Monthly Archives: August 2017

Memorise: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. Ephesians 1:22-23
Read: 2nd Thessalonians 1:1-12
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 1-3, Ezekiel 28:25-29:9

1. The Church is a body of saints being prepared as the Bride of Christ to be married to Him at His second coming (Ephesians 5:25-27). It is also a spiritual body of which Jesus Christ is the Head (Colossians 1:18).
2. The Church of God is the meeting place of God and man, created as a means of uniting all people with God and with one another.
3. The manifold wisdom of God, His mysteries, His nature, character and His attributes are revealed through His Church. Among all of God’s creatures, He did not find any of them worthy to be His dwelling place.
4. However, He specifically designed and built His Church to be His dwelling place: a place of His rest. God cherishes His Church so much that He showers much care on her, and through her, He spreads Himself across the face of the earth.
5. In Matthew 16:18, the Lord decreed that the gates of hell shall not prevail against His Church; consequently, the Church of God is served by the ministry of angels (Hebrews 1:14).
6. It is the only institution on earth that angels pay attention to as a matter of duty. The angels of God dote on His Church and admire her beauty (1st Peter 1:12). It is the only institution on earth which the angels of God take interest in, and every bit of progress that the Church makes in this world brings joy to them and causes them to celebrate (Luke 15:7).
7. If you have not given your life to Christ, you can cause the angels of God to rejoice today by accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour, thereby becoming a member of the body of Christ, which is the Church.
8. As a member of the Church of God, you are expected to continually express your love for God in worship and practical service, which includes enduring hardness, afflictions and tribulations for the sake of God’s kingdom.
9. Always remember that Christianity is not bread and butter alone. Despite all the good promises of God to you, Jesus, in John 16:33b, also says to you, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
10. God’s attention if focused on His Church, and as a result, the devil can never prevail against you.
11. However, you must learn to endure afflictions, and you must confidently confront evil.
12. You must not be ashamed or afraid of witnessing for Jesus.
13. Always be mindful of the fact that the Holy Spirit is in you and the angels of God are at your service wherever you go.

God takes great interest in the church. It is a place to prepare the saints towards the great day. That is why God blessed the body of Christ with different helpers to do this work of perfection. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Ephesians 4:11‭-‬12 it is therefore important that we do only things that will increase His Church as we as draw men unto Him. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye for this great insight into the reality of God’s Word in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, in Jesus’ Name, please give me the grace to endure hardship, afflictions and tribulations for the sake of Your Name.
HYMN
1 Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.
2 Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.
3 Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.
4 Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.
5 Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.
6 Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee. 

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Memorise: For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1st Corinthians 6:20
Read: 1st Corinthians 3:16-17
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Bible in one year: 2nd Kings 24-25, Ezekiel 28:11-24

1. The response of the Lord Jesus Christ to the question of a Samaritan woman on God’s approved location of acceptable worship, in John 4:20, put an end to the era where God could only be worshipped in specific places. John 4:21& 23 says, “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”
2. Jesus taught her that the time has come when true worshippers of God are not required to visit any physical temple or be present in any particular location in order to worship God acceptably. True worshipper can now worship the Father in spirit and in truth.
3. Building on this teaching, Apostle Paul expounded that the dwelling of God is no longer in temples made by human hands (Acts 17:24). He further revealed that God, in the person of the Holy Spirit, now dwells in the body of those who have yielded to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In 1st Corinthians 6:19 He wrote this: “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
4. If you are indeed a Christian, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
5. Out of love for you, God gave you a unique body; and He wants you to reciprocate His love by making good use of it.
6. The question is, are you conscious of the fact that God’s Holy Spirit dwells in you? Are you aware that you are not your own, and that you are bought with a price? Are you aware that you are to glorify God in your body (1st Corinthians 6:20)?
7. As a child of God, God has taken ownership of your body. You therefore have no preferences in matters concerning your body.
8. You must commit your body to God as a living sacrifice and consciously conduct yourself as the dwelling place of His Holy Spirit.
9. A Christian cannot therefore make choices about sexual orientation or engage in behaviours on the basis of personal preference.
10. Without any ambiguity, God has made clear the purpose of our body; therefore, any notion about freedom of choice regarding sexuality and sexual acts is essentially incompatible with God’s word.
11. God also warns that He will destroy those who defile His temple, which is our body. Take note of this and be wise!

God desires our praise and worship to be in spirit and truth. It’s amazing some believers do most of the things they do for recognition or just to be noticed. We should make our worship of great quality and from within us because this is what God deserves. Even as we worship Him we are blessed. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. Psalms 67:5‭-‬6. May God continually increase Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, please abide in me; make my body Your dwelling place, and give me the grace to resist any temptation to misuse my body, in Jesus’ Name.
HYMN
Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
Refrain:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.
Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.
Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.
Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.

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20

Memorise: And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1st Corinthians 13:13
Read: 1st Corinthians 13:1-3
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Bible in one year: 2nd Kings 23, Ezekiel 27:26-28:10

1. “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3
2. Love is a decision of commitment that is expressed as a strong feeling of affection and attraction.
3. Based on God’s nature and actions, the Scripture gives us insight into the source, character and value of love. The Bible teaches that God is the source of love and that His very character is love.
4. If you have ever been deeply in love with someone to the point of obsession, you will discover that you may lose your appetite and forget to eat because of that person (Song of Solomon 5:2-8). Your mind will become occupied with nothing else but that person. The object of your love is the last thing you think of when you go to bed and the first thing you think of when you wake up.
5. Love involves the totality of a person’s thoughts, feelings and actions.
6. Love is a central theme of the Christian faith and is a primary characteristic of God’s nature. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38
7. The first object of our love should be God. We are enjoined to love God with all our heart, soul and mind.
8. Indeed, you need to understand the love of God for you before you can appreciate what true love is.
9. Having received the love of God, God expects you to reciprocate His love by worshipping Him in truth and by showing His love to others.
10. The love of God was manifested on the cross of Calvary. Jesus, with these words, revealed the extent of God’s love for us in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
11. Out of love, God gave His only begotten Son as the ultimate sacrifice for the salvation of humility. He then commanded every one of us that has received His love to reciprocate it by loving one another (1st John 4:7-8).
12. The Bible makes it very clear that the proof of love is its expression through actions, especially actions that are taken in the interest of others.
13. Children of God should never be identified with envy, hatred, pride, selfishness, or any form of wickedness. These vices are contrary to God’s nature in us.
14. As Christians, we must always radiate the love of God with meekness, kindness, patience, peace and joy.  

Wow! This is a great insight into the word of God which is the word of truth. When the love of God is truly shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Ghost which is given to us, it becomes very easy for us to do His will as well as love other people. May God help us to be doers of the word and not just hearers only in Jesus name. God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye for blessing us with the open Heavens devotional daily.

Prayer Point
Father, please fill my heart with Your love, so that Your love may flow through me to others.
HYMN
1 Onward, Christian soldiers, 
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before!
Christ, the royal Master,
leads again the foe;
Forward into battle,
see his banner go!
Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before!
2 At the sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
loud your anthems raise! [Refrain]
3 Like a mighty army
moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
where the saints have trod;
We are not divided;
all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine,
one in charity. [Refrain]
4 Onward, then, ye people,
join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
in the triumph song;
Glory, laud, and honor,
unto Christ the King;
This thro’ countless ages
men and angels sing. [Refrain]
 
 
 

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20

Memorise: And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11
Read: Exodus 12:21-23
21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.
22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
23 For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
Bible in one year: 2nd Kings 21-22, Ezekiel 27:10-25

1. For various reasons, the battle of life has proved to be of tremendous difficulty to mankind in every generation.
2. First and foremost, the enemy is often difficult to identify correctly, coming in different forms and sizes.
3. Sometimes, the enemy comes in the form of human opposition, criticism and antagonism, and other times, in the form of physical challenges and obstacles.
4. The enemy also comes as natural occurrences which one would expect to naturally fade away with time, but down the line, such occurrences metamorphose into serious problems. The battles of life can come to us through a human agent in the most subtle but wicked manner and it can also take the form of a dramatic open challenge.
5. At the onset of every battle of life, its spiritual dimension is not usually obvious. However, the Bible teaches that there is a spiritual dimension to every battle. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
6. As a child of God, although the enemy of our soul may look intimidating, don’t be frightened by his visage or his history of destruction. Instead, focus on the truth of God’s word that reveals him as a conquered foe (Hebrews 2:14, Luke 10:18-19). This is the high standpoint of the Christian faith. This is the only ground on which a child of God should meet the devil and his agents. We are overcomers!
7. The element and resources of our victory clearly supersede the resources of our wicked foes. The element of our victory is the Blood of Jesus, and the weapon of our warfare is the word of God.
8. The battle cry in our conflict with the devil should always be the words of today’s memory verse.
9. You must continuously resist the devil with words of this scripture and believe its declaration in your heart.
10. You cannot confront the devil and his agents with human wisdom, scientific inventions, philosophy, or ethical principles; rather, confront them with the Blood of Jesus Christ, which signifies the seal of our victory in the Lord.
11. Always remember that the battle is not ours but the Lord’s. At the beginning of this conflict with devil in the Garden of Eden, it was prophesied that the seed of the woman will bruise the head of the serpent. Jesus is that seed of the woman!
12. Christians must enter the battle of life with confidence that the Lord is fighting for us, and that we are simply following His banner and claiming victory in His Name.
13. Let us praise and worship the Almighty God who has granted us victory through the Blood of Jesus.

We are to manifest as conquerors in every facet of life. John 16:33 revealed that we have peace in Christ because He overcame for us. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. We are to fight every battle from the spiritual realm and have the consciousness of an overcomer as we do. Christ is our victory! God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye and equip him with greater wisdom for greater impact in the name of Jesus.

Prayer Point
Father, please completely destroy the works of the devil in my life and in Your Church in the Name of Jesus.
HYMN
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
You wilt find a solace there.
  

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20

Memorise: And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1st Peter 5:4
Read: 2nd Timothy 4:7-8
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Bible in one year: 2nd King 19-20, Ezekiel 26:19-27:9

1. In several passages of Scriptures, the Christian life is compared to being engaged in a sporting activity, particularly the analogy of running a race.
2. In order to finish strong like Apostle Paul did, we need to pay close attention to these analogies and apply their lessons to our Christian life.
3. 1st Corinthians 9:24-26 makes it clear that everyone that participates in a race does so for the purpose of winning. It also says that winning requires serious training and perseverance. Furthermore, this passage states that of the many participants in the race, only one person emerges as winner.
4. 2nd Timothy 2:5 reveals that you must play according to the rules and regulations of the game to be declared the winner.
5. From Hebrews 12:1-3, we understand that we must have our minds set on the reward in order to endure the rigours and pains of training.
6. 2nd Timothy 2:4 says athletes must observe a discipline, controlled, and regimented lifestyle like soldiers while preparing for a competition.
7. You need to measure your Christian life by these analogies to know how well you are fairing in the race to Heaven.
8. You should not be satisfied with just being a Christian who enjoys the support and encouragement of the spectators only; your ultimate goal should be to make it to Heaven and receive the crown of righteousness.
9. You should be prepared for rigorous training in the word of God, and persevere through the process of sanctification.
10. Like the eagle, you should take the flight towards Heaven as a personal endeavour and ignore the multitude.
11. You must strictly obey every detail in the word of God without reservation.
12. Your mind must be fixed on the crown of righteousness and the glory that awaits the saints in Heaven, so that you can finish your course in this world with joy.
13. Furthermore, you must submit yourself to the discipline, control and regimented lifestyle described in the word of God and as directed from time to time by your divinely appointed coach: the Holy Spirit.
14. The crown of righteousness is something of value promised to every Christian that would serve God faithfully in this world and endure the persecutions and tests of faith that comes with following Jesus Christ.
15. This crown is meant for those who would joyfully accept discipline and training in righteousness, those who will remain obedient to the word of God regardless of the dictates of popular culture, and soul winners who determined to sacrifice everything in order to make Heaven.
16. I hereby pray for everyone who is earnestly looking forward to eternal life, that you will not lose your crown in Jesus’ Name.

Every step we take and every move we make as believer in our Christian race should be towards the big day when the Father will boldly say well done thou good and faithful servant. Anything that will deprive us of the great crown of righteousness should be avoided like a plague. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36 May we not miss our crown in Jesus name. God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye for this great insight through the Holy Spirit. May His strength be renewed in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, please help me to pay the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, and help me make it to Heaven in Jesus’ Name.
HYMN
1 Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.
2 Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.
3 Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.
4 Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.
5 Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.
6 Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee. 
 

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20

Memorise: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8
Read: Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Bible in one year: 2nd Kings 18, Ezekiel 26:7-18
 

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. A father is the male personality among the two parents from whom children originate.
2. Parents are uniquely linked to their children by blood, and they are the source of the fundamental and distinctive characteristics of their children. This special connection is responsible for the usual display of filial affection between parents and their children.
3. There is a kind of deep love, compassion, dedication, trust, respect, devotion and loyalty that usually exists in the relationship between parents and their children that may not exist in other forms of relationships.
4. Furthermore, good fathers are known to provide leadership, protection, provision, discipline, spiritual guidance, and emotional stability for members of their family.
5. Obviously, mothers are equally important and their role as parents and leaders in the family cannot be overemphasised.
6. However, under normal circumstances, the balance of a family is usually maintained by its organisation around a father-figure. This is why homes without a father tend to become dysfunctional families. I therefore pray that God will restore all broken homes, support all single parents, and rebuke death in our families in the Name of Jesus.
7. Meanwhile, there is a Father of fathers that can do far more than any earthly father. He is the ever present one who can never die. He is called the Everlasting Father in Isaiah 9:6.
8. Through this Name, the Holy Spirit is indicating to us that all those who trust in God and yield to the Lordship of Jesus Christ will never be without a Father.
9. Because Jesus is the Everlasting Father, true Christians can enjoy all the benefits of divine fatherhood unhindered for eternity.
10. When the storms of life rage or when your are overwhelmed by difficult circumstances, you can safely trust in the love and support of the Everlasting Father. When poverty, failure, sickness or death stares at you in the face, just call upon the Everlasting Father, and your night will be turned to day.
11. If you are out of turn with your Creator, if you are perpetually living under the influence of any power that is beyond your control, if your life is upside down and you are desperately looking for a way out, then I have good news for you.
12. Jesus is the Everlasting Father with compassion for His children. He pities his children and shelters them with His love (Psalm 103:13). His mercy endures forever and you can anticipate his forgiveness with joy.
13. Above all, these benefits are yours to enjoy for eternity, if only you surrender your life to Him.
14. I decree to every troubled soul that is reading this devotional, receive the intervention of the Everlasting Father now in the Name of Jesus.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

One joyful thing to take note of about our Everlasting Father is that He is God of all times. There is no tenure to His reign and His mercy is new every morning. It is a pity that many believers get distracted and forget who they are in Christ. “If we trust in God and yield to the Lordship of Jesus Christ then we will never be without a Father.” I like the amplified version of Hebrews 13:5 which says: “Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” What a promise! Our God honours His word and so we should remain strong in faith and give glory to God at all times. We pray that God will always empower Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.

Action Point
Pray that the Everlasting Father will heal every broken home and dysfunction in your family and local church.
HYMN Action Point
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:
Chorus
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:
And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, My God, how great thou art!

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20

Memorise: And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:16
Read: Daniel 4:34-37
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Bible in one year: 2nd Kings 16-17, Ezekiel 25:8-26:6
 

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. In the New Testament, there are three instances where the title “King of kings” was used. In each of these three instances, it was used along with the title “Lord of lords”.
2. Obviously, the two titles are linked, but they also have their marked differences.
3. The underlying thought of kingship is the exercise of authority, while that of lordship is the exercise of power.
4. A military junta may have the power to overthrow the government of a nation but it lacks the authority to do so, thereby make it an illegitimate government.
5. On the other hand, a policeman can simply use his upraised hand to stop a heavy truck. He is able to achieve this by the authority vested in him, which is well recognised by the truck driver.
6. Similarly, kingship, authority and submission always go together. Any edict issued by a king must be expressly obeyed. Refusal to comply is interpreted as civil disobedience, anarchy or rebellion.
7. It is important to note here that from eternity past, Jesus has continuously reigned in majestic splendour as the only Potentate, the King of glory and the Lord of all (1st Timothy 6:15)
8. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, angels celebrated and worshipped Him as King (Hebrews 1:6, Luke 2:10-14). He grew up, lived among the people and went about doing good: healing the sick, delivering those oppressed by the devil, and spreading the good news of the kingdom. Yet, at His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, only those who believed in Him cried, “Hosanna, blessed is the king that comes in the Name of the Lord” (John 12:12-13).
9. A day also came that Jesus was presented to His own people by Pontius Pilate saying, “Behold your King!” The people however responded with a great roar, “Away with him, crucify him.” He was therefore crucified with a crown of thorns on His head (John 19). Therefore, He died, rose from the dead and was received into Heaven.
10. Very soon, He is coming back again. This time, He is not coming with a crown of thorns on His head but with many glorious crowns, and He will rule the nations of the earth with rod of iron in His hands. He is returning in power and glory to establish His kingdom on earth, covered with glory and accompanied by the hosts of Heaven’s armies.
11. His title shall be boldly written upon His clothing and on His thigh: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS”.
12. While we are waiting for the appearance of the soon-coming King, let us totally submit to His authority and acknowledge His Lordship over our lives. We must worship His majesty and offer Him the sacrifice of praise.
13. Let us bow down before the throne of the everlasting King in total adoration of His royal majesty. All hail the King of glory. Hallelujah!

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

We should not be too familiar with God who is the King of kings and then forget to submit totally to His authority. As believers we have clearly stated instructions to be obeyed as written in the Bible. We should be consious of the fact that our father is incharge of all things and even kings submit to His kingship. Kings are men of honour. Their word is a law that must be honoured without any question but they are to submit to the word of our King. Please let us carefully meditate on the advice given by our father in the Lord in today’s devotional that “While we are waiting for the appearance of the soon-coming King, we should totally submit to His authority and acknowledge His Lordship over our lives. We must worship His majesty and offer Him the sacrifice of praise. Let us bow down before the throne of the everlasting King in total adoration of His royal majesty. God bless and uphold Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Action Point
Worship God as the King of kings, and live your life in submission to Him.
HYMN
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the *worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the *rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:
Chorus
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:
And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then *I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, My God, how great thou art!

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Memorise: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Read: Mark 11:21-24
21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Bible in one year: 2nd Kings 14-15, Ezekiel 24:15-25:7

1. Faith is a sense of reliance and trust in the Almighty God. It is a guiding belief and also a committed sense of loyalty.
2. Faith is a central emphasis of Christianity, and for this reason, Christians are commonly called “believers”.
3. A commitment to Christianity typically involves a confession of faith.
4. The centrality of faith in Christianity reflects the significance given to it in the Bible.
5. The Bible teaches faith towards God, and also the doctrine of justification by faith (Romans 5:1). Moreover, faith includes belief in the written word of God and also belief in the trustworthiness of God’s ability to keep His promise of reward to his followers (John 14:1-3).
6. The Bible records that the fathers of faith like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others, pleased God through the exhibition of their faith. The Bible also makes it clear that it is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6).
7. The Christian faith embraces the belief that God was made manifest in the flesh, in the person of Jesus Christ.
8. We belief that He lived to manifest the nature and character of God, and that He died so that we, who were dead in our sins, might receive forgiveness through His Blood that was shed for the atonement of our sins.
9. We believe that the crucifixion of our sinful nature on the Cross through His Body has empowered us to live above sin in this world.
10. We believe that He resurrected so that we can receive a new life in God that is fashioned in the image of His resurrected nature. We believe that anyone can be a partaker of this divine nature when he or she believes in his or her heart all that Jesus Christ has done, confesses his or her sins to God and accepts the Lordship of Jesus Christ over his or her life through confession and action.
11. Our memory verse teaches some spiritual truths that touch the spiritual life of every Christian. The passage emphasises the method of pleasing God, the necessity of believing in His existence, and the certainty that He answers prayers.
12. We can only please God by walking with Him in faith. We must trust Him completely and rely on Him totally as our Father and closest friend.
13. We manifest our trust in God when we pray to Him.
14. The existence of God is settled in the mind of anyone who is a true Christian.
15. Therefore, whenever a Christian prays to God, He or she is demonstrating faith in God’s existence.
16. When a Christian repeatedly refuses to pray to God, he or she ignores God. However, God desires that all Christians pray continually.
17. Therefore, we must constantly and earnestly present our requests and supplications to Him in prayers, with full confidence and assurance that He answers the prayers of His children.

Having faith in God is a major and important character a Christian must possess. Without faith we cannot please God. To please God we must believe that He is, He can do all things and He is the Creator of all things. Once we are able to see God as the Almighty in faith then, we are limitless. May God help us to have faith in Him in Jesus name. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, please increase my faith, and help me to be completely dependant on You in all I do.
HYMN
1. My faith looks up to thee, 
thou Lamb of Calvary, 
Savior divine! 
Now hear me while I pray, 
take all my guilt away, 
O let me from this day 
be wholly thine! 
2. May thy rich grace impart 
strength to my fainting heart, 
my zeal inspire! 
As thou hast died for me, 
O may my love to thee 
pure, warm, and changeless be, 
a living fire! 
3. While life’s dark maze I tread, 
and griefs around me spread, 
be thou my guide; 
bid darkness turn to day, 
wipe sorrow’s tears away, 
nor let me ever stray 
from thee aside. 
4. When ends life’s transient dream, 
when death’s cold, sullen stream 
shall o’er me roll; 
blest Savior, then in love, 
fear and distrust remove; 
O bear me safe above, 
a ransomed soul! 
 

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Memorise: There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Joshua 1:5
Read: Zechariah 4:6-9
6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
8 Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you.
Bible in one year: 2nd Kings 12-13, Ezekiel 24:1-14

1. The Lord spoke the words of today’s memory verse to Joshua at a very crucial time in his life.
2. Moses, the man of God, had just departed and handed over the baton of spiritual and political leadership of Israel to him. Obviously, this was a very scary thing for Joshua. Having been the servant of Moses, he knew the severity of the spiritual assignment ahead. He also had firsthand experience of the several episodes of political intrigue and multiple rebellions against his master. Joshua least expected the leadership mantle to fall on him, since there were (at least) seventy elders ahead of him, most of whom he esteemed to be better suited as political leaders compared to himself. There was also the family of priests, members of which he reckoned to be more experienced for the spiritual leadership of Israel. Nevertheless, although age, experience and maturity may not have favoured him, it still pleased the Lord to appoint him as the replacement of Moses; and knowing Joshua’s fearful state of mind, He therefore spoke those words of assurance to encourage and embolden Him in his new assignment.
3. I pray for you today, you will receive divine support and assurance that will propel you to success in Jesus’ Name.
4. Today, God is telling you that there shall be no barrier to your promotion, success and breakthrough.
5. God has the power to make such declarations about you because He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and He is the Author and Finisher of your faith. All powers in heaven and on earth belong to Him, and His word is Yea and Amen.
6. Numbers 23:19 says this about Him: “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”
7. We have assurance in the word of God that God is able to bring whatever He says to reality. I therefore encourage you to rely on His promise to you, knowing well that He is the Creator or all things – whether visible or invisible, all things were created by Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16).
8. Furthermore, you also have reasons to believe strongly that there shall be no barrier to the fulfilment of your destiny because of His mighty acts both in history and even now.
9. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Holy One of Israel, who delivered the Israelites from 430 years of captivity. He parted the Red Sea and provided manna in the wilderness. He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer, who heals, delivers and raises the dead. May His Name be praised forever.

The journey of the Israelites revealed at various points that with God there is no barrier. Moses recognised this fact through the journey and that is why he said in Exodus 33:15 “And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.” The wall of Jericho was a barrier encountered by the children of Israel as recorded in Joshua 6 but it was taken away by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. “So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.” Joshua 6:20 As we reverence God, every barrier shall be taken off our ways in Jesus name. We pray that God will continually uphold Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, please speak a word of support and assurance into my life today that will send jitters down the spine of my enemies and detractors in Jesus’ Name.
HYMN
1. My faith looks up to thee, 
thou Lamb of Calvary, 
Savior divine! 
Now hear me while I pray, 
take all my guilt away, 
O let me from this day 
be wholly thine! 
2. May thy rich grace impart 
strength to my fainting heart, 
my zeal inspire! 
As thou hast died for me, 
O may my love to thee 
pure, warm, and changeless be, 
a living fire! 
3. While life’s dark maze I tread, 
and griefs around me spread, 
be thou my guide; 
bid darkness turn to day, 
wipe sorrow’s tears away, 
nor let me ever stray 
from thee aside. 
4. When ends life’s transient dream, 
when death’s cold, sullen stream 
shall o’er me roll; 
blest Savior, then in love, 
fear and distrust remove; 
O bear me safe above, 
a ransomed soul! 

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20

Memorise: If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36
Read: John 5:1-9
1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
Bible in one year: 2nd Kings 10-11, Ezekiel 23:35-49

1. The reason why many people are so helpless in life today is because they are in captivity. Many are in the bondage of sin, sickness, poverty, addiction, demonic possession and other evil conditions.
2. The resultant effects of captivity include loss of freedom, psychological imbalance, and emotional trauma, loss of contact with loved ones, hopelessness and dejection.
3. A captive is a person with a lost identity. Such a person may have been royalty before being captured by the enemy, but he or she has become a slave and must now live at the mercy of his or her new owner.
4. A captive loses dignity and suffers from low self-esteem and emotional trauma from thinking about the situation that led to his or her captivity.
5. A captive is in a worse situation than an ordinary prisoner because a prisoner’s jail term is fixed, but a captive has no hope of being set free. Above all, the situation of a captive is hopelessly filled with regret.
6. The big question is, can a captive find true freedom? The Holy Spirit answers this question in Isaiah 49:24-25 “Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.”
7. Hallelujah! A captive can indeed be set free. Jesus in Luke 4:18 declared that He came to set the captive free: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,”
8. I bring you good news today: no matter how difficult your experience in captivity has been, and no matter how heavy the chain of your affliction is, JESUS is here to set you free!
9. Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah, Redeemer and Deliverer, sent to set everyone who will accept Him as the Lord and Saviour of their lives from the bondage of Satan, the world and the flesh.
10. What is your problem? Are you operating under the powerful grip of a secret sin, sexual immorality, a secret society, a blood covenant or any form of addiction?
11. Jesus, in John 8:36, has those words for you: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Jesus came to set the captives free; call on His Name for your deliverance now!  

As rightly stated in today’s devotional “many are in the bondage of sin, sickness, poverty, addiction, demonic possession and other evil conditions” and the consequence of such affliction if not quickly dealt with can lead to death. However, when you have a genuine relationship with the Almighty God, an end comes to every captivity of your life. Praise God! We pray that God will increase Pastor E.A Adeboye in wisdom and strength in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Lord Jesus, Please manifest your power to set me free from every form of captivity I am experiencing today.
HYMN
1 Through the love of God our Saviour,
all will be well.
Free and changeless is his favour,
all, all is well.
Precious is the blood that healed us,
perfect is the grace that sealed us,
strong the hand stretched forth to shield us,
all must be well.
2 Though we pass through tribulation,
all will be well.
Ours is such a full salvation,
all, all is well.
Happy, still in God confiding,
fruitful, if in Christ abiding,
holy, through the Spirit’s guiding,
all must be well.
3 We expect a bright tomorrow,
all will be well.
Faith can sing through days of sorrow,
‘All, all is well.’
On our Father’s love relying,
Jesus every need supplying,
in our living, in our dying,
all must be well.

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