Monthly Archives: March 2020

MEMORISE:

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Luke 3:16

READ: 1 Kings 18:31-38

31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:

32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.

33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.

34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.

35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.

36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.

37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

MESSAGE

In 1 Kings 18:38, the fire consumed the water. In this context, water represents tears and sorrow. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter who licks up your tears and gives you comfort. For all those tears you shed at night behind closed doors, God sees you and He will send His Holy Spirit to comfort you. Note that Elijah had purposely asked that water be poured on the sacrifice. There are certain sorrows that are self caused; the Holy Spirit comforts us in such also (John 14:18).

That is why I have good news for anyone who may have made several mistakes in the past: the Holy Spirit will wipe your tears and give you a fresh start in the mighty name of Jesus.

The fire also consumed the dust. Humans are made of dust (Genesis 2:7). The dust represents human flesh. One of the names of the Holy Spirit is the Transformer as we see in 1 Kings 18:46:

“And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.”

When the Hand of God (another name of the Holy Spirit) came upon Elijah, he became stronger and faster than chariots drawn by horses. He was transformed. In Judges 15:14-15, we see the Holy Spirit transform the jaw bone of an ass into a weapon of warfare. Romans 8:11 says:

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

When the fire of the Holy Ghost comes on you, you no longer live by the flesh but by the Spirit. The moment you are baptized by the Holy Ghost and fire, you become transformed. May you experience the transforming fire of the Holy Spirit, in the mighty name of Jesus.

ACTION POINT:

Make time to pray in the Holy Ghost for at least one hour daily.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 32-34

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 15: IN CHRIST ALONE.

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! – who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

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MEMORISE:
Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 1 Kings 18:38

READ: 1 Kings 18:36-39

36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.

37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.

MESSAGE

The fire is proof that your offering has been accepted (1 King 18:38). No offering is acceptable to God except it is by fire. Always pray to God to send down fire to take your offering up before you drop it. In Judges 6:19-21, when the angel put his staff on Gideon’s offering, fire fell.

The Holy Spirit as fire also has the power to consume wood. Every piece of wood has the potential to become fire, hence the term firewood. Every piece of wood will die an ordinary death unless fire comes upon it. Every Christian has the potential to become a mighty man or woman of God. Unfortunately, many Christians will die without performing a single miracle for God because the fire never came to change their wood (gifts) into firewood (manifestation of the gift). Even though Jesus had said he would make Peter a fisher of men, he still needed the fire to come upon him on the day of Pentecost, after which he preached a single sermon and won three thousand souls on that same day.

That is something great that God has deposited in you, a great purpose God has for your life. You did not become a Christian just so that you can go to Church, shout Halleluyah, eventually die and go to Heaven. You were created for greater things, but that hidden potential will not find expression until the fire of the Holy Ghost comes upon you.

The fire also consumed stones which are representative of hardship and poverty. God says in 3 John 2:

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

He wants you to prosper; it is the devil who brings hardship and poverty. When you see someone struggling so much, yet with minimal results, it is very likely that a demon is behind it. Once the fire of the Holy Ghost comes upon that fellow, the demon will flee and an end will come to suffering in his/her life. You need the fire of the Holy Ghost.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, let Your fire fall upon me now in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 30-31

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 27: 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 endless praise.

2. Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

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.

4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r 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.

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.

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MEMORISE:
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. Acts 2:3

READ: Acts 2:1-3

1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

MESSAGE
Our memory verse for today tells us straightway that there is a link between the Holy Spirit and fire. In Exodus 3:2, The Spirit of God spoke to Moses as fire burning in a bush. This was no ordinary fire as the bush was not consumed. Hebrews 1:7 says:

“And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his
ministers a flame of fire.”

Hebrews 12:29 says our God is a consuming fire. This verse in talking about the Holy Spirit. For you to fully understand this aspect of the Holy Spirit, let us look at 1 Kings 18:38:

“Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.”
When Elijah prayed and fire fell from Heaven, it consumed the offering, the wood, the stone, licked up the water and the dust round about the altar. This is certainly no ordinary fire!

When you see a man who has fire, tread gently around him. Ananias and Sapphira were careless with the fire and paid with their lives (Acts 5:1-10). The fire also must not be grieved. When Jesus says that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven (Matthew 12:31), it is because the Holy Spirit is fire and carelessness can be fatal. That is why I pity people who fake speaking in tongues and joke with it. If only they knew who they were toying with, they would never try that.

The fire of the Holy Spirit is not the exclusive right of a limited number of people; you too can carry the fire of God if you are willing. It was not only the Apostles that were at the upper room when the fire of the Holy Ghost came, but it rested on every single one of the, including Mary the mother of Jesus and His brothers (Acts 1:13-14). The fire of the Holy Ghost can come upon you too if only you would lead a life of intense prayers and supplications.

KEY POINT:
The fire of the Holy Ghost is available to all who can pay the price in intense prayers and supplications.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 28-29

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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MEMORISE:
He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind. Psalm 78:26

READ: Exodus 14:21-28

21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.

24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,

25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.

26 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.

27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.

28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.

MESSAGE

The Holy Spirit can blow like a mighty rushing wind as recorded in Acts 2:1-14. Occasionally, the Holy Spirit has to move speedily to intervene, especially when things are about to get out of hand, just as in Judges 15:14:

“And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.”

When an urgent miracle is needed, the Holy Spirit moves speedily, speak His language. As you build momentum speaking in tongues, the wind of the Holy Spirit and His power will begin to build up within you. When you have felt the wind and power strongly within you, let it out by speaking a word into that situation and you will see changes.

However, do not wait for a dangerous situation before you begin to call upon the Holy Spirit to move speedily. Many times, when challenges come, they don’t give enough time for speaking in tongues. Make speaking in tongues a lifestyle. Speak in tongues for at least one hour every day. Build up the wind of the Holy Spirit in your inner man so frequently and fervently that every word that comes out of your mouth is fire. When a man of God speaks to situations in public and things begin to change, that man must have spent time building up the wind of the Holy Spirit in himself privately.

When you have the mighty rushing wind of the Holy Spirit within you, every decree you make is accomplished speedily. Make speaking in tongues a lifestyle. It is a pathetic thing to be called a child of the most powerful being in the world and not have any power. Every night when I go out on prayer walks, I am building the wind of the Holy Spirit within me by speaking in tongues for hours. Start today, the Holy Spirit will take over and make it your lifestyle.

ACTION POINT:

Make time to speak in tongues for at least one hour today.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 21-23

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 1: ALL HAIL THE POW’R.

1. All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ Name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!

2. Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race,
Ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all!

3. Let every kindred, every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all!

4. Oh, that with yonder sacred throng
We at His feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all!

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20

MEMORISE:
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. John 3:8

READ: Acts 2:1-4

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

MESSAGE

The first sign of the manifestation of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was that there was a sound of a mighty rushing wind that filled the upper room (Acts 2:2). Before the apostle saw the fire, they heard the sound of the wind. In Genesis 2:7, the Bible tells us that when God formed man, He breathed into him. From the innermost being of the Almighty God came a little bit of wind that went into lump of clay to make it into a living soul. Ecclesiastes 12:7 says:

“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”

What God breathed into the dust that turned it into a living soul was the spirit. We can see therefore that there is a link between the Holy Spirit and the wind.

The Spirit can blow gently like a breeze. In Judges 13:24-25, the Bible talks about how the Spirit began to move Samson at times. Samson was growing up and Spirit, in form of a breeze was moving him, shaking him a little. Occasionally, when someone is experiencing the Holy Spirit for the first time, he may find himself shaking just a little; not violently or convulsing as in when manifesting demonic possession, but just shaking a little bit. That is the Holy Spirit moving like a breeze. Sometimes, when worshipping God- alone or even in a congregation, when the Holy Spirit takes over, a little shaking may be experienced, that is the Holy Spirit moving as a breeze. You need to be sensitive at times like that so the Holy Spirit can do His complete work in your life.

On the day of Pentecost, the wind came into the room and filled the whole place. In Genesis 1:1-2, when God made the Heaven and the earth, and the earth was void and without form, the Spirit moved over the whole earth. This tells you that when the Holy Spirit is moving during the service, it is not the time to begin to look around; but to be in and be moved by the Spirit.

Key into the manifestation of the Holy Spirt during private or corporate worship and trust Him to work wonders in your life.

ACTION POINT:
Worship God until you feel the wind of the Holy Spirit

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 17-20

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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20

MEMORISE:

They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? John 6:30

READ: Luke 9:1-2

1Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

MESSAGE

When going to speak to someone or a group of people who are religious, but are not born again, prayer is an excellent tool to draw their attention. In Nigeria for example, if you want to evangelize in a bus, because the people generally believe that prayers are effective, you can start with a short but powerful prayer asking God for journey mercies. When you have their attention, you can go ahead and preach.

“Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” John 4:48

When people see signs, they will believe. Ask the people you wish to evangelize if they would like you to pray with them concerning any need they have. After you have prayed and God has answered the prayer, it will be easier to convince them to accept Christ. Many years ago, I had a team of youth who I had trained in evangelism. I had taught them that, when they encounter anyone who wouldn’t listen to them, they should simply ask if there was any issue the fellow wanted them to pray with them about. One day, they got to the house of a herbalist, who was antagonistic. They said “Baba, we know you are very powerful, but is there anything at all that you have not been able to solve? We want to pray about it.” He told them that every time he got topped bleeding and he was ready to accept married, once the bride got pregnant, she would begin to bleed and bleed until she died. Now he had married again and his new wife was pregnant but, like all the others, she had begun to bleed and was close to death. My children prayed a simple prayer and left. They had only been gone for a little while when they heard someone calling them from afar. They looked back and saw the herbalist chasing after them, when he got to them, he said his wife had Stopped bleeding and he was ready to accept Jesus into his life.

ACTION POINT:

Ask God for the gifts of the Spirit so that you can use them to bring more people to Him.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 14-16

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 5: I AM SO GLAD THAT OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.

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20

MEMORISE:
We love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

READ: James 2:15-16

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

MESSAGE
Everybody responds to love. If you want to talk to anyone about accepting the one who is love Himself, then you should at least show some love to the fellow first and foremost. An evangelist must be full of smiles at all times. The person you are going to talk to may be going through a hard situation and your smile may just brighten his/her day.

You should always ask yourself when going on evangelism “What does this person need?” If the need is taken out of the way, then he/she can listen to you. You can’t be talking about Christ to someone who is hungry and expect him to listen, but if you came with food, then they would. A woman with a crying baby is more likely to listen to you if you help calm the bady first. 1 John 4:16 says:

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

There is nothing too big for you to do if you want to win a soul to Christ. If you meet the fellow washing clothes or their car, join them. Don’t feel too big to do it. When you show humility, they see Christ in you and can easily believe your message. God throws a party in heaven when one single soul is won to Christ. What could be too hard for you to do to make your Father that happy?

If the people you’re sharing the gospel with perceive you as someone who cares about them, they would see God like that too. If on the other hand, they see you as someone who only cares about himself and does not seem to be behaving like the loving God they have always heard of, they push your message aside. Now, I know that some people will try to take your love for granted. If you cannot find a polite way to stop them from doing that, then allow them. If your message does not convert them, at least they will never forget your Christ-like character.

KEY POINT:

Nobody can resist a show of love. That is the way to get potential converts to listen to you.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 11-13

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 5: DEEPER, DEEPER IN THE LOVE OF JESUS.

1. Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
o Refrain:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.

2. Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.

3. Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.

4. Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.

5. Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.

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MEMORISE:

No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. Mark 3:27

READ: Luke 9:1-6

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.

5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

MESSAGE

It is unfortunate that many people go on evangelism without any preparation. They take secular assignments more seriously than the one most important to God. There are certain things you need to do before you go out on evangelism in order for it not to become a futile exercise.

First, you must ensure that you spend quality time in prayers, soaking in the Holy spirit. Jesus told His disciples in Luke 24:49:

“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

After intense prayers and the infilling of the Holy Spirit, when you speak to sinners, your words will come out like fire and many souls will be won to Christ like it happened for Peter on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41). During this period of intimacy with God, boldness to preach is developed. Peter was a very timid man; he even denied knowing Jesus when a young girl identified him as His disciple (Matthew 26:69-74), but after spending time in the upper room, he was facing rulers of the land and telling them boldly that he would not stop preaching the gospel (Acts 4:8-13).
Today’s memory verse says:

“No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.”

Evangelism is a spiritual battle. The devil is the strong man referred to in the passage above. If you would rescue the sinner out of the strong man’s bondage, you must first bind him- bind that demon that has kept that fellow or community in captivity first, then frustrate all their activities and plans to keep the person or community captive for life. That way, the coast would be clear for you to rescue them from the hands of the devil.

KEY POINT:

The Holy Spirit is the One who convicts sinner; if you would win souls, then you must be filled with Him.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 5-7

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 20: NEARER MY GOD TO THEE.

1. 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.

o Refrain:
Nearer to Thee!

2. Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness be over me, my rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee.

3. There let the way appear, steps unto Heav’n;
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy giv’n;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee.

4. 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.

5. Or, if on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I’ll fly,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

6. There in my Father’s home, safe and at rest,
There in my Savior’s love, perfectly blest;
Age after age to be nearer, my God, to Thee.

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20

MEMORISE:

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26

READ: Acts 1:1-8

1The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

MESSAGE

The Old Testament, until Jesus died and rose, was the dispensation of God the Father. The millennium- when Jesus Christ will return to reign for a thousand years will be the dispensation of God the Son. We are however now in the dispensation of God the Holy Spirit.

So, who is the Holy Spirit? He is the third Person of the Trinity (2 Corinthians 13:14). He is Comforter. John 14:16 says:

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”

He is the teacher (John 14:26). He is the One who reveals the future (John 16:13). He is the glorifier of Jesus (John 16:14). He is the source of divine power (Acts 1:8). You may then wonder: if He is the third Person of the Trinity, what is the Trinity? Well, the Trinity consist of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). When we say the Holy Spirit is the Comforter, we recognize that human beings can only sympathize, it is the Holy Spirit who knows how best to comfort anyone who is sorrowful. Friendship with the Holy Spirt means joy forever.

The Holy Spirit is the One who can teach you the deep secrets of God. He not only teaches well; He also brings to your remembrance whatever you have forgotten. The Christian life becomes more joyful when from time to time, the Holy Spirit tells you what is to come. When God gave Jesus the name that is above every other name. the Holy Spirit went into action to ensure that everywhere the name of Jesus is called or used in prayer by His children, miraculous results are produced. The Holy Spirit gives the power to raise the dead, to make the lame walk the barren conceive. The moment you become born again, the Holy Spirit seals you as a child of God. So, whenever the devil sees God’s seal on you, he knows that you are untouchable. The fruit of the Holy Spirit also distinguishes you and helps men identity you. Indeed, as Jesus said in Matthew 7:20, by their fruits you will know be able to identify a child of God.

KEY POINT:

You need to befriend the Holy Spirit. It is the best relationship you can ever have.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Numbers 33-34

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 29: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS.

What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh what peace we often forfeit
Oh what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer

Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge
Take it to the Lord in prayer
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee
Thou wilt find a solace there

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MEMORISE:

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

READ: Psalm 24:3-6

3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?

4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

MESSAGE
When it comes to having a pure heart, many people need serious prayers. A lot of people, while not committing sin physically, do so in their hearts. As far as God is concerned, what happens in their heart is of greater consequence than anything else because the heart is meant to be His throne.

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Be careful what goes in and out of your heart. Jesus said that it is not what goes into the mouth that corrupts but what goes out of it (Matthew 15:11). Since we also know that it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks (Mathew 12:34), then it means that there are certain channels through which things go into the heart to corrupt it. One of such ways is through the ears. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says evil communication corrupts good manners. No matter how good you are, if you keep staying in the company of people who talk dirty, soon your heart will be full of dirt. No matter how holy you are, if you are regular at places where worldly music is the order of the day, your holiness is only a façade, and the heart will have been polluted. You must be careful what goes into your heart through your ear gates.

Your eyes can get you into trouble also, if you don’t control them. Jesus said if you look at a woman with lust, you have already committed adultery (Matthew 5:28). What kind of movies do you watch? If someone is indecently dressed around you, just look away because your heart must remain pure. You can’t view nude pictures and claim that you are so spiritually strong that they will not move you. If you are really spiritually strong, the Holy Spirit will make those pictures repulsive to you. The internet is another means through which the devil feeds the eyes with corrupt images and ideas these days. Which websites do you visit? Who do you follow on social media? If you want a pure heart, you must keep evil away from your eyes and ears. Feed on the word of God instead.

PRAYER POINT:
Lord, please help me to guard my heart with all diligence.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 1-2

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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