Monthly Archives: September 2018

Memorise: Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. Psalm 148:13
Read: Job 38:3-12
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?
9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,
10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,
11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
12 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;
Bible in one year: Proverbs 5-8, Mark 6:7-29

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

1. A name is not just a label; more importantly, it is an identity.
2. Names are very important to God, and this is why it is important to search the scripture to discover more about God’s identity through His Names. Those who know His Names and praise Him with these Names are dear to God’s heart.
3. In Revelation 1:8, He Himself revealed some of His Names to us, saying: “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.”
4. Furthermore, in God’s dialogue with Job in Job chapter 38, He asked him some frightening questions which reveal that He truly is the Alpha and the Omega. It goes without saying that He is the one who made the mountains, the oceans and all the other big and small things we see in nature. We also understand that He is older than the oldest, because by Him were all things created. He saw the beginning of everything on earth, good and bad, and He will also see their end because He is the Omega. He will end every bad experience in your life as you praise Him today as Alpha and Omega in Jesus’ name.
5. In 1 Samuel 1:3, the Almighty is called the Lord of Hosts. In the past, I used to think this meant that He is the Lord of the hosts of heaven, but recently, He let me know that “Lord of Hosts” means the Lord of all hosts, whether in heaven, hell, the earth, the seas, underneath the earth, and even other galaxies in the universe. Nobody can oppress His children because one command from Him can make life so unbearable for even the greatest king on earth. If you don’t believe me, ask Pharaoh (Exodus 5-11).
6. According to Proverbs 21:1, my God has the heart of kings in His hands, and He turns their hearts wherever He pleases. If He has control over the commander-in-chief of all armed forces, then He can also direct the armed forces of different nations as HE pleases.
7. Isaiah 9:6 calls Him the Prince of Peace. The first thing a person experiences after giving his or her life to Christ is peace, because the Prince of Peace now lives within. My God can calm any storm, and I mean any storm. He calmed several storms when He was here on earth (Mark 4:39, Matthew 14:24-32), and there is no storm in your life that He cannot calm.
8. Some years ago, I was invited to speak at a United Nations Summit, and I told the delegates there that it was a good thing that they were all trying to solve the problems of war around the world. I let them know though that if they really wanted peace, the only way they could get it was if they involved the Prince of Peace.
9. In this world of war and turbulence, you can have peace if you surrender to Him indeed.
10. May the peace of the Lord continually be with you in Jesus’ name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

 
Action Point: Search the scriptures for more of God’s Names and praise Him with the Names you discover
Hymn
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love
To all life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the rue life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish, but nought changeth Thee.
Great Father of Glory, pure Father of Light.
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All laud we would render, O help us to see:
‘Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee.
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, Victorious, Thy great name we praise

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20

Memorise: And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: Deuteronomy 28:1
Read: Exodus 4:1-7
1 And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee.
2 And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.
3 And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.
4 And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:
5 That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.
6 And the Lord said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.
7 And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh. 
Bible in one year: Proverbs 1-4, Mark 5:25-6:6

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

1. Many people see God as magician: they want to just sit back and watch Him perform tricks to fascinate them.
2. God does not work this way! He does not give miracles to onlookers. Those who experience His miracles normally have to make some form of input.
3. When God was going to use Moses to perform miracles, Moses had to surrender his rod for God’s use. When He was going to feed five thousand men, He asked for an input, and one of those to be fed brought five loaves of bread with two fishes. He could have turned stones into bread, but He chose to use something given by one of the recipients of His miracle.
4. Your tithe is the input you make for devourers to be rebuked in your life (Malachi 3:10-11).
5. Willingness and obedience are required from you so that you may eat the good of the land you find yourself in (Isaiah 1:19).
6. Humility is your input in order to receive God’s grace (James 4:6).
7. Don’t listen to fake prophets who tell you that they can pray and fast on your behalf while you carry on doing whatever you like; they are nothing but thieves because God doesn’t operate that way.
8. I have come to discover in my walk with God that whenever there is a miracle around the corner, God asks me for an input.
9. After I have played my part, He will then play His. Years ago, I had Pajero SUV that I loved so much because it never gave me any issues. One day, while asking God for miracles, I heard Him instruct me to give my Pajero away to a particular ministry. It was difficult for me, but I eventually did it. The car was so valuable that the day the new owners came for it, my driver wept. However, during the next service we had after I did this, the number of people that God healed was so great that they could not be counted.
10. There was one time I almost lost a miracle because I was reluctant to provide my input. In past, we used to receive contributions from the different parishes of our church towards the feeding of those attending our annual convention. One year, just after the convention, God spoke to me, instructing me to tell the pastors that for the next year’s convention, we would not be calling for contributions. When I heard this, I was afraid. Many things rushed through my mind, and I asked myself, “How will the people be fed? I cannot afford to feed that great crowd alone!” I decided not to tell the pastors what the Lord had said, but God said to me, “You are about to lose a miracle”. I obeyed and told them. To the glory of God, we have been feeding people at the convention for over 30 years without those levies. God has never failed us, and even though the crowd has grown into multitudes, everyone still gets fed and there are leftovers.
11. When God asks you for something don’t withhold it, or else you may be hindering your miracle.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

 
Key Point: When God decides to bless you, He opens doors to you, but you have to walk through these doors yourself.
Hymn
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

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20

Memorise: And said unto them, whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. Luke 9:48
Read: Matthew 13:54-58
54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. 
Bible in one year: Psalm 144 – 150, Mark 5:1-24

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

1. Many times, we miss messages from God and the miracles that accompany them because we fail to look beyond the person that the Lord is working through.
2. To experience the fullness of God, a wise child of God will give heed to the words of 2 Chronicles 20:20, which says: “…Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets so shall ye prosper. Interestingly, it was a king, and not a prophet who gave this message.
3. How beautiful this world would be if our rulers would admit, like King Nebuchadnezzar did, that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and He gives it to whomsoever he chooses (Daniel 4:25-34).
4. In today’s memory verse, our Lord Jesus Christ said that if we receive even a child in His Name, we have received Him, and if we receive Him, we have received His Father who sent Him.
5. Regardless of the age or status of a preacher, if you receive him or her in the Name of the Lord, whatever word the Lord has sent through that person will work for you.
6. Naaman would have lost his miracle if he had not looked beyond the fact Prophet Elisha did not receive him personally, or the dirty River Jordan he was instructed to dip in (2 Kings 5:9-14).
7. The story of the man born blind in John chapter 9 also teaches us a great lesson. This young man believed that Jesus came from God because God performed a miracle in his life through Him, and even though the Jews maligned Jesus Christ as a sinner, he refused to believe them (John 9:24-25). Because Jesus Christ grew up in their midst as brethren and countrymen, the citizen of Nazareth failed to see Him as anything more than the son of Joseph the carpenter, and for this reason, most of them missed their miracles. Matthew 13:58 says: “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”
8. In order to help the people of His time to receive their blessings, Jesus often had to encourage them to look into the scriptures to confirm that what He was saying about Himself was true, and sometimes, He performed miracles to show that He was the Messiah (Luke 4:17-21, Luke 7:19-22). However, most of the people of His time could not look beyond His humanity.
9. Beloved, I encourage you to search the scriptures to ascertain the authenticity of any message and its messenger.
10. Looking beyond the messenger and seeing God behind them will help your faith in the infallible word of God.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

 
Action Point: Like the Jews in Berea (Acts 17:10-11), begin to search the scriptures to confirm whatever a preacher says. If it tallies with the scripture, believe and act on it for your own good.
Hymn
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

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20

Memorise: A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. Proverbs 13:22
Read: Genesis 12:6-8, Isaiah 51:1-2
6 Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as [a]the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land.
7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your [b]descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. 8 And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.
Isaiah 51:1-2
1 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.
2 Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.
Bible in one year: Psalm 139-143, Mark 4:21-41

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

1. It is clear from 3 John 1:2 that God’s plan is for you to prosper. Also, in John 10:10, Jesus Christ promised abundant life to all His followers.
2. Having prospered you, part of God’s expectations is that your children will be even more prosperous than you are.
3. It is indeed a great blessing from the Lord when our children live better lives than ours. This is what God did in Abraham’s life. God said to him in Genesis 22:16-17: “By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;”
4. In this proclamation, God did not only promise to bless Abraham, He also swore to multiply his seed. How marvelous!
5. In Genesis 24:34-35, we begin to see the manifestation of God’s blessing in Abraham’s life as a person. In Genesis 26:12-14, we also see the fulfillment of God’s blessing of multiplication upon Abraham’s son, Isaac. However, God did not stop there. Abraham’s grandchildren waxed even stronger in wealth than Isaac. Even Esau, who was denied his father’s blessing of the firstborn, was so rich that he had 400 bodyguards in his service (Genesis 32:6). As for Jacob, Genesis 30:43 says: “And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.”
6. When it came to the turn of Abraham’s great grandchild, Joseph, he became de facto emperor of the then civilized world (Genesis 41:40-44, Genesis 41:57).
7. The secret of Abraham’s ever increasing multi-generational blessings lies in the fact that he laid a good foundation for it. For example, Abraham always built altars to the Lord, meaning he was a true worshipper of God (Genesis 12:6-8, Genesis 13:18). He was also a payer of tithes, even before the Law of Moses institutionalized it (Genesis 14:18-20). Furthermore, Abraham paid first fruits in Isaac, whom he loved so much (Genesis 22:1-18), and in addition, he was a godly father, of whom God testified that He knew the world train his children in the fear and worship of the Lord (Genesis 18:17-19).
8. Beloved, for the sake of your descendants, I encourage you to be a godly parent. I assure you that our God is a covenant keeping God. For your sake, generations of children coming after you shall be mightily favoured, if you lay the foundation of godliness and the fear of the Lord in your family today.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Transfer of prosperity, success and abundance unto generations after us is possible for everyone that will truly obey God and live a godly life that will attract God’s attention. We should know that God will fulfil His word in and through us if we submit totally to His instructions, will and ways. Anyone who therefore desires to be a godly father should carefully meditate on and follow God’s instructions to be one. May God continually empower and increase Pastor E.A Adeboye on every side in Jesus name.

 
Prayer Point: Father, through the help of Your Holy Spirit, make a godly parent in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
(Tune: There shall be showers of blessing)
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Sinners will soon be forgiven
Prodigals will come home soon.
Chorus:
Shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Rivers in desert now flowing
Halleluyah to our king.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Sickness and sorrow will be gone
Bondage will be forgotten.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
The barren will be fruitful soon
Failure will be forgotten.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Poverty will be forgotten
Stagnancy will soon be gone.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
To all miracles are given
There shall be celebrations
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Many will have testimonies
Of prayers answered fully
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
One of us will chase a thousand
Two will conquer ten thousands.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Songs of praises we will sing
Halleluyah to our King.

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20

Memorise: And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. Matthew 26:72
Read: Matthew 16:13-16, Mark 10:35-40
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 
Mark 10:35-40
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?
37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:
40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.
Bible in one year: Psalm 132-138, Mark 3:31-4:20

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

1. As a believer in Christ who has obtained the saving knowledge of the Lord, you might consider the question we are reflecting on today to be elementary or irrelevant, but I encourage you to wisely give it some thought. This becomes even more necessary when you consider the fact that after months of being with Jesus day and night, He still turned around to His disciples and asked them in Matthew 16:15n, “Nut whom say ye that I am?”
2. In spite of their closeness to Him, the Lord did not assume that his disciples really knew Him.
3. Knowing Jesus is more than knowing Him as a Savior, master or even Lord. After years of walking with the Lord, Paul still wrote in Philippians 3:10: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
4. As I was growing up in the faith, I wondered what else Paul wanted to know about Jesus that he had not known already. Now I know better that we may not be able to know Jesus to His fullness until we see him in glory (1 Corinthians 13:12). My prayer is that the measure of knowledge that will enable you to be with Him eternally will be given to you today in Jesus’ name.
5. Beloved, how much of the power of Jesus’ resurrection do you know? To what extent do you think the power that resurrected Christ can work for, in and through you? How much of His suffering can you share and endure? Are you ready to be conformable to his death?
6. If Peter really knew Jesus, he would not have argued with Him when He told him that he would deny Him thrice (Matthew 26:34-35). Do you now see the wisdom of Paul’s longing and prayer to know the Lord? It was their lack of deep knowledge of Jesus that made hey made in today’s Bible reading. No wonder Jesus said to them in Mark 10:38n: “Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? And be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
7. When Peter came face to face with the reality of what Jesus Christ told him, he realized how little he knew the Master (Matthew 26:75), I pray for you today that the grace to know Jesus the way you should know Him will be bestowed upon you today.
8. To know Christ is to know victory, and it is to know the resurrection, the truth and the life. Come to Him in humility today if you really want to know Him, as He invites you to come and learn of Him (Matthew 11:28-30).

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

“To know Christ is to know victory, and it is to know the resurrection, the truth and the life.” This statement says it all but it can only become reality when we answer all the questions in today’s devotional. Do you truly know Him? God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye and may he be strengthened in Jesus name.

Prayer Point: Father, help me to know Jesus and His power of resurrection, and as I get to know Him, let me be conformed to His image.
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.

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20

Memorise: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Matthew 25:33
Read: John 10:25-29
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
Bible in one year: Psalm 120-131, Mark 3:7-30

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

1. The Bible makes several comparisons between goats and sheep. Those who are unrighteous are often referred to as goats, while the righteous are often referred to as sheep.
2. The Bible compares goats and sheep because of their characteristics. The major difference between a goat and a sheep lies in how they take instructions.
3. A goat is very stubborn, while a sheep is submissive. If you try to lead a herd of sheep in a particular direction, they will follow you effortlessly. Irrespective of their number, they will all go in the direction they are led. It is usually a different story with goats. When you tell a goat “go this way”, it will refuse to go in the direction, and you will have to drag it by force or even flog it sometimes to get it moving the right way.
4. A goat does not yield to instructions, and it always argues with its guide.
5. In addition, goats are violent. While it is very rare to find two sheep fighting, a goat can start a fight for not discernible reason. You can see two goats grazing peacefully together in one moment and the next minute they would start a fight. Sometimes, a goat can even fight its keeper. When he insists on the goat going in the right direction, the goat can suddenly turn on him and start a fight. In fact, as far as it is concerned, it is its own shepherd.
6. A goat considers itself to be under its own government and will do whatever it likes. In contrast, a sheep knows its shepherd’s voice and listens to it.
7. Are you a goat or a sheep? Do you obey God’s instructions in the Bible? Do you still steal and tell lies? When was the last time you paid your tithe and first fruits? Are you violent? The Bible says the righteous shall be harmless as a dove (Matthew 10:16). Are you upset with your pastor because he told you the truth? Do you refuse to stay under anyone’s tutelage? Do you always want to have things you own way?
8. Note that when a goat proves stubborn, it usually gets flogged and sometimes gets injured. Refusing to live by God’s word will only bring you pain and sorrow.
9. In contrast to goats, sheep enjoy several benefits from the shepherd. For example, the sheep’s life is secure because the shepherd will protect it, even with his own life (John 10:11). If the sheep loses its way, the shepherd will find it and bring it back on track (Luke 15:4-7). The sheep never goes hungry because the shepherd leads it to green pastures (Psalm 23:1-2, Psalm 37:25).
10. Ultimately, the sheep will reign with God in His kingdom (Matthew 25:33-34).
11. The major difference between a goat and a sheep lies in their character; check your character today and determine which you are.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

A lot of goat attributes as described by our father in the Lord is not just present in so many believers around the world, it is alive and active in them. How sad! Violence, pretence, disobedience, doubt, arrogance, unteachable spirit, eye service, self confidence and stubborness are not of God and it will land anyone who harbours it in hell after failure on earth.(2 Peter 3:10) May this never be our portion in Jesus name. God bless and uphold Pastor E.A Adeboye on every side in Jesus name.

Action Point: The choice to be either a goat or sheep is in your hands; choose wisely.
Hymn
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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: Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. Genesis 41:34
Read: Genesis 27:1-10
1 And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.
2 And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:
3 Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;
4 And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.
5 And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.
6 And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,
7 Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the Lord before my death.
8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.
9 Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:
10 And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.
Bible in one year: Psalm 119, mark 2:18-3:6

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

1. The story of Esau and Jacob in today’s Bible reading contains a salient lesson we are often oblivious to.
2. Not only was Esau irrational in his disposition to life in his younger days, he was also not prudent enough. I believe he eventually learnt his lesson, even though he learnt it the hard way. It takes prudence to become so rich that you have 400 bodyguards. The level of wealth Esau displayed at his reconciliatory meeting with Jacob also points to a life of prudence. Genesis 32:6; Genesis 33:8-9). However, the salient lesson I want you to be mindful of today is that Esau had no reservoir of meat.
3. If Esau had been preserving his meat for ready-to-cook use, he would not have needed to go so far before preparing his father’s favorite meal. While he was living from hand to mouth, his brother had enough in his flock to spare in case of emergencies, such as the need which arose on that fateful day. Esau was not saving for the rainy day; he usually went to the field to fetch venison as the need arose. Unfortunately, his lifestyle of not saving enough made it very important that children of God learn how to prudently conserve God’s blessings in their lives.
4. Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us this principle in the miracle of the feeding of the multitude with 5 loaves of bread and two fish. John 6:12-13 says: “When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
5. This is also why the Bible enjoins us to learn from the ant. Not only is it hardworking, it also knows how to conserve for the future. Speaking on this important truth, Proverbs 6:6-8 says: “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.” It’s so amazing that the ant will not eat its winter food in summer!
6. Remember that the prodigal son spent all he had in the time of plenty and was later in want in the time of famine (Luke 15:14).
7. Joseph’s principle of conservation in the time of plenty saved the whole middle-eastern region from terrible famine (Genesis 41:33-36).
8. Beloved, do not get swept off by the system of the world which encourages spending, even on credit, and discourages savings. Learn to save for the rainy day.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Action Point: In order to save yourself the embarrassment of borrowing in the time of scarcity, draw up a course of action to continually save and prudently invest some of your earnings.
Hymn
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

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20

Memorise: Not slothful in business: fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Romans 12:11
Read: 1 Samuel 17:48-51
48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.
Bible in one year: Psalm 111-118; mark 2:1-17

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

1. When you critically study the life of our Lord, you will observe that He was a man who swiftly went about accomplishing His mission (John 9:4). He was in such a hurry to finish His task (Matthew 17:17). Amazingly, the everlasting impact He made took just three and a half years to accomplish. If you want to be like your Master indeed, I encourage you to be diligent, not only in your service to God in the Church, but also in your job or in your business.
2. Our Father in heaven is not slothful in carrying out His assignments. Speaking about the Father’s work ethic, Jesus in John 5:17n said: “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.”
3. The Holy Spirit’s admonition on our expected work standard in today’s memory verse is profound because it captures the three aspects of our being: body, soul and spirit.
4. Our Christian experience must affect these three dimensions of our lives before we can say we are living according to God’s will for us.
5. Physically, we must be industrious in our day to day activities. Don’t be deceived into believing that once you are born again, manna will begin to fall from heaven to sustain you. Remember that the rain of manna stopped immediately the children of Israel entered the Promised Land, they had to settle down to cultivate the land for a bumper harvest from God. However, pursuing your physical activities with vigour should not come at the expense of your spiritual life. In this regard, always have the words of Deuteronomy 8:18 at the back of your mind: “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”
6. You need to learn some great lessons from David’s attitude in swiftly doing the needful in order to triumph over Goliath in today’s Bible reading. Beyond the fact that he was fervent in spirit, he was also physically alert in getting his job done. He did not allow the battle to meet him standing still.
7. 1 Samuel 17:48 tells us what he did: “And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.” He quickly took the battle to the enemy on his own terms. The story gets even more interesting after Goliath fell. Observing that Goliath might have been knocked unconscious or might be feigning death, David ran to where he fell, climbed over him and cut off his head with Goliath’s own sword, putting an end to any hope of his resurgence. I prophesy over you today that your enemies will be totally decapitated and you will have complete peace in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Dilligence and fervency is a virtue every christian should desire and pray for at all times. It sets man before great men and it attracts God’s blessing beyond measure. May this be our lot in Jesus name. God be praised for blessing us with Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point: Father, to the glory of Your Name, please quicken my body, soul and spirit to be swift and diligent in all my assignments in life, in Jesus’ name.
Hymn
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

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20

Memorise: Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 21:13
Read: 2 Samuel 23:14-17
14 And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
15 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!
16 And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord.
17 And he said, Be it far from me, O Lord, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.
Bible in one year: Psalm 107-110, Mark 121-45

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

1. Do you know that if your service to God has not yet become sacrificial, you still have some very important heights to attain? Some people render service to God with an aspect of their life that costs them nothing, while they reserve the most precious parts to themselves. The sacrificial service of Apostle Paul stood him out among his contemporaries.
2. The story that led to the statement he made in today’s memory verse is a case in point. It was not that Paul doubted the prophecy that announced he would be bound in Jerusalem; rather the fear of bounds had no impact on him because his heart was set on doing the will of the Master. For this reason, the brethren just couldn’t persuade him against going to Jerusalem (Acts 21:10-14).
3. Today’s Bible reading also narrates a story of sacrificial service. David fantasized aloud about drinking water from the well that was at the gate of Bethlehem, but which was blocked off by a stronghold of the Philistines there at that time. Overhearing their master’s desire, three mighty men risked their lives and broke through the host of the Philistines to get this water for David.
4. Being a warrior himself, David knew the risk involved in going into the camp of the enemy for whatever reason. While he celebrated the bravery of the three mighty men, he refused to drink the water they brought because of the value he placed on these men who risked their lives to fulfill a personal longing of his. His heartfelt words are captured in 2 Samuel 23:17:
“And he said, be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? Therefore he would not drink it…”
5. If these men could go to such great lengths for David, what level of sacrifice are you ready to make for your Master?When service becomes a sacrifice, only few people will continue to hold the fort. Nevertheless, the reward for sacrificial service is very substantial indeed. The three men who jeopardized their lives for David were given top positions in his army. Here is the commendation and reward our Lord promises those who will step up the level of their service from ordinary to sacrificial:“And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities”. Luke 19:17.
6. I pray that God will grant you the grace to be faithful to the very end, and you will not miss your reward in heaven in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

’
The question you should ask yourself from this devotional today is ” Do I reserve the most precious gift to God or myself? It is unfortunate that many are ignorance of the blessings behind sacrificial service unto the Lord. That is why Apostle Paul urged “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord”. Brethren, today’s devotional is a reminder to the body of Christ that our sacrificial service is never in vain and will never be in vain. May the Lord bless Pastor E.A Adeboye.
Hymn
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
Prayer Point:
Father, please grant me the grace to render sacrificial service to You in Jesus’ name.

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20

Memorise:  And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. John 16:22
Read: John 16:20-24
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Bible in one year: Psalm 105 – 106, mark 1:1-20

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

1. It is one thing to have joy, and it is another thing to have unlimited joy.
2. Walking in unlimited joy is the will of Jesus Christ for all His disciples, which is why He said to us in John 16:24: “hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” Nothing gives unlimited joy as when a request is granted, particularly requests for things that matter most to a person. The question then is, why do our prayers sometimes go unanswered? As revealed in Isaiah 59:1-12, one answer to this question is sin. In that scripture, the Lord said: “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
3. This brings us to another question: why should a child of God struggle with sin, since we know it hinders prayers from being answered? The answer to this question lies in the fact that many children of God do not hate iniquity, even though they love righteousness.
4. One way or another, they assist and encourage iniquity, another reason why our prayers go unanswered is revealed in James 4:3: “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” Based on this scripture, you may want to also ask, how can I avoid praying amiss? In answer to this, 1 John 5:14 says: “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”
5. We must pray according to God’s will in order to receive the answer to our petitions.
6. Nothing gives me joy as praying for sinners to be saved and seeing them confess to the saving grace of God. My moments of joy are those moments when those afflicted by the power of darkness are delivered after we have prayed for them at our meetings. The disciples shared in this unlimited joy when they returned from the missionary trip their Master sent them on. The Bible says that they came back rejoicing, not because they were given gifts, clothes, houses or cars, but because they ministered deliverance to the oppressed and their prayers were answered (Luke 10:17). However, in Luke 10:20, our Lord recommended what should be the greatest source of unlimited joy to us, saying: “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
Do you have this unlimited joy?

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

 
Prayer Point: Father, please let me begin to experience unlimited joy from today, 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;
Angles to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee
Nearer, my God, to Thee
Nearer to Thee
Then, with my walking 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

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