You must take responsibility for your life

Wed, 27 Sep 2023

‘We are each responsible for our own conduct.’ Galatians 6:5

Being accountable for yourself, your thoughts, and your actions is a very important part of being a contributing member of a relationship. But sometimes, we take things too far by assuming an unhealthy responsibility for others, and then using it as an excuse for not being accountable for ourselves and our own circumstances. For example, we blame an unplanned pregnancy for our failure to go to university. Or we blame our unhappiness on the fact that we stayed married for the sake of the children. We focus so much on other people and taking responsibility for their lives that we never take time to look for solutions to rise above our own situation. And eventually, all the woe and hard times become our identity. We don’t just complain; we become chronic complainers. Let’s be honest; sometimes, our tales of woe are simply excuses, made-up versions of the truth to hide the fact that we have decided to blame everyone else for our circumstances. That way, we don’t have to take responsibility for our lives. The fact is, we all make choices in life; to go or stay, to confront or ignore, to complain or look for a solution. Whether it’s your spouse, your kids, or your parents, it’s never a good idea to take responsibility for others if you’re doing it to avoid deciding what you need to do for yourself. The Bible says, ‘Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct’ (Galatians 6:4-5 NLT).

God is in control; trust Him

Thu, 28 Sep 2023

‘My hope is in You.’ Psalm 39:7

Life seldom works out exactly the way we hope or think it will. When Job lost everything, he said, ‘I don’t have the strength to endure. I have nothing to live for … I am utterly helpless, without any chance of success’ (Job 6:11, 13 NLT). Yet, in the end, Job got back twice as much as he had lost. But the experiences and adversities he had gone through changed his attitude towards God profoundly. ‘I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted … My ears have heard of you but now my eyes have seen you’ (Job 42:2, 5 NIV). What had Job discovered? That God is sovereign! He is not our servant; we are His servants. We must obey His Word in order to walk in His blessing, but the final outcome of all things rests in His hands and not ours. Many of us struggle with control. We want control not only over our circumstances but our goals, plans, relationships, and all that concerns us. Such fear is often an indication of an unconscious desire to be independent of God; to be the master of our own destiny. Sometimes it’s the result of growing up in a chaotic environment and resolving never to repeat the experiences of your earlier life. Perhaps you think you’re in control of your life due to your educational, financial, or other achievements. It isn’t true. God enabled you to do everything that you have done. Paul writes, ‘But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favour on me’ (1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT). Today God is in control—trust Him!

He made the world and everything there is. Hebrews 1:2 (TLB)



There are many arguments we could marshal to give evidence of the existence of God. There is scientific evidence pointing to God’s existence. For example, whatever is in motion must be moved by another, for motion is the response of matter to power. In the world of matter there can be no power without life, and life pre-supposes a being from which emanates the power to move things, such as tides and the planets. Or there is the argument that says nothing can be the cause of itself. It would be prior to itself if it caused itself to be, and that is an absurdity. Then there is the law of life. We see objects that have no intellect, such as stars and planets, moving in a consistent pattern, cooperating ingeniously with one another. Hence, it is evident that they achieve their movements not by accident but by design. Whatever lacks intelligence cannot move intelligently. An arrow would be useless without a bow and an archer. What gives direction and purpose and design to inanimate objects? It is God. He is the underlying, motivating force of life.

PRAYER
Lord, I know that without Your power my life would be useless. Prompt me, by Your Holy Spirit, to glorify You in everything I do.



by: Evang. Billy Graham

Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about His mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. (Colossians 4:3, NLT)




When Paul wrote this verse, he was in chains in prison. He was arrested for preaching the gospel. Everything in his surroundings shouted “limitations.” But instead of looking at his surroundings, Paul kept his eyes on the limitless God. He kept looking for the open door of opportunity that God would have for him next.

No matter what “chains” you may feel like you are in today, remember, we serve a God who’s in the business of setting people free, and He has equipped you with His power. When doors seem closed all around you, when your surroundings look limited, when you feel like you’re in chains, remember, God is still at work. He’s promised to walk with you all the days of your life. Keep your hopes up. Keep expecting. Keep believing. Like Paul, pray for those opportunities to be opened to you!

PRAYER
Father, I choose to take my eyes off of my surroundings and focus on You. I trust that You are working behind the scenes, opening doors of opportunity in Jesus name. Amen




by: Pastor Joel Osteen

But don't forget this, dear friends. . . . He isn't really being slow about his promised return, even though it sometimes seems that way. But he is waiting, for the good reason that he is not willing that any should perish, and he is giving more time for sinners to repent. 2 Peter 3:8,9 (TLB)



Many people are asking, “Where is history heading?” A careful student of the Bible will be led to see that God controls the clock of destiny. Amid the world’s confusion, God’s omnipotent hand moves, working out His unchanging plan and purpose. Jesus Christ is coming to earth again. It is Christ who is in control, and He will determine the outcome. George Whitefield, the great English evangelist, said, “I am daily waiting for the coming of the Son of God.” But he did not sit down and do nothing. He burned out his life in proclaiming the Gospel of Christ.

PRAYER
Father, deliver me from slothfulness, keep me quickened to deliver Your message of salvation to everyone who will listen, until that day I die or You return again.



by: Evang. Billy Graham

God laid the foundation of the earth on the waters, water is a reflection of everything on earth. If we look at the world today the world is spoilt but only those that are mine are steadfast saith the Lord of Host. God captured the powerful by their powers, he opened the bottomless pit for the unrepentant. Even the famous are going towards the wide gate, pray for sustaining grace for my faithful ministers saith the Lord God that they may see God at the end of their earthly journey.
Like the sea and sand of the sea so is my mercy to those that will receive it. The heavens are shouting Hossana to the one whom God will send but God is having patient on the sinners that they may not perish but have eternal life.
I am Michael whom the Lord has revealed these words to, peace be unto you.

Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about His mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. (Colossians 4:3, NLT)




When Paul wrote this verse, he was in chains in prison. He was arrested for preaching the gospel. Everything in his surroundings shouted “limitations.” But instead of looking at his surroundings, Paul kept his eyes on the limitless God. He kept looking for the open door of opportunity that God would have for him next.

No matter what “chains” you may feel like you are in today, remember, we serve a God who’s in the business of setting people free, and He has equipped you with His power. When doors seem closed all around you, when your surroundings look limited, when you feel like you’re in chains, remember, God is still at work. He’s promised to walk with you all the days of your life. Keep your hopes up. Keep expecting. Keep believing. Like Paul, pray for those opportunities to be opened to you!

PRAYER
Father, I choose to take my eyes off of my surroundings and focus on You. I trust that You are working behind the scenes, opening doors of opportunity in Jesus name. Amen




by: Pastor Joel Osteen

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word
of knowledge by the same Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:8



One of the gems that made Joshua took over the mantle of leadership from his master was the excellent spirit he carried. Joshua excelled in all matters that most of his age mates and contemporaries. Those who remain in the crowd cannot become excellent in life, because excellence is a private matter, but with a public pronouncement. The spirit of excellence will never permit you to do things at a level which others are comfortable with. You cannot be flocking around the multitude and achieve greatness in life and ministry. This is why Jesus was always withdrawing His disciples to Himself at the point of every exploit. He did not want them to be carried away with the songs of the crowd. He knew the crowd well and he knew that those who were shouting “hail hail” be the ones to say “crucify Him” the next day. Excellence is necessary for anyone to become a useful vessel in the hands of the Almighty God. Excellence is what releases the gem in a man’s life and makes him the envy of his generation. The spirit of Excellence is a crucial requirement for being useful and relevant in the scheme of things. It is what puts you on edge in God’s programme and makes you a formidable force.

“Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” Hebrews 1:9

Exploits in life have never been a function of a higher educational qualification or popularity; it is through the spirit of excellence. When you carry the presence of God, it releases the spirit of excellence in you which in turn gives you the wisdom to access the mysteries of life. The presence of God gives you deep insight and wisdom for every difficult situation of life and makes you become a master over situations and circumstances through His presence. You cannot have an excellent spirit and lack understanding. Your level of knowledge will begin to command the attention of all and sundry as we saw when the Queen of Sheba came visiting King Solomon.

Excellence is a goal, so you have to strive for it. Excellence is the attainment of the highest level of perfection in anything you do. It means operating in a class of your own. Those who do things the way others do them cannot become excellent. You have to be willing to go the extra mile. You have to identify your goal and begin to pursue it with vigour. Joseph understood this early and it worked continuously for him until he becomes a reference point in a strange land. Daniel understood this early and he focused on it and remained a formidable force in the reign of three kings. The kings were leaving him behind, but the grace of God upon his life made him relevant under different circumstances. The spirit of excellence will help you to concentrate on your assignment until you become a standard.

However, this spirit can only come from God. If you don’t know God, there is no way you can do exploits (Daniel 11:32). I pray that from this moment, as you surrender totally to God, you will begin to experience the miraculous in Jesus’ name.


PRAYER
Father, remove every hindrance on my way to greatness in Jesus name.




by: Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Always be thankful to God

‘It is good to give thanks to the Lord.’ Psalm 92:1

Journalist Fulton Oursler tells the story of an elderly nurse called Anna. She had attended Fulton’s birth, plus that of his mother. He honours her for teaching him the best lesson he ever learned about giving thanks and finding contentment: ‘I remember her as she sat at the kitchen table in our house; the hard, old, brown hands folded across her starched apron, the glistening eyes, and the husky old whispering voice, saying, “Much obliged, Lord, for my vittles.” I asked, “Anna, what’s a vittle?” “It’s what I’ve got to eat and drink – that’s vittles,” the old nurse replied. “But you’d get your vittles whether you thanked the Lord or not,” I said. “Sure,” said Anna, “but it makes everything taste better to be thankful!”’ The excitement that comes from getting something new, or even something you have worked hard for, is often short-lived and quickly replaced by your desire for the next thing. Solomon put it this way: ‘The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing’ (Ecclesiastes 1:8 KJV). So, what’s the solution? Having an attitude of gratitude! Stopping regularly to remember the goodness of God that makes it possible for you to enjoy every blessing you have, and remembering to say, ‘Thank you, Lord.’ The psalmist had a heart of gratitude. He wrote, ‘It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your loving kindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness
every night’ (Psalm 92:1-2 NKJV). So, always be thankful to God.

In our text, Solomon had ended his prayer and fire came down from heaven to consume the sacrifices, "and the glory of the LORD filled the house”. Clearly, the fire from heaven was a signal of God's acceptance of the offering that was made. The glory of the Lord was the visible manifestation of His presence and splendour.




The Lord was pleased with Solomon's offering; the evidence was the fire that came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice. In dedicating the house of God, Solomon bountifully offered twenty two thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. What a way of giving back to God part of what He has blessed him with! The dedication ofthe temple afforded the king the opportunity to bring all the children of Israel together to have fellowship and to offer sacrifices before the Lord.

Today, while it is good to build magnificent places of worship for the people to worship the Lord, it is more important and acceptable to "present [our] bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is [our] reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). Our bodies must be preserved for God's use. We should also be willing to sacrifice all that He has blessed us with, including our very lives, on the altar of His service. This way, we will always experience the glory of God in our assemblies.


MEDITATION
The beIiever's body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.



by: Pastor W.F. Kumuyi

Jesus saith unto her, saith I not unto Thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest See the glory of God. John 11:40



The presence of God in a life makes the difference. When you carry the presence of God, you will see the invisible and hear the inaudible. Prior to my becoming a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, I realized that with all my degrees and certificates, I was still going through a lot of hardship, but the moment I surrendered my whole life to the Lord, I began to experience the supernatural. God saw my hunger for Him and He responded to my needs. God is always ready to do great things through the lives of those who seek Him. The moment you yield totally to Him, you will begin to operate above natural limits. Without this supernatural ability, you will remain a common man and you will always have common results.

In Acts 2:1-4, after the disciples had encounter with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, they began to speak with new tongues which turned them into a class of different people. They began to do exploit. The things they could not do before became very easy for them. They were casting put devils and speaking with new tongues. The Lord was confirming their ministry daily with signs and wonders. The moment you believe God and you allow Him to do His will in your life, you will become a visible evidence for the world to see. Your prayers become easily answered and every fear of the impossible will begin to give way to boldness. You will begin to do what you wouldn’t have thought you were capable of doing. This is why I am always conscious of His presence in my life, because if His presence is removed, I no longer exist. God does not want you to remain and operate in the valley. If your eyes are set on the Lord, you will discover that the closer you get to Him, the higher and farther away He is.

When we see the miracles of God around us, it means we are beholding the glory of God. As we study the immeasurable miracles of God as recorded in the scriptures and as seen in our everyday life, it bears record of what God is capable of doing. One of my daughters got a report from the doctor saying that she will never be able to bear a child. This report was premised on the fact that her womb was too small to nurture a child to the point of delivery, so she had been having miscarriages whenever the pregnancies got to a certain month. But a medical report is not always God’s report, besides, it is whatever report you believe that will manifest in your life, so my daughter believed the report of the Lord and she was getting ready to see the glory of God. At this particular time, she was pregnant and the Lord kept her till the point of delivery. By the time she was about to deliver, this same daughter whose medical report indicated she will never be able to keep a baby delivered four babies at the same time. There is a user of this devotional, I prophesy into your life; every negative report you are carrying that is making you weep shall be rendered useless in Jesus’ name. if only you can believe in the Word of God, you will experience the glory of God. God dwells in the realms of the supernatural, and as a child of God, you are expected to experience the miraculous at all times.


MEDITATION
When you follow God nothing will be able to limit you



by: Pastor E.A. Adeboye

It is an honor to obey a master one intended to keep following reason Adam and Eve were casted out of garden of Eden when they honored Satan. When you sin you honor Satan as your master. And when a master is honored he/she rewards the follower. Satan also rewards his followers with things of the world, sinful ideas, to make them continue sinning and commit more 'new' sins.
God wants you to know today that when you commit sin you honor Satan so you can have the strong desire to stop the spirits of sin operating in your body by the power in the death and resurrection of Jesus which is not a physical experience but a spiritual one and so it requires a spiritual revelation to harness the benefits, to see the result or to experience the manifestation. And for this was the Holy Spirit promised to reveal , help , lead into all Truth because its the Truth that sets free, break the bondage from continuation of living in the slavery to sins.
When all the truths about sin, its consequences especially in eternity is known, no one in his/ her right sense will continue in sin for hell is not pleasurable for a second to stay and pleasures is all what mankind seeks. Living in pleasures is the nature of God Himself reason at His right hand there are pleasures evermore and the psalmist saw this in Psalms 16:11 " You will show me the path of life; In Your presence there is fullness of joy at Your right hand there are pleasures for evermore. It is the path of Life to seek pleasures. It is the seeking of these immeasurable pleasures that makes a man/ woman to seek heaven and its righteousness first and to be killing every spirits of sin.
Its an honor to Satan when you hate your enemies, sorrow over worldly loss or love the world.
Are you knowing the Truth about sin? If not then sin will always be a pleasure to commit.

With God all things are possible so it is possible for you to dishonor Satan all the time.

Those living the victorious life are seeking eternal pleasures.

Accept Jesus or the Word you read or hear today and be saved.

Weekly prayer point: Holy Spirit please lead me into all Truth about sins I am committing in Jesus name.

Live a spiritually blessed week.

From:
The Gathering Ministry.

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. Psalm 103:13



Time and time again, we have seen God dealing with us as a father deals with his children. This is because we are His children and He is our father. God has been so gracious to us on many occasions. He will not always punish us without showing mercy, even when it is glaring that we deserve condemnation. There are many of us who have lost many precious things due to our rebellion, negligence and carelessness, but our Father is always there to show us mercy and grace. If things are bad and you want a positive turn around, there are steps you must be willing to take to recover all your stolen blessings. God does not want His children to be at the mercy of Satan; the Almighty God is willing and eager to deliver us. You have to first of all acknowledge the areas in which you have given room to the devil, find out that specific area in which you have given room to the devil, find out the specific area you missed it and seek the face of the Almighty God for restoration. God wants you to recover your lost lands, your lost status and all the beautiful accomplishments that you have lost to the devil. The moment you recover these lost grounds, you must say to yourself that you will never be a victim again. The only way to guarantee this is to keep in constant touch with your creator and the restorer of your blessings. You need to love the Lord like never before.

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy might” Deuteronomy 6:5

You should make up your mind to obey His voice alone in every area of life. Obedience to the Word of God will lead you into a life of fruitfulness. There are many people who look for God when the devil is dealing with them, but as soon as they are fully delivered from the hands of the devil, they stop doing the will of God. With this kind of attitude, there cannot be complete restoration of lost blessings; you have to remain connected to God by serving Him.

“And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek Him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever.” 1st Chronicles 28:9

God has placed conditions for the restoration of lost blessings and these conditions are not as stringent as what people go through in the hands of the devil. We are expected to change our attitudes and actions in order for God to answer our prayers. We are to humble ourselves before him and be fully obedient to His will; there should be practical evidence of humility and obedience to His word. I decree in the name of Jesus, an end has come to those who have been going round in circles. Every curse over anyone reading this devotional is broken in the name of Jesus. In the Name that is above every other name you are moving out of the wilderness and entering into your own land flowing with milk and honey in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER
Father, let my restoration be permanent in Jesus' Name.



by: Pastor E.A. Adeboye

God loves you, repent today and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and be save.

Genesis 1
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
² And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
³ And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

Why did the Holy Spirit suddenly move upon the face of the waters? The Holy Spirit moved in anticipation of the Word of God; the Holy Spirit moved because He knew God was about to speak in recreation.

.... for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
— 1 Corinthians 2:10

If you misplaced something valuable as car keys in your house, what would you do? Of course, you will search the house thoroughly until you find it.

It's the same with the Holy Spirit, He searchest all things, even the mind of God. He has perfect knowledge of all things in the past, present and future. Nothing takes the Spirit of God by shock or surprise.

If you wait and rely more on the Holy Spirit, He will reveal so many secrets and mysteries of life to you.

The Holy Spirit knows all things concerning our lives. Infact, He created us so He knows intricate details of our lives hidden to us.

The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
— Job 33:4

The Holy Spirit knows our destinies and our purposes on earth. That is why if we are interested in fulfilling our destinies on earth, we need to be intimate with the Holy Spirit.

Some biblical examples of the Holy Spirit's ominiscience:

1. The Holy scriptures were prophetically written by men through the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

2. Paul was foretold what would happen to him in Jerusalem through the Holy Spirit. (Acts 20:23, 21:11).

3. Prophet Agabus by the Holy Spirit, predicted a coming famine. (Acts 11:28)

4. Simeon, was informed by the Holy Spirit that he won't die until he saw Jesus in person, and was guided to Jesus' dedication. (Luke 2: 25-27)

5. The Holy Spirit spoke that in the last days, some would depart from Christ, following seducing spirits. (1 Timothy 4:1)

The Holy Spirit is still speaking today, but how many of us are listening to Him?

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
— Revelation 2:29

Unfortunately, humanity has:

▪️Resisted the Holy Spirit. (Acts 7:51)

▪️Quenched the Holy Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:19)

▪️Grieved the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 4:30)

▪️Strived with the Holy Spirit. (Genesis 6:3)


The Holy Spirit is a lover, not a tyrant. He loves us so deeply but we tend to misunderstand His person.

He wants to reveal so much to us concerning our destinies, our future, our finances, our businesses, our careers, our spouses, our children, our ministries, etc. But firstly, we must fellowship with Him (2 Corinthians 13:14)

We all are prophets and prophetesses by the Holy Spirit. (Numbers 11:29)The simplest reason why many Christians struggle in the prophetic is because they ignore fellowship or quality time with the Holy Spirit. (Joel 2:28)

The early disciples were very sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit because apart from praising God, they prayed mostly in tongues and fasted. (Acts 6:4)

If we are to be closer in fellowship with the Spirit of God, we must speak more in tongues, we must be willing to spend literally hundreds of hours in His presence. (1 Corinthians 14:18)

Spending much time speaking in tongues does two significant things to our spirits:

1. It builds up our spirits alongside God's Word. (Jude 20)

2. It connects or unites our spirits closely with the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:16)


We earnestly need the Holy Spirit's ominiscience, most especially at midnight. The midnight hours are highly powerful and prophetic because the spiritual realm is mostly active then and determines what happens in the physical.

The Holy Spirit knows every detail of what goes on spiritually at midnight. He knows every meeting, wickedness, discussions, agendas, portfolios, covenants, traps, curses, summons, altars, sacrifices, etc. of enemies at midnight.

To conclude:
We earnestly need the ominiscience of God's Spirit these final days!

DATE: TUESDAY OCTOBER 24TH 2023

*THEME: THE PURPOSE OF PROSPERITY*

*MEMORISE:*

*"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;" - (1 Timothy 6:17)*

*READ: 1 TIMOTHY 6:17-19 (KJV)*

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

*MESSAGE:*

One of the major benefits of being a child of God is prosperity. Deuteronomy 8:18 says that God gives us the power to get wealth. In (3 John 2), He says clearly: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."

One thing is clear from these Scriptures: God wants us to be prosperous. (2 Corinthians 8:9) even says that Jesus became poor so that we can be rich. The question now is: why does God want His children to prosper?

Firstly, no father would want his children to suffer. His children suffering would make him look like an irresponsible father. God wants you to prosper simply because you are His child. Psalm 128:1-2 backs this up: "Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee."

After you have become prosperous however, God wants you to use that wealth to build His Kingdom. Zechariah 1:17 said: "Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem."

After God has prospered you, He expects you to use that prosperity to spread the gospel of His Kingdom abroad. He expects you to do things to advance His kingdom on earth and win more souls for Him. This means that if you are prosperous and not sponsoring Kingdom projects, then you need to have a change of mind. You need to be more concerned about using your money for God than for any other thing.

David wondered how he could be living in a palace, when his God is being worshipped in a tent (2 Samuel 7:2). This made him set out to build a temple for God. He was so determined to spend for God that even when God told him not to build the temple, he did not keep his money to himself; rather, he provided everything that Solomon needed to build it. If you have this kind of heart, you would see how God will promote and bless you even more than you can imagine.

*KEY POINT:*
God prospers His children so that they can use the prosperity to spread the gospel of Christ abroad.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: LUKE 7-8

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. Psalm 17:15



Is it not logical to believe that the only one who can recreate us is the One who created us in the first place? If your watch were out of order, you wouldn’t take it to a blacksmith. If your car needed overhauling, you wouldn’t go to a machine shop. Our spiritual problems can be solved only by the God who created us originally. He created us in His own image and likeness; today, by the grace of His Son, He can recreate us in the likeness of His resurrection. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are recreated and become partakers of His life.

PRAYER
There is so much that is out of order in my life, Lord. Remake all the parts that need the infinite healing of your re-creation




by: Evang. Billy Graham

When God gives you a vision (1)

Sun, 29 Oct 2023

‘I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.’ Acts 26:19

Paul had a ‘heavenly vision’. But there are those who ‘… speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the LORD’ (Jeremiah 23:16 NKJV). So you must be sure you are operating according to God’s plan, not your own, or somebody else’s. The story of the Tower of Babel teaches us two things:

1) When people make up their mind to do something, they often succeed.

2) Succeeding doesn’t mean that you’re in the will of God. The word babel (confusion) means others can think you’re right, yet you’re wrong.

You ask, ‘But isn’t it okay to make plans and set goals?’ Yes, but your plans and goals should come out of a vision that God has given you. When Paul said, ‘I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision,’ (Acts 26:19 KJV) he meant that there’s only one acceptable response to God’s plan – obedience! Partial obedience, selective obedience, or delayed obedience are still disobedience. William Carey, who is considered the father of modern missions, gave up comfort and fortune to go to India and introduce the gospel. One of his more memorable quotes is: ‘Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God!’ But you can only say that with confidence when you know what God has called you to do. What He ordains, He sustains! When you set your own goals you lack a heart-deep confidence that God is doing the work, so you wear yourself out thinking it’s all up to you. However, when you know God has given you a vision for your life, you trust Him, even when you can’t see any way to bring it to pass.

Jesus is coming back again!

Fri, 27 Oct 2023

‘Come, Lord Jesus!’ Revelation 22:20

The last promise and prayer in the Bible is, ‘He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!’ (Rev 22:20 NKJV) Revelation 22:20 And the last major prophecy concerning Christ’s return was fulfilled in 1948 when the nation of Israel was reborn (see Amos 9:14). Since then, the clock of Bible prophecy has been ticking and the countdown is on. Cynics and critics sometimes say, ‘Christians have been telling us for hundreds of years that Jesus will return, but it hasn’t happened.’ That is additional proof of Christ’s return. ‘In the last days scoffers … will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same” … But you must not forget … A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise … No, he is being patient … He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along … But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness’ (2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-13 NLT). Jesus is coming back again – be sure you’re ready.

... he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Matthew 23:12



In almost every instance in the Bible, as well as in life, pride is associated with failure, not success. We hear a great deal about the inferiority complex, but the superiority complex of pride is seldom spoken of. It was pride that caused the fall of Lucifer, and he became Satan, the devil. It was pride that led King Saul down to a shameful and untimely death. It was pride that caused Peter to deny his Lord.

The greatest act of humility in the history of the universe was when Jesus Christ stooped to die on the cross of Calvary. And before any man can get to heaven, he must kneel at the foot of the cross and acknowledge that he is a sinner, that he has broken the Ten Commandments of God, and that he needs the grace of God in Christ. No man can come proudly to the Savior.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You suffered such humiliation and pain for me on the cross. I ask You, humbly, to forgive my pride and errant ways that nailed You there





by: Evang. Billy Graham

The Lord is my light and my salvation ... Psalm 27:1



Under the picture of Peter Milne, hanging in the church he founded on the little New Hebrides Island of Nguna, these words are found: “When he came, there was no light. When he died, there was no darkness.” When Christ came into the world, there was no light. Matthew (quoting Isaiah) said of Him, “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up” (Matthew 4:16). Harry Lauder once said that during his boyhood, he could tell where the lamplighter was “by the trail of light he left behind him.” Christ was the heavenly Lamplighter. Everywhere He went, the midnight gloom of sin and despair disappeared before Him.

PRAYER
My heart and soul praise You, my risen Redeemer, for the light that pervades the deepest gloom and transforms our lives with Your love.




by: Evang. Billy Graham