Use Your Time Wisely For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. James 4:14 Nothing takes God by surprise. Everything is moving according to a plan, and God wants you in that plan. The devil also has a plan for the world. God has a plan and the devil has a plan, and you will have to decide which plan you are going to fit into. Scripture says that God allows us 70 years and some beyond. The first 15 are spent in childhood and early adolescence. Twenty years are spent in bed, and in the last five, physical limitations start to curtail our activities. That gives us about 30 years in which to live as adults. We take time out for eating, and for figuring our taxes, and we are down to perhaps 15 years. Now suppose we spend seven of those years watching television. That cuts us down to seven or eight years. Our time is short! The time we can invest for God, in creative things, in reaching our fellowmen for Christ, is short! Each hour of every day that is left of this earthly life, I would spend serving You, Lord Jesus. Forgive the time spent so often in needless endeavor. by: Evang. Billy Graham Download Devotional Bible @ https://devb.page.link/get-app Amazon @ amzn://apps/android?p=apps.syst.com.devbib

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

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

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

BEING WITH JESUS Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:29 It is one thing to answer the call of Jesus Christ, and it is another thing to stay put with Him after we answer the call. There are casual followers of Jesus Christ and there are die-hard followers as well. The casual followers of Jesus Christ have their reasons for causally follow Him. One of it may be because they cannot live by the ideals that Jesus teaches in His gospel. Being with Jesus means living by His teachings, He once lamented. “And why call ye me, Lord Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46 Many call Jesus “Lord” with their mouths but indeed, they do not regard Him as the Lord of their lives. This is why, for the avoidance of doubt, Jesus said: “….If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32 Two things are clear from our Bible reading for today; the first is, if you have been with Jesus indeed, boldness will be your trademark. The Bible says: “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 When a so-called child of God is living in fear, we must check out whether indeed he has been with Jesus. Secondly; someone who has been with Jesus lives a daily miraculous life, that is another trademark of genuine followers of Jesus Christ. The Bible says: “And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.” Acts 4:14 I have taught my children in the School of Disciples that we can do more than Jesus did according to His promise. When we believe this, we stop being caricatures of His Ambassadors on earth. Then, we shall bring the whole world to their knees, when we confidently tell them that Jesus is Lord. We are indeed the light and salt of the world if we chose to be with Jesus, living according to His ideals. Two great blessings of being with Jesus are; we shall learn of Him and when we learn of Him, we shall find rest for our souls. Come to Jesus today and decide to stay put. Don’t be a casual or temporary follower of Jesus Christ.  Make up your mind to live the rest of your life for and with Jesus today and you will be a blessed person by: Pastor E.A. Adeboye Download Devotional Bible @ https://devb.page.link/get-app Amazon @ amzn://apps/android?p=apps.syst.com.devbib

Jesus is Our Comforter ... our Lord Jesus Christ ... which hath loved us ... comfort your hearts ... 2 Thessalonians 2:16,17 Christ is the answer to sorrow. When Harry Lauder, the great Scottish comedian, received word that his son had been killed in France, he said, “In a time like this, there are three courses open to man: He may give way to despair and become bitter. He may endeavor to drown his sorrow in drink or in a life of wickedness. Or he may turn to God.” In your sorrow, turn to God. There are thousands of people who have turned to God, but you may be still carrying your burdens. God begs of you, “Cast all your cares on me, for I care for you” (1 Peter 5:7). You who must go through the valley of the shadow of death, you who must say goodbye to those whom you have loved, you who suffer privation and misery, you who are unjustly persecuted for righteousness’ sake-take heart, take courage. Our Christ is more than adequate for sorrow. In sorrow, Jesus, Your comfort will take all the bitterness and longing away and give me courage to face the heartache. Your grace will console me and Your arms will support me. Thank You, dear Lord. by: Evang. Billy Graham Download Devotional Bible @ https://devb.page.link/get-app Amazon @ amzn://apps/android?p=apps.syst.com.devbib

GENUINE PRAISE AND WORSHIP: A PATH TO PROSPERITY The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22 Yesterday, we considered genuine praise and worship as a path to victory, today we want to consider prosperity; the genuine praise and worship. “And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found  among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the soil, it was so much.” 2 Chronicles 20:25 When God tells you that He would prosper you, don’t insult Him by asking “how?” This is because while you do not have one way that can lead you to your prosperity, God has uncountable ways. All you need is to believe and obey Him (John 11:40). Is it not amazing, if not unusual, for the soldiers in our bible reading to go to battle with precious jewels and costly outfits as if they were going for wedding ceremonies? The reason for this was that God had determined to bless His people, because He knew from the onset that His people would praise and bless the beauty of His holiness, so He prepared their compensation beforehand! Another lesson we must learn from this story is that our praise and worship must be Holy Spirit inspired; it must not be offered from our carnal man. The way we sometimes sing God’s praise confirms that these songs are carnally motivated; not seasoned with grace. It would have been acceptable if we were singing it to praise men like secular musicians do. Unfortunately, the One we claim to be praising is a Spirit; He knows everything. “But the hour cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24 Moreover, the Almighty demands our praise and worship of Him. He is also prepared to bless our obedience to this divine mandate. In other words, if we deny Him the praise that He is worthy of, He will also deny us the prosperity that we can so easily get. I once visited a relation with the aim of blessing him with a certain amount of money, but changed my mind because he failed to give me a modest hospitality according to our custom. When I left his house, I used about 5% of the money I should have given him to buy the soft drink he should have entertained me with. He lost 100% because he did not host me with 5%. Let us cultivate the habit of giving God abundant praise and worship and He will bless us with abundant prosperity. Throughout today, worship God in truth, in spirit and in holiness as you go about your daily business. by: Pastor E.A. Adeboye Download Devotional Bible @ https://devb.page.link/get-app Amazon @ amzn://apps/android?p=apps.syst.com.devbib

Far and Beyond Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.(Ephesians 3:2021, NASB) God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above and beyond all we could ever imagine! Think about that for a moment. God wants to take you far and beyond what you’ve ever dreamed. He wants to accelerate you this year which means He can bring you into opportunities that will boggle your mind. He can make your career take off like a rocket. He can cause you to meet the right people who will help further your dreams. He can launch you forward more quickly than you could have imagined! He can bring you out of debt and cause you to pay that house off even though it looked impossible. You’re going to get well even though the medical report says there’s no way. Things may be dark and gloomy around you, but keep your head held high. You have an advantage. You are a child of the Most High God. His face is shining down on you. God is saying that it’s not going to be an average year. It’s not going to be a barely-get-by year. No, you need to get ready because it’s going to be a year of favor, a year of increase, a year of acceleration! Father, thank You for accelerating every area of my life. I choose to put my trust in You knowing that You are directing my steps. Thank You for the good plans You have in store for me 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

Eyes to See To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light... Acts 26:18 The blind man, Bartimaeus, threw off his cloak and ran trembling to Jesus. And Jesus said, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” In that moment as he said, “Lord,” his spiritual eyes were opened. And Jesus said, “Your faith has made you whole.” Notice-not your intellectual understanding, not your money, not your works-but your faith. Faith! That’s all it takes! Immediately Bartimaeus, who had been blind all of his life, began to open his eyes, and the first thing he saw was the face of Jesus. What an experience-to open one’s eyes and look straight into the strong, tender face of Jesus! Bartimaeus met Jesus and the record says he “followed Jesus in the way.” When you go back to your business, or your home, or your neighborhood, or your friends, or your school, you don’t go alone. Christ goes with you. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for healing me from my spiritual blindness! by: Evang. Billy Graham Download Devotional Bible @ https://devb.page.link/get-app Amazon @ amzn://apps/android?p=apps.syst.com.devbib

Trust Him to Make a Way Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20:7, NIV) It’s easy to get discouraged when things don’t go your way. Maybe you aren’t getting out of debt as fast as you wanted. Or, you’re experiencing some challenges in your health or relationships. We have to be careful not to give up just because it hasn’t happened on our timetable. Remember, we serve a supernatural God. His ways are higher than our ways. When we believe, all things become possible! The first step is to quit trying to figure everything out. There may not be a way in the natural, but that’s okay. God can do what men can’t do. Think about the children of Israel. When they left Egypt, there were two million of them. Then, Pharaoh came chasing after them, and when they came to a dead end at the Red Sea, it looked like it was over. They couldn’t see a way out, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t a way. God simply parted the Red Sea, and they went through on dry ground. Remember, if it looks like there is no way in the natural, trust God to make a way. He’ll part the waters if He has to! He’ll do whatever it takes to lead and guide you in the path of victory that He has prepared for you! Father, I trust that with You, all things are possible. I take my eyes off of my circumstances and put my trust and hope in You. I bless You and thank You for Your faithfulness 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