OUR FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY AUGUST 09, 2024.

SUBJECT : OUR FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS!

Memory verse: ".....There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18 vs 24.)

READ: John 15 vs 9 - 16:

15:9: As the Father loved Me, I also love you, abide in My love.

15:10: If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.

15:11: These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

15:12: This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

15:13: Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

15:14: You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

15:15: No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

15:16: You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.

INTIMATION:

Jesus Christ is our Friend. He is a friend Who sticks close, listens, cares, and offers help when it is needed, both in good and bad. He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother, even than the clothes we put on. Friendship with Jesus, because of His special ways, brings warmth and beauty to our heart. His goodness and kindness brighten us up so much and make many happy moments start. The apostle Paul, in the Book of Ephesians, gives the believers a rich understanding of the scope of God's eternal purposes and blessings, along with His high standard for us.

Friendship with Him ensures enjoying His presence at all times. He is ever ready to listen, and really understands and cares. He sees the best in us and helps us grow. He is a friend who knows our hopes and fears and all we're dreaming of, who is on our side in everything we do. He is a friend full of love and will give us joy our whole life through.

In the passage we read today, Jesus unequivocally told us what to do to ensure our friendship with Him brings the promised reward of abiding in His love. And to abide in His love we should keep His commandment. What is His commandment? It's that we should love one another as He loved us. Jesus here emphasizes that keeping His commandment is necessary for one to abide in the love and grace of God. The singularity of the commandment that Jesus here gave us is based on the second greatest commandment; “You will love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22 vs 39.) 

Christianity is based on love. All human relationships that are true and enduring find their bond in the action of love. The extent to which Jesus went to give Himself for His friends, the believers, manifests the extent of the love about which Jesus speaks. The greatest expression of love that can be made is that one lay down his life for his friend.   

Though this seems a very high standard and unattainable, but God will never give us an impossible task. This is because, as a believer, you are assured of His fellowship with you at all times (Matthew 28 vs 20), and with Him nothing is impossible (Luke 1 vs 37). I am persuaded that it is achievable, and starts with the very first step of obedience to the commandment. Just start today to show love, no matter how minute it might be or seem, then the Holy Spirit, our Helper, will strengthen you to do more. 

Please take just a minute to imagine and appreciate the extent of Christ's love for us. Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." ,(John 15 vs 13.) He gave up His life that you and I would live. He knew no sin, but was made sin because of you and I, that we might be made that righteousness of God in Him (Second Corinthians 5 vs 21). Again for His grace, though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich (Second Corinthians 8 vs 9). In my considered opinion, His love for us is unimaginable and unparalleled!

Christians are supposed to have "an inexpressible and glorious joy" in Christ. But many have not yet begun to imagine the kind of Christian experience awaiting them in friendship with the Lord in whom they have placed their faith and trust. Unfortunately, the experience of many is more like "an inexpressible depression and life filled with worry". Nonetheless, one thing is certain; our personal and intimate relationship with God of the universe is exciting and will produce significant spiritual and physical benefits as our knowledge of Him and intimacy grows.

Prayer: Abba Father, You chose me even when I am worthless in my sin nature. You loved me and gave Your precious and inestimable life for me. You have appointed me that I should bear fruit in obedience to Your commandment. Engrace me, My Messiah, in my quest to obey, amidst my weaknesses, that I may be worthy of an intimate friendship and relationship with You, in Jesus' Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Keep Paddling Upstream

 Topic: Keep Paddling Upstream

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. – Psalm 141:3

Do you really believe that you need to watch over your mouth? Most believers don’t. You can tell that just by listening to their conversations. They profess, for example, to be trusting God concerning their health. But you’re likely to hear them say something like this: “I’m just sure I’m going to get the flu. I get it every year. I’ll be sicker than a dog too, you’ll see….”

Do people like that have what they say?

Oh yes! Check with them a few weeks later and they’ll be quick to tell you that they got just as sick as they said they’d be. But, odds are, if you try to tell them there’s any connection between the words they spoke and the illness they suffered, they’ll look at you as if you were out of your mind.

Of course, if they’d dig in to the Word of God and find out what it has to say about my the subject, they’d realize that the words they speak have a tremendous impact on their lives. They’d see that words quite literally determine their future. If you’re a born-again believer, you’ve already experienced the most powerful example of that. You believed with your heart and confessed with your mouth the Lord Jesus and you changed the eternal course of your life. You know firsthand just how powerful your words can be.

Yet, even so, if you’re like me, you still find that speaking faith-filled words consistently is tough to do. I’ve been at it myself for many years now and, despite all the time I’ve spent on it and all the experiences I’ve had, it’s still something I have to watch all the time.

You see, the world around you is in negative flow. Like a rushing river, it’s always pulling at you, trying to get you to flow with it. Living by faith and speaking words of faith is like trying to paddle upstream. You can do it—but it’s a great deal of work. And there’s never a time you can afford to take a vacation from it. All you have to do is relax a little bit and you’ll just start drifting right back down the river.

Make the decision right now to set a watch over your lips. Determine to consistently fill your mouth with the Word of God. “Attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings” (Proverbs 4:20). Let God’s Word be your watch and everything you say will take you a little farther upstream!

Scripture Reading: Romans 10:8-17

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.

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus’ name Amen.

START YOUR DAY WITH PRAYER!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY AUGUST 08, 2024.

SUBJECT : START YOUR DAY WITH PRAYER!

Memory verse: "Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed." (Mark 1 vs 35.)

READ: Psalm 5 vs 1 - 3:

5:1: Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.

5:2: Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for to You I will pray.

5:3: My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct to You, and I will look up. 

INTIMATION:

The secret of a close relationship with God is to pray to Him earnestly each morning. Prayer is one of the greatest opportunities given to man by God. It is one of the greatest privileges and ministries available to all believers. Indeed everyone who seeks to take his or her place in the Kingdom of God should seek or learn how to pray effectively. Praying is speaking reverently to God in order to express thanks or make a request. It is earnestly entreating God in sincerity of your intention.

God not only welcomes us in prayer, He is waiting for us to pray. In the morning, our minds are more free from problems, and then we can commit the whole day to God. Regular communication helps in friendship and is certainly necessary for a strong relationship with God. We need to communicate with Him daily. Throughout Jesus’ ministry He often went to places where He could be alone in order to concentrate on prayer to the Father.

Our anchor Scripture says He rose up early and in the morning went to a solitary place to pray.

The first thing believers should do before communicating with anyone is communicating with their Maker first. There is this peace and stillness that comes with communicating your fears to God. It’s how we rebuke the devil: The devil is always on the look out for every believer, he comes to them with a snare. Believers must always be at alert in prayer, you must be relentless in prayer always, in the morning, noon and at night. 

Every believer should embrace the act of starting and committing a new day to God’s hands in the morning, asking Him to guide us and shield us from the evils that come with a new day. Also, It is how we command our day: When you invite God to your morning via morning prayers, it sends signals to the realm of the Spirit, you call forth the good you want to see in your morning via prayers. Each day comes with its blessings and opportunities, and that is why Scripture says he daily load us with benefit. It is very significant to commit the day into God’s hands and to also tune into the prompting and leading of the Spirit.

Jesus Christ never taught His disciples how to preach but rather taught them how to pray. Note that Jesus Christ told the disciples "WHEN YOU PRAY" and not "IF YOU PRAY" therefore, the onus is on us to pray. We, the godly; those who are faithful and devoted to God, should know that God is waiting for us to approach Him in prayer and should be confident that God listens to our prayers and answers when we call upon Him. Sometimes we think that God will not hear us because we have fallen short of His high standards for holy living, but if we are aware of the sacrifice of His only Son for our sins, we know He hears us.

Perhaps you need to redesign your schedule to find time for earnest prayer, especially in the morning. It is vitally important to: (1) seek the Lord before your busy schedule takes over your thoughts; (2) withdraw from noise and demands so you can focus on God; (3) take Jesus’ attitude of regular communion with the Father; (4) reflect on the priorities Jesus had for His life; (5) determine to pray on a more regular basis, not just in times of crisis. If prayer was important for Jesus, then it must be important for His followers. Pray, make it a point of duty to get up early in the morning to do it! Do you have a regular time to pray and read God’s Word?

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the privilege of communion with You in prayer. Give me the enablement to always start my day in communion with You in prayer; handing everything over to Your care and direction, in Jesus' Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Prayer for Personal Safety and Protection

 Today, we're praying for our safety because the days are evil.

We're going to pray God's word because is spirit and life to us.Isaiah 41:10-13

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Thank God for this day, and begin to decree good things into the womb of day.

2. I dedicate this day to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and decree that I shall be favoured by God and men, in the name of Jesus.

3. I take authority over this day and declare that this is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it, in the name of Jesus.

4. Commit today into God’s hands and tell Him to have His way in your life, in Jesus’ name.

5. I cover every journey I shall embark upon this day and month with the blood of Jesus.

6. Lord Jesus, I stand on Your word in Isaiah, 54, verse, 17 and declare that no weapon formed against me and my family this day and month shall prosper, in the name of Jesus.

7. I decree that all elemental forces, will refuse to cooperate with my enemies, in the name of Jesus.

8. Lord Jesus, uproot evil things from my life, in the name of Jesus.

9. O Lord, plant good things in my life, in the name of Jesus.

10. I cancel every conscious and unconscious negative agreement, in the name of Jesus.

11. Let every spiritual weakness in my life receive termination, in the name of Jesus.

12. Let every financial failure in my life receive termination, in the name of Jesus.

13. Let every sickness in my life receive termination, in the name of Jesus.

14. Let every architect of problems in my life receive termination, in the name of Jesus.

15. I refuse to reap any satanic harvest this day, and for the rest of my life, in the name of Jesus.

16. That which hinders me from greatness in the past months, begin to give way right now, in the name of Jesus.

17. All my imprisoned blessings in the past years, come forth now, in the name of Jesus.

18. Every tree of sorrow in my life be uprooted by fire, in the name of Jesus.

19. I silence evil utterances against my life and family, in the name of Jesus.

20. Pray for the church of christ, that the church of God will continue to march forward, and the gate of hell shall not prevail over it.

21. Begin to appreciate God for answered prayers.

Amen🙏🙏🙏🔥

The Mind of Christ

 Topic: The Mind of Christ

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. — 2 Timothy 1:7

Many diseases of both body and mind are self-inflicted. For example, ulcers are often caused by worry and anxiety. Heart attacks are caused many times by overexertion. Unjustified worry, fear, prejudice, hatred, and envy can contribute to mental stress, which could lead to mental illness. So one way to have a healthy mind is to avoid those practices. But the Bible way to a healthy mind is this, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” If you have the mind of Christ, worry will be offset by trust, enmity by love, and fear by faith.

Prayer for the day

Fears sometimes seem as if they would overwhelm me, Lord Jesus, but then I remember Your gift of power, love, and a healthy mind. Thank You for the promise of healing and love, as I keep my mind on You, my beloved Lord.

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.

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

CRAVE FOR A CHILDLIKE MODESTY IN YOUR FAITH WORK!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 07, 2024.

SUBJECT : CRAVE FOR A CHILDLIKE MODESTY IN YOUR FAITH WORK!

Memory verse: "And said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18 vs 3.)

READ: Luke 18 vs 15 - 17:

18:15: Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

18:16: But Jesus called them to Him, and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

18:17: Assuredly, I say to you, “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

INTIMATION:

Craving for a childlike modesty requires a great deal of meekness. Children are naturally full of faith. They believe the promises their parents make. This trusting spirit and absolute dependence is what our heavenly father wants from all believers. Children trust what their parents teach them and are dependent on them for food, shelter, and comfort. In like manner they are able to trust and praise God without doubts or reservations, with humble and sincere hearts. It is difficult, but healthy, to identify with “children”—weak and dependent people with no status or influence. 

Children are innocent, they are trusting, they rely on others to sustain them, they are honest and bold, they ask questions, and are eager to learn. As we get older, many of us find this more and more difficult to do. Having faith like a child means we should have confidence in the promises of Christ and faith even in situations where we cannot see any hope. 

You may have heard the phrase having faith like a child or childlike faith in reference to faith in Christ. Although the Bible never uses this phrase, it does have a lot to say about faith. Hebrews 11 vs 1 tells us that “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we have not seen.” Children are known for their pure belief and trust, and as Christians we can learn something from them. Ask God to give you childlike faith, removing any barriers to having a closer walk with Him.

In order to receive the kingdom reign of Jesus, one must humble himself as a child who is not presumptuous in his behavior. One must have the attitude of submissive little children in order to be of the spiritual nature that is necessary to enter the spiritual kingdom. The children represent the nature of those who would accept Christ’s kingdom reign in their hearts. In order to receive His kingdom reign, one must humble himself as a child who is not presumptuous in his behavior. Little children have the kind of faith and trust needed to enter God’s kingdom. 

Having faith like a child is no easy feat. It’s associated with greatness as noted in the Scriptures. In Matthew 18 vs 4, Jesus tells us “Whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Having faith like a child requires putting aside our will. This way our opinions and misconceptions do not get in the way of trusting Christ wholeheartedly. We have to admit that we do not always know what is best and humble ourselves, and this can be a challenge.

Children often have very little control over their own lives. Yet, in healthy circumstances, children embrace the fact that they have to put their trust in other people. They trust what their parents, teachers or other adults say without doubts or fear. For example, when a young child is shown a magic trick, their eyes light up with wonder.

Adults, on the other hand, are much more skeptical than children. It seems like the childlike faith and wonder are somehow lost in the process of growing up. Most adults do not embrace putting their reliance or trust in other people as children do. In some ways, this is good because it protects us against being hurt and shows we are more aware than children are. However, in other ways, embracing trust and faith like a child is beneficial.

Having the modesty of a childlike faith in Christ as an adult does not mean that we have to trust blindly as some may assume. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Children are often open to learning and trying something for themselves. For example, if you tell a young child there is a puppy outside the house, they will most likely believe you, but they will investigate the fact for themselves. If what you are saying adds up and there is a dog outside when they go to look, that fact will strengthen their trust.

Everyone, whether they realize it or not, acts in faith every day. When we get in a car, we place trust in the drivers around us to drive safely so we can arrive at our destination. When you order food from your favorite restaurant, you have faith that the chef is preparing your meal properly. If you look at the weather on your phone and decided you don’t need a jacket, you are putting faith in the weather forecast.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of childlike trust and confidence in You and delightsome obedience to Your Word, and empower me to live for You all the days of my life, in Jesus' Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

The Measure Of Faith

 Topic: The Measure Of Faith

Luke 17:5 ‘And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.’

Text: Luke 17:1-10

There are many scriptures that speak of varying degrees of faith. However, the scriptures also speak of Jesus increasing in wisdom (Lk. 2:52) that certainly refers to His physical intellect drawing more and more on the perfect wisdom of God that was already in Him at birth. It is in this way that we also increase in faith.

At salvation, the believer is given the supernatural faith of God. We had to use the very faith of God (not human faith) to believe the gospel (Eph. 2:8).

That faith came to us through hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17), and once we are born again, it becomes an abiding fruit of the Spirit within us.

Every believer is given the same measure of faith at salvation but not all believers use what God has given them. Therefore, it is correct to speak of growing in faith and having great faith or little faith, but it is important to understand that this is speaking of how much faith we use or manifest – not how much faith we were given. All believers were given ‘the’ same measure of faith.

Jesus’ example of the grain of mustard seed underscores the truth that our faith is sufficient if we will just use it without the hindrance of unbelief.

He then continues on into the parable of the servant serving his master to illustrate that our faith is not the problem but rather our use of it. We are using it to serve ourselves instead of our master who is God.

Living by faith is not something special that only the ‘super-saints’ are supposed to do. The Lord expects all of His children to live a supernatural life of faith. He gave you everything you need to do this, just let Him live through you.

Share the Word today

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).

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.