Daily Counsel
With Dag Heward-Mills
JESUS: THE WAY
READ: Exodus 38:18-22
And for THE GATE of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four.
Exodus 27:14, 16
1. The gate speaks of the fact that there is only one way to heaven. The gate of the court was the only way into the court just as Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father and to the presence today. (John 10:9)
2. The colours of the gate speak of Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle gate was easy to find because it stood out. This speaks of how easy it is for anyone at all to find his way to God through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ stands out. Even those with the lowest understanding can find Jesus because He is the most unusual, amazing and colourful man that walked the earth over two thousand years ago.
3. All the colours of the Tabernacle contrasted sharply with the white tent and speak of Jesus Christ; who is a unique and unusual man. The colours of the Tabernacle contrasted sharply with the tent just as Jesus contrasts sharply with other men. The gate is outstanding! Jesus is outstanding! Jesus’ teaching is outstanding! Jesus’ miracles are outstanding! The healings that Jesus performed are outstanding! Jesus’ rising from the dead makes Him most outstanding!
4. The blue colour in the gate speaks of Jesus Christ coming from the blue sky of heaven.
5. The white colour in the gate speaks of Jesus Christ who is holy and spotless. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who was perfect.
6. The purple colour in the gate speaks of the royalty of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the King of kings. When Jesus was tortured, the soldiers put on Him a purple robe.
7. The scarlet colour in the gate speaks of the blood sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for the whole world. His blood flowed from His head, His hands, His feet, His back and His side to save the world.
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Daily Counsel
With Dag Heward-Mills
THIEVES AND ROBBERS
READ: Job 24:14-18
The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief. ... He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth:...
Job 24:14;18
There is a curse on thieves and that curse is proclaimed by God.
Some nations are blessed with honest and sacrificial leaders who labour to build their countries and help the ordinary people. On the other hand, many nations have been run by thieves who have stolen the wealth of their nations. They have systematically stolen the monies of their countries. Some of these thieves are more sophisticated than others. Some steal openly and others steal in a remarkably subtle and clever way. Whatever the style of stealing, it always attracts a curse. This curse on thieves cannot be averted by a prophet who prophesies good things to governmental thieves. This is why politicians who have stolen the wealth of nations rarely enjoy their booty. They and their families are plagued with curses and are unable to climb out of their damnation.
There is a curse on armed thieves who go around from house to house, killing and stealing. The curse multiplies in every nation as the number of armed thieves multiplies. In many nations there are no walls around the house. People dwell in safety and have no need of walls. In many places, however, there is a need for high walls, security cameras, fierce dogs and electric fencing. Surely, the wrath of God is on all armed robbers and they are cursed in every mission they undertake.
Then said he unto me, THIS IS THE CURSE that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: FOR EVERY ONE THAT STEALETH shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.
I will bring it forth, saith the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: ....
Zechariah 5:3-4.
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Daily Counsel
With Dag Heward-Mills
TECHNOLOGY
READ: Proverbs 8:1-12
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
Proverbs 8:12
Riches are not forever. A large church does not automatically continue being large. The power you have over the flock is not automatically transferred to the next generation.
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and DOTH THE CROWN ENDURE TO EVERY GENERATION?
Proverbs 27:23-24
Technology is important. Never reject technology. God is a God of new inventions. He is the Creator of the witty inventions that human beings are using freely today.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights,...
James 1:17
Through technology you will gain control of the church and be able to grow into thousands.
One pastor made a comment. He said, “My church is not governed by a piece of paper.” He was rejecting the concept of having a constitution and a set of rules. Do not be impressed by foolish statements that are intended to make you laugh. Such people do not go far in the ministry. I know when I had a crusade with only six hundred people attending and I know when I had a crusade with half a million people attending. If I had not taken data seriously, I would never have known that the crusades had grown. I would have given myself to deception and to the deceivable nature of unrighteousness.
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2 Thessalonians 2:10.
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Daily Counsel
With Dag Heward-Mills
SPIRITUAL ANIMALS
READ: 1 Thessalonians 5:4-9
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. for they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:6-7
All through the Bible, evil spirits are described as animals.
1. Demons are spiritual lions. (1 Peter 5:8). The devil is described as a lion. The lion produces fear when it roars in the spirit.
2. Demons are spiritual dogs. ((Philippians 3:2; Revelation 22:15) Demons are often described as dogs. We are constantly warned in the Bible about dogs. There are spiritual dogs and you must be careful of them.
3. Demons are spiritual frogs. ((Revelation 16:13) John the revelator saw “three unclean spirits like frogs”. Frogs make you feel uneasy and uncomfortable. The very sight of them is unpleasant. I knew of a witch doctor who made his clients swallow frogs alive. They were swallowing evil spirits for powers. The inexplicable unease and stress that you sometimes feel is caused by a demonic presence.
4. Demons are spiritual birds. (Revelation 18:1-2 ) Birds fly around in the air. These demons enter the mind of human beings through the airwaves. I once encountered a woman who had gone mad. She described a bird flying into her head through her ear. She was vividly describing demon activity that had taken over her mind. A bird had flown in and she had gone mad. People without faith will not believe that such things are possible. Whatever is attacking your mind is bound in the name of Jesus!
The fact that demons are described as animals is a revelation for us. We can understand the pattern of demon activity by understanding the activities of animals in the wild. Most of these animals are active in the night. To arrest them, you must be ready to be awake in the night. It is important to stand up throughout the night and fight devils that are roaming around seeking someone to devour.
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Daily Counsel
With Dag Heward-Mills
GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS
READ: Romans 3:19-26
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: ...
Romans 5:21
Righteousness is not a feeling. You do not work to gain righteousness. It is impossible to attain God’s standards by your own efforts. Today, if you are born- again, you have been instantaneously transformed into a righteous new man. You cannot be more righteous than the righteousness of God.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1 Corinthians 1:30
Any born-again Christian who lives in sin, is living contrary to his new nature. If you continue in sin it is by choice because the power of sin is broken and God has given you a new nature. When you are a new creature it is no longer natural to do evil. It is against your very nature as a new creation.
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
1 John 3:9
You can only increase your faith in your inherited righteousness. You can only practise more and more of your true nature. When you are conscious of your righteousness in Christ, you will become as bold as a lion.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the RIGHTEOUS ARE BOLD AS A LION.
Proverbs 28:1
Through righteousness you will rule and dominate in this life. I see you dominating the enemy through righteousness! I see you overcoming your adversities through the gift of righteousness in Christ Jesus! Stand up now and become a world overcomer! You are no longer under condemnation.
...much more they which receive abundance of grace and the GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL REIGN in life...
Romans 5:17.
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Daily Counsel
With Dag Heward-Mills
THE GATE
READ: Exodus 38:16-20
The hangings of one side of THE GATE shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three . . .And for THE GATE of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four.
Exodus 27:14, 16
There is a gate to God’s residence. There is a gate to the presence of God!
The gate to the presence of God in the Tabernacle was found in a small section of the white linen cloth. This section of the linen cloth was made out of colourful scarlet, purple and blue material. In other words, the colourful section of the white linen wall was the gate.
The gate to the Tabernacle was the entrance to the open-air compound. In that open-air compound was a tent which housed the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. The actual presence of God was found in the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. Every single person, from the High Priest to the ordinary worshipper would have to enter through this single brightly coloured curtain that stood out from the white linen curtained wall.
Jesus Christ is the key to the presence of God. No one can come to the Father unless he comes through Jesus. If you magnify Jesus, you will experience the presence of God. If you set aside Jesus, you will not experience the presence of God. Today, there are ministries that exalt the wisdom and principles of business. Human ideas are magnified rather than the worship of Jesus Christ.
In such places you will not experience the presence of God. You experience the presence of God where Jesus Christ is lifted up. You must be careful to notice the absence of the presence of God. The presence of God is clearly absent in many churches. Many churches are simply lecture halls and motivation centres holding seminars and symposiums. The worship of Jesus Christ and the exaltation of the Son of God are missing in such places. Always remember, you cannot have the presence without the gate!
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Daily Counsel
With Dag Heward-Mills
COUNT IT ALL JOY
READ: James 1:1-8
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:2-4
People fail their examinations because they do not have faith. Often, they do not believe that the exam will come on. Often they do not believe that certain questions will be asked. They do not believe that they have to study that much! They do not believe that time is short!
A man of faith passes his exams! Passing your tests is a sign of your faith. A lack of faith is often the reason why people fail their tests and examinations. A child who is failing exams often lacks faith in the importance of examinations. It is when we grow up that we know the importance of schooling. When you are grown up, no one has to tell you that you have to pass your exams.
A man of faith will count it all joy when going through various trials and tribulations. Without faith, you cannot go through trials and tribulations with joy.
Trust in God and you will come out shining. Job went through trials and temptations but he never wavered in his faith in the goodness of God.
Faith is a very important thing. Keep building your faith. Your faith will really help you to pass all exams. Faith is your secret weapon. Faith comes by hearing. The more you listen to preaching, the more your faith is built up! Keep developing your faith by listening even more to preaching and teaching. You will pass all your tests by faith.
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Daily Counsel
With Dag Heward-Mills
GOD-GIVEN DISGUISES
READ: 1 Corinthians 1:18-30
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; ... that no flesh should glory in his presence.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29
God gives His servants disguises. These disguises make the servant of God look weak, humble and powerless.
1. The disguise of being last: “....If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)
2. The disguise of being a servant: “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)
3. The disguise of infirmities: “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”(2 Corinthians 12:9)
4. The disguise of earthen vessels: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”(2 Corinthians 4:7)
5. The disguise of afflictions: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
Do not be disturbed if the world does not recognize you in your disguise. They are not supposed to recognize you. Your disguise will make you look humble and lowly. Do not be misled or do not misread the things that make you humble on this earth. God allows humbling things to happen to you and to be with you. However, when you appear in Heaven you will be shining and glorious.
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Daily Counsel
With Dag Heward-Mills
ESCAPES
READ: Daniel 6:1-9
Then this DANIEL WAS PREFERRED above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
Daniel 6:3
Prosperity causes people to plot against you. Many people plotted against Daniel. They had meetings to discuss Daniel. They had meetings that excluded Daniel. They murmured and grumbled against him. He was rejected of men. He was an outcast.
Then the presidents and princes SOUGHT TO FIND OCCASION against Daniel concerning the kingdom; ...
Daniel 6:4
In the end, their hatred for Daniel boiled over and they threw him into the lions’ den. By faith, none of the conspiracies of men were successful. The men who hated Daniel were even more wicked than the lions. Their mouths and their hearts conspired against Daniel in a vicious cycle of hatred and murder.
By faith, Daniel escaped being eaten by lions. Through his faith, he stopped the mouth of lions. This is what is going to happen to you. Those who think you are doomed will be surprised to see you coming out untouched and unharmed.
Just as Daniel was preferred, (Daniel 6:3) you will be preferred and chosen over and over again. By faith, you will emerge as a champion in your company, your business and your church. You will soon become a national hero. Everyone in the country will soon know you for good reasons. Daniel was preferred! You will be preferred soon! Daniel prospered! You will prosper soon!
So this DANIEL PROSPERED in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel 6:28.
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Daily Counsel
With Dag Heward-Mills
CONVICTIONS
READ: John 16:1-11
And He, when He comes, will CONVICT the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;
John 16:8 (NASB)
One of the main works of the Holy Spirit is to give convictions. A conviction is a strong belief about something. Notice that when the Holy Spirit comes He will convict the world of various things. The work of the Holy Spirit is to convict human beings. The Holy Spirit gives you strong beliefs, strong attitudes and strong opinions about certain things.
When I was in secondary school I had a strong conviction to serve the Lord. I believed that I was called by God and that I had to work for Him. This conviction was in me as I walked to the examination hall to take my ‘A’ Level examinations.
I remember walking down the road towards the examination hall and thinking about how I was going to serve the Lord. I did not even know what it meant to serve the Lord, but a strong conviction was forming in me.
Sometimes you cannot tell how these strong opinions are formed. For seven years I was in medical school studying all kinds of subjects: anatomy, physiology, surgery, pathology and so on. After seven years, my conviction to be a minister of the gospel was even stronger. Nothing I learnt in the medical school changed my mind. I was thoroughly convinced that I had to work for God and win souls for him. How did such a strong conviction come to me? It must have been the Holy Spirit! I had no idea I would be a pastor of a big church. I could not have imagined what the ministry would be like today. I did not even know anyone who was a medical doctor and left his profession for the ministry. I did not know any pastors, whom I could relate with. I just had a conviction and I needed to serve God badly.
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Daily Counsel
With Dag Heward-Mills
DISGUISED!
READ: Matthew 25:31- 43
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Matthew 25:42- 43
Jesus Christ came to this world completely disguised and hidden from the wicked men of this earth. The book of Revelation reveals that Jesus Christ was completely disguised when He walked on this earth.
Jesus Christ is revealed in the book of Revelation: His head is white as wool. His eyes are flaming fire. His feet are like burning brass and His voice is like the sound of water. Amazing! In reality, this picture is who and what Jesus Christ is: His glistening face, His piercing eyes, His wonderful voice, His burning feet, His powerful mouth and His glorious hair. Wow! So this is who He really was!
But when He walked amongst us by the Sea of Galilee, He had none of these features. Jesus had put on a remarkable disguise and walked amongst us in humility and weakness, allowing only God-fearing people to recognize Him.
Let us go through some of the disguises that Jesus is using today. Knowing these disguises is important, because it helps us to know when we may be inadvertently dealing with Jesus Christ.
1. The disguise of a hungry and thirsty person
2. The disguise of a homeless person
3. The disguise of a naked person
4. The disguise of a sick person
5. The disguise of a prisoner
Woe unto to you if you miss these disguises and mishandle the Son of God!
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Daily Counsel
With Dag Heward-Mills
ABRAHAMIC FAITH
READ: Genesis 22:1-14
And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
Genesis 22:8
Aman of faith passes his exams! Passing your tests is a sign of your faith. Abraham was put through a test. He passed the test with flying colours. He passed his test because he believed in God. He believed that God was good. He believed that God would keep him. He believed that God would provide for him. Indeed, God provided a lamb just as he believed. God provided all that he needed on the mountain of sacrifice.
People cannot enter ministry because they do not have faith. They are not like Abraham. They do not believe that God is good and that God will provide. Perhaps you are not entering full-time ministry because you believe that God is a bad God. You think that God wants to destroy your life. You suspect that God wants to destroy your career. You think that God wants to take away your prosperity. But that is nonsense!
God does not call people to demote them. If God is calling you, it is only to bless you and help you. If you are like Abraham, you will trust that God is good and that he will provide. If people had this Abrahamic faith there would be more intelligent, educated, qualified and successful people opting for full-time ministry. Unfortunately, many intelligent, educated and successful people think that God is trying to rob them of their earthly possessions. God does not call people to destroy them. Think correctly and have faith in God.
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Daily Counsel
With Dag Heward-Mills
PRAISE AND WORSHIP
READ: Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: COME BEFORE HIS PRESENCE WITH SINGING.
Psalm 100:1-2
Praise and worship is the secret that the modern church has learned. In former times, there was not much praise and worship. Many do not know that praise and worship, as we know it today, was not always practised in church. Many churches were dry and stiff, singing hymns at particular moments in the service. Singing has an amazing way of bringing in the presence of God.
Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee,
Zechariah 2:10-11
There are many promises about how God will answer prayers. But there are not so many promises about how God will answer praises. Because of this, Christians did not know the power and effect of praises. The power of praise and worship has been rediscovered, especially in its ability to bring down the presence of God. Today, praise is offered in churches instead of prayer. The side effect of this is that many churches have become prayerless.
There is no doubt that praise and worship have an almost miraculous way of bringing the presence of God into a church service.
I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. ...
All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth. Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord for great is the glory of the Lord.
Psalm 138:1-2, 4-5.
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Daily Counsel
With Dag Heward-Mills
DO NOT TRIVIALIZE
READ: John 11:32-44
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
John 11:43-44
Through John’s effort we are so blessed to know all the things that are found nowhere else in the gospels. John said many things that no one else said No one else wrote these things. No one else remembered the things that John remembered.
Let us see how John did a little bit more and blessed our lives so much. Let us now look at a few of the amazing details that we benefit from because John did a little bit more and bothered to write down some of these things.
1. Through John we learn that Jesus was in the beginning with God. (John 1:1- 4)
2. Through John, we learn that we must be born again. (John 3:3)
3. Through John, we learn that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. (John 3:16)
4. Through John we learn about the comforter. (John 14:26) Four outstanding miracles were mentioned by John:
1. The healing of the nobleman’s son. (John 4:46-53)
2. The healing of the man by the Pool of Bethesda. (John 5:2-9) 3. The healing of the man who was born blind. (John 9:1-7) 4. The raising of Lazarus from the dead. (John 11:32-44)
No one wrote about the miracles that John wrote about. No one else mentioned these miracles in their accounts. Imagine that!
Make sure you do not trivialize what God has given you. Do not set it aside! Fulfil your calling! Obey what the Holy Spirit is telling you!
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Daily Counsel
With Dag Heward-Mills
YOUR RED SEA
READ: Exodus 14:5-29
By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Hebrews 11:29
The Red Sea speaks of the greatest obstacle, problem and difficulty of your life. In the journey from Egypt to Israel, the biggest obstacle, problem and challenge was the Red Sea.
The miracle of crossing the Red Sea shows the difference between those who had faith and those who did not have faith. Those who had faith crossed the Red Sea. Those who did not have faith were drowned in the Red Sea. It was not wisdom that made the difference between crossing and drowning. It was not technology that made the difference. It was not education that made the difference. It was not money or riches that made the difference. It was
not their nationality that made the difference. Faith made the difference! Faith brought victory over the greatest obstacle and challenge of their lives.
The Israelites were able to cross through the Red Sea because they had faith. Faith was the secret weapon that God gave His people. The Red Sea destroyed the Egyptians because they had no faith in the God of Israel. You will be able to do certain things because you have faith in God.
I predict that you are going to go through your Red Sea and come out smiling. Your faith is going to work! Because you believe in God, things are going to work out. Your faith in Jesus Christ is going to be your great advantage. Some trust in money. Some trust in chariots. Some trust in education. Some trust in their connections. But as you trust in God and exercise your faith, you will come out shining.
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
Psalms 20:7.
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