Nothing is Wasted And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, NIV) Life can be full of ups and downs, twists and turns. We’ve all had to face challenges and difficulties. But did you know that everything you’ve been through up until now is getting you prepared for what God is going to do in your future? Nothing in your life has been wasted. Every disappointment, every setback, every person that did you wrong, every lonely night, God is going to turn around and use for your good! During the difficult times, we grow and mature. That’s when our faith is stretched and our character is developed. God didn’t send that hardship, but He’ll use it to get you prepared for your next step. Those adversities will help make you and mold you into the person you are called to be. You may be experiencing tough times today, but remember, nothing is ever wasted. Have the attitude that says, “This is a new day. Things are shifting in my favor. This difficulty is not going to stop me. It’s going to promote me. God is going to use it to lift me up and lead me into victory all the days of my life!” Father, thank You for drawing me close to You. I choose to dwell in the secret place of Your presence. I know that with You, nothing in my life is wasted. Thank You for Your peace and protection as You carry me through the difficult places into the place of victory in Jesus name. Amen. by: Pastor Joel Osteen Download Devotional Bible @ https://devb.page.link/get-app Amazon @ amzn://apps/android?p=apps.syst.com.devbib

The Attitude of an Overcomer For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4, NIV) Are you facing some challenges or experiencing some unexpected setbacks? We all have things that come against us, but God didn’t create us to be overwhelmed and overcome; He created us to be overcomers! During the times when we face challenges, it’s our attitude that is most important. Think about it for a minute. When something isn’t going your way month after month, how do you respond? Are you tempted to get sour or start expecting the worst? Does your mind start going “ninety-to-nothing” playing out all the scenarios? It may be easy to get down and discouraged, but if we go around thinking it’s never going to work out, our attitude limits what God can do. But when we dig our heels in knowing that God is bigger than our problems, when we fight the good fight of faith, that’s what allows God to show up and turn negative situations around. Today, remember, you are created to overcome. There is victory already in store for your future. Stand strong with the attitude of an overcomer and watch what God will do on your behalf! Father, thank You for making me an overcomer in Christ Jesus. I trust that You are bigger than my problems and that You are working on my behalf. Thank You for the victory in store for my future in Jesus' name! Amen by: Pastor Joel Osteen Download Devotional Bible @ https://devb.page.link/get-app Amazon @ amzn://apps/android?p=apps.syst.com.devbib

LIKE TEACHER, LIKE STUDENT Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 In our Bible reading for today, we read of Paul, an outstanding apostle of Jesus Christ. He spoke of his relentless efforts to reach the mark for the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The following are what he did to attain this goal: he forsook the worldly glory and approval, to gain the approval of God through the righteousness that can only be found in Christ. He endeavoured to know more of Jesus Christ in order to do His will. He was never satisfied with an average Christian life, he made bold to say: “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” Philippians 3:17-19 Beloved, any Church leader who cannot say what Paul said above is not worth following. Show me your teacher and I will tell you who you are and how for you can go in the Christian journey. When I gave my life of Christ, I was blessed with a leader that was heaven-bound; the founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The first time I saw him, I saw the glory of God and the image of Jesus Christ in him and there and then, I knew that if I could follow in footsteps, I would make it in my Christian race. He was impeccably transparent, a lover of the Cross of his Master and Saviour. He did not only teach but practised what he taught to the letter. Paul, the apostle wrote: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8-9 It is necessary for Christians to prove all things in the light of the revealed truth in the Bible and then hold fast that which is good. Only the truth, and nothing but the truth can set you free from the errors of the end-time. Jesus Christ is the Truth. When the Bible enjoins you to “study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”, it simply means, study closely those who lived before you and enjoyed the approval of God, learn those things which they did that earned them God’s approval. Father, please reveal Yourself to me afresh through your Son, Jesus Christ, my Lord. by: Pastor E.A. Adeboye Download Devotional Bible @ https://devb.page.link/get-app Amazon @ amzn://apps/android?p=apps.syst.com.devbib

To those who miss their mothers today, I see you and acknowledge your grief. May the warmth of memories and the love you shared bring you comfort. You're not alone in your feelings, and may you find strength in the love that still surrounds you. Missing you Caroline Denadi Haastrup. Thank you for the unconditional love. Ceah© #mothersdayspecial #mothersday #happymothersday

Prophets Of Wine And Strong Drink If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people. (Micah 2:11) Research studies by one Paul Harvey, show that after drinking three bottles of alcohol, there is an average of 13 percent net of memory loss. After taking only small quantities of alcohol, trained typists were tested and their errors increased by 40 percent. Only one ounce of alcohol increases the time required to make a decision by nearly 10 percent; hinders muscular reaction by 17 percent; increases errors due to lack of attention by 35 percent. God's case against Israel and Judah was outlined in Micah's prophecy. Although he started out from the first chapter to lament over the sins of Israel, the people appeared very indifferent to his calls. They continued in their sins while their condition grew worse. From our text, the Israelites were preventing prophets from doing their work. They made themselves enemies of God by moving farther away from Him. They desired preachers who taught error and supported their appetite for strong drink and wine. Micah warned of God's impending judgment; even as he prophesied that the Lord will break them in pieces in His wrath. So-called Christians who drink alcohol have tarnished their testimonies to the world - as well as to those in the church. And the ones who are hurt the most by these compromised behaviours are children. Youths of this present generation are so far away from God that they consider even church attendance unnecessary. When a sinner knows and acknowledges his or her sinfulness, there is hope for restoration. But when they come to the point of willful disobedience and resisting every attempt to reprove them, their condition becomes pathetic. The world has fallen to its lowest state of depravity with the happenings we witness every day. Wise believers will firmly take a stand, never to be part of the world's depravity. It is sheer folly to make a prophet of wine one's model preacher by: Pastor W.F. Kumuyi Download Devotional Bible @ https://devb.page.link/get-app Amazon @ amzn://apps/android?p=apps.syst.com.devbib

The Heritage of the Believer No weapon formed against you shall prosper... (Isaiah 54:17, NKJV) As a believer in Jesus, you have certain privileges because you belong to Christ. When you chose Him, God put a blood line around you that the enemy cannot cross. As long as you’re keeping Him first place, you have a hedge of protection, a hedge of favor, a hedge of mercy surrounding you like a shield. When difficulties come, God says that because you’re His child, because you honor Him, even though that problem has formed, in the end it is not going to prosper. When it’s all said and done, it’s not going to harm you. God is going to turn it around and use it to your advantage. That’s your heritage as a believer! Notice it doesn’t say that we’ll never have problems. No, life is full of difficulties. The promise God is making to us is that when things do come against us, because you’re in covenant relationship with Him, you can stay in peace knowing that it is not going to prosper. God has already paved the way for you to live in victory in every area of your life! Father, thank You for Your many promises. I choose today to accept Your truth which sets me free. I declare by faith that no weapon formed against me shall ever prosper in Jesus' name. Amen. by: Pastor Joel Osteen Download Devotional Bible @ https://devb.page.link/get-app Amazon @ amzn://apps/android?p=apps.syst.com.devbib

THAT I MAY KNOW HIM If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. John 7:17 Being with Jesus brings about knowing Him as we brought to. Many blessings await the one who knows Jesus correctly. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ prayed that he might know Him, because he knew the attendant blessings of knowing the Author of life. The question is: what does it entail to know Jesus Christ? It takes staying with Him, learning from Him, doing His bidding and loving the brethren. He said: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me….” Matthew 11:28-29 There are lots of things we must learn from Jesus if we really want to know Him as He is. For example, in the three great temptations that confronted Him in the wilderness, He proved true and faithful to His Father in heaven. He did not misuse His power, authority and the privilege of being the Son of the God with whom there is no impossibility. So, He refused to turn stone to bread. He also turned down the offer of being the richest man on earth when the condition was to worship the devil. Jesus Christ was then confronted with the pride of life when He was prodded by the devil to engage in a show of power, but He refused to jump from the pinnacle of the temple. It is interesting to note that these were the three main temptations that rocked the human race in the Garden of Eden, and our first parents fell headlong into them. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (Genesis 3:6; 1st John 2:16). As we know Jesus Christ, we learn to do His bidding and when we do His bidding, we are blessed. Our lack of the knowledge of Him makes us alien to God and we short-change ourselves by this. The Bible says: “And such as do wickedly, against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” Daniel 11:32 The apostles of old knew the impotence of knowing the true God and one of them said:”…. Shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.” (John 14:8). Brethren, we must know Jesus through and through. Using Philippians 3:10, pray earnestly to God that He may reveal Himself to you. by: Pastor E.A. Adeboye Download Devotional Bible @ https://devb.page.link/get-app Amazon @ amzn://apps/android?p=apps.syst.com.devbib

Share What He Has Done I will declare thy name unto my brethren ... Psalm 22:22 There are those near you in your own community who need the regenerating power of Christ. You can call them by name. I suggest that you make a list and begin by spending time in prayer for them. Ask God to show you how to witness to them and how to win them. Their lives can be transformed by the message you give them. You are to share this Gospel you have received. If Christ has done anything for you, then share it. In so doing, you are showing mercy! As you have received the mercy of God by the forgiveness of sin and the promise of eternal life-thus you are to show mercy! And in showing mercy you will not only receive mercy but you will find a stimulating happiness! As I close my eyes in prayer, let me see the faces of those who need to know You, beloved Savior. by: Evang. Billy Graham Download Devotional Bible @ https://devb.page.link/get-app Amazon @ amzn://apps/android?p=apps.syst.com.devbib

KNOWING THE TRUE GOD O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name (ISAIAH 26:13) When prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal had a contest on Mount Carmel to determine who was the true God in Israel, the prophets of Baal called on their god for long hours without any response. But when Elijah, after repairing the altar of the Lord, called on Him, the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed all the sacrifice and every other thing there. The audience responded by proclaiming "the LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God" (1 Kings 18:38,39). In the days of prophet Isaiah also, only a recognition of the sovereignty of Jehovah brought peace and total victory to Israel. The Lord could only "ordain peace" for Israel as soon as they realised that "other lords" beside Jehovah, that "have had dominion over (them)", were nothing but dead gods (verse 12,13). Various tribes, languages and nations call the Almighty God by various names and titles. But it is also true that there are some deities worshipped by people to whom they ascribe the attributes of the only true God. These so-called gods are actually evil spirits who demand worship and sacrifices from ignorant people all over the world while they afflict them with deaths, strange sicknesses, disasters, etc. and yet these individuals keep on worshiping them. But our God is different. He is the God of light, love, power, faithfulness, creation and the God of grace. To know Him is the greatest benefit any human can have. To know God means to become a child of God. And this can be done by repenting from one's sins and receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Salvation is not by works of man but through faith in the finished work of Christ at Calvary. Only those redeemed by Christ can know the true God. by: Pastor W.F. Kumuyi Download Devotional Bible @ https://devb.page.link/get-app Amazon @ amzn://apps/android?p=apps.syst.com.devbib

Trust God to Do it His Way As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.(Isaiah 55:9, NIV) Every person has things they’re believing for, situations they want to see changed, and dreams God has placed in their hearts. But sometimes, we try to figure out how it’s all going to happen. If we’re not careful, we’ll try to take control and start to tell God how to do it, when to do it, and where to do it! Today’s scripture tells us that God’s ways are not our ways. They are so much higher and better. If things don’t happen on your timetable, instead of getting discouraged, why don’t you believe that God has something better in store? Just because it doesn’t happen your way doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen. Remember, God has a plan. He’s got it all figured out. Don’t limit Him by trying to get it done your way. Instead, simply say, “God, I’m trusting You. I know You have my best interest at heart. And even if I don’t get my way, I’m going to stay open and believe that You’re still directing my steps.” Father, I choose to trust in You. I cast my cares on You. I give You my plans, dreams and desires for the future. Thank You for working behind the scenes on my behalf. I receive Your peace as I wait patiently to see Your plan unfold in Jesus' name. Amen. by: Pastor Joel Osteen Download Devotional Bible @ https://devb.page.link/get-app Amazon @ amzn://apps/android?p=apps.syst.com.devbib