DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2018 BLESSINGS OF THE GOSPEL TEXT: ROMANS 15:23-30 Key Verse:

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2018

BLESSINGS OF THE GOSPEL

TEXT: ROMANS 15:23-30

Key Verse: “And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ” (Romans 15:29).

There was a story of a young graduate looking for a part-time employment in an office. It was on a Friday morning. “All I need right now, says the shop owner, “is a typist”. “I’ll take the job,” said the young man, “I can’t come back until next Tuesday”. On Tuesday he reported for duty. “Why couldn’t you come back before today?” The shop owner wanted to know. “Because I had to rent a typewriter and learn to use it”, was the unexpected answer. As a Christian, learning the job of preaching the gospel is very essential lest a sinner meets you unprepared.

Apostle Paul clearly understood that his primary calling and mandate was to preach the gospel. He knew that being in the centre of God’s will brings the greatest blessing. Paul did not neglect or distract himself from what God wanted him to do with the needs of the moment. He prioritized his activities in line with God’s will, despite seemingly conflicting demands in different direction. Before Paul would be free to go to Rome, much less Spain, it was necessary for him to go about thousands of miles in the opposite direction to Jerusalem in order to minister to the saints there. He was a busy but extremely fruitful worker. He epitomized mobile blessings. Wherever he went, like his Master and Lord, he was doing good.

God wants every one of His children to be useful and to be a blessing to others. Where are you going today? What are your plans and goals and how relevant are they to the gospel? What new job or skill can you learn to make you more useful? These are the questions we must raise and answer in order to carry out God’s will. The gospel of Jesus is a blessing to the world and we who have directly benefited from it ought to become additional source of blessing to others.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Be a blessing to the Church and to the world.
COVER to COVER: NUMBERS 5-6.

PONDER:
1. Paul once again in v22,23 mentioned Satanic hindrance of "many years" standing (cpw IThes 2:18). He mentioned Satan as the Hinderer when writing to Thessalonian Church but not to Romans. Why?
2. Paul himself mentioned the solution to satanic hindrances: striving in prayers for him v30,32. There are many battles that should not be left for ministers, in fact all of us, to fight alone.
3. To "strive" in prayers against satanic hindrances is more of militant, combat, warfare prayers; to contend and contest against powers and hindrances. Only such violent prayers will suffice against career, marital, ministerial etc hindrances of many years standing.
4. Observe that the contributions to Jerusalem Christians were for poor saints and not to enrich the apostles v26. A clear difference from prosperity gospel.
5. Paul was eager to bring the blessings of the gospel to the Romans and that was what Satan was fighting. The blessings of the gospel was defined in Romans 1:11 as spiritual gifts not just money. A message for prosperity Gospelers.

HYMN: Wonderful Story of Love (GHS 202)

1 Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?
Wonderful story of love.

Refrain:
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful, wonderful story of love.

2 Wonderful story of love;
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal-bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love. [Refrain]

3 Wonderful story of love;
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of love. [Refrain]

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Praise God because the power of Satan has been destroyed on the cross.
2. Ask God to give you the mindset, anointing and power to be a spiritual contender on your knees.
3. Have you experienced any mysterious hindrance of many years standing? Its time to contend against powers behind it.
4. Closely observe the areas your leader/pastor need breakthrough. Assist him right away to "strive" with him.