Tuesday 30 September 2014

Fear Not! -30/9/2014

Fear Not! -30/9/2014

MEMORISE: Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3

READ: Isaiah 43:1-7
1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 
4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. 
5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; 
6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; 
7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 Samuel 8:19-10:16

MESSAGE:
Everyone has someone he or she turns to in the time of trouble. When trouble comes, some people turn to their friends, while some turn to their family. Some turn to witch doctors while others turn to idols. Some even turn to false prophets. In 1 Kings 18:26-29, the Bible tells us how some people called on the idol of Baal, but he did not hear them. Do not turn to idols that have mouths but cannot speak. Do not put your trust in a man of God. Put your trust in God only. The moment you trust in the prayers and powers of man, you are putting a curse on yourself (Jeremiah 17:5). Those who trust in the Lord when trouble arises are the ones who triumph. Long after the trouble is gone, they will still be standing (Psalm 125:1-2). It is only the Almighty God that is available at all times. Once in a while, we find ourselves in a situation where there seems to be no way out. If you are a true child of God, there is always a way out. God will make a way where there seems to be no way. When there seems to be no way, turn to the One who is the Way, and He will take you through locked doors, as He did in the case of Peter in Acts 12:10.

Whenever you call on the Almighty God, He does not delay in answering. There is only one reason why you may call and He will not answer; that is if there is sin in your life and you refuse to let go of that sin. David said in Psalm 138:3:
“In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.”
This is the way of God. God does not delay. He does not enjoy seeing His people in poverty, sickness or sorrow. He does not want you to suffer. If you let go of sin, there is no reason why your prayer will not be answered immediately. In today’s Bible reading, twice the Lord says to you: “Fear not”. This can mean several things. It could mean that there is something that can produce fear but the Almighty God is saying that you should not pay attention to it. Fear comes from something you can see or hear.

In 2 Corinthians 5:7, the Bible says we walk by faith and not by sight. In order words, we refuse to look at things that bring fright. Faith also comes by what we hear (Romans 10:17). When others are bringing their evil reports from the devil, you are to hear the report of the Lord. You will have to decide on which one to choose. The report of the Lord is that, with Him, nothing shall be impossible. Therefore fear not.

ACTION POINT: Make this proclamation: “It doesn’t matter what may happen tomorrow, all will be well with me”.

Monday 29 September 2014

Next Level - 29/9/2014

Next Level - 29/9/2014

MEMORISE Matthew 23:12: And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

READ: Psalm 40:1-3
1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

MESSAGE:
The world operates at various levels, so do the people living in it. When we talk about health, there are those who are healthy, there are those who are sick, there are those who are seriously sick and there are those who are dying. When we talk about wealth, there is the destitute, the poor, the comfortable, the rich, the very rich, the wealthy, and the flourishing.

The flourishing are those who according to the Bible, can afford to lend to nations. There are also those who have such abundance that it is difficult to imagine. In 2 Chronicles 1:15, we read that in the days of Solomon, silver and gold were like stones. When we talk about joy, there are also various levels of joy: there are those who are sad, there are sympathisers, there are those who have joy and those with great joy, there is the fullness of joy available in the presence of God (Psalm 16:11), and then there is “joy unspeakable” (1 Peter 1:8). Similarly, there are various levels of victory. There is victory obtained from a fight, there is victory obtained without a fight, there is a victory where the enemy miraculously disappears. Then, Psalm 23:5 reveals another dimension of victory:
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”
There is nothing as glorious as rejoicing before incapacitated enemies while they watch.
We have seen that there are different levels with respect to different things in this world, and that everyone is at one level or the other. It doesn’t matter what your current level is, there is a higher level you can go to. The question you should therefore ask yourself is: “How do I move to the next level?” There are three possible scenarios you may encounter when trying to move from one level to another. First, you may try to move to the next level unassisted. Secondly, you may move to the next level assisted. In the third scenario, you may be resisted while trying to move to the next level. Those trying to move to the next level unassisted will face problems because you need a hand to help you up. You need Jesus to get to the next level, and He is ready to help you if you will surrender your life to Him. If God decides to assist you, He can take you from the prison to the throne in one night as He did for Joseph in the Bible. If you get assistance from the devil, you will pay dearly for it. But when God is the one assisting you, the sky is not your limit; you will go beyond the sky. Thus, surrender your life to Christ now so that He can take you to the next level.

ACTION POINT: Think of the next level you will attain to make stagnation become history in your life; then call on the Name of Jesus for divine assistance.

Sunday 28 September 2014

Children Of Light Or Darkness? 28/9/2014

Children Of Light Or Darkness? 28/9/2014

MEMORISE: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15

READ: 1 Thessalonians 5:4-10
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.


BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 Samuel 3-5

MESSAGE:
It is unfortunate to observe that sobriety is no longer a common feature in the lives of many twenty-first century believers. Instead, the characteristics of the night or darkness are the common trademarks of many so-called Christians. Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 does not only admonish us to be sober-minded, he also warns us to beware of the sleep of death. We should not engage in spiritual slumbering, so that the coming of the Day of the Lord may not catch us unawares. We should not engage in the works of darkness as he enjoined us in Ephesians 5:4-5:
“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
Why do we have thieves in the Church today? Why are harlots singing in the Choir? Why are extra-marital wanderings common among both the laity and the clergy? The answer is not far-fetched: children of light are becoming children of darkness. Also, children of darkness are disguising as children of light. Furthermore, the children of light are making the spiritual environment (the Church) too comfortable for evil doers. The love towards the ungodly that they may be saved has been over-stretched to the point of deadly compromise. Sobriety is no longer popular. If you live soberly nowadays, you belong to the “old school”. You are looked upon as an idiot if you refuse to be fraudulent to get rich. Worse still, when you cannot dole money out like those who are fraudulent, you are inconsequential. How can we get out of our spiritual black-out? The answer is simple; the Bibles says,
“Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” Ephesians 5:7-8
The Bible also says that the night is far spent and the day is at hand. As a matter of fact, the Day of the Lord is at hand. So let us walk like children of light (Romans 13:12-14). May the second coming of the Lord not catch you unawares in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please give me the spirit of vigilance so that the coming of the Lord may not catch me unawares.

Saturday 27 September 2014

KNOW YOUR CALLING- 27/9/2014

KNOW YOUR CALLING- 27/9/2014

Memorise 1 Corinthians 7:20: Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

Read: 1 Corinthians 12:1-7
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 SAMUEL 1-2 and PROVERBS 2:20-3:12

Message
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, wrote to tell us in today’s Bible reading that he would not want us to be ignorant of the truth concerning our calling as children and workers in the vineyard. It is needless to emphasise the danger of ignorance as stated in Hosea 4:6. Our Lord Jesus Christ also emphasised the importance of knowing the truth for perfect freedom when in John 8:32 He said:
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
In other words, falsehood can hold people captive! In Proverbs 22:29, we read that a man who is diligent in business shall stand before kings. In what business did the Bible refer to? In his own business of course! What happens if a person is found in other people’s business? No doubt, it will be an exercise in futility or an unprofitable venture. You have to be diligent in your own business, which is where you will be rewarded. The Bible in Songs of Solomon 1:6 says:
“…my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.”
Take to heart the following lessons from today’s Bible reading. First, it is possible for Christians to be ignorant of facts about spiritual gifts. Secondly, there are many gifts in the body of Christ, but no one can or should lay claim to having all of the gifts. Thirdly, it is the Holy Spirit who distributes gifts to every believer as He chooses. Fourthly, as there are differences in administration of the gifts, so also is there division of labour among those these gifts are administered to. A believer should therefore beware of arrogating all the activities in the Church to himself because it will be counter-productive. Fifth, though there are differences in operations from believer to believer, the same Holy Spirit works in all genuine believers. Sixth, the Holy Spirit gives different assignments to different believers to profit with. This means the gift is for the edification of the entire Body of Christ. It is not for the fun of it that believers are endowed with one gift or another; neither is it for self-gratification. The seventh lesson is that no gift is superior to another; neither is any inferior to another. For this reason, Paul further wrote to warn us against discriminating in the use of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:15-17). Therefore beloved, let us work together as many members, but as one indivisible Body of Christ, with everyone playing his or her role as enabled by the Lord. We shall not miss our reward in Jesus’ Name.
Action Point:
Examine your life and find out what area of the ministry the Lord as endowed you with gifts for. Dedicate yourself and be diligent in it.

Friday 26 September 2014

Consistent Christian Living - 26/9/2014

Consistent Christian Living - 26/9/2014

MEMORISE: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:4

READ: John 15:4-8
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ruth 1-4

MESSAGE:
Today’s scripture reading reveals a great secret of not only fruitfulness but also of God being with us.

Emmanuel is not real to many so-called children of God because they are on their own. This is why they are caught in many horrible acts, and terrible things attend to their daily living. This scripture reveals the part we need to play for us to experience God as the present help in times of need (Psalm 46:1). He has promised not to leave nor forsake us. We must remember that the Almighty God is forever faithful. Though the world may deny Him, He cannot deny Himself. Though the whole world may be unfaithful, He remains faithful to His words and even to His creation! What is our part in this bargain? We must abide in Him. In other words, we must consistently live our lives as Christians. We should never take a break from living holy.

In light of this revealed truth, it is pertinent for all children of God who want to enjoy the presence of Emmanuel, to abide in Him so that the ever-willing Heavenly Father may be with them. How do we abide in Him? Ecclesiastes 12:13 says:
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
We must fear God and keep His commandments. Today, some people overstretch the grace we enjoy in the New Testament. Mischievously, they often say that we are no longer under the dispensation of the law, hence they can now do whatever they like. They seem to be saying: “Let us commit sin the more so that we can make maximum use of the available grace!” They are ‘practical atheists’ who believe in God with their mouths but fail to acknowledge Him and His Holiness. They do not see Him as the Consuming Fire. Paul in Romans 6:15 asked:
“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.”
When we experience God as “God with us”, this attracts multiple blessings. One of these is the opportunity to pray and receive instant answers to our prayers. Jesus in John 15:7 said:
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
Thus, let us abide in Him because He is willing to make His abode with us and give us comfort.

PRAYER POINT: Father, help me to be consistent in my Christian living in Jesus’ Name.

Thursday 25 September 2014

DEFEATIST VOICE - 25/9/2014

DEFEATIST VOICE - 25/9/2014

Memorise Numbers 13:30: And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. 

READ: 1 Samuel 17:33-39
33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. 
34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. 
36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. 
37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. 
38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. 
39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Judges 20-21

MESSAGE:
A backslider is known by his or her language. When you listen to the vocabulary of someone who is no longer with God, you will know very quickly that the fellow is a backslider. King Saul had become a backslider when he met David and God had already rejected him. When the problem of Goliath came, as big as he was, he could not stand before Goliath (1 Samuel 10:23). He felt that since he could not face Goliath, this would be true of everyone else. He however received the shock of his life when David showed up. For somebody reading this devotional, the Lord will make you a standard where others have compromised, in Jesus’ Name. In Numbers 13:31-33, we have the story of the ten spies. When they came back from the land flowing with milk and honey, they said “The land is good; however, we cannot take it because of the presence of giants there”. Backsliders always think negatively. There are people who for example believe it is not possible to enjoy divine health all the days of one’s life. There are some people who believe God cannot supply all of their needs without the need to cut corners or play smart. Whenever you hear someone saying “We cannot go forward, let us go back”, you should know you are listening to a backslider. Whenever someone decides to change from doing good to doing the opposite, the person has backslidden.

You must stay away from anything that can annoy God. The more you see His miracles in your life, the closer you must draw to Him. When you separate yourself from God, you will see how vulnerable you can be. You will not be a victim of situation and circumstances in Jesus’ Name. Caleb followed God fully and therefore he could say “We are able”. The song of the steadfast is always full of words like: “I can do it”, “It is possible”, “There is hope”, “I know with God on my side, there is no mountain I cannot climb”. When a man is in contact with God, he sees problems as stepping stones to testimonies. Everyone who is linked with God will be able to say as Paul said in Philippians 4:13:
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Those who are close to God are always singing songs of victory in the face of trouble. They will prefer to go through fire than to bow to compromise, because they know they can’t burn.

ACTION POINT: Check in what areas of your life you have a defeatist attitude; arise and proclaim what the word of God says about it.

Wednesday 24 September 2014

DEMONSTRATION OF POWER 24/9/2014

DEMONSTRATION OF POWER 24/9/2014

MEMORISE 1 Corinthians 4:20: For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

READ: 2 Corinthians 6:2
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Judges 18-19

MESSAGE:
Just before our Lord Jesus Christ left His disciples, they asked Him about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:6). That kingdom was established on this earth on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost came, and the Holy Ghost has been with us ever since. Those who want to be rulers in the kingdom of God must be baptized in the Holy Ghost. This is the only condition for the demonstration of God’s power on earth. The kingdom of God is the kingdom of power. Only those who have power can rule in the kingdom of God. The power we are talking about here refers to the spiritual power which comes only from the Holy Spirit. As soon as you are born-again, you have access to the kingdom of God (John 3:3). However, it is one thing to have access to the kingdom and another thing to be a partaker of it. Anybody who has Christ has no excuse for being powerless, because Jesus Christ is the power of God. As a ruler in the kingdom of God, you must demonstrate power wherever you go. Paul demonstrated this power wherever he ministered the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 2:4 he said:
“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:”
There is power anywhere the gospel of Jesus Christ is being preached. It is only the power of God that can bring about a positive transformation in the life of an individual. No power of government can transform. People are thrown into prison in order to reform their character, but in most cases, they return from prison worse off. Those who are born-again know that there is something awesome about the salvation experience that cannot be explained. When Jesus Christ comes into your life, He makes you a new creature. There is no civilian in the kingdom of God. Anyone truly in the kingdom is a soldier, and wherever you go, you are expected to preach the gospel, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out demons. You need the power to be a carrier of God’s glory. You need the power of the Holy Spirit to perform signs and wonders. Our God is a God of signs and wonders and He has assured us that He would supply all the resources we need to perform these signs and wonders, according to Mark 16:15-20. As soon as Jesus gave the orders, the disciples went from place to place. The Lord went with them, and miracles happened. God is no respecter of persons: what He has done for others and through others, He will do for you and through you. If you are not yet born-again, you cannot experience this power, neither can you partake of it. It is for the sons of God (John 1:12).

PRAYER POINT: Father, what You have done in demonstrating your power through others, do through me also.

Tuesday 23 September 2014

WHAT TYPE OF WISDOM? 23/9/2014

WHAT TYPE OF WISDOM? 23/9/2014

Memorise Corinthians 1:25: Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1

READ: Luke 14:28-32
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

MESSAGE:
The Bible in Proverbs 4:7 tells us that wisdom is very important:
”Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”
Wisdom is described as the principal thing. In other words, irrespective of what you want to get from God, make sure you get wisdom first. If you are wise, whatever God gives to you will not lead to your destruction. There are three types of wisdom: the wisdom of Satan, the wisdom of man and the wisdom of God. Satanic wisdom is corrupted wisdom. Human wisdom is at times called common sense, whereas the wisdom of God is pure and excellent. It is the wisdom of Satan that propels a person to pull down a fellow human being, in order to get favour. This Satanic wisdom motivates people to look for help from secret societies. Such wisdom eventually destroys the seeker. It is the wisdom of Satan that gives riches through devilish means. All these are contrary to the wisdom of God. It is the wisdom of man that produces business lies. It tells you to use ungodly means in achieving your goals. Common sense will not work with God because it will often be contrary to His will. Any knowledge that tells you that you know more than God is dangerous. You cannot use common sense to interpret your Christian walk or the things that God will want to do in your life. That a virgin would conceive does not have a place in modern science. Sometimes, the wisdom of God will tell you to flee when common sense tells you to stay and defend yourself. There are many people who have played ‘James Bond’ with their lives and unfortunately, did not live to tell the story. For others who survived, it is a sad experience.
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” James 3:17
The wisdom of God is holy wisdom. It is neither the wisdom of hypocrisy nor that which you use for character assassination. The wisdom of God shows you how to make Heaven. The wisdom of God makes you understand that all the commandments of God are for your own benefit. It makes you think about Heaven as you relate with people everyday, thereby drawing you closer to God. This kind of wisdom is not limited to spiritual matters alone; rather, it permeates every aspect of our lives. We can obtain divine wisdom for our daily trade, for leadership and for everyday living.

Key Point: Those who are directed by God will never go astray.

Bible in a Year: Judges 15-17

Monday 22 September 2014

NO SUBSTITUTE- 22/9/2014

NO SUBSTITUTE- 22/9/2014

MEMORISE Proverbs 22:29: Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

READ: 1 Samuel 17:34-37
34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

Bible in a Year: Judges 12-14

MESSAGE:
There is not a single person whose story cannot change in life. David was an unknown man – at least to the army, yet, within a very short period of getting to the battlefield on a visit, he was already standing before King Saul. This is a manifestation of the scripture in Proverbs 22:29. If David had not been a diligent person, when his brother rebuked him, he would have been discouraged (1 Samuel 17:28). Consequently, he would not have represented the nation of Israel against the enemy. There are many of us, who retire after praying for five minutes. There is no substitute for doing it right because nobody gets a miracle that way. There are students who study once and say they already know it all. No wonder they keep on failing. Some people become discouraged after failing an examination once or twice and spiritualise it by saying God did not want them to pass. Our God is a God of success and He has no substitute for excellence and great accomplishment in the lives of His children. If David had not been diligent, he would have ended up like any other ordinary soldier. To make it to the top, you have to be diligent. You need to apply yourself to the things of God for Him to take you to where you ought to be. If you are a hardworking person, there is no doubt about it, God will reward you. God does not bless the lazy. If you have failed as a carpenter, you cannot succeed as a pastor. There are people who feel that ministry is an escape route from the realities of life. Far from it! If you cannot work with people successfully, how do you think you can please the Lord? You must be diligent to be successful (Proverbs 21:5). God never calls a lazy fellow.

It takes diligence to get to the top and it takes diligence to remain there. The problem many people have is that they work hard to get to the top, but when they get there, they relax. You need to work twice as hard to remain at the top than was required of you to get there. This is true both in the secular and in the spiritual world. Many Christians were diligent when they became born-again, but as they matured spiritually, they relaxed. To remain where you are, you have to keep running. If you do not keep moving, those who are behind you will catch up with you and surpass you. More importantly, you have to be diligent to make it to Heaven. 2 Peter 3:13-14 says,
“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”

Key Point: If you don’t want to die in poverty, you must be diligent.

Sunday 21 September 2014

DREAMS AND VISIONS- 21/9/2014

DREAMS AND VISIONS- 21/9/2014

MEMORISE: I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

READ: Habakkuk 2:1-3
1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Bible in a Year: Judges 10-11

MESSAGE:
There are the two paramount things that will keep you on course in achieving your destined greatness. First, you need to have a specific dream of what you want your future to look like, and then keep the dream alive by having a focus or vision. It is rightly said in the Bible that where there is no vision, the people perish. Set specific and workable goals for yourself and endeavour to work towards actualising them. Refresh yourself daily on your dream and vision through consistent and devoted quiet time. Be an ardent worshipper of God and give your best to the Master’s service. As you do these, you will see the Almighty elevating you in all areas. The Spirit of God can brighten your dream and refocus your vision. Maybe you even have small dreams and vision, the Almighty can boost them beyond your imagination. Prior to becoming the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, I was the Head of Department of Mathematics at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. I was living in a mansion with a two-bedroom guest quarters. I also had a servant’s quarters with four bedrooms. All these were not part of the main house. But when I became the General Overseer, I had to live in a one-room apartment at Mushin (a poor neighbourhood in Lagos). I left my wife and children at Ilorin as a result of my mission in the church. Due to my deplorable living condition at that time, I had to tidy up things before my family could join me. Before bringing them over, I went to God in prayers and explained the challenges I was facing to Him. I told God to build a house for me. Left to me, I did not mind using the one room apartment, but the thought of housing my entire family in one room posed a challenge to me. God’s response to me was: “Son, don’t ask for a house, because I have decided to build you a city”. That response was beyond what I could comprehend. After this encounter, I began to dream of a city where everybody would be a Christian.

A city where there would be no form of molestation. A city where there would be no power failure or water shortage. God began to stretch my mind to see a city where His praises would fill every mouth.

In like manner, God can give you great dreams of greatness and visions of uncommon glory. Can you see yourself completely whole? Can you see yourself not struggling to catch a bus but sitting comfortably at the back of your chauffeur driven car? If you can, then you will have it. Do you have a dream of making a phone call to a bank manager to come and collect the money you have? Why not have a dream of driving to the airport to board your own private jet? The vision of greatness should be so much in your mind that your spiritual growth will be beyond limitation.

Action Point: Father, give me visions of uncommon glory and dreams of greatness.

Author:  Pastor E.A. Adeboye, General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, and President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

Saturday 20 September 2014

NOT A VICTIM 20/9/2014

NOT A VICTIM 20/9/2014

MEMORISE: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8

READ: 1 Peter 5:8-10
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Bible in one Year: Judges 8:29-9:57

MESSAGE:
One lesson every believer must learn is that the devil can never repent. Hence we are not to joke with the devil. If you don’t want to be devoured by the devil, you must resist him and all that he represents steadfastly. As soon as the devil knew that David had been anointed as king, he decided to eliminate him. The devil knows that God wants to do wondrous things in your life. He knows that your tomorrow will be alright, and he is unhappy about all these great promises for your life.
“He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:3-4
Do not underestimate the devil. He is no doubt a liar, and he is very stubborn. However, the good news is that we have a God who can deal with him effectively. If God is on your side, and you are on His side, there is nothing the enemy can do. Every effort the devil makes to put you to shame will always turn out for your good as long as He is on your side. The devil cannot mess around with you and get away with it except the hedge has been broken. This is why every child of God must protect his or her relationship with God. The devil will always want to make you a victim, but God will always ensure you remain a victor because you are operating on a higher covenant.

Sometime ago, a lady received the shock of her life in London. A man proposed to marry her, and all necessary arrangements were made for their wedding. However, on the day of the wedding, gaily dressed, the lady went to the registry to wait for her fiancé who never showed up. What shame, shock and sorrow she got! She passed through deep emotional distress because of the disgrace she faced. After a while, this lady got through the period of pain and later married a man who became a military governor of a state in Nigeria. The man who dumped her became an aide-de-camp (ADC) to her husband. So, anytime she wanted to travel, the man who jilted her was always at her back to open the door for her to come in and go out. If God can do this in the life of someone, you can be sure He is no respecter of persons. Everyone the devil has caused to suffer one form of disappointment or the other will receive divine visitation in Jesus’ Name. Whatever injury, crises or turbulence you might have gone through, the arm of the Almighty God will be revealed in your life to cause a change in your situation and turn it to a great testimony.

Prayer Point: Father, by your power, let everything working against me begin to work for my good.

Friday 19 September 2014

SELECTIVE BLESSINGS- 19/9/2014

SELECTIVE BLESSINGS- 19/9/2014

MEMORISE: Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. Proverbs 11:21

READ: DEUTERONOMY 23:12-14
12 Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad:
13 And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee:
14 For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JUDGES 6:36-8:28 and JOB 40:15-41:4

MESSAGE
In a gathering of the children of God, God moves round to do two things. He goes round to deliver us from our enemies, and to make these enemies fall before us. As He is moving from one person to another, if He gets to someone who is “unclean”, He would turn away. Such a person is selectively ignored by God. If God leaves us alone for one minute and the devil has his way, we are finished. This is why I pity many people who come to the house of God in clothes that reveal their nakedness. This is a very dangerous act. When God is moving around to bless people, to deliver and to destroy their enemies, when He gets to their turn and He sees them half naked, He will turn away because His eyes cannot behold iniquity (Habakkuk 1:13). When He turns away, the devil is permitted to move in. You know very well that the moment you switch off the light, darkness comes in uninvited. Anytime God turns aside from anyone, the forces of darkness move in, because there can be no vacuum. Another thing people do that causes God to selectively ignore them in a congregation is that, they engage in the act of having side discussions while the service is going on. Some will be having their own meetings, while others will be busy with their phones, answering calls every minute without being sensitive that it is the devil trying to distract them from their blessings. The moment God sees that they are not part of the congregation, He moves away with the blessings meant for them.
There are several instances of God selectively blessing a few within a group in the Bible. Joseph was a member of a family of twelve brothers. He was neither the firstborn nor the lastborn, yet, God picked him for special blessings and said all his brothers will bow down before him. There is a reader of this devotional; this year, the Lord will assign a special blessing to you in Jesus’ Name. David also had seven elder brothers. In fact, when Samuel came and saw the firstborn, he was so sure he was the one God had chosen until God opened his eyes. God rejected all of them until it got to the turn of the one who was not even on the list for selection. I prophesy to you today that, the kind of blessing that even you cannot explain will come your way in Jesus’ Name. At most times, when God selects someone for a special blessing, it is because the one selected has satisfied several conditions that are unknown to other men. No man was there when Joseph refused the offer of Potiphar’s wife. There are many people in church who are not willing to sin when the pastor is there but they are willing to sin against God.
KEY POINT:
When God is the One carrying you, you will be a wonder to yourself and everyone.

Tuesday 16 September 2014

ROOTED IN CHRIST 16/9/2014

ROOTED IN CHRIST 16/9/2014

Memorise Psalm 92:13 : Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.

Read: Psalm 92:12-15 12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; 15 To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JUDGES 1:1-3:6 and JOB 38:39-39:12

Message
The root is the most important part of a tree. The very life of every tree is in its roots. Also, the strength of every house is in its foundation. If something goes wrong with the foundation, the house will fall. The moment something happens to the root of any tree, it will show on the tree. This is a profound truth. Most of the time, it is the tree that we see and not its roots. That which is unseen is what supports what is seen. The part of a man that keeps him alive cannot be seen with the physical eyes. We cannot see God. However, if God leaves your life, there will be nothing left of you.
The Bible in Romans 11:16 says, “For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.” This clearly shows that if the one who is your foundation is holy, then you will turn out holy. If the God you serve is a holy God, you will discover that your tendency will be towards holiness. When the root is bitter, the tree is going to be bitter. When somebody offends you and you do not forgive, your actions will show your bitterness; your words also will show your bitterness and it will be difficult for you to live a life of peace and holiness in accordance with Hebrews 12:14-15. How can you have the grace and power of God? The secret is that your root should be love. This is enunciated in Ephesians 3:17-19:
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”
When you embrace love, you will see the attributes of God in every area of your life. Many of us want the power of God. We want to be able to perform miracles. The question that God is asking is: are you willing to love? If you have power without love, you will destroy many people. If you have the abilities of God without the love of God, anybody who offends you is a dead person. For the power of Christ to manifest in you, you need to be rooted in Christ. Examine yourself and think of everything in you that was planted by the devil – bitterness, lack of forgiveness, hatred, sickness, disease, disappointments and fear. Ask God to uproot them all. The plan of God is that we being rooted in Him will prosper materially. He wants you to be in good health and He also wants your soul to prosper (3 John 2).

Action Point Don’t seek for the power of God until you have the love of God.

Monday 15 September 2014

DEPRESSION IS DEADLY - 15/9/2014

DEPRESSION IS DEADLY - 15/9/2014
Memorise Proverbs 15:13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken
Read: Philippians 4:4-7 4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JOSHUA 23-24 and JOB 38:25-28
Message
Many people have lost contact with Heaven because of depression. There is no way you can carry out the divine commission of the Lord with a depressed spirit. It is the joy of the Lord that should rule your heart. There is a pit you must avoid in life; it is the pit of depression. You must avoid this pit because it kills the spirit-man gradually. If you are sorrowful and depressed for too long over the problems of life, you will destroy yourself. Depression can deaden your marrow, and when this happens, death is at the corner. Every day and in every way, let the joy of the Lord continue to be your strength. With the joy of God, you can always confront the problems of life, giving thanks to the Lord in every situation and at all times. Always take your problems to the Lord in prayer and leave everything at the feet of Jesus. Tell the Lord your heartaches and all your sorrows; you can be sure He will meet you at the very point of your needs. Don’t bottle up your issues, this will lead to depression. God is your Creator and He has the right solutions to all the problems of life. Just pray and never panic. There are many people who are hypertensive today, and are in a very poor state of health because of depression and sorrows. Always learn how to be joyful; never give room for anyone to sentence you to the prison of sorrow. There are people who experience happiness, but God wants you to continue to draw your joy from Him. Happiness comes when something good happens to people. Joy however is like a well of water that springs forth naturally even when nothing has happened. Rejoice in the Lord because you are a new creature and because of the hope you have in Christ Jesus.
The Lord can turn your captivity to freedom and break every limitation on your way. Come out of your sorrow and proclaim the joy of the Lord. The Lord can put an end to poverty and stagnation in your life. It does not matter the years you have spent under the grip of the enemy. What matters is that the Lord is set to do wonderful things in your life. Everything that has been responsible for sorrow, shame and reproach in your life is being turned to a testimony. Through the power of God, every shame can be turned to glory and every sorrow can be turned to joy. Notwithstanding the arrows shot by the enemy, the Lord will save, deliver and totally set free all those who are under the affliction of depression. Receive your deliverance today in Jesus’ Name.
Prayer point: Father, deliver me from every satanic depression in Jesus’ Name.

Sunday 14 September 2014

CHAMPIONS AND GOALS - 14/9/1014

CHAMPIONS AND GOALS - 14/9/1014

MEMORISE: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

READ: 1 SAMUEL 17:32-37
32 And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JOSHUA 22 and JOB 38:12-24

MESSAGE
Champions are people of rugged determination. Once they set their minds on certain goals, nothing will make them change their minds. They will pursue their goals relentlessly until they arrive at their desired destination. Divine champions see every mountain as a potential testimony. David was so sure that Goliath would end up like the lion and the bear he had killed. In order words, the present problem would become a testimony. Many times when we go to battle, we expect to come back without a scar. Divine champions believe all their goals will be actualised, but not without pain. They don’t bother about the pain because they know that at the end they will have their victory. They are people like Paul who would say: “I forget those things that are behind, and press forward” (Philippians 3:13-14). A divine champion is like a river. A river will always look for a way around an obstruction to get to the ocean.
I suppose David would have said this to himself: “Not one of the sheep given to me by my father would get lost”. All of a sudden, a lion came and grabbed one of the sheep. David faced the lion that was the champion of the forest and killed it. This was what gave David the boldness to confront the champion of the city. Your ability to achieve a particular goal is a function of the ones you have achieved in the past through the help of the Almighty God. When the Lord decided to move us from the first auditorium at the Redemption Camp, there were many people who felt that the auditorium we were moving from was the biggest they had ever seen. Also, when the Lord decided to move us away from the second auditorium to the arena where we presently worship, many said it was impossible, but it happened. Today, the Lord is set to move us to a bigger arena because the children need to occupy the present one. Many of us have lost our miracles because we stopped too soon. A divine champion sets goals believing that with God, nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37). I have been challenged by people who say what we want to do is impossible. The moment you say it is impossible, I will want to show you that it is possible. It could take some sweating, fasting, night vigils and a little extra effort, but whatever goals divine champions set before God, they will get it. As a divine champion, it is not all the time you set a goal that you realise it at first instance. Many times, you have to try and try over and over again before you succeed. The important thing is that as a child of God you will win at the end.

KEY POINT: In Christ alone lies the strength of a divine champion.

Saturday 13 September 2014

HIS PRESENCE, OUR BLESSING - 13/9/2014

HIS PRESENCE, OUR BLESSING - 13/9/2014

Memorise Psalm 23:6:  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Read: 2 Samuel 6:6-11 6 And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. 7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. 8 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day. 9 And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me? 10 So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. 11 And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JOSHUA 16:1-19:16 and JOB 37:1-20

Message
There are many blessings in the presence of God. This is the key to drawing multitudes to the Lord through His presence in your life. When people notice that God is mightily present in your life, they will seek Him through you. It is not about making noise; it is about the visible and verifiable workings of God. Beginning from today, you will be a carrier of His glory in Jesus’ Name.
The story in our Bible reading today shows us two dimensions about what the presence of God can do among His people. It can bring judgment or blessings. Uzzah touched the Ark with the motive of preventing it from falling off the oxen, but the Lord struck him dead instantly because he was not sanctified to do so. Holiness is very important for accommodating the presence of God in order to attract His blessings. We must understand that toying with sin in the congregation of God’s people is asking for instant judgment which no one can stand. When God is with you, you will begin to get blessings you never bargained for. You will begin to experience supernatural promotion. As a slave, through the presence of God in his life, Joseph became an overseer. Everything in the empire of Potiphar was put in his care. He took over the house; it was he who decided what the master would eat. The presence of God with him ensured his promotion, even in a hostile environment. Psalm 75:6-7 says,
“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”
In Genesis 39:20-23, when Joseph was thrown into prison, the jailer made him the overseer of all other prisoners, because God was with him. If God is with you, wherever you are, you will succeed. Romans  8:31 reminds us that if God is for us, who can be against us? This also means that if God is against an individual, who can be for him? If the presence of the Lord is with you, let the whole world come against you, they will fall down flat before you. You will do mighty things, and people will want to know your secret. The secret is that God is with you. If God is with you, you may be selling water and yet be better off than someone working at the bank. The moment the presence of God is with you, you will be able to say like David in Psalm 23:4:
”Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Key Point: The blessing that comes with God’s presence is worth the price of consecration required to attract and keep it.

Friday 12 September 2014

HIS PRESENCE, OUR BLESSING - 12/9/2014

HIS PRESENCE, OUR BLESSING - 12/9/2014

Memorise Psalm 23:6: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.


Read: 2 Samuel 6:6-11 6
And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. 7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. 8 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day. 9 And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me? 10 So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. 11 And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JOSHUA 16:1-19:16 and JOB 37:1-20

Message
There are many blessings in the presence of God. This is the key to drawing multitudes to the Lord through His presence in your life. When people notice that God is mightily present in your life, they will seek Him through you. It is not about making noise; it is about the visible and verifiable workings of God. Beginning from today, you will be a carrier of His glory in Jesus’ Name.
The story in our Bible reading today shows us two dimensions about what the presence of God can do among His people. It can bring judgment or blessings. Uzzah touched the Ark with the motive of preventing it from falling off the oxen, but the Lord struck him dead instantly because he was not sanctified to do so. Holiness is very important for accommodating the presence of God in order to attract His blessings. We must understand that toying with sin in the congregation of God’s people is asking for instant judgment which no one can stand. When God is with you, you will begin to get blessings you never bargained for. You will begin to experience supernatural promotion. As a slave, through the presence of God in his life, Joseph became an overseer. Everything in the empire of Potiphar was put in his care. He took over the house; it was he who decided what the master would eat. The presence of God with him ensured his promotion, even in a hostile environment. Psalm 75:6-7 says,
“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”
In Genesis 39:20-23, when Joseph was thrown into prison, the jailer made him the overseer of all other prisoners, because God was with him. If God is with you, wherever you are, you will succeed. Romans 8:31 reminds us that if God is for us, who can be against us? This also means that if God is against an individual, who can be for him? If the presence of the Lord is with you, let the whole world come against you, they will fall down flat before you. You will do mighty things, and people will want to know your secret. The secret is that God is with you. If God is with you, you may be selling water and yet be better off than someone working at the bank. The moment the presence of God is with you, you will be able to say like David in Psalm 23:4:
”Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Key Point: The blessing that comes with God’s presence is worth the price of consecration required to attract and keep it.

Thursday 11 September 2014

ORGANISED NOISE -11/9/2014

ORGANISED NOISE -11/9/2014

Memorise Psalm 126:2: Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

Read: Psalm 126:1-3
1 A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. 3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JOSHUA 13:8-15:63 and JOB 36:17-33

Message
Human beings love to sing. We convey our inner feelings to the outside world through songs. If you pay close attention to the song on a person’s lips, you will have an idea of what is going on in their mind. A man that sings: “We shall overcome some day”, may have just lost a battle. The man who sings: “Jehovah is your Name” is most likely fighting a battle. Someone who sings: “Now that the battle is over, I am more than a conqueror”, has just won a battle. Music is nothing but ‘organised lyrics’. It can also be organised noise. This is why God says, if you don’t know how to sing very well, you can still make a joyful noise (Psalm 98:4).
“And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.”
Mark 5:22-24
Jairus was by all standards a great man, but he had a problem. The only daughter he had was ill and was about to die. He ran to Jesus Christ and implored Him greatly. He spent a lot of time singing the song of the desperate, and Jesus had to follow him home. To a reader of this devotional: God will change your song of sorrow to a song of triumph in Jesus’ Name. Like everyone else, Jairus was afraid of the shame that would follow if Jesus did not intervene. He was afraid of loneliness. This might be your own fear too. Jairus was desperate because he was fighting a battle that he dared not lose. Yet, he knew he was fighting a battle he could not win.
What is that thing that the enemy has stolen which you want back? It could be your health; it could be your joy or your prosperity. You will get it back in Jesus’ Name. The sorrowful can be full of joy again. I believe the failures of the past can be turned into success again. For every family that has been destitute, the tide will turn in your favour. In 2 Kings 4:1-7, we have the story of a widow who was so poor and so heavily in debt that creditors wanted to trade her sons. God however stepped in, and the family became rich. If you begin to walk in the fear of the Lord, you will always have good songs to sing.

Action Point:  Spend quality time praising and worshipping God.

Wednesday 10 September 2014

WHEN GOD IS NEUTRAL- 10/9/2014

WHEN GOD IS NEUTRAL- 10/9/2014

Memorise Hebrew 12:29: For our God is a consuming fire.

Read: Romans 12:19-21
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JOSHUA 10:29-13:7 and JOB 36:5-16

Message
When you hand over someone to God and you ask Him to judge the matter, you have handed the person over to the One the Bible refers to as the Righteous Judge. From 2 Timothy 4:8, we understand that when God judges, He does so righteously. He does not only judge actions, He judges motives also. When God judges, He takes into consideration all the facts that you do not know about. Proverbs 20:22 advises that when someone offends you, do not seek to revenge. Rather, wait on the Lord and let Him handle the situation. When God decides to fight against somebody, the battle is over quickly and disaster is assured against them. In Numbers 23:17-25, we read the episode of Balak against the children of Israel. When God decided to fight against Israel, twenty-four thousand of them died in one day (Numbers 25:1-9). If you go into sin, you may suddenly find God fighting against you.
God can also be neutral. He can watch you as you fight your enemy on your own. If God takes this position, you can be sure that the fight will not last long, and the outcome will be defeat. In Joshua 6:20-27, when God was fighting for Israel, Jericho was taken with just a shout. However, when they later fought against a small city called Ai, they were defeated because God was not with them then as a result of their disobedience (Joshua 7:3-5). Another set of people that God can take a neutral outlook on are the proud. God is interested in seeing how far their pride can take them. James 4:6 says:
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
The proud usually lose in the battles of life. Pride leads to the demotion of the individual involved.
I do not want God to fight against me, neither do I want Him to be neutral concerning my case. Rather, I desire Him to always be on my side. Exodus 15:9-10 says:
”The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.”
Just make sure you trust God. Hand over all your challenges to Him. You will be amazed at how He will bring to pass all you have asked of Him. Turn to the side of God, for there is no other place to turn to where victory is assured. Hold onto God, and eventually, you will be triumphant.

Prayer point: Father, do not be neutral in any aspect of my life.

Monday 8 September 2014

NOT A COINCIDENCE- 9/9/2014

NOT A COINCIDENCE- 9/9/2014

Memorise Proverbs 19:21 : There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Read: 1 Samuel 25:32-35
32 And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: 33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand. 34 For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall. 35 So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JOSHUA
8:30-10:28 and JOB 35:9-36:4

Message
God uses human agents to bring to pass what He had planned before the foundation of the world. The meeting between Abigail and David was no accident; God arranged it. David was wise enough to recognise this. You will make a lot of progress in life if you take note of the fact that no meeting with any person is a coincidence. In Exodus 2:5-10, Pharaoh’s daughter went to bathe in the river at about the same time Moses was placed on it. It is easy for a casual observer to see this as a mere coincidence, but it was God at work in the affairs of men. God planned it because He wanted Moses to be trained in the house of Pharaoh. Fortunately, Pharaoh’s daughter had no child. If she had children, she would have seen adopting Moses as an extra burden. Also, in 1 Samuel 17:22-23, we have the story of David and Goliath. David arrived at the battlefield at the very moment Goliath showed up to boast as he used to. As it were, the one meant to die met the one who would kill him. This was arranged by God. In 1 Kings 19:15-21, Elisha was busy doing his work when Elijah came passing by. God also arranged this meeting. Through this meeting, their lives were radically transformed. From time to time, God uses some people to open doors for you and He uses some others to close doors against you. Revelation 3:7 says,
”And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;”
In the case of Nabal and David, David did not even ask God whether he should go and attack Nabal or not. He was so angry that even if God spoke, he would not have heard. God sent Abigail to close the door of revenge against him. This is why you must always ensure that you are on the side of God. As long as you are on His side, you have the assurance that every door shut against you is not good enough for what God is preparing to give you. Through patience, you must also learn to recognise that everyone in your life has been assigned to play one role or the other to bring about the actualisation of the plan and purpose of God for your life. Whatever represents Nabal in your life, and whatever stands like Goliath on your road to fame, all have their different roles to play. Just ensure you are on the Lord’s side and you can be sure of victory at the end of the day.
Prayer point: Lord, work out your purpose for my life.

SUCCESSFUL BY ACHIEVEMENTS- 8/9/2014

SUCCESSFUL BY ACHIEVEMENTS- 8/9/2014

MEMORISE Psalm 35:2: Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. 7

READ: JOSHUA 1:7-9
7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JOSHUA 7:1-8:29 and JOB 34:31-35:8

MESSAGE
One of the utmost desires of believers and unbelievers alike is to record outstanding achievements in life. Ministers of the gospel, businessmen and women, politicians, civil servants, entrepreneurs, students, government officials and people from all spheres of life pray for success. To be successful means to prosper in a chosen cause. It is similar to being the head and not the tail. Success and excellence go hand in hand. I want you to realise that you can be successful. God takes delight in you being successful. No matter how much failure you have recorded in the past, you can still be highly successful. God has not created anyone to be a permanent failure. Every sinner you see today has a future, and every saint you see has a past. The Lord is able to change your name from failure to a success.
God plays a prominent role in the achievement of success by everyone. There is no amount of human labour that will suffice if God is not involved. This is why you need to put your total strength in Him. Never run ahead of Him. Follow his promises steadfastly and you will have a reason to rejoice at the end of the day. There are many people who are waiting for God to take them to the river and to also put water in their mouth. God has not designed us to be useless; therefore, we all have a role to play in determining the degree of success we achieve. Determination on the part of individuals cannot be separated from achievement of success. It is determination that will keep you on the right track. Challenges are bound to be on your way, but through the instrumentality of determination, you will be able to forge ahead amidst distractions. With determination, you can cross any “Red Sea”, subdue mountains and achieve impossible feats. When you are determined, you will record outstanding successes where many have failed. A fully determined man will weather all storms, experience fruitfulness during famine and even remain at the cutting edge of prosperity during an economic crunch. The plan of God for your life is success. Until you are successful, you cannot become a channel of blessing to others around you. Failure is alien to the plan and promises of God for your life. Therefore, I command failure upon every device of the enemy designed to destroy your success, in Jesus’ Name. Diligence is a lifestyle for successful people. It is what separates leaders from followers, the rich from the poor and successful people from failures.

KEY POINT: There is no one who can go far on the ladder of success without dedication to hard work.

Sunday 7 September 2014

THE BLESSED LIFE 7/9/2014

THE BLESSED LIFE 7/9/2014

MEMORISE 3 John 2: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

READ: ISAIAH 45:1-3
1 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JOSHUA 4-6 and JOB 34:16-30

MESSAGE
There is a divine purpose for sending you to Earth. It is this plan and purpose that will connect you to the blueprint of God for your life. Until this purpose is discovered, you may wander through life without any sense of fulfilment. A lot of people pass through the world like an ant: unnoticed and unknown. This is because they fail to understand the plan and programme of God for them. The master plan for your life is in the hands of God. It spells out phase by phase what is expected of you at every given time. This is what gives you clear direction and focus on what to do and what not to do. It gives clear-cut direction on what can make your life a blessing indeed. To have a blessed life means prosperity, excellence and extra-ordinary breakthroughs. Abraham is a true example of what a blessed life is. His life reveals what it means to be a blessing. He became a blessing because he discovered God’s purpose for his life and pursued it (Genesis 12:1-3). The moment your life becomes an instrument of blessing other lives, there is no way you will not record outstanding successes. It is clear to all and sundry that Jesus also lived a blessed life. He came to the world and died on the cross for the salvation of humanity. Today, you and I are called children of God because of that sacrifice. There is no one who can enjoy a blessed life while living a double-standard life. You cannot be a channel of blessing if your life is not right with God. You need to be reconciled to your Maker. You need to be at peace with God before you can begin to taste His wonderful grace. Having a blessed life implies a life that is totally surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ. The life of Jesus is a blessing because through His Name, the sick are healed, the barren become fruitful, deliverance is given to the captives and innumerable miracles happen on a daily basis.
The steps to living in the realm of a blessed life revolve around having the mind of Christ. With the mind of Christ, you will be able to make a positive and lasting change in the world. You must embrace a life of humility. True humility and the fear of the Lord lead to riches, honour and long life (Proverbs 22:4). Humility is a virtue that is expected to be seen in a life that wants to be blessed. When you are humble, you achieve greater feats. Jesus became obedient unto death. To have a blessed life, you must be willing to die daily; this means your self-will is subjected to the will of the Master on a daily basis.

PRAYER POINT:
Oh Lord, move me from the minimum level of life to the maximum you designed for me.

Saturday 6 September 2014

THE WRONG KINGDOM- 6/9/2014

THE WRONG KINGDOM- 6/9/2014

Memorise John 6:15: When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

Read: John 6:11-15
11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JOSHUA 1-3 and JOB 34:1-15

Message
Jesus drew large crowds in the days of His ministry here on earth because of the signs and wonders He performed. This led those following Him to decide that He should be made king over Israel. Considering the fame and popularity Jesus had, in addition to the prophecies recorded in the Bible about the coming King, it seemed normal and suitable that He should be revered and honoured among the people. However, Jesus was not interested in the kingdom of this world; neither did He have interest in gaining glory, honour or fame. He was only concerned with seeking His Father’s glory and doing His will (John 4:34).
There seems to be a misconception about the term “kingdom of God”. The kingdom of God as defined by the Lord Jesus was quite different from the understanding of the people of His days. It was this lack of understanding that made them attempt to crown Him king by force, thinking that according to various biblical prophecies, He was called to sit upon the physical throne of David. This misconception continues among some Christians today.
Out of the multitude of references to the kingdom of God in the Bible, let us consider these three in order to gain some understanding. John 3:3c says:
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Salvation is the first step a person must take before they can have access to all the goodies of the kingdom of God. I welcome you to the family of God as you take the step of salvation today in Jesus’ Name. Then Matthew 6:33a says:
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; ……”
It is important to note that seeking the kingdom of God as a first priority is important to God. Your personal needs and challenges must not be placed above the kingdom. And finally, Romans 14:17 says:
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
Many Christians live their lives as if the kingdom of God is all about fun and entertainment. The kingdom of God is a process that starts with righteousness, followed by peace, and then comes joy in the Holy Ghost. It’s a wonderful experience.

Prayer Point: Father, please let me experience the fullness of your kingdom in my life from now on.

Friday 5 September 2014

FREEDOM 5/9/2014

FREEDOM 5/9/2014

Memorise John 8:32: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Read: John 8:31-36
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JOHN 19:17-21:25 and JOB 33:19-33

Message
Freedom is generally defined as the power of self-determination attributable to the will. It is the power to act, speak or think as you want without hindrance, constraint or restriction. However, the freedom that Jesus promised is freedom in which a man is set free from the power of the devil, sin, sickness, poverty and failure. It is a freedom that is the possession of born-again children of God who have been liberated through the blood of Christ. It is a freedom that doesn’t rule out obedience to the commandments of God and submission to the will of God. This freedom is a freedom of choice: a choice to submit to Jesus and follow Him all the days of our lives; a choice to live a holy and righteous life, and a choice to reject the devil, his demonic activities and their influences in our lives.
There are lots of misconceptions about the freedom that Jesus promised His followers. It is definitely not an invitation to lawlessness and self-will as some Christians suppose. The freedom Jesus promised comes through strict obedience to the word of God and its conditions. Jesus says, if you continue in His word, you will come face to face with the truth, and the truth in the word of God will then set you free (John 8:31-32). This passage was written for believers. Anyone that is yet to believe and trust in the Lord Jesus may find this principle of freedom promised by our Lord Jesus very difficult to understand. This freedom comes as a natural response to the grace of God; it is not a system that forces anyone to live in any particular way. The submission and commitment of Christians to Jesus is simply out of love and appreciation for what God did for us. However, anyone who claims to be a Christian, and yet finds it difficult to accept the freedom offered by our Lord Jesus Christ with thanksgiving, is only a pretender. James 1:25 says:
“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
This concept of freedom is not easy to understand. It offers us freedom from religious systems, the devil, sin, unrighteousness, self and demonic powers. The Spirit guides us and leads us to make required sacrifices, but these sacrifices are for our own gain. We strive to make these sacrifices consciously and willingly out of love and appreciation for the salvation of our soul. This is the freedom of the Spirit offered by Jesus Christ to anyone who wants to be free from the devil and his works.

Prayer Point: Father, please let the truth of your word continue to make me free, in Jesus’ Name.

Thursday 4 September 2014

ARE YOU AN ENCOURAGER? - 4/9/2014

ARE YOU AN ENCOURAGER? - 4/9/2014

Memorise 2 Timothy 1:4:Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

Read: Acts 4:36-37
36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed
Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JOHN 17:1-19:16 and JOB 33:8-18

Message
Two peculiar perils that confront Christian Leadership are discouragement and undue elation. A spiritual leader is in peril of being unduly depressed by inevitable times of discouragement and being unduly elated by inevitable days of uplifting experiences and achievements. Both of these seasons are experienced in every work for God. It is important for a spiritual leader to be watchful in seasons when everything goes well, when goals are reached, when planned endeavours are crowned with success, when the Spirit moves, souls are saved and saints are blessed. At such times, a mature leader should know on whose brow to place the crown of achievements. He should be careful not to arrogate to himself the glory that belongs to God alone. There are also moments of discouragement. These are seasons when everything seems not to be going well, when goals are frustrated, when planned endeavours flop, when the Spirit refuses to move and worship services seem insipid and lifeless. At such times, a leader needs encouragement. He should however be careful not to misbehave. Someone summed up what should be the attitude of a wise leader at moments of elation and discouragement in these cryptic words: “If successful, do not crow; if defeated do not croak”. Everyone needs encouragement. Everyone needs assistance. Everyone needs comfort. Everyone needs the prayers of others. Apostle Paul knew this truth when he requested in Ephesians 6:18-19 that brethren should pray for him. Are you a source of encouragement or an instrument of discouragement to your leader? There are several ways Christians can encourage their leaders. One is by obedience. Obey your leader. Make his work easy, enjoyable and interesting for him. Demonstrate that you love him. Be his friend.

“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:14

Another way to encourage your leader is through voluntary service. Render assistance to your leader. Do whatever you can to boost his ministry and ensure that it flourishes. Use  your talents, gifts and material resources for the furtherance of the work entrusted into the hands of your leader. Be sacrificial in your service. The dispensing of encouragement should however be reciprocal. Just as subordinates are expected to encourage their leaders, leaders should also encourage their subordinates. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in Luke 8:2-3 was encouraged by Mary Magdalene and some other women who ministered to him out of their resources. However, before these women could minister to him, Jesus had encouraged them by his own ministration of salvation, healing and deliverance. Additionally, a spiritual leader is a father, and fathers are enjoined in the scriptures not to provoke or frustrate their children (Ephesians 6:4). Do not deny them their rights and privileges.'

Prayer Point: Father, help me to be an encourager.

Wednesday 3 September 2014

A FOOLISH ACT- 3/9/2014

A FOOLISH ACT- 3/9/2014

Memorise 2 Chronicles 16:9: For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

Read: 2 Chronicles 16:7-9

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JOHN 14:15-16:33 and JOB 32:15-33:7

Message
There was a king in the land of Judah called Asa, the son of Abijah (Judah comprised of two out of the twelve tribes of Israel). He reigned over Judah for forty-one years. He had a good record and was highly commended for the many wonderful things he achieved for the Lord during his tenure. The Bible in 2 Chronicles 14:2-3 says:
“And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God: For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:”
The above passage reveals the good works of King Asa as highly commendable, especially because at that time, Israel was in a state of apostasy. He knew the laws of God and had zeal for the things of God. He hated evil and anything that represented evil. This he exhibited by taking away the strange altars, breaking down contrary images and cutting down the groves. What more can anyone expect from King Asa but continued commitment to God. Because of King Asa’s obedience, God showed Himself strong on behalf of Judah during his reign. God fought against their enemies and sent several prophets to the king to encourage him, give him direction, and warn him of impending dangers. However, in the thirty-sixth year of King Asa’s reign, Baasha the king of Israel took up arms against Judah his brother and Asa was sore afraid. He was so afraid that he forgot the great battles the Lord had won for him in the past. Out of fear and confusion, he negotiated with Syria, giving them the treasures of the House of God as a reward for their assistance. This is where King Asa committed a foolish mistake. I pray that you will not be blind to anything capable of destroying you, your family or your future in Jesus’ Name.
The agreement King Asa had with Benhadad, king of Syria, appeared to be highly rewarding at first because it resulted in King Baasha retreating to his domain. But God said by so doing, Asa had acted foolishly. Always remember that the eyes of the Lord are running to and fro throughout the whole world to show Himself strong on behalf of anyone whose heart is perfect towards Him. Do not look at your circumstance, look unto God for survival, sustenance, support and blessings, and you will never be disappointed in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point
Father, please let me never fall into any circumstance that will make me negotiate or enter into an agreement with the enemies of God, in Jesus’ Name.

Tuesday 2 September 2014

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLDc - 2/9/2014

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLDc - 2/9/2014

Memorise John 8:12: Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Read: John 1:4-9
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Message
Darkness is the partial or total absence of light. It is a place of confusion, secrecy or mystery. Darkness stands for lack of spiritual or intellectual enlightenment, and represents wickedness or evil. Children of God must have nothing to do with darkness. Moreover, light is the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible. Light is a source of illumination and it represents a condition of spiritual awareness. It liberates and gives direction. Light reveals. Every true child of God must seek to have the light of God – Jesus is the light of God. Jesus declared in John 8:12 that: ”I am the light of the world, he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life“. He was actually making a very important statement that has its roots in the spiritual realm. Light and darkness both have physical manifestations, but they have their roots in the spirit realm. The book of Genesis opened with darkness upon the face of the deep, and the first thing God did was to replace the darkness with light by the power of His Word. The work of creation could not proceed until there was light.

Jesus used the concept of “following the light” to minister to the Jews because it was a concept they could relate with. When God brought them out of Egypt, He led them through the wilderness with a pillar of fire by night so that they could travel far whenever the need arose (Exodus 13:21). Jesus used this to clearly illustrate that He alone can offer security, illumination and meaning in this dark world we live in. Jesus as the Light of the world offers life, revelation, grace, peace, understanding and spiritual awakening to those who are lost in the dark. I pray that everyone who is confused or lost in the darkness of this world will receive illumination and the revelation of the Lord Jesus today, in Jesus’ Name. The Bible while talking about the brevity of time in John 12:35-36 says: “Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.” Therefore, time waits for no man; tomorrow may be too late. Today is the day of salvation; come to the light of Jesus today.

Prayer Point: Father, You are the light of the world. Let the light of your gospel shine in every heart, community and nation, in Jesus’ Name.