing to us that He desires to be.

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).