MEMORISE:
And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. Proverbs 23:2

READ: Proverbs 23:1-8

1When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:

2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.

3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.

4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.

MESSAGE

Gluttony is a trait that manifest itself through eating or drinking more than is needful. Indeed, this applies not only to food but to all material things. This habit is found in people who have given their bely or body free rein over their life, such that they are unable to hold back or restrain themselves whenever food or drink is set before them. For such people, the Holy Spirit says their good is their belly (Philippians 3:19). Gluttony causes a person to develop a deadly appetite for things that can destroy him or her. Food can do and has indeed done great damage to the destinies of many people throughout history. The story of Esau who exchanged his birthright for a meal of red pottage is case in point (Genesis 25:29-34). No wonder Hebrews 12:16 says:

“ Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.”

From Esau’s story, we see that food can sometimes be used as bait covering the hook of a fisherman. An adage in my native language says, “The rodent is eating free banana and rejoicing; it does not know that sweet things kills”.

One man who understood the principles enunciate in today’s Bible reading was Daniel. On arrival in Babylon as a captive, he determined in his heart not to forget his background and heritage, so he did not allow himself get carried away by the king’s delicacies. He and three other Hebrew boys decided to discipline themselves in anticipation of a time when their stand in God would be tested and they would no longer have access to the king’s benefits. Whatever a man gives to you, he can also take away from you: This is why the source of our daily bread should be God alone. Whenever someone offers you a “free lunch”, try and decipher the motive behind the offer before accepting it. When I was growing up in my father’s house, the attitude and disposition of a person offering us food determines whether we accepted it or not. Proverbs 23:6 says:

“Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:”

Indeed, it takes self-discipline not to be gluttonous, especially in the time of need. As a rule, in life, never allow your enemies know when you are ‘hungry’ because they can use your needs to get you down. It is out of place to assume that Jacob had studied his brother Esau and was only waiting for the perfect opportunity to lure him with food. This is one of the benefits of a life of fasting. The Holy Spirit says in Proverbs 25:16:

A word is enough for the wise.

“Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.”

PRAYER POINT:

Father, I submit my appetite to the restraint of Your Spirit in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 7-9
Ezekiel 39:21-40:4

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 4: 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,
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,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

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

4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose,
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,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

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MEMORISE:
There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2:22

READ: Exodus 15:1-7

1Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.

4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.

5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.

6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.

MESSAGE
The Bible teaches that there is a spiritual dimension to every battle of life, even though this is usually not obvious at the onset. Ephesians 6:12 says:

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Although the credentials of our enemy can be intimidating, a Christian need not worry because to us, the enemy and his agents are conquered foes. This is the high standpoint of the Christian faith, and it should be the only ground on which a child of God would confront the devil and his agents. We are the triumphant Church of Christ! Indeed, the resources and abilities of our wicked foes pale into insignificance when compared to the victory our Lord has won for us and the tremendous power and authority this victory makes available to us. When we consider all this, it is only appropriate that we sing songs of victory in praise of the one who made us more than conquerors. Glory Hallelujah!

The Bible presents music as a spiritual tool that can be used to move God. Whenever God wants to do something really special, He calls for an army of consecrated musical warriors to bombard the strongholds of the enemy with songs of victory. We have the example of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, who deployed divine warriors to march into battle with musical instruments in their hands and songs of praise in their mouths. As the army of worshippers praised and exalted God, He arose on their behalf and completely destroyed all their enemies. Describing this great feat, 2 Chronicles 20:22 says:

“And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.”

Just as God destroyed the enemies of King Jehoshaphat, so will He destroyed all your enemies before you today in Jesus’ Name. Songs of praise are songs of victory. Whenever you sing songs of victory unto God, He always rise to scatter your enemies. Some thirty years ago, we went to Otukpo for a programme with some students, where I planned to speak on divine healing. It happened that as we began to praise God intensely, the glory of God descended and I forgot every scripture I had written except Luke 1:37. Suddenly, there were clusters of students kneeling and praying in tongues, who had never even heard of the baptism of the Holy Spirit before. Other students soon joined them to pray in tongues, and at the end of the day, I could not preach. That is glimpse of what singing songs of victory can do, God is indeed worthy to be praised!

ACTION POINT:
Sing songs of victory unto God until you bring down His glory.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 5-6
Ezekiel 39:9-20

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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MEMORISE:
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

READ: Mark 5:1-8

1And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,

7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

MESSAGE
The presence of demons among human beings is very wide spread, but because they are invisible spiritual beings, one may not notice their activities except by the power and gifts of God’s Spirit. Believe it or not, demons are everywhere performing their evil assignments, but as God increases His presence in your life, they will be forced to whoever they come in contact with you. This is so because demons recognize the presence of God, and they can’t be at rest wherever presence of God’s presence dwells. In like manner, wherever God’s anointed word is being taught in power, demons will flee, because they cannot withstand the power in God’s word. We see a manifestation of this in Mark 1:21-26 when Jesus was teaching in the synagogue. Similar to this example, Paul and his co-laborer in God’s vineyard were on their way to a prayer meeting on a certain day when they encountered the spirit of divination in a young lady. The spirit became restless because of God’s presence in them (Acts 16:16-18). If you carry a higher level of God’s presence, the activities of demons around you will be exposed, irrespective of where they are hiding. I pray that God will expose every activity of Satan around you today in Jesus’ Name.

The Bible uses a number of terms such as evil spirits, demons, principalities and powers, devils and unclean spirits to refer to demonic forces. However, if we have enough of God’s presence in us, demons will flee when they see us, even before we command them to go. The Holy Spirit reveals to us the secret behind this in Psalm 66:3, saying:
“Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.”

We see a manifestation of this word in Mark5:1-6. When Jesus stepped on the shores of Gadara, a very notorious and highly demon-possessed mad man immediately submitted himself to Him, even before He said a word. Mark 5:6 says:

“But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,”

It is very easy to cast out demons when your life is full of God’s glory. The devil and his demons once stood before God’s presence in heaven, but because of the rebellion, the lost that privilege (Isaiah 14:1215). One of the reasons why Jesus came to the earth is to bring the dominion of heaven to us. Consequently, the moment demons see that same glory on any believer, they will have no choice but to submit to the King of glory, whose presence is visible in all believers. Are you a carrier of God’s glorious presence?

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please fill my life with Your glory that demons cannot withstand in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 3-4
Ezekiel 38:17-39:8

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 13: I AM A VICTOR

1. Yes, I know I am a victor
For the Bible tells me so
God made me more than a conqueror
Much stronger than all my foes

CHORUS
Jesus loves me and I love Him
Together we rule the world
Christ with me I will overcome
By His Blood, His Name, His Word

2. Yes, I know I am a victor
Stronger than demons I am
To Satan I am a terror
I am free, o yes, I am

3. Yes, I know I am a victor
Stronger than lack, poverty
All my needs Jesus provides for
I have life abundantly

4. Yes, I know I am a victor
Barrenness no more indeed
Fruitful is the God I live for
All my dreams shall be fulfilled

5. Yes, I know I am a victor
By His strength I shall succeed
No more loss and no more failure
Glory to glory proceed

6. Yes, I know I am a victor
No more sorrow, no despair
Jesus Christ is my own Succour
Tomorrow is joy and cheer

7. Yes, I know I am a victor
Very soon I’ll reign with Him
His promise is my sure anchor
He’s coming to take me home

8. Jesus loves me and I love Him
We rule this world together
As He is so right now I am
Hear me shout Halleluyah

9. Jesus loves me Halleluyah
Hear me shout Halleluyah
Halleluyah, Halleluyah
Glory be to God on high

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MEMORISE:

Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. James 5:17

READ: Joshua 10:8-14

8 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.

9 Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night.

10 And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.

11 And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.

12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.

13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.

14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.

MESSAGE

A lot of Christians are being buffeted daily by the circumstance of life, even though that is not God’s desire for us. From Joshua’s story in today’s Bible reading, we see that God’s plan for us is for us to live as masters over every circumstances that life throws at us in this world. Circumstances are those factors that determine the course of events around us, and the can be natural or spiritual in nature. To live as a master of circumstance is to exercise authority over events or situations of life and the factors which control them.

The Bible emphasizes the fact that God is sovereign over all of creation. In other words, He has absolute authority and control over everything in heaven and earth. Yet, He has delegated a limited level of control over His creation to
Mankind. Through this delegated authority, man has gained tremendous knowledge of the universe over time and this has given him a greater level of control over situations and circumstances of life. Without doubt, man has made giant strides and acquired advanced knowledge in several fields of human endeavor. However, because of these achievements, a greater part of humanity wrongly assumes that they are masters of the universe and are therefore in charge of things. How wrong they are! Daniel 4:35 says,

“And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?”

From this Bible passage, it is clear that God is unquestionably in charge. He does as He pleases in the distribution of His mercy, blessings and favor. He gives strength, makes great, promotes and gives knowledge and wisdom, all at His pleasure. The Lord controls the hearts of kings, and He also controls times and seasons. He deposes kings and installs others in their place. He is the source of every element in creation, the fountain of life and the fountain of goodness from whom all blessings flow. All hail the true Master of the universe, the Redeemer of mankind and the Savior of the whole world! Our God can empower anyone He likes to become a master of circumstances of life. He gave Joshua the power to control the sum ad the moon; He gave His prophets the power to see into the future and control rain from heaven at will; He gave the apostles the power to heal the sick and raise the dead, and He also gave them authority over demonic powers and natural elements of life. This same God is ready to give you power and authority over all circumstances of life today if you are ready to become a willing tool in His hands. Are you ready to surrender your all to Him?

PRAYER POINT:

Father, demonstrate Yourself as the Master of the universe through my life in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 1-2
Ezekiel 38:1-16

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 13: I AM A VICTOR

1. Yes, I know I am a victor
For the Bible tells me so
God made me more than a conqueror
Much stronger than all my foes

CHORUS
Jesus loves me and I love Him
Together we rule the world
Christ with me I will overcome
By His Blood, His Name, His Word

2. Yes, I know I am a victor
Stronger than demons I am
To Satan I am a terror
I am free, o yes, I am

3. Yes, I know I am a victor
Stronger than lack, poverty
All my needs Jesus provides for
I have life abundantly

4. Yes, I know I am a victor
Barrenness no more indeed
Fruitful is the God I live for
All my dreams shall be fulfilled

5. Yes, I know I am a victor
By His strength I shall succeed
No more loss and no more failure
Glory to glory proceed

6. Yes, I know I am a victor
No more sorrow, no despair
Jesus Christ is my own Succour
Tomorrow is joy and cheer

7. Yes, I know I am a victor
Very soon I’ll reign with Him
His promise is my sure anchor
He’s coming to take me home

8. Jesus loves me and I love Him
We rule this world together
As He is so right now I am
Hear me shout Halleluyah

9. Jesus loves me Halleluyah
Hear me shout Halleluyah
Halleluyah, Halleluyah
Glory be to God on high

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MEMORISE:

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Genesis 50:20

READ: Genesis 37:13-28

13 And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.

14 And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

15 And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?

16 And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.

17 And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan.

18 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.

19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.
20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
21 And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.

22 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.

23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;

24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.

25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.

26 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?

27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.

28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

MESSAGE

Out of envy and hatred, Joseph’s brothers wickedly plotted evil against him. They even wanted to kill him but God intervened, so they decided instead to the merchants who led him to Egypt, where he served Potiphar for several years before being sent to prison. Jailed for a crime he didn’t commit, his chances of regaining his freedom became slimmer and slimmer as the days went by. After a period of about fifteen years, God visited Joseph with His mercy and brought him out of prison and slavery with a strong hand. He became second in command to Pharaoh in the whole of Egyptian empire, a position that was by all means impossible for a foreigner to occupy, not to mention a slave and an ex-convict. Most remarkably however, throughout his experience, Joseph was never bitter, angry or vengeful towards his brothers, because he believed that God’s purpose was being fulfilled through everything he faced. Indeed, the ways of God are past finding out. What Joseph said to his brothers in Genesis 45:5-8 is so instructive to us today:

“ Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.”

Joseph did not want his brothers to feel sorry for their past wickedness against him, because he did not view that as an act of hatred but rather as God’s way of strategically positioning him for the fulfilment of His greater purpose. Although he did not try to whitewash the evil his brother did, he was determined to show them that God had a saving purpose for the cruel events of his life, otherwise, how else could he have gotten to the position he found himself in Egypt if he had remained with his father in the land of Canaan? This same message is echoed to us by the Holy Spirit in Romans 8:28, which says:

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

I therefore pray that God will strategically position you and that all thing will begin to work together for your good and the overall blessing of your entire family in the Mighty Name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please let every evil plan of the enemy work together for my good in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 29-31
Ezekiel 37:15-28

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 4: 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,
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,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

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

4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose,
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,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

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MEMORISE:
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12

READ: Philippians 3:10-16

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

MESSAGE

In today’s Bible reading, Apostle Paul’s example stands as a shining light on the importance of the role that our mind-set plays in determining whether we succeed or fail in life. His persistence and tenacity contributed to his success, coupled with a mind-set that was content but not complacent. Till he went home to be with the Lord, he was ever desirous of attaining new heights in God, regardless of his prior achievements. Like Paul, we should realize that it is not over until it is truly over. Many of us seem to be celebrating the victory we are yet to win, relaxing as if we have arrived. Beloved, I am using this medium to tell you that believers in Christ are continuous “work-in-progress” in the hands of the Almighty. Therefore, run the Christian race with the mindset that is never complacent, always remembering the words of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 10:12, saying:

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

Beware of the spirit of pride and all the subtle ways it manifests itself. If given room to operate, pride will stop you from seeing yourself as a work-in-progress that needs to be examined and re-examined from time to time before the day of delivery and commissioning. Let Jesus remain your Master-builder and allow Him work on you until you see him in glory.

If we look at our Christian race in the light of sporting activities and apply the lessons learnt to our lives, it will give us a fair understanding of how well we are faring in our journey. We should not be athletes who are satisfied to just participate and enjoy the support and encouragement of spectators. Our ultimate goal should be to make heaven and receive the crown of righteousness, and so we must be prepared to undergo vigorous training in the word of God and persevere through the process of sanctification. Like the eagle, we should focus on our flight to heaven and ignore the multitude around us. Our minds must be fixed on the crown of righteousness and the glory that awaits the saints in heaven. So that we can go through our course in this world with joy. Let us submit ourselves to the discipline, control and regimented lifestyle required of us from time to time by our divinely appointed Coach, who is the Holy Spirit, and strive to live by the mind-set enunciated in Philippians 3:13-14, which says:

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

God bless you as you do so. Amen.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, help me to always be focused on the ultimate goal of making heaven, in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 26-28
Ezekiel 36:33-37:14

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 12: 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.

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

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MEMORISE:
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 1 Kings 3:9

READ: 1 Kings 3:15-28

15 And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.

16 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.

17 And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.

18 And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.

19 And this woman’s child died in the night; because she overlaid it.

20 And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.

21 And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.
22 And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king.

23 Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.

24 And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.

25 And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

26 Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.

27 Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.

28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.

MESSAGE

A person who possesses competency in knowledge and skill has great potential to succeed in life. When such competency is derived from God, it is referred to as divine understanding. Succeeding in life is all about recognizing and utilizing the opportunities God brings our way, coupled with making the right choices in life. A person endowed with divine understanding is therefore able to excel in life because he or she has the ability to discern what is true, ethically right and sound, based on God’s word. God alone possesses wisdom and understanding in the absolute sense, and He gives these to those who seek them from Him with a humble heart. In relation to people, divine wisdom refers to the abilities God gives in every area of life, including craftsmanship, knowledge and insight for right decisions. Divine wisdom cannot be received by those whose confidence is based on human cleverness and insight without God’s revelation. This kind of human wisdom may produce temporary success in life, but if often come to naught in the long run (1 Corinthians 3:19-20).

Understanding is built on the foundation of knowledge and the ability to use it correctly. There are different ways God imparts understanding to a person. For example, understanding can be received in the place of observing how others live or do things (Proverbs 24:30-32). It can also be acquired through studying God’s word and His wondrous works in the universe (Psalm 119:130, Job 37:14-20). Understanding can also come from parental guidance or as a result of practical experience in life (Proverbs 4:1-5). Above all, it can be received through the impartation of God’s Spirit in the place of prayer, as it happened to Solomon (1 Kings 3, Ephesians 1:15-18).

Worldly wisdom and understanding build pride and false hope in people, who go on to arrogate success in life to themselves and not to the Almighty God. This folly has led to the downfall of many people and kingdoms all over the world, as seen in the example of Babylon in Isaiah 47:10-11. No wonder Proverbs 26:12 says:

“Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.”

Furthermore, in Isaiah 29:14, the Bible says worldly wisdom shall perish. The people of this world can never receive the wisdom of God. Divine understanding is only accessible to those who are willing to give up their reliance on human insight in exchange for God’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 4:14-15). May the Lord fill you with divine understanding today in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please fill my heart with divine understanding today in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 24-25
Ezekiel 36:16-32

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 3: TRUST AND OBEY.

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

o Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

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MEMORISE:

Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase. Job 8:7

READ: Mark 4:30-32

30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:

32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

MESSAGE

Today we live in a world that glorifies things of great proportions, with a special attraction for gigantic projects. Anything that is not massive, huge, tremendous or colossal does not seem to catch the attention of the current generation. In the common parlance of the 21st century, things that turn people’s heads usually stat with the word “mega”, like mega-corporations, megastores, megacities, mega-churches, and so on. Because society is so obsessed with all things mega, small things have become unattractive and inconsequential to a lot of people. People nowadays despise the days of little beginnings and deride small things. However, as people of God’s kingdom, our culture is different. Zechariah 4:10a states our creed as follows:

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin…….”

Every great work of God usually starts small, beginning sometimes only as a vision in the mind of a faithful servant of God. In this sense, the mustard seed in today’s Bible reading is a perfect example of a small beginning. Although a mustard seed is very small, measuring only about 1 or 2 millimeters, when it is sown, it grows into a tree of about 3meters high. This is a 3000% increase in size! I prophesy according to the word of the Lord coming to you now, no matter how small your beginning is, your latter end will increase tremendously in the Name of Jesus.

In God’s dealings with man, there have been so many stories of little beginnings becoming great. Usually, in the days of small things, critics are numerous, unleashing vicious condemnation without reservation. The heaven –appointed builder is typically tagged a dreamer and made to face ridicule and mockery. Many times, the voice of critics will ring through repeatedly, saying that the dream being pursued is not achievable. Be careful not to pay attention to their words because there is no truth in them. Their objective is to cause discouragement and make you lose focus. In spite of such pessimistic verbal attacks and threats, Zerubbabel zealously pressed on with the work of rebuilding God’s temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 3-5, Haggai 1-2, Zechariah 4). Be assured that the glorious completion of your assignment will put to shame all those who scorned its small beginning. To the glory of God, The Redeemed Christian Church of God is a good example of how God can make a mustard seed grow to become a tree greater than all herbs with great branches. Just be faithful in the little that God has committed into your hands. Do not despise the days of small beginnings. If you are holy, diligent, prayerful and focused, the Lord will crown all your efforts with resounding success and make your latter end to increase beyond measure, according to His word.

ACTION POINT:

Restate your firm commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the cause of His Kingdom.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 20-21
Ezekiel 34:25-35:15

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 9: 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
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:

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Luke 14:28

READ: Hebrews 11:8-16

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

MESSAGE

Our Lord Jesus Christ did not impulsively come to the earth to die for our sins, He carefully considered all it would cost Him to accomplish this difficult task (Hebrews 10:5-70). He considered the cost of leaving His throne in heaven, with an innumerable company of angels at his beck and call, to live on earth as one having nowhere to lay His head (Luke 9:58). He considered the agony of rejection He would go through at the hands of those He came to save. He considered the sorrow of having those He healed, cleansed and raised back to life crying “Crucify Him!” Above all, he considered the pain of becoming sin, hanging on a cross and being separated from His Father. Shedding more light on this, the Holy Spirit says in Philippians 2:5-8:

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Having considered the cost of all this and much more, Jesus still chose to go through it all because of the joy of our salvation that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:3). What a wonderful Savior we have! The Holy Spirit is admonishing us to have the same mind, which counts the cost of a task before undertaking it.

The lives of many Bible characters also reflects the principle of counting the cost. Abraham is one example; he never once thought of going back to his native country after leaving it. He properly understood God’s instructions and followed through without looking back. Also, the four Hebrews boys were well aware of what was at stake the moment they got of Babylon. They quickly counted the cost, and in Daniel 1:8, we are told that Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego made a commitment to God that cost them the right to the king’s delicacies. Because they had counted the cost and made a firm commitment to follow through, they dared the fiery furnace and the lion’s den. The good news is that when we made up our minds with a strong commitment to serve the Lord at all cost, it attracts great rewards from heaven. Count the cost of going all the way with Jesus, surrendering all to Him and living holy, and then make a firm commitment to serve God’ no matter what it takes.

ACTION POINT:

Restate your firm commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the cause of His Kingdom.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 20-21
Ezekiel 34:25-35:15

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 9: 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
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:

And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. Luke 5:10

READ: Luke 5:4-11

4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Mark 10:28-30

28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

29 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,

30 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.

MESSAGE

Peter was one person who made several efforts in life but failed. On one occasion, he toiled all night long but did not catch a single fish. However, the day Peter met Jesus was the day his story changed for good, as the yoke of frustration was broken in his life. On that very day, he had thrown his nets into the sea several time and caught nothing, everything changed for him. There are many people who have worked very hard with nothing to show for it. Many have been struggling with their God-given assignment in life, and despite all their best efforts, the results are not impressive. We must realize that outstanding all-round success cannot be achieved by human efforts alone; we need to enter into a partnership with God by launching into the deep at His command. Jesus said in John 15:5:

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

Launching into the deep does not always mean venturing out into new grounds. It can also mean remaining at your duty post as a believer, doing all that God expects you to do at all times, such as sharing the good news of salvation. God wants us to be passionate about getting the lost to experience the salvation of the cross because He wants everyone to be saved.

Preaching the word of God activates the power in the word. God’s word can be used to create, bless, transform and also to destroy the devil’s activities in people’s lives it was the spoken word that transformed Peter from being a fisher man to becoming a fisher of men. Peter realized that the Lord’s word was the source of the remarkable change in his life, and so he knew he could not afford to let go of Jesus. After he managed to bring his boat to land, he turned his back on it, forsaking all to follow Jesus. Up until that moment, that boat symbolized his security and livelihood, because fishing was his life. He however chose to put an end to his struggles and pursue after Christ with great passion. What are those things hindering you from preaching God’s word? You would do well to become wise like Peter by holding on to the One who has your interest and permanent security at heart. If you are doing God’s will the way it should be done, you will never have to worry, because He is the Great Provider who will always meet your needs. Hallelujah!

PRAYER POINT:

Father, fill my mouth with Your words as I open it up to declare Your gospel, in Jesus Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 18-19
Ezekiel 34:11-24

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 15: MUST I GO, AND EMPTY-HANDED

1. “Must I go, and empty-handed,”
Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him,
Lay no trophy at His feet?

Chorus:
“Must I go, and empty-handed?”
Must I meet my Savior so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him:
Must I empty-handed go?

2. Not at death I shrink nor falter,
For my Savior saves me now;
But to meet Him empty-handed,
Thought of that now clouds my brow.

Chorus:

3. O the years in sinning wasted;
Could I but recall them now,
I would give them to my Savior,
To His will I’d gladly bow.

Chorus:

4. O ye saints, arouse, be earnest,
Up and work while yet ’tis day;
Ere the night of death o’ertake thee,
Strive for souls while still you may.

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