DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018 A DIARY OF TESTIMONIES TEXT: ESTHER 9:20-28

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018

A DIARY OF TESTIMONIES

TEXT: ESTHER 9:20-28

Key Verse: “To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,” (Esther 9:21)_

A number of people keep diaries. But too often, these are filled with negative entries of disappointments, failures, pains, grief and losses. Unfortunately, these entries act as a trap that keep them tied to their past and hinder them from moving ahead to greater achievements. While it is good to keep records of one’s life, it is better to keep such that will act as an encouragement and inspiration to forge ahead in life with great zest.

Haman had hatched a genocidal plot against Mordecai and all the Jews in the entire kingdom of King Ahasuerus. In a miraculous answer to prayer, God overturned his plot and he was hanged on the same gallows he had set up for Mordecai. A new decree was signed, authorizing the Jews to take vengeance on all their enemies on that same date they should have been slaughtered. It is for this reason that Mordecai wrote to encourage the Jews to keep those days as days of joyous memorials and feasting all through their generations, to serve as a testimony of God’s faithfulness.

It is a good practice for Christians to keep a record of God’s faithful dealings in their lives, but we easily remember those negative experiences of our lives and are often too quick to forget God’s past mercies and goodness to us. This forgetfulness leads to complaining, murmuring and faithlessness when we are faced with a new challenge. If we keep a record of God’s daily goodness in our lives and refer to them often, we will really be surprised by what God has been doing for us. More than that, it will make us more appreciative and thankful to God. It will increase our confidence in Him to help us confront whatever present or future challenges we may face.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Count your blessings to see what God has done

COVER to COVER: DEUTERONOMY 8-10_

PONDER: A day to remember

1. A day you met Jesus at the cross and your burden of sins disappeared permanently.
2. A day you got delivered from the power of the enemy that was tormenting your life.
3. A day you got answers to prayers like a dream.
4. A day your seating just changed miraculously.
5. Lest you should forget, think of days you should never forget when God manifested Himself in a unique way. Write them down with dates for future reference and keep on praising God for those things.
*Caution:*Romans 14:17.

HYMN: Count Your Blessings (GHS 50)

1.When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

2 Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain]

3 When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. [Refrain]

4 So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end. [Refrain]

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Recall days to remember and praise God for what He did those days.
2. Lord, let not my challenges ever becloud me of days of supernatural in my life.
3. Lord, let my mouth never cease of declaring your wonders and praising your name.
4. Ever give your church the spirit of gladness and praise.