Monthly Archives: August 2021

MEMORISE:

After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. Mark 8:25

READ: Acts 3:1-8

1. Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

MESSAGE:
It is one thing to be restored, it is another to experience complete restoration. Some people are restored halfway- like the nine lepers in Luke 17:12-19. The only one who received complete restoration was the tenth leper because he returned to give thanks to the Lord. Complete restoration does not allow any backwardness or stagnation. This is why I always assure those who have received one miracle or another that when they give the testimony of what the Lord has done, it will always be permanent.

A typical example of complete restoration is found in the Bible reading of today. When the lame man at the gate called Beautiful got his healing, it was complete. First, his feet and ankle bones received strength for the first time in his life. After this, he began to walk, and then to leap- praising God. May you experience complete restoration of whatever you have lost, in Jesus’ name.

The story in our memory verse of today reveals another typical example of complete restoration. The lessons in the story from which we took our memory verse are many. One, Jesus will not stop until He has completed whatever miracle He starts. Two, He always completes His miracle in the life of an individual, as revealed in that story. When the man said he was seeing men like trees, Jesus was not satisfied with such an incomplete miracle; He continued to do what He knew how to do best until it was complete, perfect and delivered. The Lord will perfect the good work he has started in your life and He will not abandon it until it is complete in Jesus’ name.

You can have complete restoration in your spiritual life if you have missed it one way or the other. You can be born again, sanctified, and baptized in the Holy Ghost. Your expectation for the complete restoration of your shattered dreams shall not be cut short in Jesus’ name. I just want to advise you to have an encounter with Jesus Christ- the one who can make all your dreams come true. You will have testimonies of the complete restoration of your destiny, in the mighty name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please give me my desired breakthrough and let it be complete, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 122-124.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 12: 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
‘Til 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
Could ever pluck me from his hand
‘Til he returns or calls me home

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MEMORISE:

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Mathew 24:13

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:
Some theologians teach that once you are saved you are forever saved. This is the lie of the devil. The truth of the matter is that there is temporary (provisional) salvation as well as eternal salvation. One can be saved temporarily and be damned eventually if he falls out of the will of God, whereas God has also made provision for our eternal salvation if we abide by His word which is able to save us ultimately to the end (James 1:21). The Bible says:
“Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” Ecclesiastes 7:8

There are examples of people who started well in the Christian race but fell by the way side, chief among whom was Judas Iscariot- one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. Beloved, do not allow yourself to be deceived, thinking that once you are saved, nothing can take away your salvation. If Judas- a disciple of Christ could fall and lose his eternal salvation, nobody should consider Heaven a certainty while living a life of sin. Heaven is guaranteed only if you live righteously to the very end.

Complete obedience to the word of God is a fundamental condition for eternal salvation. James 1:22, 25 says:
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves….. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

In addition to obeying the word of God, another condition is due endurance of persecution to the end. Jesus Christ, in our memory verse of today categorically tells us that only those who endure to the end shall be ultimately saved (Matthew 24:13). Why persecution? The Bible says “ Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12).

The Scripture corroborates what our Lord Jesus Christ as in John 15:19:
“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

Beloved, let us endure to the end and we shall experience eternal salvation, in the name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please help me to endure to the very end so I would receive eternal salvation. Don’t let me fall by the way, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 119.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 24: TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE.

1. Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days;
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Chorus
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

2. Take my hands and let them move
Ata the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them ge
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3. Take my voice and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips and let them e
Filled with messages from Thee.

4. 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:

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

READ: 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

MESSAGE:
When sin came into the lives of Adam and Eve, they forfeited their cordial relationship with the Lord God Almighty. They were separated from the blissful presence of their creator. It was a great loss. The interesting thing that many may not believe is that God wants man to come back into fellowship with Him. However, God’s holiness prevents Him from beholding iniquity, as we see in Isaiah 59:1-2:
“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.”

To bring about this reconciliation therefore, God had to make the sacrifice of giving His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, for the sins of the world (John 3:16). 2 Corinthians 5:19 says further:
“ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

Before Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross, He said:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

In John 7:37, He calls:
“…….If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.”

Our memory verse says “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). To make peace with God therefore, one must acknowledge his sins as well as confess and forsake them, with a promise not to go back to the life of disobedience. A new life is expected of anyone who has accepted the peace that living in Jesus Christ brings. The Bible speaks of the publican in Luke 18:13 thus:
“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”

Making peace with God also requires breaking away from past misdeeds and making right our wrongdoings like in the case of Zacchaeus:
“And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” Luke 19:8

This is proof of genuine repentance and reconciliation.

PRAYER POINT:
Jesus Christ, The Prince of Peace, please remove any barrier between me and my Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, permanently reconcile me to God the Father.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 117-118.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 28: 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:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Ephesians 1:3

READ: Ephesians 1:3-5

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

MESSAGE:
Blessings are in various categories. There are physical as well as spiritual blessings, according to the memory verse of today. Physical blessings are temporary while those of a spiritual nature are enduring and eternal. All blessings however- whether physical or spiritual, come from the Lord, according to James 1:17:
“ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

The best of all blessings are those of a spiritual nature, which transcend the present age. This is why Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ wrote:
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 1 Corinthians 15:19

Spiritual blessings cannot be qualified in material or monetary terms. These include gifts of the Holy Spirit as well as victory over principalities and powers. The benefits of spiritual blessings are captured in Mark 10:29-30 thus:
“And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”

In addition to all the physical blessings we get from submitting to the lordship of Jesus Christ, we have the spiritual blessing of eternal life. No matter how long we live on the earth, we shall depart from it one day. Where will you spend eternity- Heaven or hell? May you not spend eternity in hell, in the mighty name of Jesus.

To access spiritual blessings, you must believe Jesus and make Him your personal Lord and Savior (John 6:27-29).

ACTION POINT:
Ask the Almighty God to load you with spiritual blessings. If, however, you have not given your life to Jesus, accept Him as your Lord today so that you can also begin to enjoy special blessings.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 114-116.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 30: WHEN UPON LIFE’S BILLOWS YOU ARE TEMPEST TOASSED.

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

4. So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

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MEMORISE:

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

READ: John 1:1-3.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

MESSAGE:
There is creative power in the word of God. It takes someone who is all-powerful to execute the gigantic project of creating the universe. This is what the word of God did and is still doing, according to the Bible reading of today. When the Lord speaks, His word brings whatever He desires into being. The creative word of God bears His power. This is the reason we must never take the power of God for granted. As a matter of fact, we must tremble at His word because it can make or break us.

It is foolishness to disobey God because He would not spare us if we do. Calamity has befallen many as a result of their disobedience to the word of God. Jesus says in John 12:48:
“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”

However, it is interesting to note that the power in the word of God is capable of saving us from sin. His word is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Without the word, man is in darkness but the word of God is the light of life. The Psalmist wrote:
“ Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

The power in the word make the foolish become wise according to Psalm 19:7:
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”

One more interesting thing about the word of God which people are unfortunately ignoring and rejecting is that it delivers from calamities and demonic oppression. In Luke 7:7, the centurion said to Jesus Christ:
“Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.”

The Bible further says in Luke 7:10:
“And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.”

This incident corroborates Psalm 107:20:
“He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”

Beloved, we must believe the word of God, act on it and make it our standard. Quoting the Scripture without living by it is an exercise in futility. Remember, only the doers of the word shall be blessed by it (James 1:25).

ACTION POINT:
Decide that you will study and live by the word of God from today. It will work for and defend you, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 111-113.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 14: JESUS MY LORD, MY GOD, MY ALL.

Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All,
How can I love thee as I ought?
And how revere this wondrous gift,
So far surpassing hope or thought?
Sweet Sacrament, we thee adore;
Oh, make us love thee more and more.
Oh, make us love thee more and more.

Had I but Mary’s sinless heart
To love thee with, my dearest King,
Oh, with what bursts of fervant praise
Thy goodness, Jesus, would I sing.
Sweet Sacrament, we thee adore;
Oh, make us love thee more and more.
Oh, make us love thee more and more.

Thy Body, Soul, and Godhead, all,
O mystery of love divine.
I cannot compass all I have,
For all thou hast and art are mine.
Sweet Sacrament, we thee adore;
Oh, make us love thee more and more.
Oh, make us love thee more and more.

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MEMORISE:

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Joshua 1:5

READ: Joshua 1:3-8.

3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.

5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.

8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

MESSAGE:
There are challenges in this world. This is what job pondered upon that made him conclude that:
“Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.” Job 4:1

However, we have the Lord’s assurance in Psalm 46:1-2, 4-5 that:
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.”

When we surrender our lives to God, He takes it up from there and become our ready Help. Beloved, who is your pillar of support? If it is God, I congratulate you, but if it is someone or something else, it is unfortunate. The Bible says:
“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5

Our memory verse of today is very assuring. This is an unfailing promise to all of God’s children. As I have taught my children in the Lord on several occasions, if God be for us, the only person who can be against us is our very selves. God has no problem helping man but He gave him a free will. Thus, to access the help of God, man must ask. The Bible says:
“ I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” Deuteronomy 30:19

The good news is that God has given us His Spirit to guard and guide us into the truth that we need to know, in order to make the right choice. Jesus Himself said:
“…..I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

Surrender yourself to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord, and you will do exploits indeed. All the powers of darkness blocking your way to success and breakthroughs shall be destroyed in Jesus’ name.

ACTION POINT:
Search your life and see if there is anything in it that is offensive to God. Get rid of it and accept Jesus as your Lord if you are yet to do so.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 108-110.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 6: GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS.
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father.
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not.
As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:
Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hath provided.
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

2 Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow;
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

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MEMORISE:

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 1 Peter 2:9

READ: 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

MESSAGE:
From the beginning of creation God has designed man to be His representative on the earth. Man was created to act on behalf of God on the earth. Genesis 1:26 says:
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Genesis 1:26

Man was relieved of his duty as a result of sin and lost all the privileges that should ordinarily have been easily his. However, the Almighty God offers us salvation through Jesus Christ who said in Matthew 11:28-30:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

As many as respond to this call become Christ’s Ambassadors- representing Him everywhere on the earth. This was the authority the early disciples had and one of the apostles wrote in our text of today:
“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation…Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.;” 2 Corinthians 5:18, 20

Beloved, are you a representative of Christ or the devil Your response to Christ’s call will determine whose representative you are, according to our memory verse of today. It is a good thing to be a representative of the Almighty God here on earth; the benefits are innumerable, ranging from spiritual to physical. What is expected of us to live according to our calling- not to disgrace the One who has called us but show forth His praise.

I pray that you will not miss it as the first man did, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please give me the grace to be Tour true ambassador at all times, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 105-107.

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:

See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. Jeremiah 1:10

READ: Jeremiah 1:7-10

7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

MESSAGE:
Power, particularly the one given by God is sweet. However, there is something sweeter than power and that is authority. When God give you authority, you become a ‘small god’ in your own right (Psalm 82:6). God gave Moses authority to go and deliver the children of Israel from the bondage of the Egyptians and he became a god to Pharaoh and the host of Egypt.
“And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.” Exodus 7:1

When we give our lives to Jesus Christ through faith, we become children of God by grace because He gives power to as many as receive and believe in His name (John 1:11-12). When we begin to do His will, following Him intimately, He gives us authority without measure. This is when we ascend to higher realms over and above principalities and powers of the devil. The unfortunate thing about many 21st Century believers is that they tend to be satisfied with the power to become children of God but hardly bother to possess spiritual authority like the believers from old. Many contemporary children of God operate below the level of the Old Testament prophets who were not privileged to have the kind of relationship we enjoy with the Holy Spirit. For example, in 2 kings 1:10, Elijah called down fire on those who came to arrest him. How many contemporary Christians can call down fire from Heaven?

While it is true that we are to preach the gospel of peace, we are also to show forth the praises of our Lord Jesus Christ as His priests (1 Peter 2:9). Luke 9:1 says:
“Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.”

The Bible also says in James 4:7:
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

To have such authority that will put the devil and his cohorts under our control, we must first submit ourselves to Jesus Christ. It is He who has all authority and power according to Matthew 28:18.

PRAYER REQUEST:
Father, please give me the authority to live above principalities and powers that may want to destroy or abort my destiny, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 102-104.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 4: CONQUEROR AND OVERCOMERS NOW ARE WE.
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.

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.

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:

The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22

READ: Deuteronomy 8:10-18.

10 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.

11 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:

12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;

13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;

14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

15 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;

16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.

18 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.

MESSAGE:
Many people think they cannot prosper in life unless they struggle. We must know that there is a difference between struggling and working. Work is a divine vocation which started with Adam. The Bible says:
“And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Genesis 2:15

The truth however, is that you do not need to struggle before you prosper. It is true that you should be diligent because the Bible says the soul of the diligent shall be made fat (Proverbs 13:4). In the Bible reading of today we discover some truths about the mind of God concerning the prosperity of His people.
“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.” Deuteronomy 8:18

It is unfortunate that many people of God do not know that God gives power and opportunities to His children to get wealth, for one major reason: that He may prove Himself faithful to His word according to Exodus 3:17:
“And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.”

Milk and honey here symbolize prosperity. Beloved, I have good news for you: God is interested in the prosperity of His people. Prosperity from God is without sorrow. The Lord who prospers is the same Lord who protects. He will not give you a car that will become a death trap. He will not give you a child that will break your heart. This suggests to us that there could be counterfeit prosperity. The devil is the giver of that kind of ‘prosperity’. However, Jesus is the true source of prosperity and eternal blessings. He paid the price in full, hence, you can never regret being prospered by His benevolence. The Bible says:
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9

PRAYER REQUEST:
Father, please don’t let me have to struggle before succeeding, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 99-101.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 25: THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

1. There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.

o Refrain:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

2. There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.

3. There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honor Thy Word.

4. There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

5. There shall be showers of blessing,
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
If we let God have His way.

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