MEMORISE:

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20

READ: Song of Solomon 5:2-7

2 I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

3 I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?

4 My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him.

5 I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.

6 I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

7 The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

Revelation 3:20-21

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

MESSAGE

We often use the text of today’s memory verse to reach out to those who are not saved, but we often forget that our Lord pronounced those words in His letter to His Church! We as Christians need to be conscious that it is possible for us to lock the Lover of our souls out from our hearts. Therefore, it should not surprise you that the Holy spirit’s message to us today is that Jesus is standing outside and knocking on the door of our hearts, not as a homeless person seeking for help or begging for shelter, but as Master of the house. The Lord expects an immediate response and a red-carpet reception, and He promises to have an intimate, personal relationship with anyone who would respond with a friendly welcome. On the other hand, the consequences of a delayed response or not responding at all is clear in today’s Bible reading. The Lord would withdraw Himself, as He does not force Himself on anyone. When He withdraws, at the time you seek Him, and that time will surely come, you will not find Him. This has unpleasant ramifications. Songs of Solomon 5:6 says:

“I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.”

May this not be your testimony in Jesus’ Name. is the Lord not knocking on the door of your heart today? Are you asleep spiritually and can barely Him call out your name? Has He not been knocking on that part of your heart that you have refused to yield to Him after giving your life to Him? Is He not calling out to you concerning that secret sin you have entangled yourself in? how about the assignment He gave you which you have abandoned? The Lord is knocking on the door of your heart concerning these and much more. Will you leave Him in the cold or welcome Him to the warmth of the fire of zeal in your heart? Answer Him today by opening up your heart and submitting to His will.

Whenever God comes visiting, you can be sure you are in for pleasant surprises, because He never visits an individual empty-handed. Revelation 3:21 affirms this, promising great blessings of eternal value to someone who opens the door of his or her heart unto Jesus. Such a fellow will be granted the authority to sit with Christ on His throne. This means that those who gladly received delegated power and authority to reign with Him in His Kingdom here on earth and in heaven. As you open the door of your heart to Jesus today, receive power to reign with Him in Jesus’ Name.

ACTION POINT:

Examine your life to see any areas you have shut Jesus out from and make amendments.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 17
Ezekiel 34:1-10

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:

The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. John 12:21

READ: John 12:15-23

15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.

16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.

18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:

21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

MESSAGE
Philip’s action following the request of the Greeks who wanted to see Jesus brings to mind the general restrictive attitude of the disciples whenever anyone sought to have audience with the Lord. The very ones who were supposed to make Jesus accessible to everyone did their best at different times to keep people away from him. They forbade children from coming close to Him in Luke 15:18, tried to send the hungry crowd away in Luke 9:12, and in Matthew 15:23, they told Jesus to chase away the Syro-Phoenician woman who came to get help for her daughter. Two of His disciple, James and John, even tried to call down fire on those who hindered their way (Luke 9:54). Why were the disciples so protective of Jesus, to the point of being hostile to some of those who wanted to have access to Him? They were obviously very protective of Jesus, probably thinking He was too busy to be disturbed with what they considered to be petty issues. I may not have the exact answer to this question but can authoritatively tell you one thing: whatever you do, don’t let any “disciple” keep you away from Jesus! Don’t allow anyone prevent you from getting your miracle. Every disciple of Jesus Christ should consciously avoid speeches or actions that could keep anyone away from Him.

After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, His acceptance and popularity among the people reached its peak, resulting in His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This also caused the plot to murder Him by the Jewish religious leaders to reach the climax. It is against this background that the Greeks who sort Jesus visited Jerusalem for the imminent Passover feast. They must have witnessed Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and would have heard that He was the promised Messiah from the tribe of Judah. They would also have heard the rumors making the round that He was to take procession of David’s throne and reign as king over the Jews. The expectation at that time was that something of great importance, not only to the Jewish nation, but to the whole world, was about to take place and they were right. At that time Christ knew He was approaching the consummation of His ministry here on earth. Therefore, when He heard the eager cry of the Greeks saying to Philip, “Sir, we would see Jesus,” He immediately knew in His spirit that the time had come for Him to be glorified through His death and His resurrection. Their enquiry confirmed to Him that His sacrificial offering would bring all those who believe in Him all over the world into perfect harmony with God. God’s Kingdom was about to be perfected and extended throughout the whole earth. The desire of these Greeks therefore prompted the commencement of His voluntary self-sacrifice (John 12:27). I pray that your efforts to see Jesus will yield positive results beginning from today in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please don’t let my speech or action keep anyone away from You, in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 15-16
Ezekiel 33:21-33

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 5: LET OTHERS SEE JESUS IN YOU.

1.While passing thro’ this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.

Refrain:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.

2. Your life’s a book before their eyes,
They’re reading it thro’ and thro’
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?

Refrain

3. Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.

Refrain

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MEMORISE:

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1

READ: James 3:1-10

1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

MESSAGE

From James 3:6 we understand that the tongue has the ability to destroy a person’s destiny eternally. Why is the tongue so deadly? A study of the tongue’s characteristics will shed more light on this. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit has explained some of its traits in today’s Bible reading. Most notably, the tongue is ambivalent in some of the things it does. It sings praise to God one moment and the next moment, curses a fellow human being created in the image of God. How then can we handle this thing, which the Bible in James 3:8 describes as “an unruly evil, full of deadly poison?” We than God because Jesus in in Mark 16:18 promised than no poisonous thing can harm us; Hallelujah! Jesus is able and willing to solve every problem of ours, including those created by the tongue, if we surrender our entire lives, including our tongues, to Him. Indeed, every problem in life ends at the cross of Calvary for those who lift their eyes to Jesus Christ and call on His Name for help.

The story was told of a woman who almost destroyed her marriage with her tongue. She did not like what was going on in her marriage, but could not figure out what was wrong, so she consulted a native doctor to help solve her marital issues. The old man knew that the woman’s tongue was her problem; he therefore, gave her a stone he had gotten from a nearby river, instructing her to slot it into her mouth and begin to suck on it anytime her husband picked a fight with her. He also strictly warned her not to speak when the stone was in her mouth, otherwise, the charm would fail. She took the stone from the man and went home. As usual, she did something wrong and her husband corrected her, expecting her to respond in her usual manner. However, to his surprise, this woman kept mute! Unknown to him, she had kept the stone in her mouth and was being careful not to speak while it was in there. This continued for many days, and peace returned to their home. Her husband began to love and cherish her for the great change he had seen in her virtues. She ran to the old man to show her gratitude for the effectiveness of the “charm”, only to discover that the stone he had given her was ordinary and powerless. The old man then told her that if she could learn to bridle her tongue, she would enjoy peace with her husband and with everyone else for that matter. Proverbs 16:24 says:

“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”

If a soft answer turns away anger, according to God’s word in today’s memory verse, imagine the power of silence!

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please help me to bridle my tongue through the help of Your Holy Spirit.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 14
Ezekiel 33:10-20

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 5: LET OTHERS SEE JESUS IN YOU.

1.While passing thro’ this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.

Refrain:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.

2. Your life’s a book before their eyes,
They’re reading it thro’ and thro’
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?

Refrain

3. Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.

Refrain

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MEMORISE:
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6

READ: 1 Corinthians 12:7-18

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

MESSAGE

Whenever God calls a person into a special office, it is usually for the purpose of playing a unique role towards the accomplishment of God’s agenda for mankind in a particular generation. God calls people to serve Him, and not to occupy exalted positions or obtain titles. Indeed, we are called to be a blessing t many lives; this is why God gives us spiritual gifts through His Holy Spirit. However, it is obvious today that some recipients of these gifts are not using the spiritual offices they occupy to serve God’s purpose. If you have been called as a pastor, your responsibility is to shepherd the church and care for the spiritual needs of those God has put in your trust as a pastor. Sadly, many pastors are busy in the rat race for wealth, position and fame, leaving members of their flock to wander aimlessly around. Many Christians cannot identify their left from their right, simply because Church leaders present opposing views over important matters relating to Bible doctrine. There is no agreement amongst ministers of God over what the Bible says about tithing, divorce and marriage, homosexuality, divine healing and miracles. Children of God in general and ministers of God in particular must learn to let Paul plant and Apollo water. Simply put, we must see ourselves as co-laborers in God’s vineyard (1 Corinthians 3:9). Speaking on this, the Holy Spirit says in Roman 12:4-8.

“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

There are various problems in the Body of Christ today because people are not using their spiritual office for the purpose they were called by the Almighty God. Grace has been given to everyone according to the measure of the gift of Christ, and so people should stop causing division within the Body of Christ through their foolish struggle for supremacy. Spiritual offices are meant to accomplish each other for the edification and perfecting of the saints. The gifts that these offices represent are meant to be used together for the unity of the Church, so that God’s people can come into the full knowledge of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:13). I pray that God will help Him Church to understand and walk in these truths in Jesus, Name.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please unite Your Church in faith, knowledge and doctrine in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 12-13
Ezekiel 32:29-33:9

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:
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. Proverbs 17:1

READ: 1 Timothy 6:6-11

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

MESSAGE
One virtue that is gradually being eroded from the lives of 21st century Christians is contentment, and because contentment and godliness are actually inseparable twins (1 Timothy 6:6), it is therefore not surprising that there is also a dearth of godliness amongst us. The cure to this deficiency in the Body of Christ is the consistent teaching of God’s word on commitment. I therefore encourage all teachers of God’s word to arm themselves with the sword of the Spirit in this regard and combat this issue in the Church. We can learn a lot on commitment from our Lord Jesus Christ. Even though He created the whole universe, He was content to be born into a family that could only afford a manger as His birth place (Luke 2:7)! He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, yet His earthly parents could only afford to sacrifice two pigeons at the time of His dedication in the temple (Luke 2:22-24, Leviticus 12:8). The Holy Spirit also teaches us commitment in Ecclesiastes 5:10-12, which says:
“ He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.”

The Holy Spirit is saying here that no matter how rich a person is, there will always be the urge to run after more wealth in an endless vicious circle, unless he or she has commitment from God. He also says that as we labor to accumulate more money, we might actually be laboring for people we do not know, who will consume what we have labored for and might not even say “thank you” after eating our sweat. When you consider the rich people in your country, I believe you can point to several hundreds of families who legitimately and illegitimately benefit from their labors and sleepless nights spent in accumulating wealth. What good have those stolen billions done for the bodies of those who loot the treasury of their countries, not to mention their souls? A poor laborer who has contentment will always have an appetite to eat the modest food available and sleep well at night. Conversely, rich people without contentment do not sleep well, because they are always thinking of how to accumulate more riches and how not to lose what they already have to have to those out to cheat them. For this reason, many of them are always suspicious of people around them, seeing everyone as cheats. Beloved, seek the Lord today if you want to enjoy life in abundance, and be content with the blessings He bestows on you.

KEY POINT:
The satisfaction that contentment give is more valuable than all the riches in the whole world.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 10-11
Ezekiel 32:16-28

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 5: LET OTHERS SEE JESUS IN YOU.

1.While passing thro’ this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.

Refrain:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.

2. Your life’s a book before their eyes,
They’re reading it thro’ and thro’
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?

Refrain

3. Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.

Refrain

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MEMORISE:
Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Acts 7:51

READ: Acts 2:36-41

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

MESSAGE

Circumcision of the heart speaks of internal consecration to godliness. It implies deep reverence for God which produces a practical awareness of Him in every aspect of one’s life, bringing about the desire to always do His will. Circumcision of the heart permeates every aspect of a person’s life, including appearance, speech and actions. A circumcised or consecrated prison will always transmit and radiate godliness, so much so that anyone who comes in contact with his or her will immediately feel the presence of God. Just as God mandated the Israelites to be circumcised in their bodies and hearts before approaching His tabernacle (Ezekiel 44:9), those who are members of the Body of Christ have the responsibility of keeping anything that is abominable or polluting away from God’s holy altar in their hearts. Speaking on this, Titus 2:11-12 says:

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”

Furthermore, circumcision of the heart indicates the level of consecration or sanctification of a child of God (Romans 2:29). The Bible in a few cases used the term “walking with God” to reflect the level of consecration of some fathers of faith. One example is Enoch, of whom the Bible in Genesis 5:24 says:

“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”

Noah is another example of one who walked with God in perfection (Genesis 6:9). Other great examples include Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25, Luke 2:37). Their lives teach us that our hearts must be circumcised if we are to know God and be known by Him.

One characteristic of a circumcised heart is contentment (1 Timothy 6:6). Good expects His children to be pleased with whatever He has blessed them with spiritually, physically, financially and materially. The Bible also teaches that godly sorrow for sins committed is another sign of a circumcised heart (Joel 2:13). A circumcised heart produces a godly life whose benefits cannot be over emphasized. 1 Timothy 4:8 tells us that godliness is profitable unto all things, both in life and in eternity. Today’s memory verse states that the uncircumcised in heart have the habit of always resisting the Holy Spirit. In other words, an uncircumcised heart is at the root of all acts of disobedience and apostasy among children of God. Is your heart circumcised?

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please circumcise my heart and make me obedient to your word in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 8-9 and Ezekiel 32:1-15

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 12: DEEPER, DEEPER IN THE LOVE OF JESUS

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

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

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

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

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

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MEMORISE:

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. Proverbs 14:1

READ: 1 Peter 3:1-6

1Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

MESSAGE

In His wisdom, the Holy Spirit has chosen to speak to wives in today’s devotional. Please note that He is speaking to wives and not just women. Obviously, not all women are wives. However, every wife is first a woman before becoming a wife. Are you a woman trusting God change your status from single to married? I pray that God will grant you your good heart’s desire this season in Jesus’ name. In God’s kingdom, only wives are given the assignment of building homes, not mistresses or “bed partners”. In other words, a mistress or bed-partner does not have the divine grace to build a godly family. With divine wisdom, a woman develops into a wife who builds her home. This wisdom come through the fear of God, which dwells on every woman who has received Jesus into her heart (Proverbs 9:10, Revelation 3:20). Jesus is the embodiment of God’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:24), and in this age of enlightenment, it takes Jesus in the life of a woman to do according to all that the Holy Spirit instructs in today’s Bible reading.

Godly wives are distinguishable by their chastity and general attitude to life, which is a product of the fear of God they possess and not necessarily because of the fear of their husbands. It is a wise thing for a wife to build her home; only a foolish person would pull down the house he or she lives in. many women who have pulled down their homes are now roaming the “streets of life”. Although they may pretend that all is well, they are actually hurting and nursing regrets over their past actions. Sadly, any such women are now encouraging naïve wives to act against the interest of their homes so that they can become their companions in misery. No wonder the Holy Spirit warns in 1 Timothy 4:7 saying:

“But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.”

Some years ago, one f my daughters started having problems with her marriage, and she asked that me to counsel her. I discovered that she was getting carried away by her academic achievements, because she had bagged a PhD like her husband. So, I told her to be submissive to her husband if she really wanted to have a home. This suggestion was so ridiculous to her that she reminded me that she had a PhD like her husband! I said to her, “No problem, since your PhD can solve your marital challenges, go ahead and apply its philosophical principles to build yourself a happy home.” She got the message and began to yield to her husband. Before long, peace, joy and progress returned to her home. My prayer for someone reading this devotional today is that your troubled home will receive peace and unspeakable joy in Jesus’ Name. Be wise and invite Jesus Christ into your home today, and you will be glad you did.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, give me Your wisdom to build my home according to Your pattern, in Jesus Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 6-7
Ezekiel 31:10-18

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 16: 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 thy love hath 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 queenly quest
Strive to show others thy way is best
Homes where the lord is an honoured 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!
Amen.

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MEMORISE:

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

READ: 2 Corinthians 12:1-9

1It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

MESSAGE

The word “grace” is commonly used in the Bible to describe the demonstration of God’s goodwill towards humanity and its effect on our lives. Grace is simply the unmerited favor of God, the supreme expression of which is the redemption of sinners and the full forgiveness they freely receive through faith in Jesus Christ the grace of God is more than enough to cover every weakness and challenge in the life of anyone who comes to Him through Jesus Christ ( 1 Timothy 1:14). Throughout the Bible, we see God’s grace spoken of in relation to three overlapping terms: goodness, love and mercy. Grace is therefore a product of God’s goodness, love and mercy towards humanity. We all owe the blessings of life to the goodwill of the Almighty God, who makes His sun rise on the evil and good, and sends His rain on the just and the unjust. There is therefore no one who has not tasted of God’s grace. Beyond this, there is a higher level of grace that sets a people apart unto God, granting them privileges which others don’t enjoy. I pray that God will be gracious to you, and you will progressively experience higher levels of His grace throughout your lifetime in Jesus’ Name.

Those who desire to enjoy the benefits of being distinguished by grace need to recognize that God’s grace is made known today in Jesus Christ. John 1:7 says:

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

Truly divine grace is a gift of God that is exceedingly abundant in securing forgiveness and redemption for anyone dead in sin. God’s grace raises sinners up from the dunghill of shame and makes them sit together with Christin heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6). In addition to being more than enough, God’s grace also opens the door to healing from all kinds of sicknesses and deliverance from captivity, breaking down satanic strongholds and transforming lives. Amazingly, even though no one deserves this grace, it is abundantly available to us all for free. Indeed, no one can ever meet the requirements or fulfil the conditions necessary to access the benefits associated with God’s grace. This is why Ephesians 2:8-9 says:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

We should therefore always be thankful for grace. The saving grace of Jesus Christ is available to all human beings without exception; please, don’t reject or ignore it! Accept it with thanksgiving to God, and your life will never be the same again. Amen!

ACTION POINT:

Spend time expressing gratitude to God for the many benefits His grace has bestowed on your life.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 3-5
Ezekiel 30:20-31:9

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 1: THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS

• There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.
• Refrain:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

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

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

• 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!

• 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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MEMORISE:
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 Timothy 3:1

READ: Matthew 24:4-13

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

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

MESSAGE

Every discerning mind connected to heaven knows beyond any reasonable doubt that perilous times are here. Happenings in different parts of the world are beginning to align very accurately with what the prophets of old and the Lord Jesus Christ foretold about the end times. This is why it is very urgent that we maximize the time we have left to propagate the gospel of the Lord to those who are yet to know Him. Speaking to us on this in Ephesians 5:14-16, the Holy Spirit says:

“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Today, even the elect are straying from the flock of the Good Shepherd. The devil is attacking our faith from all angles, and some brethren have been hit by his evil arrows, making their love wax cold. The faith of some others has suffered shipwreck and their love is now directed at the pleasures of this world. Those things that should not even be mentioned in the house of God are now being celebrated on some pulpits. There are now more lovers of pleasures in the Church than lovers of God. We are in dire times indeed.

In this modern age where people are ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, believers must watch against satanic wiles and temptations. We must avoid all forms of false doctrine being spread by the devil and his agents in the Church. Let us remain in the simple gospel of Jesus, which is able to see us through to the very end. There are false teachers rising up every day with different kinds of teachings and beliefs, using their influence to spread erroneous teachings to unsuspecting believers. Avoid such people and reject their teachings. Let us run with the message of the true gospel to every part of the world, reminding people that those who are not on the Lord’s side on the last day will face eternal damnation. Let us do the work of an evangelist \, which includes going after those people straying from the flock of Christ. These are those who started well but have become consumed with the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches. The signs of the second coming of Christ are daily being fulfilled before our very eyes. In order not to be caught unawares, we must prepare ourselves daily through self-examination. The enemy of our soul is out there seeking how to devour us, and we must not allow him to truncate our destinies. We must not make room for the flesh and we must put out all works of darkness around us. As you occupy in the Lord’s service until He returns, be wise and circumspect in all that you do. Above all, always be fully prepared for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, help me to be a true ambassador of Christ, showing forth Your praise, in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 1-2
Ezekiel 30:5-19

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 17: HOLD THE FORT
1. Ho, my comrades, see the signal, waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh.

o Refrain:
“Hold the fort, for I am coming,” Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to Heaven, “By Thy grace we will.”

2. See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on;
Mighty ones around us falling, courage almost gone!

3. See the glorious banner waving! Hear the trumpet blow!
In our Leader’s Name we triumph over every foe.

4. Fierce and long the battle rages, but our help is near;
Onward comes our great Commander, cheer, my comrades, cheer!

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MEMORISE:
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. John 10:14

READ: 1 Psalm 100:1-5

1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

MESSAGE

In today’s memory verse, Jesus Christ identifies who He is with respect to His responsibility towards His own. To fully partake of all He has to offer, you need to play close attention to what He is saying here. In that verse, he does not introduce Himself as any ordinary shepherd but as the Good Shepherd who has intimate knowledge of His sheep on an individual basis. He also says the litmus test to know those who belong to Him is that they are able to recognize His voice, follow His guidance and obey His instructions (John 10:27). He confirms to us through these words that He is personally concerned about those who are his own. He does not deal with us on an impersonal basis or bureaucratically from a distance. This is made clear in Hebrews 4:15, which says:

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

Through the parable of the lost sheep, the Lord also assures us that He cares personally about every single member of His flock, so much so that even if one of them is lost, He will search until He finds that one (Luke 15:3-7).

Identity is very important to God. Just as Jesus presented Himself as the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep and calls them by name, He also expects His sheep to recognize His voice and come to His willingly. More so, He expects that His sheep would disregard the voice of strangers. He said in John 10:4-5:

“And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.”

The Lord clearly indicates that He is only responsible for those who identify with Him and obey His commandments. Are you one of those? As the Good shepherd, the Lord watches over His sheep and protects them, even to the point of giving His life as the ultimate sacrifice for them (John 10:11). Furthermore, Matthew 10:30 teaches that God has meticulously numbered every strand of our hair, and He is committed to doing everything necessary to protect us from every form of attack or harm. He has proven in times past and even today that He keeps His commitments. God consistently affirms in His word that His personal relationship with us is important to Him (2 Timothy 2:19). Even though His providence extends to all of humanity, He specially cares for those who belong to Him (Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 5:45). Therefore, if I were you, I would ensure that I belong to His fold for the rest of my life, to continue enjoying the awesome benefits He gives. Are you part of His sheep?

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please revive Your people and return us to the path of faith in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ruth 3-4
Ezekiel 29:10-30:4

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 10: I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS

• I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

• The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

• Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though- none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

• My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

• Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

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