Monthly Archives: April 2018

Memorise: God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? Hebrews 2:4
 
 
Read: John 11:39-45
39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
Bible in one year: Judges 15-16, Titus 2-3

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

1. A careful study of the miracles recorded in the Bible will reveal some truths to the discerning. Such a study will reveal that miracles are supernatural and that they are an intervention of God in the affairs of men. This study will also reveal that miracles happen only when God deems it necessary. In other words, God divinely intervenes when the ability of man fails and He wants to show His Almightiness.
2. God does not waste His divine intervention wherever He has given man the enablement to act. For example, He stopped sending manna to the children of Israel the moment they got settled in the Promised Land. They had to cultivate and eat from the land, which was flowing with milk and honey. Joshua 5:12 says, “And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.”
3. The truth of the matter is that although God was still capable of sending the manna, He stopped sending it because there was no need for it anymore. He expected His children as His image carriers and co-creators with Him to cultivate the land.
4. Also, in Exodus 14:15-16, even though the Lord was willing and ready to intervene for the salvation of Israel at the Red Sea, He told Moses to play his part. If a child of God fails to understand this principle, it can cause him or her untold pain and disappointment due to failure to act where he or she ought to.
5. Having established these truths, we must also realise that the ability to work miracles is like a stamp of approval given by God to His chosen human vessels.
6. In today’s Bible reading, Jesus called for His Father’s intervention in the case of Lazarus who was dead. Why did He call on the Father to intervene? John 11:42 says, “And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.”
7. Also in today’s memory verse, “diverse miracles” is listed as one of those supernatural things God uses to bear witness to the message of His chosen vessels. Without this witness, our message will be like that of mere orators and philosophers. Jesus needed miracles to establish His mission, and so do we.
8. Let us therefore thirst for this gift to glorify the Almighty God.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Working of miracles, signs and wonders is one of the intentions of God for His children. However, the ability to perform miracles depends on individual. Paul said “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Philippians‬ ‭3:10-11‬ Desire to know God just like Apostle Paul and see what God will do for you. If Jesus performed miracles and has given us  the assignment to lay hands on the sick to recover according to “They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark‬ ‭16:18‬ then we have no excuse. May God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye on every side in Jesus name.
 

Prayer Point:
Father, from today, please confirm muy witness of You by working Your miracles through me.
Hymn
Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal of love;
Wake te immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?
Wonderful story of love.
Chorus:
Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful, wonderful story of love.
Wonderful story of love;
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal-bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.
Wonderful story of love
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us, with those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of love.

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: Be thou diligent to know the state of flocks, and look well to thy hers. Proverbs 27:23
Read: Ephesians 6:1-4
6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Bible in one year: Judges 12-14, Titus 1

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

1. We are mandated in today’s memory verse to diligently look after our flock. The succeeding verses outline the great rewards that accrue from doing this. Proverbs 27:26-27 says,”The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.”
2. There is something striking about these verses of Scripture. If taking care of animals attracts so much reward, how much more would we be rewarded when we heed God’s commandment to care for our children? Unknown to many people, one of the reasons why God decided to bless Abraham so much was Abraham’s determination to transfer his worship, far and obedience of the Almighty to his children. Genesis 18:19 says,”For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgement; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoke of him.”
3. Abraham was wise enough to see to it that not only his children but all his household servants as well the Lord and feared Him.When we take time to care for our children spiritually and physically, we will be happy for it. The daughter of Pharaoh who adopted Moses made a profound statement, when she handed him over to his mother, which we should take note of. In Exodus 2:9 she said: “…Take this child away, ad nurse if for me, and I will give thee thy wages…”
4. When we see children as the Lord’s heritage and not our possessions, we will be careful to train them for God and not for ourselves Psalm 127:3). When we do this, their original Owner will reward us handsomely. Proverbs 23:24-25 mentions some of these rewards: “The Father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.”
5. Beloved, only children trained in the fear of the Lord will grow up to be righteous and wise. So, take care of your children by instilling the fear of the Lord in them, and serve as a role model of the righteousness of God to them.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

This is also a challenge devotional to every parents. If you give yourself assessment about how caring you are concerning your children, what will your score be? What will God say about you? Will you get a similar response or recommendation just like Abraham? The Bible says “ I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgement; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoke of him.”. May the Lord help us to take good care of our children and lead them in the way of righteousness.
Prayer Point:
Father, please give me the wisdom and ability to take care of the children You put in my care to the glory of Your Name.
Hymn
GOD, GIVE US CHRISTIAN HOMES
1. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,
Homes where the Master’s will is sought,
Homes crowned with beauty
Your love has wrought;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!
2. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the father is true and strong,
Homes that are free from the blight of wrong,
Homes that are joyous with love and song;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!
3. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the mother, in caring quest,
Strives to show other Your way is best,
Homes where the Lord is an honoured guest;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!
4. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the children are led to know
Christ in His beauty who loves them so,
Homes where the altar fires burn and glow;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 1 Thessalonians 4:11
Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-13
3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
Bible in one year: Judges 10-11, 2 Timothy 3-4

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

1. A lazy man is described in Proverbs 10:4 as someone who works with a slack hand. He or she is also described as slothful in Proverbs 12:24. The Holy Spirit warns slothfulness in Romans 12:11
“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;”
2. Some people are fervent in spirit but slothful in business, whereas some others are diligent in business but not fervent in spirit. These are lopsided Christian lifestyles which are not profitable. In today’s memory verse, we are warned against being lazy. Laziness results in some people becoming so poor that they become fraudsters to make ends meet. Defrauding others is a terrible sin that calls for God’s vengeance (1 Thessalonians 4:6). Lazy Christians take advantage of the generosity of the Christian brotherhood to defraud other diligent Christians. Such lazy ones do not want to work with their hands. Instead, they go from house to house and from church to church to defraud the brethren under several pretexts.
3. Interestingly, this is not a new development in the Body of Christ. Under the guise of awaiting the second coming of the Lord, laziness was so rampant in the Church at Thessalonica, so much so that some believers abandoned their trade and businesses to loaf around. For this reason, Apostle Paul, after his initial epistle, further wrote to this same Church in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, saying:’For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”
4. Today, job scarcity makes it difficult for us to know who is actually lazy among the brethren who loaf around other brethren, In actual fact, it is not the lack of jobs that makes people unemployed; rather, it is pride and the unrealistic dreams of white collar jobs. Some would not do any other job than what they were trained to do in school. These group of Christians should learn from people like Apostle Paul, who in spite of his degree in law engaged in tent making to make ends meet (Acts 18:3, Philippians 3:5).
5. Some people are misguided into thinking that doing manual labour would drain their anointing; this is a lie of the devil. The Lord promised to bless the work of our hands, not our idleness (Deuteronomy 28:12). The story was told of how God directed a young but brilliant Christian to start clearing human waste in a modern way, and he became a millionaire through it. If you are naturally lazy, you need supernatural healing, because laziness is a disease that can kill the body and throw the soul into hell. Therefore, detest it with everything in you.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

A lazy person but filled with the Holy Ghost will not like fulfill destiny because laziness itself is not of God. Hence, believers must be diligent in all. The Bible recalls that faith without work is dead “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” James‬ ‭2:17‬. What do you have that you want God to bless? You are praying for supernatural blessing of the work of your hand yet you have no work nor no business regardless of how little. Many people are waiting to start big forgetting that the Bible says “For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.”‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬
Action Point:
Create a job if no one offers you one; you are a child of God with the ability to create things.
Hymn4
TRUST AND OBEY
1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word,
What a glory He shed on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Chorus:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Genesis 17:1
Read: Romans 12:9-21
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
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: Judges 9, 2 Timothy 2

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

1. The simple and expected response to the thought-provoking question in today’s topic is “no”. In practice however, this may not be the case. It is true that the people of this world can be terribly wicked, so much so that one may find it difficult to let go when the opportunity presents itself to pay them back in their own coin. Nevertheless, this is contrary to the nature of God that we bear as Christians. Speaking to us about this in Romans 12:19, the Holy Spirit says:
‘Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
2. The story of Samson is a good example of someone who choose to die with his enemies. Although he was born a Nazarite to God, he had many flaws in his character, the most liberal of which was vindictiveness. When a person is vindictive, such a fellow will be unforgiving, merciless and absolutely cruel. When his enemies bound him in chains and plucked out his eyes, instead of calling on God for the forgiveness of his sins, he chose to pray to God to avenge his eyes. Judges 16:28 says,
3. “And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that i may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.”
When one listens to the prayers of some people who ordinarily should be on their faces asking God for mercy, one cannot but wonder if they are not praying to die with their enemies. Such people ask God to avenge them of their enemies, when they are the ones whose sins empowered the enemy to buffet them. No doubt, God will honour His word to recompense the evildoer. However, what do you stand to gain if your enemies die as a result of the evil they did to you, but you also die in your sins? That is not a wise thing to do.
4. This is the reason why Romans 12:17 warns us that we should overcome evil with good. When someone offends you and you decide not to settle with him or her, what you are indirectly saying is that you are ready to die with that enemy. You put the forgiveness of that fellow on hold and yours will not be released to you either. Mark 11:26 says, “But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your tresspass.”
5. We need to forgive those who wrong us for our own sake because the Scripture is clear that unless we do, we are in danger of preferring to die with our enemies instead of saving ourselves from the judgement to come upon this world

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

This is yet another question that must seriously be considered by every believer whether young or old in this Christian race. We must have the mind of Christ in us to be able to forgive and forget about the past evil done to us. Just as the Bible says “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:17‬.
Prayer Point:
Father, please forgive my trespasses as I have forgiven those who trespassed against me.
Hymn
TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE
1. Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless 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

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. Philippians 3:13
 
Read: Philippians 3:7-14
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Bible in one year: Judges 7-8, 2 Timothy 1
 

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

1 In several portions of Scripture, the Holy Spirit admonishes us not to forget several things, especially things that relate to God’s commandments (Proverbs 3:1, Hebrews 13:16). In fact, one of the mandates of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to bring to our remembrance all things the Master has told us, so that we don’t forget them (John 14:26). However, in today’s Bible reading, the same Holy Spirit encourages us to forget the things that are behind us.
2. Why does He want us to forget those things? The reason is that if we don’t forget some things of the past, they may prevent us from reaching forth to those things ahead of us.
3. Someone once said that ‘good’ is the enemy of ‘better’. When you hold tenaciously to the good, something better may elude you.
4. Furthermore, when you refuse to forget the days of your terrible past, you may never be able to live in the reality of the new beginning God has given to you. This is another danger of not forgetting the past.
5. Many people still hold themselves hostage to their past life. They fail to recognise the terms of the New Testament they are operating under.
6. Here is part of what the Holy Spirit says about the new covenant in the Blood of Jesus: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12
7. An elderly man was brought to us years ago; he was terribly sick. We witnessed to him about Jesus Christ who forgives sins and be forgiven. Surprisingly, he felt that the magnitude of his sins was too big for pardon. We assured him that this was not the case, and thanks be to God, the Holy Spirit eventually convinced him of what we were saying. His problem was tied to his refusal to forget his terrible past.
8. When an old friend of mine came face to face with me after I had become born again and a pastor, she could not believe that God could use me to heal her ailing child. I assured her that if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away and all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). She believed, and her sick child was healed.
9. Today, many people find it difficult to forgive others because they refuse to forget the past misdeeds done to them. This is even more dangerous than refusing to forget your own past misdeeds (Mark 11:25-26).
10. Beloved, keeping record of your ugly past or that of others may rob you of the joy of forgiveness and the peace that emanates from forgetting the past.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Anyone that says yes to God is a new creature and everything of the past is gone. Devil tries to bring the past as often as possible and this is to bring us to a position of guilt where Christ brought us out from. We can fight this tool of the devil by saying it out loud that I am new creature. I am unblamable because Christ paid the price for me. Shalom! God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye and strengthen him in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, teach my heart to forgive and forget in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
Nearer, my God, to Thee;
Nearer to Thee;
E’en though it be a cross
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Though, like a wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness comes over me,
My rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
There let me see the sight,
An open heaven;
All that Thou sendest me,
In mercy given;
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Then, with my waking thoughts
Bright with thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs
Bethel I’ll raise,
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. Genesis 17:1
Read: Hebrews 12:1-8
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 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.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Bible in one year: Judges 5-6, 1st Timothy 6

1. “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof:”  Ecclesiastes 7:8a
2. The devil is not bothered about how well we start our Christians journey, but he is concerned about how we end it. His ultimate desire is for us to end badly.
3. From the above passage of scripture, we can see that it is important to ensure that we have a better ending in life. I pray that you will end well and strong in Jesus’ Name. 
4. The secrets to ending well in life are contained in today’s memory verse and Bible reading. The first secret is to live a perfect life as demanded by the God of Abraham in Genesis 17:1.
5. To live a perfect life is very simple if we can study those who have successfully gone ahead of us.
6. Father Abraham is a typical example of someone who obeyed God. Beginning from leaving his comfort zone in his father’s house to the point of sacrificing his only son, Isaac, Abraham obeyed God all the way (Genesis 12:1; 22:1-14).
7. In other words, simple childlike obedience to God and His word is a secret for finishing well.
8. This was what enabled my father-in-the-Lord, the founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, to finish well. Even when he was grievously wronged by the head of another church, God commanded him to make peace and he obeyed.
9. Another secret for finishing well is to look up to no one else but the Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrew 12:2). The Almighty God has given Him to us as a better example than father Abraham. He is the Sinless One who suffered shame for the sinful.
10. Some people try to justify themselves on some wrong actions they take by using the wickedness of other men around them as an excuse.
11. Today’s Bible reading is saying that we should follow the perfect example of Jesus Christ, who was falsely accused and subjected to shame but did not retaliate, because He believed that vengeance belonged to His Father. He did not try to defend Himself in order to fulfil His destiny as our Redeemer. 
12. The Holy Spirit encourages us to consider him who endured such opposition of sinners against Himself, lest we become weary and give up (Hebrews 12:3).
13. In addition, we are encouraged to resist the opposition of sin and strive against it to the point of death.
14. May the good Lord strengthen us in this regard in Jesus’ Name. Beloved, the key to living a perfect life for the successful ending of your Christian journey lies in your obedience to the word of God (Psalm 119:9).
15. The devil is trying to derail the Christian faith by faulting the word of God, describing it as a moribund treatise of the Jewish religion. Beware of this if you want to finish well and strong.

One way to finish well is by working out our salvation with fear and trembling. We must obey every word and instruction from God to the last letter. It is easy to do this only when we run to God for help. May we never stop our journey half way or end up in hell in Jesus name. We are grateful to God for blessing our generation with Pastor E.A Adeboye. May God continually uphold him in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, help me to finish well by giving me the grace to uphold Your word in its rightful place in my life.
Hymn
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:15
Read: Romans 8:14-17
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Bible in one year: Judges 3-4, 1st Timothy 5

1. There are many names used to describe God in the Holy Scriptures.
2. While all His names are important in many ways, the name “Abba” is one of the most significant names of God in understanding how He relates with mankind.
3. The word Abba is an Aramaic word that means “Daddy” in common parlance. It is a loving name that young children use to address their father.
4. This name shows the intimate relationship that exists between father and child, and it conveys the absolute trust children have in their fathers.
5. It is important to recognise that although all those who believe in the Almighty can call Him God, not all of them can call Him Abba.
7. Who then can refer to the Almighty as Abba? Only those who have the boldness to call Him “Daddy”. These are people who believe in Jesus, the Son of the Living God, and in the work of atonement He has accomplished for all mankind (John 1:12-13). Galatians 4:6 says, “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
8. Furthermore, only those who honour God as a child honours his or her daddy can call the Almighty Abba. Malachi 1:6a says, “A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour?”
9. Your attitude towards God as a Father will determine whether you can call Him Abba, because Abba is an appellation that confirms your intimate relationship with the Almighty.
10. You may want to ask: How can I honour God as Abba? You honour Him by keeping His commandments.
11. Some so-called children of God erroneously believe that grace means lawlessness. They couldn’t be further from the truth (Romans 6:1-2)! There are many blessings we receive when we are true children of the Great Abba. In Genesis 17:1, Abba Father declared Himself as the Almighty God. 
12. Because He is almighty, He grants His children their requests and daily loads them with blessings (Psalm 3:4, Psalm 68:19).
13. Beloved, do you belong to this loving Daddy? I congratulate you if indeed the Almighty God is also your Abba. However, if your attitude towards Him is that of total disregard for His person or blatant disobedience to His commandments, then you need to change your ways today.
14. You stand to lose a whole lot if you don’t have God as your Father.

Everyone who cannot boldly call God father has a lot to do. The paramount of these things is to surrender your all to Him. The father-son relationship is far better than any other relationship because access is without barrier. The good news is that there is room in Christ for all. Find your root in Him today. May God empower and strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Abba, Father, transform my attitude towards You and draw me close to You in Jesus’ Name.
HYMN
Nearer, my God, to Thee;
Nearer to Thee;
E’en though it be a cross
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Though, like a wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness comes over me,
My rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
There let me see the sight,
An open heaven;
All that Thou sendest me,
In mercy given;
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Then, with my waking thoughts
Bright with thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs
Bethel I’ll raise,
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: But I say unto you, that every idle word, that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. Matthew 12:36
Memorise: But I say unto you, that every idle word, that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. Matthew 12:36
Read: Numbers 12:1-15
1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.
2 And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it.
3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
4 And the Lord spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.
5 And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.
6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
9 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and he departed.
10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.
11 And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.
12 Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother’s womb.
13 And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.
14 And the Lord said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.
15 And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.
Bible in one year: Judges 1-2 1 Timothy 2-4
 

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

1. It is confounding that most children of God see it as an obligation to speak out against different forms of abuse in the society, but do not deem it necessary to raise their voices against anyone blaspheming the Lord of the universe or His anointed representatives on earth.
2. The Lord did not mince words in I Chronicles 16:22 when He commanded “Touch not My anointed!”
3. As it is today, so it was in the time of the Lord Jesus Christ. Several people spoke out against Him, and some even accused Him of casting out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of demons! See the Lord’s response to this outrageous allegation in Matthew 12:36: “But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”
4. Speaking against the Lord’s ministers and their spirit-motivated deeds is a typical way of touching the Lord’s anointed.
5. Beloved, it is idle talk when you attribute an act of the Holy Spirit in a man of God to the power of familiar spirits or charms and rituals of the occult, and this is punishable on the Day of Judgment.
6. Can you imagine the sin of idle talk waylaying you on the Day of Judgment? If you are guilty of this, you must repent and restitute your ways before it is too late.
7. Never join a multitude to say terrible things against a minister of God when you are not very sure that what they are saying about him or her is true.
8. Take heed to these instructions of God in Exodus 23:2: “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:”
9. Today’s bible reading narrates how Moses’ two siblings, Miriam and Aaron, spoke out against him because of the Ethiopian woman he married. Even though Moses actually married an Ethiopian woman, what did that have to do with the assignment or role God asked him to play? The truth of the matter is that Miriam and Aaron were just being jealous and mischievous. God saw through their motives, and He decided to put them in their place and punish them. Miriam became leprous!
10. Beloved, it is not until you cast a man of God into prison before you touch him or her in an evil way.
11. Watch your tongue and stop any move that is detrimental to the assignment given to an anointed man or woman of God.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:36‭-‬37  Speaking against God anointed is now very common all around the world regardless of God’s warning against such. I believe every reader of today’s devotional who is guilty of this will adjust. And God will help us all in Jesus name. We pray that God will refresh and strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, please forgive me in any way I have touched Your anointed with my words, actions or inaction.
Hymn
Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
It must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!
The rumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict
In this His glorious day.
Ye that are men, now serve Him
Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger.
And strength to strength oppose.
Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!
Stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you;
Ye dare not trust your won
Put on the Gospel armor,
And, watching unto prayer,
Where duty calls, or danger,
Be never wanting there.
Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!
The strife will not be long:
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh
A crown of life shall be;
He, with the King of glory,
Shall reign eternally.

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: And if any man ask you, why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. Luke 19:31
Read: Luke 19:29-35
29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.
31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.
33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
Bible in one year: Joshua 23-24 1 Timothy 2-3

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

.

1. A salient truth that everyone, particularly children of God, should not be ignorant of is that God created everything for a purpose. This is why we call the Almighty God the God of plan and purpose.
2. For example, in Genesis 1:26, when man was to be created, God first declared his purpose before creating him, saying: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
3. God will not create what He does not need.
4. Whatever you find on earth has a reason for existing.
5. Not knowing the usefulness of an entity in God’s creation does not negate the reason why God created it. It is just unfortunate that more often than not, we abuse, misuse or completely neglect the use of many things created for one divine purpose or the other.
6. In today’s Bible reading, even the owner of the donkey did not know the eternal purpose God had for his donkey until the Lord’s message got to him, asking him to release it to fulfill the prophecy concerning it (Zechariah 9:9). This donkey looked ordinary to its owner, but to its Maker it was a unique donkey. You therefore need to look at things through the eyes of the Creator to understand their purpose.
7. Many years ago, I told some ministers who had just answered the divine call into full-time ministry that whatever skills they have acquired should be kept because all of such skills would be needed in the running of the church.
8. These days, there is a tendency for an architect to drop his or her skill set when going into ministry. Such people fail to realise that the Church needs architects to design her buildings. Who would do a better job of this than a Spirit-filled architect?
9. In Exodus 36:1-2, God purposely raised Bezaleed and Aholiab for the purpose of the building of His tabernacle. Indeed, every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights (James 1:17).
10. Beloved, the Lord needs that skill, that gift, that money and that position you have.
11. I appeal to you to use your talents primarily for God and secondarily as your meal ticket.
12. May the Lord bless you as you bless Him with your divine endowments in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Proverbs 19:21 says “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Allowing God’s purpose prevail in everything we do is important. We automatically walk in His will for us. May we fulfil our purpose in life in Jesus name. God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye and may he wax stronger in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, please open my eyes to see the divine purpose for my existence. Grant me grace to use the gifts, skills, position and wealth You have endowed me with for Your glory and pleasure
Hymn 12

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: it is better to go to the house of mourning, than to fo to the house of feasting: for that isthe end of all men; and the living will lay it to heart. Ecclesiastes 7:2
Read: Matthew 14:6-11
6 But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.
9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.
10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
Bible in one year: Joshua 22 1 Timothy 1
 

1. Today’s Bible reading narrates the sad story of how unbridled merriment can propel a man to do what he would otherwise not have done.
2. The devil is a cunning old serpent.
3. He knows too well that his chances of success are slim whenever he attacks a child of God directly. He therefore deploys tricks to attack people when they are in vulnerable state, such as when the heart is merry and full of happiness.
4. When you are light-hearted, be watchful so that it does not end in sorrow and regret. This is why the wisdom of God in Proverb 14:13 teaches us that “Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.”
5. A quick lesson we should learn from the story in today’s bible reading is that merriment outside of God will always end up in crisis.
6. King Herod was very sorry for making the promise he had made to his daughter, probably under the influence of alcohol, but it was too late for him to take back the oath he had committed himself to in his light-hearted mood.
7. Another lesson we should learn here is that the enemy looks out for moments when you let your guard down, and then he strikes. Example of such moments are times when you just won a victory and when you are in high spirits.
8. Happiness often has the same effects as alcohol on the reasoning faculties of man, and so you need to watch it.
9. There is a type of laughter that is derived from pleasureable but sinful acts. The Bible refers to such laughter as the crackling of thorns under a pot (Ecclesiastes 7:6).
10. The Israelites manifested such laughter and merriment when they made a golden calf for themselves as their god. Exodus 32:6 says: ‘And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.” But for Moses’ intercessory prayers, they would have been wiped off the face of the earth by this foolish act. It is commonly said that “He who laughs last, laughs best.” The last and best laughter is the laughter in eternity with out Maker. Speaking about this laughter, Jesus Christ in Luke 6:21 says: “Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.”
11. When the Messiah shall return the second time, He shall put an end to all suffering, and there shall be everlasting laughter(Revelation 21:7). Ensure you don’t miss it!

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

There are two very important points to take note of and in our mind as watch word. These points are  that merriment outside of God will always end up in crisis and enemy looks out for moments when you let your guard down, and then he strikes. May crisis and defeat never be our portion in Jesus name. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, help me not to indulge in any act that would give me temporary happiness and produce eternal sorrow.
Hymn 5

Please follow and like us:

20