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Andrew Wommack’s Daily 27 December 2017 Devotional: God Is Good

Topic: God Is Good [Wednesday December 27, 2017]

John 21:25 "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."

Every detail of every man's life, who has ever walked on the earth, has not impacted the world as much as the few recorded details of Jesus' life. Jesus was not just a man, He was God manifest in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16).

In Acts 10:38 Peter gives a very brief, yet descriptive summary of the life and ministry of Jesus. Jesus was anointed with power and with the Holy Ghost.

He used this power to do good, not evil. This is one of the main characteristics of God and is one of the easiest ways to discern what is from God and what is from the devil. God is a good God and the devil is a bad devil. If it's bad, it's from the devil. If it's good, it's from God.

Tragedy can come from three sources: God, Satan, and natural law. God has used nature to bring judgment. However, the New Testament believer is exempt from this punitive judgment of God since Jesus bore it for him.

Satan is the source of much of the calamity that people ascribe to God. Many problems arise because people violate the natural laws that God put into motion. If a person drives recklessly and kills himself, it's not God or the devil that killed him. He violated natural law and thus paid the price.

It is incorrect to believe that God controls everything and therefore always has some redemptive design in tragedies. This type of thinking will lead us to ignore the devil, thereby giving him a freehand to destroy our lives. It will also cause us not to use wisdom concerning natural laws, because we will think that nothing can happen unless God wills it. We must remember that God is a good God.

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).

TREM’s Daily 27 December 2017 Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo - Write the Vision

Topic: Write the Vision — Wednesday December 27, 2017.

“And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” -Habakkuk 2:2 (KJV)

I know this is the season of the year when many people write resolutions. Typically, these resolutions go into the trash by the end of the 1st week and if it writer is more persistent, it may go on till the end of the 1st month, but rarely does it extend to the end of the 1st quarter. But today, I am encouraging you to write the vision for the coming year. Like I said yesterday, can you see? What do you need to do to achieve the dream? What steps will you take? Document it every step of the way. Go a step further to break it down to weeks, months and then the year. Draw up action plans – what you need to do to achieve the goals.

Don’t just run around town in these last few days of the year. Take time out to be on your own. Think of the coming year. Have a plan and work your plan. That was why I said some time back that you should have an accountability partner. If you do, that person can help you on this and check on you to ensure that your goals are realised.

Don’t just have it in the air, document it. Put it where you can easily refer to it. Make a habit of reviewing it regularly; learn from God who after each day of creation reviewed and said it was good. So like your Father, review your plan, look at how far you have gone, make corrections where you need to and be assured that the year 2018 will be the most productive you have ever had.

Don’t wait for the year to end to review your plans, develop a culture to review, assess, put up action plans to make amends where the need arises and simply follow the leading of the Holy Spirit every step of the way.

I prophesy over your life that 2018 will be your greatest year yet for the path of the just is like the shining light that shines brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

Further Reading: Habakkuk 2:1-3; Gen. 1: 1 – 28

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Zechariah 1-4; Evening- Revelation 18

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: Spiritual Warfare I [Wednesday 27, December 2017]

Memorise: ("For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;") -2 Corinthians 10:4

Read: Ephesians 6:10-15

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Bible In One Year: Revelation 4-7. Hymn: Sing Hymn 9: My Faith Has Found Resting A Place

MESSAGE:

Life is full of battles. This is confirmed by the Word of God in Job 5:7 which says that man is born into trouble. What determines whether you will be a victim or victor in the battles of life is who you choose as your all. The book of 2 Corinthians 10:4 says:

("For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;")

All we need is to be equipped with the Word of God, live a holy life, and have strong faith in the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you struggling with sin? Start a fight against the bandage of sin. The Lord who rescued Paul and the Gadarene will give you victory over sin and your flesh today in Jesus' Name.

Prayer Point: Father, please fight my battles and defend my cause in Jesus' Name.

Sing Hymn 9: My Faith Has Found Resting A Place

My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.

Chorus:
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He'll never cast me out.
Chorus:

My heart is leaning on the Word,
The living Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior's Name,
Salvation through His blood.
Chorus:

My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave.
Chorus.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional for Teen’s guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

Topic — The Home: An Institution For Child Training (4)

Dear Reader,

This week, we will examine one of the essential parts of child training – Discipline!

Discipline means training a child to be obedient and self-controlled. It is important for you to understand that for child-training to be effective and efficient, discipline must be instilled. Until discipline is added to training, it remains only a teaching.

The Bible says: He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity (Job 36:10). Two things are mentioned in this scripture: the opening of the ear to discipline and returning from iniquity. If you do not want iniquity to be associated with your children, first, you must open their ears to discipline.

Therefore, the place of discipline is of utmost importance in making child training effective. Lack of training makes a child susceptible to destruction. For instance, consider the story of Eli and his children; the Bible says: For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not (1 Samuel 3:13). Eli, the priest, neglected child training; so, his two sons were destroyed and he too eventually died. That shall not be your portion in Jesus’ name!

Without hesitation, the best tool for effective discipline in your children is the Word of God (The Rod). The word “rod” in the Scripture can be interpreted in two ways, namely: the spiritual and physical rods.

The Spiritual Rod:

The Bible says: And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots (Isaiah 11:1). Also, Revelation 19:13 says: And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. These scriptures refer to Jesus as the Rod and the Word of God.

The rod primarily means the Word of God. When I said the rod is a tool for discipline, I simply meant using the Word of God to discipline your children as it is much more powerful than any physical cane.

Now, the question is: How do I use the Word as a rod to correct my children? For instance, if your child misbehaves and you want to discipline him or her, you will need to first of all locate a scripture or two that will show that the actions of the child are wrong. Thereafter, you can call the child, sit down with him, and show him from the Word why his actions are wrong.

With the help of the Holy Ghost, let the child see the need to change his character. Make him/her realise that God is not pleased with such behaviour. This Word explained to him is Life. So, after you have done this, leave the child alone to think and act on the Word.

The Bible says: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

Only the spiritual rod has the power to penetrate the soul and the spirit of a child and effect positive changes in him/her. From today, as you begin to use the spiritual rod in disciplining your children, positive changes shall materialise in Jesus’ name!

The Physical Rod:

The Bible says: Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell (Proverbs 23:13-14). The physical rod is the physical cane. Once in a while, it may be necessary for you to use cane to discipline your children.

However, when using the cane to discipline, ensure that you do not overdo it. Do not bruise your children in the process of beating them. This instruction is necessary because some parents beat out of anger. By so doing, you have only satisfied yourself but have not properly trained a child.

When the physical rod is to be used, it should be used with care. Do not give room to careless beating. Note that the physical rod should be used occasionally, so that it does not become a way of life. In other words, the spiritual surpasses the physical rod.

To have access to the spiritual rod, you must be born again. To be born again entails confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your personal Saviour and Lord. If you are ready for this new birth experience, please say this prayer in faith: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Raising Godly Children, Understanding Motherhood, Building A Successful Family and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.

Joyce Meyer's Daily 27 December 2017 Devotional: Don't Give In to Self-Pity

Topic: Don't Give In to Self-Pity [Wednesday December 27, 2017]

Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. —Hebrews 11:1

Self-pity is a destructive and negative emotion. It blinds us to our blessings and the possibilities before us and it steals our hope for both today and tomorrow. People who pity themselves often think, Why should I try to do anything? I’ll just fail.

Self-pity is actually idolatry because it is self-focus carried to the extreme. When we allow ourselves to fall into self-pity, we are essentially rejecting God’s love and His ability to change things.

I encourage you not to waste one more day of your life in self-pity. When you lose hope and begin to feel sorry for yourself, stop and say: “I refuse to feel sorry for myself. I may be in a difficult season of life right now, but I will not stop hoping for better things!”

God has thoughts and plans for your good, to give you hope for your future. If you will hold on to your hope by keeping your focus and faith in Jesus, amazing things will happen in your life!

Prayer Starter:God, I refuse to feel sorry for myself. When circumstances are difficult, I’ll remember that You are bigger than my problems and You have a good future planned for me. I want Your plans to come to pass in my life, and I trust You to change my circumstances according to Your will.

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries

Our Daily Manna December 27, 2017: ODM devotional: How To Duplicate Or Reproduce Success

Topic: How To Duplicate Or Reproduce Success [Wednesday, December 27, 2017]

Basic Scripture: 1 King 19:9-16

Welcome to today’s devotional! There is a general success law: If you want to be successful, do what successful people do. If you do not want to be a failure, observe unsuccessful people and avoid doing what they do.

God told Elijah: “Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-me-Holah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room” (1 Kings 19:16b). Elisha took over from Elijah! Eleazer took over form Aaron (Num. 20:28)! Jesus was duplicated by the 12 disciples! Joshua duplicated Moses and God wants His investment in you you to be passed to others long after you are gone because nobody lives forever! This principle applies to general life, ministry and business. To duplicate the success of an individual, organization, do the following:

1. Identify the specific skill or behavior/result you want to produce. What is it that you admire in the person or organization?

2. Locate a specific individual or organization, in which the quality you desire is found.

3. Observe in detail and capture in writing, what was done and how the individual or organization achieved the result.

4. Re-examine your result to ensure that you have captured everything that was done by the individual or the organization to achieve the success. That price did the individual or organization pay? What is the reason for the failure of the individual or organization?

5. Reproduce the success you desire by following the process in 3 and 4 above.

6. Give room for initial failure and keep at it.

Yes, God wants you to read the biography of successful people and avoid their shortcomings of failures. May you not die with your success! Many leaders are afraid to reproduce themselves because they think they might become irrelevant! If you are on top already, be different and let your generation drink form your river of success! Success without a successor is a failure! Avid it now!

Prayer Points: Take any song of worship as led

1. Pray about today’s word seriously as led.

2. Satan wants you to die without a successor! Cancel that plan concerning your life and ministry now!

3. As the year runs to an end, ask for the grace to read a biography per month next year.

4. Lord, restore all that I have lost this year (Pray it seriously)

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

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

Open Heavens 28 December 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Preventing Fornication

Topic: Preventing Fornication — Thursday 28, December 2017

Memorise:Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. – 1 Corinthians 7:2

Read: 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 (KJV)

1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

Bible in One Year: Ecclesiastes 4-7, Malachi 1, Hymn: Sing Hymn 16: God Give Us Christian Homes

MESSAGE:

Yesterday, the Lord spoke to us about His intention for Christian homes not just to add to the population of the earth through procreation, but to produce children that meet heaven’s specification of godly seed, who will represent God everywhere they go and obey Him to the letter. May your home produce such godly seed in Jesus’ Name! Another reason why God established the institution of marriage is to prevent fornication. 1 Corinthians 7:2 says,

“Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.”

This scripture speaks of the need for husband and wife to be intimate so as not to fall into the pit of sexual immorality. It is common in some homes today for the wife to deny her husband of intimacy just because he has not fulfilled certain requests she made, or for the husband to deny his wife intimacy because he is not happy with her. This is at variance with God’s expectations and an abuse of the purpose of sexual intimacy. It is wrong to use sex as a tool for punishing your spouse. People should learn to isolate issues and not mix them up. Neither the husband nor the wife has the power to deny sexual intimacy except it is a temporal arrangement, for the purpose of prayer and fasting, and this must be by mutual consent. Denial of sexual intimacy is viewed as fraud from God’s perspective (1 Corinthians 7:4-5).

Both the wife and the husband should strive towards fulfilling the godly sexual desires of their spouse. This is necessary because it is one way the couple will be protected from the hawks outside their home. It is only a foolish woman who will give conditions for intimacy. When you starve your spouse of intimacy, you expose him to external dangers and temptations. Some women who are married to pastors and ministers of God take it for granted that their husband can never go out of their matrimonial homes, and as a result they begin to deny them sexual intimacy at will. Going by recent realities, such women may get the shock of their lives! There are those who use spirituality as basis for starving their spouse. I don’t suppose such people can be more spiritual than Apostle Paul, who wrote the admonition in 1 Corinthian 7:4-5. Some of these people are almost always fasting and praying. Please control your fast before you cause irreparable damage to your home.

Prayer Point:Father, uproot every spirit of immorality causing married people in my local assembly to be unfaithful to their spouses.

Hymn 16: God Give Us Christian Homes

1. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,
Homes where the Master’s will is sought,
Homes crowned with beauty Your love has wrought;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

2. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the father is true and strong,
Homes that are free from the blight of wrong,
Homes that are joyous with love and song;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

3. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the mother, in caring quest,
Strives to show others Your way is best,
Homes where the Lord is an honored guest;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

4. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the children are led to know
Christ in His beauty who loves them so,
Homes where the altar fires burn and glow;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

Billy Graham’s Daily 28 December 2017 Devotional: Cure for Our Troubles

Topic: Cure for Our Troubles [Thursday December 28, 2017]

. . . preaching peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all). — Acts 10:36

Would it not be wonderful if we could find an absolute cure for the troubles of human nature? Suppose we could give a shot in the arm to the whole human race that would fill people with love instead of hate, with contentment instead of greed. Suppose, also, a cure could be found for the past mistakes, failures, and sins of mankind.

Suppose by some miracle all the past could be straightened out, all of life’s tangles could be unraveled, and the broken strings of life could be repaired. The most thrilling news in all the world is the fact that there is a cure! A medicine has been provided! The sin, confusion, and disillusionment of life can be replaced by righteousness, joy, contentment, and happiness. A peace can be imparted to the soul that is not dependent on outward circumstances.

Prayer for the day:In complete dependence upon You, Lord Jesus, let me relay Your message of love and peace to the desperately needy souls I meet.

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.

Our Daily Bread 28 December 2017 Devotional – Everyday Moments

Topic: Everyday Moments — Thursday December 28, 2017.

Read: Proverbs 15:13–15, Bible in a Year: Zechariah 5–8; Revelation 19

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:13

I piled groceries in my car and carefully exited my parking spot. Suddenly a man darted across the pavement just in front of me, not noticing my approach. I slammed on my brakes, just missing him. Startled, he looked up and met my gaze. In that moment, I knew I had a choice: respond with rolled-eye frustration or offer a smiling forgiveness. I smiled.

Relief flickered across his face, raising the edges of his own lips in gratefulness.

Proverbs 15:13 says, “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” Is the writer directing us to cheery grins in the face of every interruption, disappointment, and inconvenience life brings? Surely not! There are times for genuine mourning, despair, and even anger at injustice. But in our everyday moments, a smile can offer relief, hope, and the grace needed to continue.

Perhaps the point of the proverb is that a smile naturally results from the condition of our inner beings. A “happy heart” is at peace, content, and yielded to God’s best. With such a heart, happy from the inside out, we can respond to surprising circumstances with a genuine smile, inviting others to embrace the hope and peace they too can experience with God.

Prayer:Dear Father, today as I cross paths with others around me, make my heart happy that I may share with them the hope only You can offer.

Encourage one another and build each other up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Insight:

In today’s reading we see the dynamic impact of a happy heart. It is interesting to note that our attitude toward our circumstances—not our situation—is the key issue. A wise person seeks out knowledge, which builds positive character rather than feeding (literally “grazing like cattle”) on those things that lead to foolishness. The oppressed are those who are bowed down or in great need, which can cause emotional turmoil. But we also see in verse 15 how those who are cheerful have a continual feast. The one who focuses on the God of compassion finds hope in difficult situations and also helps others to have hope.

Are you struggling today? Ask God to help you focus on Him with a joyful attitude. Dennis Fisher

This message was written By Elisa Morgan [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Seeds of Destiny 28 December 2017 by Pastor Paul Enenche: Sacrifice – An Antidote To Calamity

Topic: Sacrifice – An Antidote To Calamity [Thursday December 28, 2017]

Scripture: And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.1 Samuel 7:10

Thought For The Day: The weapon of sacrifice is more potent than any physical weapon of war.

Sometime ago, I went to preach in our church in Makurdi, Benue State. After I finished preaching, I had an unusual leading to ask the people to give a sacrifice to God. There was a woman who attended that meeting but had nothing to sacrifice except the clothing material (wrapper) her husband bought for her. So, she went home and brought it as her sacrifice. When her husband, who was not a born again Christian, learnt of it, he got very angry and asked her to go back to the church and collect the material.

Friends, that same day, the husband was driving on the Makurdi Bridge across the River Benue and had a terrible auto crash. While the car was somersaulting, this outright unbelieving man heard a loud voice that told him, ‘You would have died now if not for the sacrifice of your wife.’ Incredible! After the incident, nobody advised him before he ran to church to ask for mercy and to surrender his life to Christ.

Beloved, sacrifice carries deliverance power to avert calamity. The weapon of sacrifice is more potent than any physical weapon of war. Your sacrifice does not just deliver you; it also has the capacity to liberate your loved ones.

Today, I prophesy that your past sacrifices shall begin to speak for you. You and your family members are preserved from every impending tragedy, calamity or disaster in this December, in Jesus’ Name.

Remember This: The weapon of sacrifice is more potent than any physical weapon of war.

Assignment(S):

1. Never joke with your tithe or any opportunity to sacrifice

2. Never make any vow you know you can’t keep. Ensure you pay your vows as you make them

Prayer: LORD, I ask for the grace to live a sacrificial life. Deliver me and all those connected to me from every trap of calamity plotted by the enemy against our lives, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE PRESERVATION POWER OF PRAYER

Quote: Giving affects living. Culled from 365 WISDOM CAPSULES by Paul Enenche

Daily Reading: Zechariah 12:1 to 13:9, Revelation 19:1 to 21, Psalm 147:1 to 20, Proverbs 31:1 to 7

Amazing Fact: Horses have 16 muscles in each ear, allowing them to rotate their ears 180 degrees.

Today In History: 28/12/1856 - Woodrow Wilson the 28th U.S. President was born in Staunton, Virginia (as Thomas Woodrow Wilson).

Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Paul Enenche of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Pastor Paul and 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.

Andrew Wommack’s Daily 28 December 2017 Devotional: How To Baptize

Topic: How To Baptize [Thursday December 28, 2017]

Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"

In the same way that this commission is to every believer, not just to ministers, the command to baptize is also for every believer. It is proper for any believer to administer the ordinance of water baptism.

Jesus commands us to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, yet there is no recorded instance where the believers did so. Instead, the instances of baptism that are recorded in the book of Acts, show people being baptized in the name of Jesus only.

Because of this noticeable difference, doctrines have arisen that teach there is no Trinity, and that unless water baptism is administered in the name of Jesus (only), with faith in the water baptism, a person cannot be saved. This is a false teaching that has led many people astray.

Water baptism is an outward witness of the inner change that has already taken place. In Acts 10:44-48, Cornelius and his friends were filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues, proving that they were already born again before they were baptized in water.

The harmony between the commission of Jesus and the practice of the early church is simple. When we baptize people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, we are baptizing them in the name of Jesus because "in him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Col. 2:9).

Therefore, baptizing in the name of either, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, or the name of Jesus, is correct as long as Colossians 2:9 is understood.

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).

TREM’s Daily 28 December 2017 Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo - God Cannot Fail

Topic: God Cannot Fail — Thursday December 28, 2017.

“And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said; and the Lord did unto Sarah as He had spoken” - Gen. 21:1

As we round off the year, you probably have a list of things you thought you would have achieved this year that did not come through, I come to encourage you not to give up. Understand and settle it deep within your heart that IT IS IMPOSSIBLE for God to fail. God will not be faithful; He is FAITHFUL. His name is FAITHFUL. It is not a quality He will acquire tomorrow; it is a part of Him. FAITHFUL is His name. So don’t get discouraged. Don’t bury your head and think it is all over. Delay is not denial, don’t pack up just yet, God has a miracle in stock for you.

With this at the back of your mind, begin to make plans for the coming year. Like I said yesterday, take a note and write it down. If you want to store it on your tablet, phone or any gadget you have it is okay, but make sure it is written. Take stock of the outgoing year: what are the things you planned to do? What were the things you were able to do? What are the things outstanding? How relevant are those things to you now?

When you have done that, then move on from there, build your plan for 2018: No matter how many things you are yet to do in 2017, don’t cry over spilt milk. The year is over, it is time to move on. All you must do is to ensure that it does not repeat itself again. And the way to ensure that is by doing what I said yesterday. No matter how great 2017 was, don’t pitch your tent there either, 2018 can be greater.

Be clear about what you want to achieve? Don’t be hazy about it. Determine it and write it all down. Then take it to the Lord in prayer. Seek His face; receive instruction from His mouth and be assured that all He has promised you He will do. Your God is TOO FAITHFUL to fail.

Further Reading: Genesis 21:1-7; Ps. 37: 1 – 7

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Zechariah 5-8; Evening- Revelation 19

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.

Kenneth and Gloria Copeland’s Daily December 28, 2017 Devotional: Major on Mercy

Topic: Major on Mercy [Thursday December 28, 2017]

...I beseech thee, show me thy glory. - Exodus 33:18

What would you say is the single, most outstanding thing about God? What's His most important characteristic? Some people would say it's His power. Others, His holiness. But God Himself would give a different answer.

You can find that answer in Exodus 33. There Moses is asking God to show him His glory.

Now the word glory could literally be translated "heavy weight." It refers to the heaviest, biggest, grandest thing about someone. It's the sum total of their worth.

So what Moses was actually saying was, "Lord, I want to see the weightiest thing about You. I want to know Your grandest attributes." What did God say to him in response?

Chapter 34:6-7 tells us, "The Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin."

Just think about that! When Moses asked God to show him the most important thing about Himself, God showed him His mercy.

That means if you and I are to imitate God (Ephesians 5:1) we must major in mercy too. Mercy, goodness, forgiveness and compassion must mark our behavior above all else.

Major on mercy and others will see the glory of God in you.

Scripture Reading: Exodus 33:7-23, 34:5-10

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.

DCLM Daily Manna 28 December, 2017 by Pastor Kumuyi - Power In The Written Word

Topic: Power In The Written Word — Thursday December 28, 2017.

Text: Ezekiel 24:1-14

Key Verse: "Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this same day: the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day"(Ezekiel 24:2).

God has told us repeatedly to obey His laws as we read it regularly. "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4). And so in January 588BC, that is some two and a half years after the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians, the Lord appeared to Ezekiel the prophet and asked him to record that date of the destruction of the City of David.

There had been a 30-month siege on Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar’s Chaldean forces resulting in its final capture in 586BC. Earlier, God led Jeremiah to prophecy this fall in Jeremiah 25:9-11. God asked Ezekiel to write down the great day of His judgment on Judah for her sin of rebellion and idolatry. Between verses 6 and 14, God gave graphic details of what befell Jerusalem. A siege would lead to famine, devastation and finally death and captivity.

Jerusalem would be purged of her iniquity and defilement and she would cease to be a city. We ought to honour the written Word of God the way the Lord accords attention to it. We need to read and meditate on the written Word so that we do not fall into the errors of the past that brought judgment on those who committed them as a result of neglecting divine laws. So, we must constantly remember His Word to avoid falling into misleading doctrines. As demonstrated by our Lord when He was tempted in the wilderness by Satan, the written Word is the sword of the Spirit we can always use to overcome trials and attempts by purveyors of unscriptural doctrines and practices.

The record of God’s word is also meant to comfort the believer. When we read it and appropriate the promises therein, we receive comfort in times of persecution and discouragement.

Thought for the day: Follow the Word; it never fails.

Bible Reading in one Year: Proverbs 21-23

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.

Our Daily Manna December 28, 2017: ODM devotional: Born Out Of Wedlock: God Is Able!

Topic: Born Out Of Wedlock: God Is Able! [Thursday, December 28, 2017]

Basic Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

There was a boy born to an unwed mother (born out of wedlock). He had a hard time growing up because everywhere he went, he was always asked question: “Hey boy who’s your daddy?” He and his mother moved to mossy Creek (modern Jefferson City), then New market, and finally t the slums of Knoxville, USA.

His mother was unable to care for her son and placed him in St. John’s Orphanage, operated by the Episcopal Church Due to the social stigma surrounding his birth, this boy struggled as a child. He later wrote that this made him more determined to succeed. In school, he was always hiding at break and lunch times from other students, because he was a laughing stock. When he was 12 years old, a new preacher visited their local church. The boy would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, “Who is your daddy?” But one day, the new preacher said the benediction so fast that the boy had no time to escape.

Just about the time he got to the back door, the preacher not knowing anything about him, put his hands n his shoulder and asked him, “Son, who is your daddy?” Those present became deadly quiet; with every eye looking at him. This new, Holy Ghost-led preacher sensing what was going on, quickly said, “Wait a minute! I know who you are! I see the family resemblance now. You are a child of God” With that, he parted the boy in the shoulder and said again. “Boy, you’ve got a great inheritance. Go and claim it.” The boy smiled for the first time and walked out of the door a changed person. Wherever he went, he kept saying: “I know my daddy. I am a child of God.” He became a lawyer and a two term governor of Tennessee State in the USA (1911-1015). His biography was titled, “The Unwanted Boy” and the man was Ben Walter Hooper, born in 1970.

What the Holy Ghost is saying to a user of today’s devotional is against all satanic odds, you must believe in yourself and refuse the opinions of men. You must not write off yourself because God has not finished with you. You can be great or you can be greater than you are now! Mephibosheth rose from grass to grace! He was exalted by the God of Jonathan! That same God can do it for you! You will hear “TALITHA CUMI” and everything stagnant or dead will RISE AGAIN because something awesome is about to happen! Don’t you know that the future – 2018 – is carrying your SPECIAL DECORATION? Trust God! Hold on! Hold out!

Prayer Points: Take a song of worship as led.

1. Pray about today’s message as led.

2. Lord, disappoint every evil expectation concerning my life and ministry (Pray it seriously).

3. Lord, turn every MOCKER to my LADDER! Let my story shock them for good in Jesus name (Pray it seriously).

4. Pray seriously today!

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

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

Teens’ Open Heavens 28 December 2017 by Pastor Adeboye - Spiritual Warfare II

Topic: Spiritual Warfare II [Thursday 28, December 2017]

Memorise: "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." - James 5:15

Read: Ephesians 6:16-18

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Bible In One Year: Revelation 8-11. Hymn: Sing Hymn 9: My Faith Has Found Resting A Place

MESSAGE:

Spiritual warfare is an invisible battle that is waged in the spirit realm. The enemies cannot be seen with the physical eyes and the weapons of warfare are not physical as well. What is even more significant is that it is what happens spiritually that determines the physical manifestation that will be experienced by humans.

The worst type of imprisonment is being within invisible prison walls while appearing to be free. Nobody will offer to help you out because there will be nothing physical to suggest that you are imprisoned. The lame man in Acts 3:1-9, was physically born into a prison of sickness and was there for over 40 years, he was in a physical prison, obvious to everyone, but most people are in spiritual prisons; invisible prisons. It is not enough to point accusing finger at somebody somewhere, consider your life and find out if there is any trace of imprisonment. Prayerfully take steps to break loose from it. When you are free from physical and invisible prisons, then you are truly free.

Prayer Point: Father, please break every prison wall around me in Jesus' Name.

Sing Hymn 9: My Faith Has Found Resting A Place

My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.

Chorus:
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He'll never cast me out.
Chorus:

My heart is leaning on the Word,
The living Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior's Name,
Salvation through His blood.
Chorus:

My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave.
Chorus.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional for Teen’s guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

Joyce Meyer's Daily 28 December 2017 Devotional: Making Tough Decisions

Topic: Making Tough Decisions [Thursday December 28, 2017]

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. — Jeremiah 29:11

It’s important to make the right choices, especially in the middle of hurt, discouragement, frustration and confusion—when the right choice is the tough choice to make. When things are stressful, we naturally like to take the path of least resistance. But those are the very moments when making the right choice can make the greatest difference. Because to reap right results in life, you have to do right when you don’t feel like it.

What’s amazing to me is that Jesus knows what we feel like. When He became a human being, He struggled with all of the frustrations we struggle with. He felt like giving up and taking the easy way, but He overcame and made the tough choices.

When we grow weary and falter in our determination, we can know with confidence that we serve a God who knows what we’re going through. He wants to help us and give us His grace so we don’t have to make tough decisions on our own.

When you find yourself stressed-out or on the verge of giving up, remember that God is with you and He understands. Find the strength to make the tough choices in Him.

Prayer Starter: God, I’m so glad and so thankful You understand everything I go through and struggle with. When I am tempted to take the path of least resistance, I will find my strength in You to make the tough choices.

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries

Seeds of Destiny 29 December 2017 by Pastor Paul Enenche: Picture For The Future

Topic: Picture For The Future [Friday December 29, 2017]

Scripture: Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.Proverbs 29:18

Thought For The Day:The power of death fears the power of vision; what you see is stronger than what is there.

Sometime ago, a man met me and told me that he was diagnosed of a terminal disease. From the way he spoke, he had concluded that it was time for him to die. I asked him a question, ‘Suppose you have thirty (30) more years to live, what would you like to do or achieve?’ He said, “I know what to do sir”, and I told him to go and write them down and present them to God saying, “Lord if you keep me alive, these are what I shall achieve for You”. I also told him to consistently fill his heart with the pictures of what he wrote. And the man carried out all the instructions.

Beloved, to the glory of God, since 1999 (eighteen years ago) that the death sentence was issued to him, death could not prevail against him. He is fully alive and doing very well today.

The truth is, the power of death fears the power of vision; what you see is stronger than what is there. Our anchor scripture did not say, ‘Where there is no medicine the people perish, or where there are too many witches, the people perish.’ NO! It says, ‘Where there is no vision…’ Your survival is dependent on your vision.

Today, I decree your deliverance from every calculated disaster orchestrated by the enemy for you in this season, in Jesus’ Name.

Remember This: The power of death fears the power of vision; what you see is stronger than what is there.

Assignments:

1. Develop visions that are contrary to any ugly situation in your life.

2. Create the pictures of them in your mind.

3. Review the visions as frequently as you can and sight the pictures as vividly as possible.

Prayer: LORD, I ask for the termination of every terminal infirmity in my body or destiny. I shall fulfil my days Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: VISION AND PRESERVATION, PART 1

Quote: Your vision determines your preservation; What you see determines what you can escape. Culled from 365 WISDOM CAPSULES by Dr Paul Enenche

Daily Reading: Zechariah 14:1 to 21, Revelation 20:1 to 5, Psalm 148:1 to 14, Proverbs 31:8 to 9

Amazing Fact: Horses are social animals and will get lonely if kept alone; they will mourn the passing of a companion.

Today In History: 29/12/1851 - The First American Young Men's Christian Association was organized, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Paul Enenche of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Pastor Paul and 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.

DCLM Daily Manna 29 December, 2017 by Pastor Kumuyi - The Comforter We Need

Topic: The Comforter We Need — Friday December 29, 2017.

Text: Job 32:11-22

Key Verse: "I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion" (Job 32:17).

To soothe a grieving soul requires far more than the presence of sympathizers and their fair speeches. It takes more than the mere wisdom of man or a personal experience of loss, sorrow or death. The plight of Job reveals that his friends who came to comfort him did not help matters. Elihu, who joined the three older counsellors, equally did not succeed in alleviate the condition of Job. He called for attention as he rested on these aphorisms: "Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment" (verse 9).

Thereafter, he also began to lash out at Job, accusing him of "drinking up scorning like water." He also charged Job with being "in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men" (Job 34:7,8). This judgmental attitude is far from the teaching of Jesus on the noble ministry of comforting the grieving. When His disciples began to be sad because the Lord told them that He would soon depart from them and go back to His place in heaven, He assured them that he would send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit to console them. He told them that the Comforter would abide with them and guide them into all truth.

In John 16:33, the Lord restates His own great mission as a Comforter with this gratifying statement: "These things I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Elihu failed to comfort Job.

There is obviously no peace and comfort in the world. Jesus is the Prince of peace and Source of real comfort. The world is grieving and sorrowing as a result of its disconnect from God and His laws. The believer must reach out to this world with a message of hope that all is not lost for those who can repent of their sin and come to Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Thought for the day: Jesus Christ is the Ultimate Comforter.

Bible Reading in one Year: Proverbs 24-26

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.

Our Daily Bread 29 December 2017 Devotional – What Remains in the Eye

Topic: What Remains in the Eye— Friday December 29, 2017.

Read: Psalm 104:24–35, Bible in a Year: Zechariah 9–12; Revelation 20

How many are your works, Lord! Psalm 104:24

The hummingbird gets its English name from the hum made by its rapidly beating wings. In other languages, it is known as the “flower-kisser” (Portuguese) or “flying jewels” (Spanish). One of my favorite names for this bird is biulu, “what remains in the eye” (Mexican Zapotec). In other words, once you see a hummingbird, you’ll never forget it.

G. K. Chesterton wrote, “The world will never starve for want of wonders, but only for want of wonder.” The hummingbird is one of those wonders. What is so fascinating about these tiny creatures? Maybe it is their small size (averaging two to three inches) or the speed of their wings that can flap from 50 to 200 times per second.

We aren’t sure who wrote Psalm 104, but the psalmist was certainly captivated by nature’s beauty. After describing many of creation’s wonders, like the cedars of Lebanon and the wild donkeys, he sings, “May the Lord rejoice in his works” (v. 31). Then he prays, “May my meditation be pleasing to him” (v. 34).

Nature has plenty of things that can remain in the eye because of their beauty and perfection. How can we meditate on them and please God? We can observe, rejoice, and thank God as we contemplate His works and recapture the wonder.

Prayer:Father, help me to reflect on the wonders of nature and meditate on them with thankfulness for all You have done!

Wonder leads to gratitude.

Insight:

Many of the psalms overflow with awe at the magnificence of our God and the world He created. Psalms 8 and 104 are two examples. To realize that we are loved by our Creator God who “wraps himself in light as with a garment” (104:2) and who “set [his] glory in the heavens” (8:1) can cause us, like the psalmist David, to wonder, “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (v. 4). Yet Scripture repeatedly assures us that God does indeed love us!

In what ways—large or small—have you felt God’s love for you today? - Alyson Kieda

This message was written By Keila Ochoa [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Andrew Wommack’s Daily 27 December 2017 Devotional: God Is Good

TREM’s Daily 27 December 2017 Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo - Write the Vision

Teens’ Open Heavens 27 December 2017 by Pastor Adeboye - Spiritual Warfare I

The Home: An Institution For Child Training (4) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Joyce Meyer's Daily 27 December 2017 Devotional: Don't Give In to Self-Pity

Our Daily Manna December 27, 2017: ODM devotional: How To Duplicate Or Reproduce Success

Open Heavens 28 December 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Preventing Fornication

Billy Graham’s Daily 28 December 2017 Devotional: Cure for Our Troubles

Our Daily Bread 28 December 2017 Devotional – Everyday Moments

Seeds of Destiny 28 December 2017 by Pastor Paul Enenche: Sacrifice – An Antidote To Calamity

Andrew Wommack’s Daily 28 December 2017 Devotional: How To Baptize

TREM’s Daily 28 December 2017 Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo - God Cannot Fail

Kenneth and Gloria Copeland’s Daily December 28, 2017 Devotional: Major on Mercy

DCLM Daily Manna 28 December, 2017 by Pastor Kumuyi - Power In The Written Word

Our Daily Manna December 28, 2017: ODM devotional: Born Out Of Wedlock: God Is Able!

Teens’ Open Heavens 28 December 2017 by Pastor Adeboye - Spiritual Warfare II

Joyce Meyer's Daily 28 December 2017 Devotional: Making Tough Decisions

Seeds of Destiny 29 December 2017 by Pastor Paul Enenche: Picture For The Future

DCLM Daily Manna 29 December, 2017 by Pastor Kumuyi - The Comforter We Need

Our Daily Bread 29 December 2017 Devotional – What Remains in the Eye