MEMORISE:
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. Galatians 6:4

READ: 1 Corinthians 3:9-15

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

MESSAGE

While it’s one thing to build, it is another thing to build something that benefits mankind and glorifies God Almighty. God is therefore asking you today, “What are you building?”. When you consider the construction of the tower of Babel, you will understand the relevance of this question (Genesis 11:1-9). Although those people were indeed building, they were erecting an edifice that symbolized rebellion against God. Their example shows us that anyone building anything worthwhile must build in the pattern that God has established, and whether is being built must not go against His purpose.

Without a doubt, parents are builders of future generations but the question is, what type of generation are they building? In Genesis 18:19, God said of Abraham as a parent:

“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”

Can God say the same of you? Apart from parents, teachers are also builders. As a teacher, what are you building in your students? A good teacher should be able to say like Paul in Philippians 3:17:

“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye
have us for an ensample.”

It is unfortunate that in some places, students dictate to teachers what the standard should be. Wherever this is happening, something is fundamentally wrong. A bad teacher will definitely build a faulty generation. Eventually, every bad will definitely reap the reward of their work. The story was told of a bad teacher who produced a half-baked medical doctor. Years later, this doctor was complicit in the death of the teacher’s child. Ministers of the gospel are also builders. In fact, they are the greatest builders of all because they build the Body of Christ. Paul wrote in today’s Bible reading that by God’s grace, he was a wise master builder who had laid the foundation of faith in people’s lives, warning others to be careful of how they built on the foundation. Why? The answer is found in 1 Corinthians 3:11, which says:

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

From this, we understand that it is possible to build junk upon a golden foundation. Such a building will not stand the test of time. Beloved, what are you building with your life? Remember that every man’s work shall be tested by fire and if it is burnt, it is counted as loss to its owner. This will not be your portion in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please make me a wise and faithful builder in Your vineyard, in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 22
Ezekiel 21:6-23

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:
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Proverbs 30:5

READ: Acts 12:5-11

5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the LORD hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

MESSAGE

Any time I am confronted with a challenge in life, I I take consolation in the fact take consolation in the fact that every challenge has an expiry date. In fact, for those who believe, every challenge expires the very day it emerges. Once the sun sets and I go to bed, the lifespan of any challenge before me is ended. It is so because the Spirit of the Lord says in Psalm 30:5:

“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

Since every word of God is pure and He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him, I have confidence in what the scripture says (Proverbs 30:5).

One fellow who experienced joy coming in the morning a Peter. One night, he was in prison awaiting execution, and the next morning he woke up a free man. Our God is marvelous! Peter’s experience becomes even more amazing when you consider that the night before his planned execution he slept between two soldiers, bound with chains. There were also keepers of the prisons watching over the prison gate to ensure that he did not escape, but it was all to no avail. I decree that the Almighty God will recue you from the hands of your captors this very day in Jesus’ Name. One lesson we can learn from this story is that Peter had faith in the Lord. This was why he could sleep in the face of imminent death. Peter seemed to be saying, “Let me sleep tonight because by the time day breaks, my joy will be full.” As he slept, the Lord sent His angel to rescue him in the middle of the night, ushering him into his joyful morning. Acts 12:11 says:

“And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the LORD hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.”

Although the brethren of the early Church entered into that fateful night with agony for Peter, they rejoiced at daybreak with Peter standing at the door of the place where they met to pray. God’s word in Psalm 126:1 literarily came to pass in their lives, and it says:

“ When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.”

I decree that your morning of Joy is here, and the expectation of your enemies shall be cut short in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, I receive my morning of joy today, in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 20-21

Ezekiel 20:40-21:5

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 8: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE
My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!

May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!

While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.

When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul! We

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MEMORISE:
What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time. Nahum 1:9

READ: Isaiah 43:1-2
1But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

MESSAGE
One great promise God has given His children is victory over enemies. When enemies come with determination to crush a child of God, the Lord promises that He will drive them back. In Isaiah 59:19, He says:

“So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”

If you desire this promise to be fulfilled in your life, there are some steps you need to take. The first of these is that you must have the fear of God in your heart. This fear keeps you away from sin. Through the fear of God, Joseph said to his master’s wife in Genesis 39:9:
“……….how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

It was the fear of God that kept Joseph away from sexual immorality and not the law. This reverence for God accounts for his victories over all enemies, beginning from his father’s house to the foreign land of Egypt.

Furthermore, Isaiah 43:1-2 reveals some more reasons why you cannot be defeated as a child of God. For one thing, you cannot be crushed because the Lord God Almighty is your Creator. Because you are not a product of chance or an accident, nothing can happen by chance to destroy you. The Almighty formed you and so you cannot be deformed by any evil (Psalm 91:1-4). Another reason why you can’t be crushed is that you are not cheap. You were redeemed at the cost of the priceless Blood of Jesus Christ. You are so valuable that you have a name peculiar to you alone (Revelation 2:17). Speaking about your worth, the Lord said in Luke 12:7:
“But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

God’s promise in today’s Bible reading is part of the benefits of believers in Christ who have made peace with their Marker through repentance and regeneration. Are you one of them? If you are, what are you waiting for? Beloved, you must believe that God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, is your Creator. Believe in the redemptive power of the work Jesus Christ did at Calvary and repeat. As you return to God, He will give you a name that is indestructible. You will be victorious here on earth, and in the hereafter, you will overcome everlasting death. Believe this, and you will see the glory of God.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, in accordance with Your promise, please let Your Spirit drive back all enemies that have risen against me like a raging flood, in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 18-19
Ezekiel 20:27-39

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 13: I AM A VICTOR

• 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

• 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

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

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

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

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

• 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

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

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

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MEMORISE:
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8

READ: James 1:22-25

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

MESSAGE

Yesterday, we reflected on the blessedness of having a teachable heart. The Holy Spirit taught us that when an individual is instructed in God’s word, he becomes wise, and if he was already wise, he will become even wiser. Today, we want to consider the link between God’s word and divine prosperity. What the Lord says concerning walking in prosperity in whatever we do in life is clear from today’s memory verse. The link between God’s word and divine prosperity is that God’s word makes a person wise, and wisdom is all a person needs to prosper in life. God specifically told Joshua that he must be a friend of His word if he would prosper in his God-given assignment. This instruction applies to everyone, irrespective of vocation and age. Doctors, teachers, engineers, pastors, artisans and even soldiers need the wisdom of God’s word to break through into divine prosperity. David, a great commander of an outstanding army, needed to hear from God before he could succeed in his bid to recover all that the enemies had stolen from his camp (1 Samuel 30:8-19).

The word of God further reveals the true source of wealth, saying in Deuteronomy 8:18:

“But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”

From this scripture, we know that the true wealth devoid of sorrow comes only from the Almighty God. We can therefore spare ourselves the many troubles that come with looking elsewhere for wealth if we allow God’s word to dwell richly in us (1 Timothy 6:10). Beloved, do you desire to prosper? All you need is to get properly acquainted with the word of God. Don’t be among those who see God’s word as outdated, to their own frustration and life-time agony. However, if you have not given your life to Christ, it means you have not known the Word at all, because Jesus is the eternal Word of God. So, give your life to Jesus today and learn of Him (Matthew 11:28-30). God will bless you richly as you learn His principles on wealth and apply them to your daily life. Take note of the words used by the Holy Spirit in James 1:25: it’s the doer of the work that is blessed in his or her deeds. May God prosper the works of your hands in Jesus’ Name.

ACTION POINT:
Implement an effective and regular study plan of God’s word and begin to do the work. It teaches in your daily life.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 15-17
Ezekiel 20:14-26

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:
Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Psalm 25:4

READ: Proverbs 9:7-9

7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

MESSAGE

Teaching becomes a herculean task when a teacher is confronted with stubborn students. To be unteachable in the things of God is a very dangerous state for anyone to be in. Proverbs 29:1 says:

“He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

Pharaoh found himself in this state and he did not end well. God warned him several times with at least ten plagues, yet he hardened his heart until he met his waterloo at the Red Sea. We also see a similar scenario in the case of Haman, who was warned by his wife and friends to desist from persecuting Mordecai, but he would not listen until he was executed on the same gallows he had built for Mordecai (Esther 6-7). I decree over someone using this devotional today: the pit which your enemies dug for you shall swallow them up in Jesus’ Name.

Unlike Pharaoh and Haman, a teachable fellow is a pleasant student to have. A receptive heart is blessed for many reasons, some of which are indicated in today’s Bible reading. The Bible says wisdom is the principal thing and so we should go out to get wisdom and understanding, even if it costs us all we have (Proverbs 4:7). In other words, it is no use if a man possesses the whole world but lacks wisdom and understanding. The question now is, how can we get wisdom and understanding? Proverbs 9:9 says:

“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.”

This verse is saying that a wise man acquires wisdom by receiving instructions, and the understanding of an upright man is increased through teaching. Of course, the one being taught must have a teachable heart, as I is rightly said “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t force it to drink.” Therefore, the first blessing of a teachable heart is that it increases in wisdom. This wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, which is manifested as deep reverence for God’s word (Proverbs 1:7). When someone who fears God is taught God’s word, it will restrain him or her from doing things against God’s will. For a heart to be teachable in God’s word, it must be meek. The Spirit of God makes this clear in Psalm 25:9, which says:

“The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.”

This trait, clearly demonstrated in today’s memory verse, made David a man after God’s heart. Anyone who desires to have a special place in God’s heart must also develop a teachable heart through meekness. Do you have a teachable heart?

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please give me a teachable heart today and save me from the destruction that comes from a hardened heart.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 12-14
Ezekiel 20:1-13

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:
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 2 Timothy 2:20

READ: 2 Timothy 3:1-7

1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

MESSAGE

In today’s memory verse, the Holy Spirit makes it clear that there are different categories of vessels, all of which God uses. In other words, there is no one who comes into the world without serving one divine purpose or the other. The question is, what material are you made of, and what category of vessels do you belong to? There are vessels made of gold, silver, wood and clay. However, more sobering is the classification of vessels into those for honor and those for dishonor. I pray that you will be a vessel unto honor in Jesus Name. pharaoh was a vessel unto dishonor. In Romans 9:17, the Bible says concerning him:

“For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.”

A deep secret in the above scripture is that man is give the freewill to choose what type of vessel he wants to be. Pharaoh was given ample opportunity to write a beautiful history concerning himself as a king who feared God and save his people the agony of catastrophic destruction. What did he do with that opportunity? He bungled it and perished in the Red Sea. Unlike him, Abimelech who took Abraham’s wife listened to God, did exactly what God instructed him to do, and he was blessed (Genesis 20:2-18). His barren wife and maidservant became fruitful. The king of Nineveh also was a vessel unto honor. He led his city to repentance, and they obtained God’s mercy because they chose to obey His instructions.

Today’s Bible text gives clue on how to become a vessel unto honor. In it the Holy Spirit emphatically says that whoever choose to be a vessel unto honor, such as a minister of the gospel, must be blameless, among other requirements. The reason for this high standard is not far-fetched: honorable assignments are meant for honorable people. Sinners are not honorable in the sight of God. No wonder 2 Timothy 2:21 says:

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

This is the higher ground to which the Lord is calling us. We can be vessels of honor if we choose to be. All that is required of us is to do what the Holy Spirit specified in 2 2 Timothy 2:21. Cleanse yourself of the dishonorable works of the flesh, be sanctified by grace and let the Holy Spirit dwell in you. God bless you.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please make me a vessel unto honor in Your hands, in Jesus Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 10-11
Ezekiel 18: 30-19:14

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:

And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. Exodus 2:2

READ: Psalm 127:1-5

Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

MESSAGE

What parents see in their children goes a long way to determine how well they treasure tem. As God’s heritage, it is important that parents see the image of God in their children, so that they can nurture them for the glory and pleasure of God, who is their rightful Owner. Unfortunately, some parents, especially in under-developed nations, treat their children as domestic animals or working machines, so much so that you begin to wonder if they purposely gave birth to them for economic reasons. Many abuse their children by engaging them in money making ventures and making them become breadwinners at a tender age. I know of a man who has about thirteen children. He gives them out to serve as domestic workers and collects the wage of their labor to feed himself. Clearly, he does not see his children as carriers of God’s image.

Furthermore, some couple decide to abort pregnancies they are not prepared for. However, you look at it, this is murder- a grievous sin against God and humanity. God asked me to tell someone reading this devotional that the pregnancy you are about to terminate is your glory; don’t abort the child that will bring God’s glory upon your life. When “stuck” with an unwanted child, many parents go ahead to despise such a child, instead of seeing him or her as a pleasant surprise from God. These are all examples of ungodly parenting. In Exodus 2:1-4, we see what godly parents look like. Moses’ mother, Jochebed, was a godly parent. Even then though Pharaoh had ordered all sons born to Hebrew families to be killed at birth, she saw God’s image in her own child and did all she could to preserve him. Exodus 2:2 says:

“And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.”

When the baby could no longer be hidden, she decided to commit him into the hands of his original Owner, the Almighty. In all this, Moses’ parents never imagined that this child was to become the deliverer of the whole nation of Israel. The Lord asked me to tell someone using this devotional that that child you think is a problem will turn around to put smiles on your face in your lifetime. All you need to do is to give that child the best you have as a springboard for his or her leap into destiny. Children are carriers of God’s image, and unless we see them in that light, there is the tendency to abuse them and lose the blessings accompanying them. In light of what today’s Bible reading says about children, I encourage all parents to first surrender their lives to God, and then it will be easy for them to also surrender their children to Him for supreme care. Parents who do this will not be denied their blessings in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please open my eyes to see Your image and glory in the children You have given me, and help me cooperate with You in the fulfilment of their destinies.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 6-7
Ezekiel 17:22-18:3

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 6: HAVE YOU BEEN TO JESUS FOR THE CLEANSING POWER?

• Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

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

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

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

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

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MEMORISE:

And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 10:6

READ: 1 Samuel 15:17-22

17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?

18 And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.

19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?

20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.

22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

MESSAGE

Disobedience has the evil tag of being the first sin man committed. The deadly mystery of this sin is that disobedient people more often than not never accept blame for their act. They tend to give excuses and blame other people or “factors beyond their control”. This is what Adam did when God questioned him concerning his disobedience. Genesis 3:12 says:

“And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.”

Unfortunately, his excuse did not clear him of responsibility, nor did it deter God from punishing him. Another person who gave excuse for disobedience is King Saul. In today’s Bible reading, when he was confronted with his sin, he tried to justify himself by using the good act of sacrifice as an excuse for his disobedience. In response to his attempt at justifying himself, God’s prophet told him in 1 Samuel 15:22:

“……..Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

Let us take a closer look at King Saul’s excuse for disobeying God. 1 Samuel 15:21 says:

“But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.”

Saul’s excuse was that it was not him, but the people who took the spoil. This makes one wonder who was leading who in the battle against the Amalekites. He was just trying to pass the buck. He felt he could appease God or His prophet, Samuel, by presenting a big offering in the form of sacrifice:

Beloved, in what areas are you disobeying God? You better repent today and cultivate the habit of living by the dictates of the infallible word of God. No amount of service you render to God can take the place of obeying His word. No amount of money given as seed offerings, tithes or donations can justify indulging in fraudulent practices at your place of work. May the Lord give you the grace to obey His commandments to the letter in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please help me to obey you willingly and completely as a show of my gratitude to You for Your goodness and mercy over me.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 3-5
Ezekiel 17:7-21

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:
For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: Proverbs 5:3

READ: Proverbs 5:1-13

1My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:

2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.

3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:

4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.

5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.

6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.

7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.

8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:

9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:

10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;

11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,

12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;

13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!

MESSAGE

Women are a blessing to mankind, created by God to address a special need (Genesis 2:18-20). In fact, God’s will and purpose for the human race cannot be accomplished without the wonderful vessel that women are. Why then does the Bible identify some women as ‘strange’ in our memory verse? It is because the character of such women has deviated from the purpose for which God created them. A strange woman is an outsider operating where she does not belong. This includes but is not limited to adultery and fornication. The strange woman is also that woman who inappropriately knows everything about a man who is not her husband. She will likely use that knowledge to manipulate him to her own advantage. Wives, this equally applies to men other than your husband. Many people’s lives have been destroyed through loose talk with strange people about their marriages. Husbands must learn to communicate and relate with their wives and not strange women, so that they can experience the joys and blessings of marriage.

From the time Satan misled Adam and Eve, this world has been full of deceit. You must therefore be on your guard not to get caught in the web of deceit. Strange women are deceitful in everything. They put on the appearance of elegance and perfection but they are empty inside. They pretend they can offer the comfort which a wife should provide, but the wisdom of God says in Proverbs 5:5:

“Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.”

As seen in Proverbs 5:3, they pretend to be sweet and speak with a smile, but they are out to steal from you. A strange woman will steal the happiness of your home, and may even end up stealing your itself. Are you having issues with your spouse? Once you start finding succor elsewhere, you will not be motivated to work on your marriage, and as a consequence, you will continue to drift away from your spouse until your relationship is shipwrecked. At that stage, the strange woman will welcome you with open arms into her bosom. After she gets what she wants from you, you will then discover her true nature and character, but it will be too late. May this never be your experience in Jesus’ Name. listen to this admonition in Proverbs 5:8 so that you don’t get caught in the web of the strange woman. It says:

“Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:”

ACTION POINT:

Check your relationship with the opposite sex: if you discover any undue intimacy that can become inappropriate, end it.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 1-2
Ezekiel 16:53-17:6

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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