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TODAY’S RHEMA

Psalms 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.

Do you know Aladdin? An animated movie created by Disney about a street urchin who found a magic lamp. Aladdin has three wishes and he used them wisely. Now then, if you find a magic lamp and be granted one wish, what do you want? King Solomon was given the same situation before. Instead, he didn’t receive a magical lamp, God Himself appeared in his dream. God said He will grant Solomon’s wish, anything. Solomon could ask for wealth without limit, longevity, status higher than the emperor, or unlimited worldly pleasure. But he chose wisely: wisdom and understanding for all things under the sky.

Through wisdom, Solomon could decide important matters. One famous story is about two women and a baby. He could reach a decision no mortal men could ever think before or after. Wisdom enables him to separate right from wrong. By choosing wisdom, he accumulated wealth beyond measure, many kings came to him and asked for his counsel and his name, his legacy was immortalized.

In this life, we cannot achieve everything with our might and power. We all have our limitations. But when we ask for divine wisdom and God gives it to us we could see things from another perspective and take another route that will lead us to success. When we have divine wisdom, our understanding will be renewed, and could think our next step thoroughly. Because He is the true source of wisdom rely upon Him to decide matter beyond your current understanding and see how significant your growth is and how great He fulfilled His end of the covenant.

REFLECTION

When we rely on Him as our true SOURCE OF WISDOM, He will make us bear fruit more.

APPLICATIONS

1. Have you relied upon Him as your source of wisdom?
2. When you attach yourself to God, you’ll bear more fruit, why? Can you explain?
3. What are your concrete commitments to rely upon Him more?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“O good Father, we want to rely upon You more than before. We know only within You we will find glory and victory. You are the true source of wisdom that will enable us to bear more fruit. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READING

Ezekiel 22-23
1 Peter 1

TODAY’S RHEMA

2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.

Bella is a devout Christian. She is her uncle’s favorite and she loves her uncle. But she wants her uncle to convert because he is a non-believer. Bella firmly believes God will do the rest. A week before her birthday she asks her uncle a wish: to attend Sunday service with her. Her uncle relents and for a whole week, she prays and fasts. When finally they attend the service, she is disappointed. Instead of a young vigorous pastor, her church was visited by an elderly one. That elderly pastor’s sermon is boring and almost puts her to sleep.

Along their way back home, her uncle just drives silently. Inside, Bella is angry, why did God answer her prayers with that pastor? After calming her nerves down, she surrenders all in His hand. Almost an uneventful week passed by, and her uncle suddenly asks her if he can attend the service once again. She is overjoyed and surprised. After a few months, her uncle asks to be baptized. While driving back home, he tells her a secret. When she first asked him to attend the church, he was surprised to see how old the pastor is. This almost dying pastor gave him a new insight into his life. What would he go if after he dies? What would happen? Bella just nodded but at heart, she thanked the old pastor and gives praises to God. She understands now why God chooses the old pastor.

There are things in this world that we cannot predict. We cannot control things the way we want them to do. After a thorough examination, analysis, and execution there are still flaws. Our point is, depending upon this world is a useless, futile attempt. By doing so we only increase our disappointments and improve our chance of failure. There is no superior intelligence, connection, capital, or status that can save us from dissatisfaction, but how well our relationship with God is.

REFLECTION

External factors have nothing to do with BECOMING FRUITFUL, but it’s about RELYING ON HIM always.

APPLICATIONS

1. Are there things in this material world that you always depend on?
2. If you rethink that right now, do you feel that those things make you more fruitful and productive?
3. Then what does happen if you truly depend on Him instead of those in this material world?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Jesus Christ our LORD, forgive us if we still depending on this world instead of You. Right now we understand that nothing can guarantee our success besides You. You are our sole supporter in life, the one we always believe in and put our hope in. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READING

Ezekiel 20-21
James 5

TODAY’S RHEMA

Luke 12:35 “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning;

As a housewife, Hanna is not customed to her recent life. Usually, she started her day by buying groceries in a nearby market, cooked breakfast for her husband and children, then working. In the evening, after work, she cooked for dinner, accompanied her children doing their homework. On Friday she attended her cell group and doing her part in church’s services. But recently, she is stressed. She had nothing to do, she felt worthless.

For the last week, her youngest children got ill. For a week she must take her to leave and take care of her youngest. When she sat there, feeling burdened, God spoke to her: your family is as important as your work, if not more. She felt cold water touched her skin and suddenly be awakened. Even though she always spenT her time with her family how many times she SPENT her quality time with them? At that moment, she realized, how important it is, in this complete silence of her children’s bedroom, her togetherness with her children. She knew after all this year, her children would be all grownups they will have their own life, with their loved ones and their children. This time she had then, would be priceless.

Sometimes our businesses and jobs separate us from what matters the most. Our businesses make us forget the value of “present”. Because what we show today, is what we will reap tomorrow. If you are busy building your business empire, how you would maintain your family? Is it matter with all the wealth you possess if your family is in ruin? The essence of living in God and righteousness is love and doing it “now” truly makes a difference. If your works and businesses overwhelm you to a point where you forget the feeling of togetherness with your family, stop right now! Your family is the only one who matters. He gave you your family as the most treasured thing you could ever possess in this life and later.

REFLECTION

OUR WAY to SPEND TIME tells others how wise we appreciate it.

APPLICATIONS

1. Did you spend your time wisely? If not, why?
2. In your opinion, what is the correct and wise strategy to spend your time?
3. What are your commitments to spend your time wisely after reading today’s rhema? Share it with your cell group

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Good Father, forgive us if in the past we still waste our time with insignificant matters. Teach us to appreciate it and use it with more wisdom. Because we know, every second is counted for us among others, especially with our family and loved ones. Let our time in this temporary world be useful to others especially for Your cause. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READING

Isaiah 17-19
Ephesians 5:17-33

RHEMA

Psalm 16:5-6 O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.

Merry and Chika have just graduated from college this year. They have been friends since the first semester and planning to apply for a job in a same place. The schedule for the test was on a Monday. A day prior, Chika asked Merry to come to the Sunday service because she needed God to face the test in the following day. But due to a bad weather that day, Merry refused to come as she feared of being sick and not be able to attend the test for the job she was applying to. Chika decided to go to church alonewhile it was raining heavily, because she was thirsty and hungry for the Holy Spirit.

In came the Monday, when Chika and Merry attended the test for new employees in a company. Merry seemed so tense and nervous, while Chika was in peace because she believed that the Holy Spirit would help her. A week after the test, Chika was texted by the company saying she got accepted while Merry didn’t receive any text meaning she was not accepted for the job. Merry was so sad and disappointed, she regretted for not prioritizing God and depending on her own strength. She regretted that she thought she will pass the test because of her cleverness and her previously perfect scores.

The story of Merry and Chika tells us that God has provided the best blessings and anointing from us who are thirsty and hungry for the Holy Spirit. When we feel that we are nothing without the Holy Spirit, that is when we will seek for His presence and anointing even more. Today, if some of us failed in our work, business, life and others, me a commitment to draw closer to the Holy Spirit. Possess the unquenchable thirst and hunger, so we will witness the best blessing and anointing created upon our life.

REFLECTION

The best ANOINTING is available for us who are THIRSTY AND HUNGRY for the HOLY SPIRIT.

APPLICATIONS

1. Why do you think we need the thirst and hunger for the Holy Spirit to get blessings and anointing?
2. Have you had a great thirst and hunger for the Holy Spirit? Why?
3. What is your commitment to receive the best anointing?

PRAYER

“Lord, thank You for the Holy Spirit in us. We believe that with the Holy Spirit we can do the impossible. Teach us to have the thirst and hunger for the Holy Spirit, so his power reign upon our life. Thank You Lord. In the name of Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

TODAY’S RHEMA

Isaiah 32:17 The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.

Leah was currently struggling. She felt her daily routine and schedule pressed her. She was busy from dawn to dusk. Leah thought that her tightened schedule started right after the Covid-19 pandemic struck. Her office ordered her to do her job from her home. Besides that, she must tend her home, cook, do the dishes, and accompanying her children doing their homework. Wasn’t end there, she served in her church as well. To make matters worse, weeks after she resigned after her church’s services, she cannot sleep well and her heart found no peace. Almost late she found the answer: it’s not because of her overwhelming schedule she couldn’t find peace, it’s because she had lost her spiritual life.

Sometimes two or more choices are held before our eyes. We are forced to choose one without entirely know how things would turn out. When things turned out to be ugly and unsatisfactory, we regretted our previous choice, followed by anxiousness and losing our peace. Especially when we are not letting God decide it for our wellbeing, our guilt would grow exponentially, followed by disappointments or even blaming Him for our self-inflicted misfortunes.

Our choices could influence our peace. Therefore it’s highly advisable to ask for His guidance and advice, especially if your choice affects your spiritual relationship with Him in the future. Ask Him anything at any time: your career, your future spouse, your study, everything. Let Him take control of our lives, lead it and bring it to a successful and prosperous life. He will always pick the best choice for our lives. But first, build a healthy relationship with God, with Holy Spirit, by continuously following our church’s rhema. When we could maintain our “inner fire” therefore our relationship with God, we could hear Him whispers and hear His voice guiding our every step we take.

REFLECTION

Your DECISION influences your state of PEACE.

APPLICATIONS

1. Why decisions we make could influence your inner peace?
2. Have you ever made a wrong decision? What did you feel?
3. Tell us some concrete plans about applying today’s rhema in your daily routine.

TODAY’S PRAYER

“O good Father, give us Your divine wisdom, and lead our very steps, to make sure our decisions are not us to make but it’s all Yours. With all Your guidance and assistance we may achieve a state of tranquility and peace yet we never achieved before. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READING

Psalms 89-90
Romans 14

RHEMA

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Danielle received a call from her boss. He told her that she was laid off. She was very surprised by the sudden notification. She cried after hanging up the phone and shut herself in the room. Her husband was not working at that time either. She was very worried thinking about how to provide for her family’s needs later. Her mind was filled with negative things.

Unlike Danielle, her husband remained calm. He assured his wife that all would be fine. He started to improve his cooking skills and then sold food online. Danielle supported and helped her husband. God’s blessings began to be poured out, and what Danielle was worried about did not come true. She now realizes that negative thoughts will only make her more desperate and lose God’s blessings. She also learned to always think positively and this turned out to bring joy and peace.

Yes, thinking about negative things will make our spirits dry out over time. We may be in a bad state right now, but don’t let us fill our minds with negative things. We must fill our minds with the good ones, one of which is the Word of God. Think that God has never left us. All these challenges we face, think that it is all the period of preparation to receive a miracle. Remember that God is in control of our lives and not our thoughts. By having the right thoughts, we can stay calm and believe good things will happen. Peace will be given to our hearts and our spirits will be revived.

REFLECTION

DON’T FOCUS ON THE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS. Fill our mind with THE POSITIVE ONES.

APPLICATIONS

1. Have you ever been dwelled in negative thoughts? What is that about?
2. How do you feel when you focus on negative things?
3. How do you shift the focus of your mind to positive ones?

PRAYER

“Jesus, forgive us if we are still focused on the negative things that we experienced. Enable us to think about the right things, O Lord. We believe there is peace in You. In the name of the Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

RHEMA

Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.

When we read Isaiah 55: 8-9, we think that God has a different plan from what we have planned. It is like heaven and earth. That’s not wrong. If we pondered it deeper, it is written “For 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). The words ‘HIGHER’ indicate that GOD HAS A PLAN THAT IS MUCH BIGGER, bigger than the vision we have planned for our life.

This is what happened to Joseph. He thought, his life was on the right track. He had the vision to be a leader. And in his father’s house, he was also equipped with a lot of knowledge. He could be a leader in his father’s house. But it turned out that GOD HAS A BIGGER PLAN AND VISION. And by His unexpected scenario, Joseph was brought up far beyond human expectations. He became the great ruler over all of Egypt. That is a miracle!

The same thing will happen in our life. Pandemic made us experience setbacks. We must fight to find a way out. We start making plans for our lives. But never forget that what God has planned for our lives is MUCH BIGGER THAN WHAT WE CAN THINK. That’s why we need His guidance more. Don’t give up whatever we are facing. Commit to going to the upper room. Seek His approval, develop a close relationship with God, and do not allow our first love to fade. We will be led through His unexpected ways and we will see His vision and plan that is much bigger than we can think to be fulfilled in our lives. Hallelujah!

REFLECTION

The Holy Spirit can work in DIFFERENT WAYS from what we have in mind because HIS WAYS ARE LIMITLESS.

APPLICATIONS

1. What plans you have made for your future?
2. How do you involve God and ask Him for guidance in each plan that you have made?
3. What differences did you find when you carry out a plan that involves God and that does not?

PRAYER

“Holy Spirit, thank you because You faithfully guides us. We believe that you have a big plan in your life. Teach us to understand Your plan, O Lord, and this is our commitment, that we will walk according to Your guidance. In the name of the Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

RHEMA

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Today we enter the first week of the new year, 2021. God gives our church the theme “The Year of the Holy Spirit.” What is meant by it? The year of the Holy Spirit is a year where we invite the Holy Spirit to work more and take over all aspects of our lives; our family, work, ministry, finances, health, etc. When we let the Holy Spirit take over, there is no limit that the Holy Spirit cannot work for us. Because this year the Holy Spirit will work, dominate take over, and help a lot so that the limited will be turned into unlimited.

That’s why in 2021 we need to open our hearts wide to dare to have a limitless vision. Realize that limited vision will limit the unlimited work of the Holy Spirit. If our vision is small, then this year doesn’t need to be the Year of the Holy Spirit. Why? Because God knows that this is the time we will be used to do things that cannot be done by our human abilities. What we need to do is continue to build an intimate life with the Holy Spirit until we experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit every day.

Join the new series of sermons in January 2021 “THE YEAR OF THE HOLY SPIRIT”. The first session was entitled “STARTING POINT”. Join our online service at www.gbika.org/live. Share this link with as many of your relatives, acquaintances, or family as possible so that many people can also be blessed.

REFLECTION

Only WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, 2021 will be filled with the GLORY OF GOD.

APPLICATIONS

1. Why do we need to live with the Holy Spirit?
2. What often hinders us from experiencing the fullness of the Holy Spirit?
3. What commitments will you make so that you can continue to live with the Holy Spirit and experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit?

PRAYER

“Lord, we are grateful for the new year. Let us cling more and rely on You in this new year. We believe You will lead us to do things that are beyond our limitations. We believe, when we rely on You, 2021 will be a year filled with great glory because of the mighty work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Thank you, God. In the name of the Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.”