Monthly Archives: March 2021

MEMORISE:
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 3:2

READ: Acts 5:1-10

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

MESSAGE:
When people hear the topic of today, they feel the preacher is only trying to manipulate them into surrendering their lives to Christ immediately. There is no need for a preacher to manipulate you; if he says tomorrow may be too late, he knows what he is saying. I have seen many times, where a fellow did not get the chance to repent before he or she died and went to face judgement in heaven. They refused to repent when they had the chance until it became too late.

There was a chief I had been preaching to for years, who kept saying he would repent but not yet. One day, he suddenly had a stroke but managed to tell his people to send for me. I went, prayed for him and God healed him. Then I said “Chief, I sense that God only gave you a second chance. Will you give your life to Him now?” He said, “Not yet”. The next time I heard about him, he was dead.

There was another man who was sick and at the point of death. I went to pray for him, but each time I came to the hospital, somehow, I was unable to see him. I kept trying to see him for about two days but couldn’t. At last when it seemed like I would be able to see him the next day, I arrived at the hospital and learnt that he had died. If only I had gotten the chance to see him, I would have asked him to give his life to Christ first before praying for him. If he had died then, at least I would have known that he went to heaven.

There was another man – a Pastor, someone people looked up to as a great man of God. I got the report that he was committing sexual immorality with girls and he denied it so I set up a committee to investigate. In the meantime, I put the pastor on suspension. The people investigating brought evidence to prove that he was guilty of the allegations against him. The plan was to walk him through a process of repentance, but while the investigation was ongoing, he died in a car accident.

Beloved, It may seem as if there will always be time to repent and start Living holy, but tomorrow really may be too late. Everyone has a cup; the day that cup gets full is the day the person’s time to repent runs out. In your own interest, drop that sin and begin to live holy from today. A word is enough for the wise.

KEY POINT:
Tomorrow may be too late.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 38-39

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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MEMORISE:

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:9

READ: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

MESSAGE:

When a person becomes born again, the things they enjoy doing would change significantly. From the moment I became born again, I have loved winning souls for Christ. I want to tell everybody that Jesus has saved my soul, I’m on my way to heaven and my name is now written in glory.

I still remember the Monday after I gave my life to Jesus, Christ. As soon as I got to work, everybody knew something had happened because I was bubbling with excitement. At that time, I was working towards my Ph.D. My supervisor looked at me and said “Enoch, what happened to you? Did you attend a party during the weekend?” I said, ” No Sir, but I’ve got an invitation to another party”. He asked ”Which one is that?” and I replied “A heavenly party. Jesus Christ is going to marry, and I am the bride”. That was the very first Monday after I gave my life to Jesus.

A few years ago, I was invited to receive an honorary degree at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, and I was told I had five minutes to appreciate them for the degree. I thanked them for giving me the award then told them that there is another award in heaven, and it would be disastrous not to qualify for it. I also told them that the qualification for the award is to become born again. Before my five minutes were up, I had made an altar call. Nothing gives me more joy than to see those who were going to hell coming to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. Do you enjoy winning souls?

Jesus commanded us to take the gospel to the nations of the earth and to disciple them.

I feeI a bit uncomfortable when, during services, Christians still have to be cajoled to give a good offering. Genuinely born-again Christians don’t have to be cajoled to give to God, they enjoy it! Examine yourself: do you enjoy giving to God? In 1 Samuel 24 David said he would never give something to God that cost him nothing. Many Christians are not even willing to give to God at all not to talk of giving what costs them something.

Examine yourself: do you enjoy giving to God? Do you honor God with your tithe? Do you honor Him with your first fruit? In 1 Samuel 2: 30, God said He will honor only those who honor Him.

KEY POINT:

From today, make soul winning a habit that you cannot do without.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 35-37

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 22: STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS.

1. 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.

2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet 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.

3. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;
Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,
Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.

4. 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.

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MEMORISE:

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psalm 1:1

READ: Proverbs 1:10-18

10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:

14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.

MESSAGE:

The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. Proverbs 21 :16

Ask yourself “What company am I comfortable with?” The passage above talks about the congregation of the dead. There are congregations and there are congregations. There is a congregation of the dead and there is a congregation of those who are alive – the children of God. Be sure that you don’t find yourself in the congregation of the dead. With whom do you feel comfortable – the children of God or the children of the world?

When I moved to Lagos from Osun State, I loved to attend parties. The parties were usually held by the road. My friends and I would sit beside the gutter, eating and drinking until very late in the night and then light mosquito coils to ward off insects. I thought that was fun; I didn’t know that I was in the congregation of the dead. In those days we talked about all manner of unprintable things. Then I met Christ, and I was no longer comfortable spending time with such people. I was now alive and thus had no place amongst the dead anymore. They were also not comfortable in my company because they were not willing to join the congregation of the living. Luke24:5 says:

“…Why seek ye the living among the dead”.

The living is not to be found amongst the dead. If you still feel comfortable with friends who smoke, drink and have all manner of dirty conversations, you need to examine yourself to know whether you are alive or dead.

What kind of television shows and music do you enjoy? Check: what kind of congregation are you comfortable in?

“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1 Corinthians 15:33

REFLECTION:

Make a list of your friends: what percentage are truly born again?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 32-34

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 24: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS.

1. 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!

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.

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­MEMORISE:
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3: 2

READ: Psalm 42:1-2

1. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

2. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

MESSAGE:
By the time I became born again, I was already a lecturer at the University of Lagos and thought I was very brilliant. At that time, I knew where a few of the books of the Bible were located. However, whenever I came to Sunday School in those days and the teacher asked questions, illiterate market women would get up and say “As I understand that question, according to 1st Thessalonians…”. I didn’t even know there was any book of the Bible called Thessalonians not to talk of whether there is the 1st or 2nd one. I realized that though I had a Ph.D. in Mathematics, I knew little or nothing about the Bible, so I decided that if those market women could know the word of God, then I too would know it. Thus, every time the door opened for Sunday School, Bible Study, Mid-Week service or any programme where I knew that somebody would teach the word, I made sure not to miss it. I could understand what David meant in Psalm 122:1:
“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”

A hunger was birthed in me and since that time up to now, that hunger has not eased.

What are you hungry for now? What are your desires? Are they for earthly or heavenly things? Do you desire to know the Scriptures more? Do you desire to fellowship more with God? David said:

“With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.” Psalm 119 :10

What is your heart seeking? Is it cars, money, houses, power or is it the Lord? You cannot seek God and seek these things at the same time. The standard is that you seek God with alI your heart.

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when yes hall search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13

If your heart keeps desiring these things as you seek God, you will soon discover that they will turn your heart away from God. Desire more of God with your whole heart; don’t worry, these things will be added unto you (Matthew 6:33). If you chase after them, you would eventually fall into the snare of the devil (1 Timothy 6:9).

REFLECTION:
Your heart can only pant after one thing at a time; Is it God you pant after or the world?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 26-28

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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MEMORISE:

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12

READ: John 9:39-41

39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?

41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

MESSAGE:

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates? 2 Corinthians 13:5

Many people only consider Matthew 7:16-20 in relation to others. They assess the fruits others are producing but forget to assess theirs. Salvation is on an individual basis and not congregational. You need to ask yourself some serious questions to know if you are on your way to heaven or hell. Don’t be surprised to know that many people who are in the Church, fervent and tongue-speaking will go to hell. In fact, Matthew 7:22-23 says some who have been performing miracles will end up in hell. Thus, you really need to examine yourself to be sure where you are headed. Ask yourself: Am I saved? Am I born again? Note that I am not telling you to ask yourself “Do I go to Church? Do people say I am born again? Am I a Pastor?” The real question is “Am I saved? Are the fruits I am producing the kind that should be produced by someone who is saved?” The word of God says it clearly: except you are born again, you shall not see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).

We now live in a world where there are all manner of people calling themselves born-again Christians. There are ‘born-again’ robbers. They lift up ‘holy’ hands on Sunday, but on Monday morning, they use those hands to doctor figures in the office. Examine yourself: are you one of ·, them? There are ‘born-again’ harlots, very fervent in the Church, but behind closed doors, they sleep with people who are not their spouses and engage in all other sorts of sexual immorality. Examine yourself. There are ‘born­ again’ liars; they know how to brandish lies so well that by the time they are done you may not even be able to differentiate between the truth and lies. Examine yourself.

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:1 2

Carry out a sincere examination on yourself with fear and trembling- fear for the destruction that awaits anyone who is not truly saved and trembling at imagining yourself standing before God on judgement day.

REFLECTION:

Examine yourself: are you truly born again? Or are you Just putting up appearances?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 20-22

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 7: HAVE YOU BEEN TO JESUS.

1. Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

o Refrain:
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

2. Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

3. When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

4. Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

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MEMORISE:

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Proverbs 29:2

READ: 1 Timothy 2:1-4

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

PRAYERS:

1. Father, thank You for all leaders in every sphere whether it is education, health, technology, manufacturing politics or anywhere whatsoever, please give them wisdom and good counsellors so that they can lead aright in Jesus’name.

2. Father, anything that may have been destroyed in any sphere of life, please give the leaders in that sector the grace to rebuild in Jesus’ name.

3. Father, please help our leaders to battle whatever challenges are hindering their good success in Jesus’ name.

4. Lord, I pray for all those who are leading me directly in Church, in my office, in my neighbourhood, in my family, everyone who is in a leadership position over me, let them not lead me astray, in the name of Jesus.

5. Lord, put Your fear in the hearts of all our leaders. Teach them to honour You and let them follow after peace diligently in Jesus’ name.

6. Lord, let righteousness be exalted at every leadership level in my nation, industry, Church and all over the world in Jesus’ name.

7. Father, take away selfishness from the heart of all our leaders. Give them compassion for the people they lead.

8. Father, please expose all the wolves amongst our leaders. Father, for the sake of Your people, expose evil doers amongst our leaders and remove them all in Jesus’ name.

9. Father, give our leaders the grace to lead us into abundance in Jesus’ name.

10. Father, arise and uproot every leader who has purposed in his heart to hurt Your people. Father, don’t spare them in Jesus’ name.

11. Father, please unite all our leaders; take away the division and confusion in Jesus’ name.

12. Your personal prayer point for Your leaders.

THANKSGIVING

Father thank You for your protection over all our leaders, and your grace that allow them to lead.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 29-31

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 11: I NEED THEE EV’RY HOUR.

1. I need Thee every hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.

REFRAIN:
I need Thee, Oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee!
Oh, bless me now, my Saviour,
I come to Thee.

2. I need Thee every hour,
Stay Thou near by;
Temptations lose their power
When Thou art nigh.

3. I need Thee every hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly, and abide
Or life is vain.

4. I need Thee every hour,
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill.

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MEMORISE:
And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 2 Peter 2:2

READ: 2 Peter2:1-3

1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

MESSAGE:
False prophets don’t talk about holiness. They don’t encourage you to grow spiritually. They make no reference to your lifestyle at all, they couldn’t care less whether you are even born again or not. They just start ‘prophesying’ about earthly things. That is not the way of the Lord.

God’s priority is your soul. He said in Matthew 6:33 that you must seek first His righteousness and then all the earthly riches will follow. He says there is no profit in it at all if you gain the whole world and lose your soul (Matthew 16:26). He says He wishes above all things that you prosper, but that the prosperity must come even as your soul prospers (3 John 2). If you know yourself that you have not been living holy and someone comes to you prophesying, without mentioning the need for you to live a consecrated life, that is a false prophet. The first message God will send a real prophet to deliver is that of holiness because that is His priority. Some false prophets even discourage their victims from growing spiritually by telling them that they don’t need to fast and pray; alI they need to do, is just give them some money and they will do the praying on their behalf. You should know that such a fellow cannot be from God. God who says you should pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16) cannot now tell you to hand over the responsibility of praying to a ‘contractor’.

“I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness; they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.”Jeremiah 23:14

Check the prophet’s lifestyle. Does he live a life of holiness? Does he tell lies or encourage you to do so? Some prophets say they want to wash away some evils from the body of a woman. Imagine that- they want to rub their hands on the naked body of a woman!

Lastly, pride is another major fruit of false prophets. They ascribe so much glory to themselves as though they were God. A true prophet will always ascribe glory to God because he knows that God is his only source.

KEY POINT:
If the prophet is not living holy, he is a false prophet.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 29-31

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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MEMORISE:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matthew 7:15

READ: Matthew 7:15-23

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

MESSAGE:

Our memory verse for today says “Beware of false prophets”, so it is not a new thing that we have false prophets today. They have always existed. As a matter of fact, as we get closer to the second coming of Christ, they will increase in number. So-called prophets who are actually nothing, but magicians will multiply as the years go by. However, the Lord said clearly that by their fruits you shall know them – not by their so-called miracles, not by their signs and wonders, but by their fruits. In Matthew 7:16-18, Jesus Christ goes further to say that you cannot gather grapes from thorns. He said a good tree will only bring forth good fruits. In other words, if they are His prophets, then they will only bear good fruits. If you see them bear any bad fruit, then they are not from Him. What are some of the bad fruits to lookout for in a false prophet?

Greed is one bad fruit that you can easily spot in a false prophet. Any prophet who tells you to bring money so he can prophesy for you is not from God. If he tells you to give him money because of a prophecy he has already spoken about you, he is not from God. Our God is not greedy, so if the prophet is bearing the fruit of greed, he is not from God.

Some so-called prophets will even tell you to give them your car so as to get some spiritual benefits. Tell them that you are a child of God too and God has not spoken to you. In 2 Peter 2:3, Apostle Peter says:

“And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

Another fruit they bear is that of fear. They always attempt to put fear into your heart. They use fear to control their victims. They know that once they tell you that doom is coming, you will be ready to do anything to avert it. If you see a prophet who always prophesies doom, run from the fellow. A true prophet, even if he sees doom coming will pray for it to be averted. If he tells you the prophecy at alI it is so that you can pray also. He will not seek to put fear in your heart but to inspire you to pray against the impending doom. He would even prefer that the doom is averted, and he is called a false prophet than for the doom to come and then be boasting about the accuracy of his prophecy. 2 Timothy 1 :7 says that God has not given us the spirit of fear. Fear is a spirit and it is from the devil; anyone who is ministering the spirit of fear to you is from the devil.

ACTION POINT:

Father, give me the spirit to discern so that henceforth, I will be able to identify false prophets in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 26-28

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 4: CONQUERORS AND OVERCOMERS NOW ARE WE

1. Conquerors and overcomers now are we,
Thro’ the precious blood of Christ we’ve victory
If the Lord be for us, we can never fail,
Nothing ‘gainst His mighty pow’r can e’er prevail.

REFRAIN:
Conquerors are we, thro’ the blood, thro’ the blood,
God will give us victory, thro’ the blood, thro’ the blood
Thro’ the Lamb for sinners slain,
Yet who lives and reigns again,
More than conquerors are we,
More than conquerors are we.

2. In the name of Israel’s God we’ll onward press,
Overcoming sin and all unrighteousness;
Not to us, but unto Him the praise shall be,
For salvation and for blood-bought victory.

3. Unto him that overcometh shall be giv’n,
Here to eat of hidden manna sent from heav’n,
Over yonder he the victor’s palm shall bear,
And a robe of white, and golden crown shall wear.

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MEMORISE:

Submitting yourselves one to another iri the fear of God. Ephesians 5:21

READ: 1 Samuel 25:4-20

4 And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.

5 And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name:

6 And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast.

7 And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel.

8 Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.

9 And when David’s young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased.

10 And Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.

11 Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?

12 So David’s young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings.

13 And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.

14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.

15 But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields:

16 They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.

17 Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.

18 Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.

19 And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.

20 And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert on the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.

MESSAGE:

The meaning of the name Nabal is fool and he did many foolish things, as recorded in the Bible. We will however only focus on those foolish acts pertaining to his marriage.

Nabal always did things without carrying his wife along. A good husband will always be open with his wife. She should know what he is up to all the time. A man should never leave his wife in the dark.

In our Bible reading for today, Nabal got a request from David for food supplies and did not tell his wife who ordinarily should have been in charge of that. Even after he had responded, it was his servant who went to tell his wife Abigail. He clearly didn’t involve her in his affairs. Husband, ask your wife for advice every now and then. When she gives you advice, at least consider it. Indeed, if you always consider her advice, you will definitely adopt it from time to time. Even Nabal’s servant attested to the fact that Nabal never listened to advice.

“Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.” 1 Samuel 25:17

Put your wife in charge of things or tasks she is particularly skilled or gifted in and don’t interfere except with her permission, after all, she is better at that thing than you are.

If Nabal had put food affairs in the hands of his wife, when David sent him a message, he would have just referred the messenger to his wife, and she would have handled it well. At the end of the day, Nabal would have gotten the praise. When people are saying “Thank you” to me for the hospitality they receive at our programmes, many of them don’t know that I had no hand in it at all, it was all my wife. Even up to the feeding of the entire crowd at the Convention, it is her area of strength; why should I bother myself with it when I should be focusing on my own areas of strength?

Husband, don’t be like Nabal. Listen to your wife’s advice, put her in charge of certain things for which she is better skilled than you.

Wife, support your husband; pray for him, give him godly counsel, encourage him. A husband and his wife are a team; neither should ever work alone.

ACTION POINT:

Husband, apologize to your wife if you have not been listening to her advice and promise her that you will change henceforth. Wife, ensure you give your husband godly counsel.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 23-25

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 5: 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 others Your way is best,
Homes where the Lord is an honored 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!

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MEMORISE:
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Luke 12:15

READ: Psalms 37:1-9

1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.

MESSAGE:
When you complain about what God has not given you, you are being ungrateful to Him for what He has done. Think about it: if He has given you money to rent a one-room apartment, thank Him for that one room and He will give you more. The more you complain and grumble, the further God draws away from you because He detests the company of complainers. When the Israelites complained about a lack of meat despite Gods provision of manna, Numbers 11:1 says:

“And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.”

Imagine giving your child a phone and instead of appreciating your gift, he or she complains about it not being internet-enabled then smashes It into pieces. You would certainly be angry. Now, imagine if the child appreciated the phone, then came after a few weeks to say “Daddy/Mummy, I like this phone, but if you don’t mind, I would prefer one that can use the internet”. You would most likely assure the child that you will buy it for him or her soon and then strive to fulfil your promise. Many Christians are short-changing themselves by always complaining. If you appreciate what God has given to you, He will give you more, but if you grumble, then you will get Him angry.

Trust God, He wants the best for you and He will give it to you when the time is right.

Things may not be the way you want now, but trust God and appreciate what He has given to you.

1 Timothy 6:6 says:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Ambition is good but even as you strive for greater heights, learn to be content with where you are and what you have.

He is bringing you to that desired place very soon in Jesus’ name. God bless you.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, help me to trust in Your love and to appreciate all that You have done for me.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 20-22

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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