Abiding TV

John 21:9, 12
Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread… Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.”

Like many parents, Wendy and I pray for our daughter Jessica every night before she sleeps. When Jessica was two years old, we decided to pray that her diapers would not overflow during the night. Her diapers not overflowing might be a small thing, but we knew that it would give our little girl a comfortable sleep every night. And after we started praying for this, we noticed that her diapers did not overflow.

That incident made me realize that our God is not just interested in the big things that affect us. He bothers and cares about the minor things that affect us too. There is nothing too insignificant for Him. So don’t be like some religious people who have this idea that God only wants us to bring the big issues to Him, and that He doesn’t want us to bother Him with small issues.

Nothing could be further from the truth. God cares about everything that you experience, from the small ulcer in your mouth to your concerns about the world’s economy. Even when you tell Him about the inconvenience that might arise if the bus is late, He takes note of that too. In fact, when you come to Him often about anything and everything in your daily life, you compliment Him because you are telling Him that He is your Daddy God who watches over you.

Jesus represented the Father’s heart and will when He was on earth. (John 5:19) He cared when His disciples were out at sea the whole night, cold and shivering. He cared when they caught nothing that night. (John 21:3) He cared that they would not have fish to sell. So He gave them a huge catch early the next morning. (John 21:5–6) He knew that they were cold and hungry, so He prepared breakfast for them, served over a fire of coals to keep them warm.

Jesus showed us that God is our loving heavenly Father who cares about the big and small things that happen every day in our lives. Nothing escapes God’s eyes because He loves you!

Thought For The Day
God is not just interested in the big things that affect us. He bothers and cares about the small things too.

In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night. And God said, Ask what I shall give you. . . . [Solomon said] So give Your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and bad.
- 1 Kings 3:5,9a

A friend confessed to me one day, “Instead of seeking God’s face, I’ve been guilty of seeking God’s gifts. Too many times I have been more excited about what He does for me than I’ve been about seeking His face and rejoicing in who He is.” She went on to say that she craved the blessings and wonderful things God did in her life. The Lord had used her in praying for the sick and had opened doors for her to minister to people.

We’ve all known ministers of the gospel who were truly blessed and used by God. We also know some of them who had great downfalls. What happened? I don’t know all the details, but I know enough about Satan’s tactics that I can explain the pattern.

God raises up servants—godly people who truly desire to serve Him and help others. They become successful, and perhaps that’s when Satan first attacks them. He reminds them of who they are and how greatly God has used them. (Satan sometimes tells the truth to lead to a lie.) He encourages them to become even more successful or famous—whatever their weaknesses, he plays on those.

If they don’t rebuke the evil voice, they soon push forward and seek greater spiritual gifts. They want to be the best-known healers in the world or the greatest evangelists. Too often, they don’t hear God’s quiet voice or sense His sadness as they push forward.

Before long, they want what God gives, but they don’t really want God. That’s one of Satan’s oldest tricks. He tried to accuse God of bribing His followers. In the first chapter of Job, God called Job blameless and upright, one who feared God and shunned evil (see Job 1:8b).

Then Satan answered the Lord, Does Job [reverently] fear God for nothing? Have You not put a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have conferred prosperity and happiness upon him in the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has, and he will curse You to Your face (Job 1:9-11).

Of course, we know that Job didn’t give in to the devil. He had truly sought God and not His gifts. The book of Job tells of one hardship and trial after another, including the devil using his friends to plead with him to give up. Job never did quit because he sought God more than he sought His gifts.

By contrast, think of King Saul—Israel’s first king. He was tall, handsome, and chosen by God. He could have been a great leader, but he allowed Satan to win the battle over his mind. Later, Saul was so possessed by evil spirits that he needed young David to play his lute to calm the troubled spirit. At the end of his life, Saul went to a witch for an answer because he knew God had departed from him. That’s a man who yielded to the devil. He sought gifts and power more than he sought God.

Our heavenly Father delights in giving His children good things—but only if you seek after Him first. In the verses above, when Solomon asked for wisdom, God not only gave him wisdom but he commended him for not asking for long life or riches. And because he didn’t ask for those things, God said, “I’m going to give them to you anyway.” That’s the generous way the Lord works. When you seek Him, He gives generously; when you seek only His gifts, you may receive those gifts, but you will also get an empty life. Or worse, you may allow Satan to advance.

Great and all-wise God, forgive me for looking at the wrong things. Help me to seek You, to yearn only for You and how I may please You. I want You to use me to serve You, but most of all, I want to know that my life pleases You. I ask for Your help, in the name of Jesus. Amen

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned…(Isaiah 43:2).

When you study God’s Word, the economic problems and upheavals in the world today wouldn’t be a surprise to you. The socio-economic conditions in our world today must not dictate the circumstances of our existence. They must not control our faith in the Word of God. The Bible says those who know their God shall be strong and shall do exploits (Daniel 11:32).

As a child of God, the troubles in the world are not set against you. Your prosperity is independent of inflation, economic meltdowns and downturns. You’re not of this world. You’re the seed of Abraham. Refuse to fret or be anxious, for if you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small (Proverbs 24:10). The Lord is your strength. Remain strong in Him and in the power of His might.

Read what He says about you in the times of dryness, scarcity, and crises: "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit" (Jeremiah 17:7-8). Glory to God! Let this be your testimony today and always, because it’s God’s Word concerning you. You’re a victor and a success in Christ Jesus, regardless of the crises and adversities in today’s world.

The darkness isn’t about to go away, for the Bible says, "...behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people"; but the scripture didn’t stop there; it continues, "…but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee" (Isaiah 60:2). In the midst of the darkness, you’ll shine brightly. Actually, the darker the night, the more brightly your light will shine. Therefore, rejoice, because the Lord your God is your prosperity. There’s no failure for you; so there’s no need to fear. Maintain your composure, and your confession of the Word.

Prayer

Dear Father, you’re my refuge and my shield; I put my trust in you alone, knowing that in you I have life and all that I require to live triumphantly to the glory of your Name. I live above the economies and economics of this world; I’m prospering and making progress from glory to glory through the Word, and power of the Spirit, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

further study: Joshua 1:8-9; Hebrews 13:5 AMP

: Proverbs 5-7 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-9 Jeremiah 17

Memorise:
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day. Psalms 91:5

Read: Psalms 91:1-9, (KJV) 
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;


Bible in one year; 
Jeremiah 7:30-9:26,
Psalms 45

Message:
God has a reservoir of power to protect His children each time they are in trouble. This is why there is nothing as good as making God the source of your power. God is the most secure place to keep your life. There are many conflicts in this world, there are many happenings that cause fear but we are sure and confident of our victory through the blood that was shed on the cross of Calvary. God is the one who can deliver us from all the dangers of life when we trust in Him. God is the Secret Place that keeps one from the enemy. I decree into your life; those who want to attack you will fall into destruction in Jesus’ name. Those who put their trust in God have nothing to fear.

As far as God is concerned, fear is not allowed for His children. You cannot have God as your father and live in fear, because the spirit of fear is not part of your destiny as a child of God. Your portion is the spirit of boldness and a sound mind. Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego did not give in to fear because they knew that the God they serve will never let them down and they demonstrated this boldness before the King and all the people by not bowing before the image of the King. They overcame their fear with their conviction in the Almighty God. The King made the furnace seven times hotter, yet they were not afraid, neither did they change their minds, because they knew God will wait for them inside the fiery furnace. For a reader of this devotional, I prophecy into your life; all those arrows that the enemies are throwing in order to put fear into your heart shall lead to your promotion in Jesus’ name. When it appears that you are dropping and about to hit the ground, just remember that His everlasting hand is writing to lift you up.

The children of Israel were afraid of the giants in the land they were to possess. They saw themselves as grasshoppers before the giants because they suddenly forgot that the same God that opened a path for them to cross through the red sea was the same God that wanted them to overrun the land. You need to trust God and never doubt His promises. The moment you doubt God, you are challenging His ability and existence. Those who doubt God usually pay for it and it is not always pleasant. As chicks flee for safety under the wings of the hen, so must we run to the protection of God. There are numerous dangers around, but we know that the God we serve and the power in His Word delivers us from all dangers and fears. As we set our minds on Him, all those things that cause us to worry are taken care of. He will give answers to pressing prayers. He will deliver those who are threatened with different kinds of trouble. He will give you long life by keeping you in perfect health. This is why I want to tell a user of this devotional whose medical report indicates a limited time to live; the Almighty God will change such report in your favour in Jesus’name.

Prayer Point
Father, I receive victory over every fear and doubt in my life in Jesus’ name.
Open Heavens Daily written by Pastor E.A Adeboye

“[Moses] chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25 NIV).

Yesterday we learned that, in order to be all that God wants us to be, we have to make this first resolution: “I resolve that no more will I let other people press me into their mold. I’m going to be what God wants me to be. I’m going to do what God wants me to do, and I’m going to fulfill the plan that God has for my life, not somebody else’s plan for my life.”

Now, the second resolution that you need to make is this: Choose short-term pain for long-term gain.

Anybody who’s ever played sports knows this one. You’ve got to practice and work hard in order to play in a championship game. You don’t just walk out and win the championship. If you’re going to be good at anything, you’ve got to accept short-term pain for long-term gain.

That’s not just true in sports. It’s true in finances. And it’s true in relationships. I have a good marriage, but Kay and I have worked hard for it for years. It didn’t come easy. You’ve got to work at it to make your marriage work, just like anything else in life.

Why is this resolution important in your life? Because most of the problems in your life come from your inability to delay gratification. Everything in society teaches us to say, “I want everything and I want it now and I want it free and I want it easy.” Life doesn’t work like that!

Moses made a choice: “He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25 NIV).

It says he chose to be mistreated — to endure the short-term pain for the long-term gain of doing the right thing.

You’re going to have pain in life. But if you choose to do the hard thing right now and put in the effort and the discipline to learn, to grow, to become strong and mature, then later in life you get to benefit from all of that.

I am benefiting right now from decisions I made in my twenties to not spend more than I made, to save, to tithe, to honor God. I’m benefiting many years later because I was disciplined. I did the hard thing first.

When you choose the short-term pain like Moses did, you’re going to see God deliver you so that you can enjoy the long-term reward.

Talk It Over

What short-term pain are you facing that calls for an eternal perspective?
How have you seen the hard decisions you’ve made or long hours you’ve put in benefit you in the long run?
Why do you think God wants you to choose the hard thing right now, even if it means you have to suffer or endure hardship?

Ephesians 3:17-19
In today’s passage, Paul prays that the Ephesians will grasp the depth of Christ’s love. Though divine care is beyond human comprehension, the apostle says God will give spiritual understanding so we can experience Him more fully. But there are four things that keep us from getting a handle on His love and resting in it.

1. We think God’s acceptance is imperfect and conditional like ours. Yet the Bible tells us that His compassion comes from His character and is not dependent upon our morality, choices, or thoughts. (See Rom. 5:8.)

2. When we recognize our sin, we often experience guilt. Sometimes this leads to feeling unworthy of the Father’s ultimate love. Instead, let a guilty conscience lead you back to God so that you can repent. Realize that His love and forgiveness are greater than any sin. He promises that there is no condemnation for His followers (Rom. 8:1).

3. There are some teachers who encourage legalism. This traps a person into feeling he or she must earn God’s favor. It also contradicts the divine truth that our Father loves His children without condition.

4. Some of us have a difficult time reconciling God’s love with His discipline. These can exist together, however. His correction flows from compassion, just as loving parents must redirect their children.

Recognizing God’s love will bring peace and joy to your life. At the same time, it doesn’t give license to sin. Like any caring father, the Lord will use discipline to bring you back to Him. Instead, why not let His love motivate you to walk in a holy and obedient manner before Him?

Bible in One Year: Ezekiel 10-12

Beloved. You are separated unto Me. You are "Holy unto the LORD." Yes, Dear One. The Blood of the Perfect Lamb has consecrated you unto Me. No longer consider yourself dirty, for My Blood has cleansed you of ALL unrighteousness. I have chosen you out of all the peoples of the earth. My HOLY Spirit could not dwell in your heart, My Bride, if you were not without spot or wrinkle. See yourself as I see you. You are in Me and I in you.

Your spirit is perfected through salvation. Your body and soul are being changed into My image from glory to glory. You have become a NEW creation. Your old man is dead. You have come ALIVE in Me. You wear My Robe of Righteousness. I chose to do this, Beloved. I freely give My
Righteousness to you because of My great love for you. You are My Beloved and I am yours. You are My treasured possession. You are Mine.

I have inscribed you on the palms of My Hands. I have separated you unto Me, My Bride. You are a chosen generation, a ROYAL priesthood, a HOLY nation, a peculiar people. I have formed you for Myself. You are not your own, My Love. You have been bought with a GREAT Price. You shall show forth the praises of Him who has called you out OUT OF DARKNESS and into My Marvelous Light. Do not fear, My beautiful one, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; and you are Mine!

Holy: consecrated; of God, separated, apartness
..Deuteronomy 7:6 For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession.
..Leviticus 20:26 And ye shall be holy unto Me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that you should be Mine.

..Zechariah 14:20 In that day there will even be inscribed on the bells of the horses, "HOLY TO THE LORD."

..Isaiah 9:15 Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. 16Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.

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

..1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

..Isaiah 43:21The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise.

..Isaiah 43:1But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!

..1 John 4:4 Ye are OF GOD, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

..Song of Solomon 4:7 You are all fair, My love; there is no spot in you.