[04/12, 5:48 am] Gideon Deshi Katmut: Good morning. 1. Good morning, brethre. Our morning prayer focuses on "The presence of Gos." 2. Do you know that Jesus is both God and Man? 3. Do you know how to navigate your wilderness experience successfully? 4. How do you deliver to people God’s negative message? To know more, read the message below: 1. Morning Prayer [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. ⏤ Hebrews 13:5 The first and best prayer that we can make is to implore the Spirit of God. ⏤ John Wesley O God, who is everywhere present, who is surely here with us now as we bow before You—may You make Your presence real to us, so that we are conscious of it. We cannot see You, and it’s hard for us to know that You are truly with us. Give us faith in Your promise that You will never leave us nor forsake us, that You will be with us always, even unto the end of the world. May Your presence make us strong and keep us always at peace. May it inspire us to always do our best, knowing that the Master’s eye is ever upon us. May it keep us from being discouraged and cast down, since You are always a very present help in times of trouble. May it make us watchful over all our life and conversation so that we do nothing and say nothing that would grieve You. We desire, our Father, to be diligent today in all duty, and we ask You for help and guidance. Show us what You would have us do—and then give us the wisdom and grace to do all our duties. Help us to do them beautifully, so as to please You. Let us not live well merely out of obligation, but may we love to do what is right and do it with cheerfulness and glad-heartedness. May we glorify Your name in the midst of Your enemies, honoring You in our every word and act. We commit to Your keeping all of our home as we go our separate ways. Let no harm come to any of us. May we be kept from sickness and trials, if it’s Your will; but if any trouble comes to us, then may we be kept from sinning. Give us Your help. Uphold us by Your right hand. We ask all this, with the forgiveness of our sins, in Jesus’ precious name. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/60/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion. 2. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* THURSDAY, 4TH DECEMBER, 2025. *SUB-THEME:* EMMANUEL-GOD WITH US. *TOPIC:* JESUS IS BOTH GOD AND MAN. *TEXT:* JOHN 1:1-4, 14; 5:25-27. *1:1-4* 1 In the beginning, the Word existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. Pro 8:22 1Jn 1:1 1Jn 1:2 [Pro 8:23] [Joh 17:5] [Rom 9:5] [Rev 19:13] 2 He existed in the beginning with God. Joh 17:5 [Joh 5:20] 3 Through Him all things were made, and apart from Him nothing was made that has been made. Gen 1:3 Psa 33:6 Eph 3:9 Col 1:16 Heb 1:2 4 In Him was life, and that life brought light to humanity. Joh 5:26 Joh 8:12 Joh 9:5 Joh 12:46 1Jn 5:11 [Psa 27:1] [Joh 11:25] [Joh 14:6] *1:14* 14 The Word became flesh and lived among us. We gazed on His glory, the kind of glory that belongs to the Father’s unique Son, who is full of grace and truth. Isa 7:14 Mat 1:16 Mat 17:2 Luk 1:31 Luk 2:7 Col 1:19 Col 2:9 2Pe 1:17 [Isa 40:5] [1Ti 3:16] [Heb 2:14] [2Pe 1:16] [1Jn 1:1] *5:25-27;* 25 Truly, I tell all of you emphatically, the time approaches, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear it will live. Eph 2:1 Eph 2:5 1Ti 5:6 [1Pe 4:6] 26 Just as the Father has life in himself, so also He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, [Joh 1:4] 27 and He has given Him authority to judge, because He is the Son of Man. [Joh 17:2] *TOPIC:* JESUS IS BOTH GOD AND MAN. *THE MESSAGE:* Today's text describes the eternal nature of Jesus. The phrases, "the Word was with God", and "the Word was God" and the "Word became flesh" affirm His distinction within the Trinity. This establishes that the Word is not a created being, but is indeed God. Nothing exists independently of Him. He has life eternal just as the Father does. He came in human form as the Son of Man with authority to bring life and light to humanity. Do you still doubt the divinity and humanity of Jesus? Know that He became Man without losing His divine nature. Jesus understands whatever challenges you are facing. He has the ultimate power to deliver and illuminate your life. Trust His Sovereign power and receive the life He offers. *REFLECTION:* Jesus became Man to identify with humanity. *PRAYER:* Lord Jesus, thank You for identifying with me. Amen. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* MATTHEW 1:23. "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel" - which means God with us." *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* 2 TIMOTHY 1-4. 3. *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY* *ⓂANNA* THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4TH, 2025 *HOW TO NAVIGATE YOUR WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE SUCCESSFULLY* *TEXT:* NUMBERS 9:15-22 15 And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning. 16 So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. 17 And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents. 18 At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents. 19 And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not. 20 And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed. 21 And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. 22 Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed. *Timeless Truth:*_"But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness"_ (1 Corinthians 10:5). *INTRODUCTION* The wilderness, to a simple person, is a place of inconveniences, sufferings, hunger and thirst, lacks, insecurity and leisureless environment. To the Christian, wilderness experience is often compared to the experiences of Israel in their journey through the wilderness to the Canaan land. It is an experience filled with spiritual and physical challenges, spiritual dryness, fear of dangerous animals, uncertainty, darkness or loneliness. It was like an experience of constant hunger and thirst coupled with loneliness and temptations that Jesus passed through for 40 days. Every Christian, at one time or the other, will experience wilderness experience. David called his own *"the valley of the shadow of death"* that could be very fearful though in reality it was, but a mere harmless shadow when looked with the eye of faith (Psalm 23:4). Jesus described His own as the hour of the power of darkness (Luke 22:53). The children of Israel turned their wilderness experience into a time when carnality in different manifestations had the upper hand in their lives and many of them perished in the wilderness. How a believer in Christ successfully navigates through his wilderness experience is one main lesson in the text. *1. God's Presence* a. Israel did not need strong and well equipped mercenaries or soldiers for security in the wilderness *"through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt"* (Jeremiah 2:6); and neither did they need trailer loads of food stuff following them in the wilderness. All they needed was the presence of God and faith in God. With the presence of God, they had all things that God could provide. It was sufficient for them to be assured *"my presence shall go with thee and I will give thee rest"* (Exodus 33:14). He did not promise ships or boats for those passing through the terrible and fearful waters of life other than His presence. *"When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee"* (Isaiah 43:2). When He sent out His disciples on missions to hostile and hateful people, He only promised them His presence. *"Behold I am with you always even to the end of the world"* (Matthew 28:20). So in the wilderness, the first and the most important assurance He gave them was the reality of His presence and that was all they needed. *"And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning"*. His presence was manifested through the pillar of cloud in the day and pillar of fire in the night. *"So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night"*. b. Once the presence of God is real in the life of a believer, all other issues and challenges will be taken care of by the miraculous power of God. Must the believer feel the presence of God? Not in all cases especially when passing through the wilderness experience. *"We walk by faith and not by sight"*. Since the only thing that can put off God's presence is sin, all the believer needs to do to be assured of God's presence is to totally stay clear of sin and trust His promises. Faith in God's presence, in the absence of sin, guarantees the presence of God in a believer regardless of his feelings. Anyone living in sin and is assuming God is with him is guilty of self deception. Anyone living righteously, but waiting for feelings or some experiences before he is sure of God's presence is walking by sight and not by faith in God who cannot lie. When a sinner is saved, one of the major things He receives from God is divine presence in the person of the Holy Spirit. As he grows in holy living, the presence of God increases until He gets baptized in the Holy spirit. *Question* Do you run from all sins and trust His promises so as to secure God's presence always? *2. The Guidance Pliability* a. Another thing that God did for the Israelites in order to navigate the wilderness experience was His guidance and He expected them to be pliable or willing to follow His guidance no matter how tough or unexpected. Whenever the pillar of cloud appeared on the tabernacle, they must remain in the same location no matter how long or short the period. So they could not predict their movements. They must always be ready. As soon as the pillar of cloud moved without any pre-information or notice from the tabernacle, they are expected to take off immediately and keep following the cloud until the cloud stopped again. In the night the pillar of cloud turned to the pillar of fire. They were not given any alternative to obedience whether it is convenient or not convenient. *"And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed"*. Even when it happened that they had trekked several days and were worn out and they were just about settling down to rest and the pillar of cloud moved again, they were to file out without any complaint. If any decided to disobey, he would be left behind and would easily be a prey in the hand of dangerous wild animals. They were not given a map for the journey, so they relied solely on that divine guidance in order to successfully navigate the wilderness and reach their destination. b. Receiving divine guidance and allowing God to guide our actions, movements and responses are germane to a successful life in our lives' journey. Obedience of believers is not an obedience of convinience. It is an obedience of *"in season and out of season"* or else there is no guarantee of success. Today, the major means of divine guidance is the Word of God, through the holy Spirit whether written or prophesy that agrees with the written Word. He also uses dreams, visions, impressions in your spirit and preachers among others to guide. All guidance must agree with the Word of God to be valid. Ignoring or flouting any of the Word of God is like a pilot travelling with an aircraft abandoning his aeronautical chats or GPS. How disastrous! No matter how dark the season or confused the situations, hold on to the Word of God very tightly without shifting to the left or to the right. At the end of the day, the light of God will shine and victory will be sure. *Question* What is your consecration towards obedience to the Word of God and His guidance? *3. The Great Protection* a. God specifically used the pillar cloud and the pillar of fire for definite reasons. The sunshine in the wilderness during the day was expected to be severe. The cloud was expected to give them some comfort by shielding them from the scorching sun. The guidance of God, if followed, may be inconvenient, but at the end it will give rest and coolness. *"My presence shall go with thee and I will give thee rest"*. The pillar of fire in the night was expected to give them light in the night. The divine guidance is always adapted to give care and comfort to the saints who submit to the guidance of God. b. There are many promises that show that God will guide His own and if you are not receiving guidance from the written Word and from Him in diverse ways, it will be good to examine your relationship with God. Below are some divine verities or covenant that bind God's relationship with the saints. *"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye"* (Psalm 32:8). Jesus said, *"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me"* (John 10:27). *Question* Do you hear the voice and guidance of God? *Prayer Points* 1.Lord, I give You praises for Your provision of divine presence and guidance in every wilderness journey of life 🙏. 2.Lord, open my eyes to things that drive away Your presence and give me the will and power to always stay clear 🙏. 3.Teach me to always be obedient to Your Word of guidance in season and out of season without being selective 🙏. 4.Remove every hindrance to receiving divine guidance from each of Your children 🙏. *HYMN:* Close to thee *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* NUMBERS 9:15-22 Buy the truth and sell it not. Your eternity and holiness is not for sale. 4. OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: THURSDAY DECEMBER 4TH 2025 TOPIC: DELIVERING GOD'S MESSAGES MEMORISE: "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Ephesians 4:29 BIBLE READING: 2 SAMUEL 12:1-14 1 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. 2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: 3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. 4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. 5 And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: 6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. 7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; 8 And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. 9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? Thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. 11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. 13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. MESSAGE: When you get sufficiently close to God and begin to intercede for other people, God will tell you things about therm. Sometimes, you will not need to tell the people you are praying for the things God tells you about them; you can just give them instructions to guide them into God’s will. However, if God leads you to share some things with them, then you must apply wisdom, especially when the messages are negative. You must take a cue from the way Nathan delivered God’s message to David, as we read in today’s Bible reading. If Nathan had just told David, “Thus saith the Lord, because you have taken another man’s wife and killed the man, evil will befall you,” he could have lost his head that day. However, due to the way he presented the message, David got on his knees in repentance. The purpose of prophecy is for edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3), not to condemn or show everyone that you can hear from God. If your prophecy does not edify, exhort, or comfort the one you are prophesying to, you are likely delivering the message wrongly. Even when Elijah was direct in passing judgment on Ahab because God specifically told him what to say (1 Kings 21:17-29), Ahab repented because the purpose of the prophecy was not to condemn him, but to bring him to repentance, as God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11). Note that there will be times when, even though you deliver God’s message in the right manner, the people who receive the message might still not do the will of God. You can’t force people to do God’s will; your major responsibility is to deliver God’s message. It is up to the recipients of the message to either believe God’s prophet and prosper or not (2 Chronicles 20:20). Sometimes, God might even allow the hearts of the recipients to be hardened as He did with Pharaoh (Exodus 9:12) so that in future, others will take His word more seriously. Beloved, Ephesians 4:15 tells us to speak the truth in love. This means that if God wants you to give others a message, you must allow His love to guide whatever you say. It is best to ask God to fill your heart with wisdom and love before you speak so that your words will not do more harm than good. KEY POINT: At all times, especially when delivering God’s message, let your words always be gracious and edifying. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 CORINTHIANS 5-9 AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE HYMN 28: GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH 1 Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak, but Thou art mighty; Hold me with Thy powerful hand. Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven! Feed me now and evermore; Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven! Feed me now and evermore. 2 Open now the crystal fountain, Whence the healing stream doth flow; Let the fiery, cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through. Strong Deliverer! Strong Deliverer! Be Thou still my Strength and Shield. Strong Deliverer! Strong Deliverer! Be Thou still my Strength and Shield. 3 If I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside; Bear me through the swelling torrent, Land me safe on Canaan's side: Songs of praises! Songs of praises! I will ever give to Thee. Songs of praises! Songs of praises! I will ever give to Thee. 4 Saviour, come! We long to see Thee, Long to dwell with Thee above; And to know in full communion, All the sweetness of Thy love, Come, Lord Jesus! Come, Lord Jesus! Take Thy waiting people home Come, Lord Jesus! Come, Lord Jesus! Take Thy waiting people home. [04/12, 5:50 am] Gideon Deshi Katmut: Error correction: The presence of God, not Gos.