In His Image Ministries

Wednesday November 29 Bible Reading:     Phil. 3: 1 - 6 Topic:                  My Hope Is Built On Nothing Else A man began spending wildly beyond his means in anticipation of the promise of a big contract from a political leader. Unfortunately the political leader died before the contract could be awarded and his world almost crumbled. The Scripture says that a man is cursed who puts his trust in a man, making his heart to depart from God. But that man is blessed whose hope is the Lord (Jer. 17: 5-9). We experience shame and failure when we trust in anything other than the Rock of Salvation. Psalm 20: 7 says “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” (KJV). Apostle Paul in Phil. 3: 1-6 admonished us not to have confidence in the flesh. He had every reason more than anyone else to trust in the flesh and worldly achievements. As Christians, our boast should not be in the flesh, nor

1. Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.   2. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3. For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4. though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:   5. circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;   6. concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. May the Lord bless the reading of His Words in Jesus Name, amen

Our Father and our God, the Ancient of Days, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient God, we bow before You this morning, thanking You for the opportunity of seeing this brand new day which on our own we would not have but because of Your grace and mercy, You have allowed us to. Father, we appreciate You for Who You are in our lives and that of our families and friends and we would continually say may Your Name be glorified for ever in Jesus Name, amen. Our Lord and our God, we cannot deny that we are sinners because then we would make Your Word to be void and of no effect but we acknowledge our sinfulness and plead for forgiveness. We plead O Lord that You do not visit us in Your wrath because of our sins but to look upon us with the Eye that beheld Christ on the Cross of Calvary where our numerous sins and iniquities were nailed with Him on that Cross. Forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, give us a new l

Tuesday November 28 Bible Reading:     Phil. 2: 19 - 30 Topic:                  Scarcity Of Disciples A disciple of Christ is one who embraces the cross with its implications and is prepared to cling to it no matter the cost. In every respect, he loves Jesus and strives to be like Him. A genuine disciple will not only confess the faith but back up the confession with fruit – Matt. 7: 20. He is that faithful soldier who will be willing and ready to die at his post. Discipleship comes with a price tag; not all who admire it can acquire it. In Luke 18: 18-23, the rich man wanted to follow Jesus without giving his all, but discipleship requires you to give your all. Peter in Luke 18: 28 said “we have left all and have followed You”. Paul said of Timothy – he is the only one who shares my feeling and who really cares about you (Phil. 2: 20). Fans will share in your goodies but true disciples will care as Jesus would. Today, chu

19. But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.   21. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.   22. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.   23. Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me.   24. But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.   25. Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need;   26. since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.   27. For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I sent him t

Sunday November 26 (Sunday Before Advent) Bible Reading:     Heb. 9: 24 - 28 Topic:                  Carry God's Presence With You As Jesus lives in God’s presence on our behalf, He has given us His Spirit to enable us experience God’s presence wherever we are. When we gather as the Church, God is present with us because that is what Jesus promised (Matt. 18: 20); but we must not equate coming to church with coming into God’s presence. Unfortunately, we can be in church and miss it because our hearts are not truly prepared to seek God. If your aim is to meet with friends, show off new clothes or bask in the euphoria of your eloquence you will not experience His presence even in church. As Christians, we carry God’s presence wherever we go and in all activities of life; and we are obligated to live in a way that shows forth His life in us. Paul told us in 1 Cor. 6: 19-20 that we must defile God’s temple by the way we live.

24. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;   25. not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—   26. He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.   27. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,   28. so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. May the Lord bless the reading of His Words in Jesus Name, Amen

Holy Father, the Ancient of Days, we thank You for Your great mercies and tender kindness towards us and which have manifested in our being alive today. We bless Your Name because there is none like You, and there's none that can be compared with You in all the things that You have done us, doing for us and yet to do for us. We thank You for our families and friends that You have also brought back to life along with us. May Your Holy Name be forever praised in Jesus Name, Amen. Father we will not fail to confess our sins before You, our sins of omission and commission which we from time to time commit out of ignorance and selfishness. We ask for Your pardon and forgiveness Oh Lord, cleanse us from all forms of unrighteousness and help us to live more nearly as we pray. As we prepare to go to Your Holy Sanctuary to commune with You, Father guide our hearts and thoughts that they may rest on You today and that throughout today, we shall abide in Your Presence and do

At Thy Feet O Christ we lay Thine Own gift of this new day Doubt of what it holds in store Makes us crave Thine aid the more Lest it prove a time of loss’ Mark it Saviour with Thy Cross If it flow on calm and bright Be Thyself our Chief delight If it bring unknown distress Good is all that Thou canst bless Only while its hours begin Pray we keep them clear of sin We in part our weakness know And in part discern our foe Well for us before Thine  Eyes All our danger open lies Turn not from us while we plead Thy compassions and our need Fain would we Thy Word embrace Live each moment on Thy grace All ourselves to Thee consign Fold up all our wills in Thine Think and speak and do and be Simply that which pleases Thee Hear us Lord and that right soon Hear and grant the choicest boon That Thy joy can e’er impart Loyal singleness of heart So shall this and all our days Christ our God show forth Thy praise

Saturday November 25 Bible Reading:     Phil. 2: 5 - 11 Topic:                  Humbled To Be Exalted 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, …. 8 … He humbled Himself and became obedient to … death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him … This passage is one of the most challenging in the entire Scripture. Generally, we are all very protective of our reputation and would do all in our power to protect it when it is threatened. However, Jesus who was sinless and perfect, and therefore had a reputation to protect, deliberately made Himself of no reputation. In response to His obedience, humility and sacrifice, God exalted Him and gave Him a name to which everything in heaven, earth and below the earth bows and will continue to bow.

5. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,   6. who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,   7. but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.   8. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.   9. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,   11. and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. May the Lord bless the reading of His Words in Jesus Name, Amen

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, the Owner of the Universe, He that sits upon the White Sapphire Throne beholding the affairs of men and taking account of all our doings, Father we thank You. We worship and adore You, we give You all the praise for Your Glorious Name and for Your tender mercies and grace. Lord we thank You for another opportunity You have given to us to make a go at life and living. We pray O Lord that as we live our lives, we may live closer to You in Jesus Name, Amen. Forgive us all that is past O Lord and grant that we may continually live in the newness of life. We commit this day into Your Able Hands O Lord asking that You may direct our feet on the path that You have already prepared for us wherein we shall prosper and in prospering we shall remember to love You and also love our neighbour as we love ourselves. All these we ask through Jesus Christ Your Only Son, Our Advocate and Redeemer, Amen This early morning prayer was said by Sir,

1 Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see. 2 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed! 3 The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures; he will my shield and portion be as long as life endures. 4 Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come; 'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. 5 When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we'd first begun.

Friday November 24 Bible Reading:     Phil. 2: 1 - 4 Topic:                  Selfish Ambition To be ambitious is to show strong determination to succeed which is fine. However, to be selfish is to enthrone personal interest above the collective good. Selfishness hinders growth, breeds jealousy, competition and hatred. Selfish ambition can destroy. It rejoices in the failure of others, and feels bitterness when they succeed. Some live by the shark principle: attack everything and everyone in your path as far as it is for your benefit. It is good to remember that you can succeed without castigation or pulling down others. Verse 4 says: let each look out not only for his own interest, but for the interest of others. To this end, Paul admonished us in 1 Cor. 8: 13, to forgo our right to eat meat, if doing so would make a brother stumble. Today, some brethren will not look out for others, acting only in their own interest.

Thank You Heavenly Father for leading us into a brand new day. Thank You for preserving our lives all through the night and that of our families and friends. Thank You for Your daily provision of food and water for us to eat and drink and be healthy, may Your Name alone be glorified forever in our lives in Jesus Name, Amen. Forgive us O Lord where we have sinned against You and look not upon us in Your wrath; but in Your tender and kind mercies. Lead us today Heavenly Father, let us not fall prey to anything that would harm us physically, spiritually and psychologically. Give us our daily bread for today and help us to learn how to depend on You. All these we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, Amen This early morning prayer was said by Sir, Dr. Jerry - the First Oguzie: JP As a contribution to the mandate of "In His Image Ministries" - IHIM and "The Elyon Fellowship" - TEFEL Like our Facebook Page :      Join our Facebo

Let all the World in every corner sing My God and King The Heavens are not too high His Praise can thither fly The Earth is not too low His Praises there may grow Let all the World in every corner sing My God and King   Let all the World in every corner sing My God and King The Church with Psalms must shout No door can keep them out But above all the Heart Must bear the longest part Let all the World in every corner sing My God and King

1. Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,   2. fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.   3. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.   4. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. May the Lord bless the reading of His Words in Jesus Name - Amen

27.    Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospel. 28.    And in nothing terrified by your adversaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition but to you of salvation and that of God 29.    For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him but also to suffer for His Sake 30.    Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now bear to be in me. May the Lord bless the reading of His Words in Jesus Name, Amen

Thursday November 23 Bible Reading:     Phil. 1: 27 - 30 Topic:                  Governed By The Word The Christian life is predicated upon a set standard – the Scriptures. It should not be lived on our own whims and caprices. We should not be pressured by customs, traditions or social norms to act; rather we should be constrained by the absolute necessity to conform to God’s Word at all times and in every circumstance. The overriding constitution or rules of proceedings in our bedrooms and boardrooms must be the Word of God. The wires of our lives must be plugged into God’s Word so that we can give light to the world. Hab. 2: 1 says “I will stand upon my watch . . . and will watch to see what He will say to me and what I will answer when I am reproved”. Our decisions and responses to issues should be dictated and regulated by God’s Word. Jesus said to the tempter: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds o