MEMORISE:

A Merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Proverbs 15:13

Read: Nehemiah 8:8-12 (KJV)

8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.

12 And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

Message:

Sorrow is feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment or misfortune suffered by a person directly or by loved ones.

It is the human response to painful and heartbreaking life situations involving loss or other tragic circumstances. Sorrow is characterized by weeping, mourning, bitterness, depression, disappointment, failure, sadness, regret and discouragement. It is indeed an arrow in quiver of Satan and his agents, and their aim is to use it to break men’s spirit and determination to move forward in life. In God’s original plan, sorrow and its attendant problems were not meant to be part of the human experience, and that is why there will be no more sorrow in the new heaven and new earth that God is preparing for His people. Speaking on this truth, Revelation 21:4 says:

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Sorrow became part and parcel of the human experience because of our descent into sin and the pronouncement of God’s judgement that subsequently followed (Genesis 3:16-20). The consequence of this is laid bare in Ecclesiastes 2:22-23, which is:

“For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun? For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.”

Today, the devil is still shooting the arrow of sorrow all over the world through sickness, poverty, childlessness, terrorism, natural disaster, calamities of epic proportions, separation and divorce, untimely death, and a much more. However, we thank God that the compassionate Jesus became a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief”, so that we can experience the joy of the Lord right here on earth (Isaiah 53:3-4). I therefore decree that sorrow will cease in your life from today in Jesus’ Name.

God provides comfort for the sorrowful and promises eternal deliverance from sorrow (Isaiah 35:10). He is mindful of our fame, and that is why He sent us the Holy Spirit to continually comfort and strengthen us (Psalm 103:14, John 15:26).

Through His work in our life, Satan’s evil arrow of sorrow is rendered powerless over us. Have you recently suffered any form of loss, disappointment or pain? I encourage you today to yield to the comfort of the Holy Spirit, pick yourself up from the ashes of discouragement and face life with renewed vigour. The devil’s aim is to break your spirit and make you give up on life. Please don’t give in to him, neither should you contemplate suicide. The joy of the Lord is your strengthen. Hallelujah!

Action Point :

Reach out to anyone you know is discouraged or grieving today with the words of hope and encouragement.

Bible in one year: 1st Peter 1-4, Jeremiah 13:15-14:12,

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

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MEMORISE:

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5

READ: Exodus 14:19-24

19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:

20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.

24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,

MESSAGE

Night is generally identified as the period of darkness between evening and morning. It is a time of rest or cessation from daily activities, which is a good thing. However, because darkness also provides cover for evil activities the devil and his demons come out in collaboration with their human agents; usually commit all manner of evil works against people at night. Exposing their mode of operation, the Lord reveals in Matthew 13:25 that while men slept at night, the enemy came, corrupted their destinies with evil seeds and escaped unnoticed. The night is therefore recognized as the time of peak activity for the powers of darkness, and as the period when evil is easily planned and executed. Indeed, evil flourishes at night, so much so that the night life of most cities brims over with alcohol, drugs, prostitution, gambling, gangsterism and other terrible vices. This situation is especially Rife in places where the spiritual atmosphere is under the control of the rulers of the darkness of this world (Ephesians 6:12). It is this reality that has given the night the sinister image it has. I decreed that every problem that entered your life under the cover of darkness be neutralized today in Jesus’ Name.

Notwithstanding the evil characteristics of the night, because God originally created the night to be good, good things can still come out of it. Among other things, the night time provides an ideal opportunity for praise, worship, prayer and in-depth Bible study. More importantly, multiple examples from the Bible and from our life experiences show that God is in the business of carrying out powerful deliverance is at night. I therefore pray that your insurmountable problems will pass away with the night, and you will wake up to Joy and celebration in Jesus’ Name. in Exodus 14:24, as morning approach, God troubled the camp of the Egyptians so much that they knew God’s hand was against them. All their soldiers perished before dawn, and the Israelites woke up to Joy and celebration. This type of testimony will be your portion in Jesus’ Name. In Acts 16:25-26, Paul and Silas went to bed as prisoners, but God visited the prison after midnight to deliver them with a foundation-shaking at earthquake, and they woke up as free men in the morning. I pray that your problems will disappear with the night, and you will wake up to celebration in Jesus’ Name. Lastly, in Acts 12:6-10, Peter was kept in a maximum-security prison, but an angel of God visited the prison that night. Peter’s chains were broken and the prison gate opened to him by itself. He walked out of the prison a free man and joined the people of God to celebrate and praise God in the morning. God will give you such a testimony in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please visit my adversaries tonight and cause me to celebrate in Jesus’ Name.

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:

Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. Psalm 119:6

READ: Psalm 119:1-8

1Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

MESSAGE

The original purpose of a devil’s deceit is to humiliate man and subject him to eternal fear and ridicule. He succeeded in this ploy in the Garden of Eden, causing shame and fear to cover our first parents like the waters cover the sea. What brought about this shame upon the first man? Disobedience to the word of God was the cause. The Lord had earlier warned Adam against eating the forbidden fruit to avoid grave consequences, but the devil came and lied to his wife that nothing would happen. After Eve was deceived and Adam succumbed to the sin of disobeying God, they discovered shame and fear that they never knew before, because the glory of God departed from them (Genesis 2:25, Genesis 3:10). Just as he did with Eve the devil is still deceiving people today that severe consequence will not follow the act of sin in the life of sinners. Unfortunately, when you look around the world today, you will discover great men and women whom the devil had brought to shame and ridicule by lying to them that there will be no consequences for their evil actions or that their secret sinful act will never be found out. Such people would have avoided public ridicule and shame If only they had known and given heed to God’s word in Numbers 32:23, which says:

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.”

Are you involved in any secret sin and the devil is deceiving you that there will be no consequences? The word of God is coming to you today that your sin will find you out. Are you having an extra-marital affair? Are you stealing public funds at your disposal? Are you oppressing those whom God has placed under your leadership? Are you short-changing your place of work in shady deals to your own benefits? Are you visiting pornographic sites in the secret confines of your room? If you are involved in any form of sin, God is saying to you today, “Be sure your sin will find you out.”

Disobedience to God’s word brings untold shame and agony. To avoid or remove the shame that sin brings, we must go back to the word of God and do what it says. As seen in today’s memory verse, complete obedience to the word of God is the antidote for shame. In today’s Bible reading, those who walk in the law of the Lord are described as blessed. They are blessed because those iniquities that bring shame are far away from them due to the adherence to God’s commandment. Shame is the portion of those who do not consider God’s omnipresent nature before committing “hidden” acts. Before traveling to that far-away secluded location for your illicit tryst, remember that God is there. I pray that sin will not put you in shame in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, help me keep to Your commandments, and keep me far away from shame.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hebrews 9-10

Jeremiah 11:9-23

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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

1. 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.

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MEMORISE:

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

READ: 1 Kings 18:21-39

21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:

24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.

26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.

27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.

28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.

29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.

31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:

32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.

33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.

34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.
35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.

36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.

37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.

MESSAGE

By the standards of the world, the majority votes or opinion is the acceptable way of measuring the correctness or wrongness of any idea or way of life. For example, at a point in history, some societies saw homosexuality and other sexual immorality as aberrations, but with the majority of their population now in support of such lifestyle, these acts are now being celebrated, so much so that even some who ought to be God’s mouthpiece in these societies are afraid of criticizing them, in order not to lose their appeal before the world. How sad! Irrespective of the prevailing opinion in such societies, God’s position remains steadfast forever, and it is clearly stated in the words of 1 Corinthians 6:9:

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,”

The doctrine of the world says the minority may have their say but the majority will have their way. Thank God that we are not of the world, and so we are not bound by the ideology or way of life (John 17:14-16). We are citizens of a kingdom, and God is our King (Ephesians 2:9).

As citizens of Heaven, let us not be terrified into surrendering to the world’s beliefs. Do not let their militant way of enforcing their agenda move you. Don’t be like Aaron who conceded to the evil idea of making a god of gold for the Israelites because that was the popular opinion of the majority (Exodus 32:1- 6). Remember the words of Exodus 23:2a which says to you:

“Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil;”

Also, don’t forget the words of your heavenly Father, saying in Proverbs 1:10:

“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”

You need to understand that one with our God is majority (Romans 8:31). Always stand for the truth, even in the face of a hostile majority with the full understanding that with God, you are in the majority. 1 John 4:4 declares that you have overcome the world because the presence of God in you makes you greater than the world. I therefore encourage you to soar on the victory won by Christ Jesus to confidently stand for the truth and speak out against all forms of sin and unrighteousness (John 16:33). Let the whole world know that one with God is majority and resist the lie which says that because you are outnumbered, you have to join the world to perpetrate evil, especially those identified as being socially acceptable or politically correct.

ACTION POINT:

Pray for Christians in societies which are hostile to the message of the gospel, that God will uphold them to stand strong for Him in the face of hostility against their faith.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hebrews 5-8
Jeremiah 10:17-11:8

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 10: I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

1. 5. 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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MEMORISE:

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:26

READ: Isaiah 7:1-7

1And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.

2 And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.

3 Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller’s field;

4 And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.

5 Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying,

6 Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeal:

7 Thus saith the Lord GOD, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.

MESSAGE

A calm, peaceful and restrained attitude to life, especially in the face of adverse circumstance, is God’s desire for His people. He revealed His thoughts on this to us in Isaiah 32:17-18, saying:

“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;”

One proof that we have received the gift of righteousness from Jesus after we are saved is the presence of peace in our heart, and the effect of this peace is quietness even in the midst of adversity. As God’s own special people, He does not want us to panic or be troubled in our hearts like the people of the world are whenever the enemy blows the wind of adversity (John 14:1). In today’s Bible reading, we see a king who’s heart melted when he was told of his enemies’ conspiracy against him. In response to this, God send Prophet Isaiah to deliver his word to him saying in Isaiah 7:4a:

“………Take heed, and be quiet”

As kings and priests to our God, He says to us the same words He sent to King Ahaz – be quiet (Revelations 1:6). Are you surrounded by the dark clouds of life, with the winds of adversity blowing strongly against you? God is saying to you today “Be quiet”. You may ask why should I be quiet? It is because in your quiet submission to God, He will arise on your behalf, and your enemies shall be scattered. No Wonder Isaiah 30:15 says:

“For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength:”

Jesus, Our perfect example, was presented as a man of quiet temperament (Matthew 12:14-20). He did not go around making noise or panicking over situations rather, He ruled over circumstances around Him by decree (Mark 4 35-39). In order to be like our Master, we are to be peaceful and quiet when in distress, when the enemy rises against us like a flood, and in the face of destructive criticism or rebellion. In these circumstances, one can only be quiet as a result of faith in God and to totally trust in his ability to work things out in our favor. In reality, whenever a child of God goes into quiet mode, God takes it as an invitation to step in on behalf of the fellow. You must realize that you are limited in all aspects of life, and stop fighting your battles all by yourself. Switch to quiet mode today and let Jesus take over your case He will give you the rest that you need, as He promised in Matthew 11:28.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, let Your righteousness continually manifest as quietness and confidence in my spirit in Jesus Name.

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:

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

READ: 1 Kings 22:29-33

29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.

30 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.

31 But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.

32 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out.

33 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.

MESSAGE

Many have argued that the company a person keeps does not necessarily have much impact on his or her character or destiny. They say that many people have become great and successful in spite of their warped lifestyles and bad behavior. The One who molded us disagrees with these notions. He declared in His word that evil communication corrupts good manners (1 Corinthians 15:33). Irrespective of a person’s background or lifestyle, the company you keep and the kind of information you consume determines the predominant thoughts that rules your hearts, and these go a long way to establish who you are and the kind of future that awaits you (Proverbs 23:7, Psalm 1:1- 4).

It would be a great error for you to think of the turn “evil association” only with respect to interaction with unbelievers; it can also apply to interpersonal relationships among Christians. God wants us to shun the evil activities of the ungodly just as much as He wants us to avoid every appearance of evil among the Christians. The Holy Spirit teaches us that those who perpetrate backbiting, disobedience, rebellion and false doctrine among the Brethren should be identified and avoided (2 Thessalonians 3:6). He explicitly says in Romans 16:17:

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”

When I was much younger in Ministry, I met a man of God who I looked up to. I admired him because of what I thought was the grace of God upon his life, until I accidentally discovered that he was doing things by diabolical means. I quickly moved away from him from that day, and I made sure our paths never crossed again. Don’t be deceived, no matter how wise or careful you are, continued association with anyone leaving contrary to the word of God will eventually spell doom for you. I pray that you will not share in the punishment or retribution of evil people in Jesus’ Name.

The word of God in Psalm 1:3- 4 says clearly that obedient children of God are like a tree planted by the rivers of water that produces fruit in its season, and whatsoever they do prospers. However, the same passage also say that unbelievers and ungodly “Christians” are like chaff that the wind blows away. Sinners can never have lasting peace as they are bound to perish suddenly (Psalm 73:17-18). Therefore, come out from among them, separate yourself and stay away from evil associations that can corrupt your godly nature.

KEY POINT:

Whatever you permit around you will end up influencing you.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 10: I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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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MEMORISE:

And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age. Genesis 21:7

READ: Joshua 14:6-14

6 Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.

7 Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.

8 Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.

9 And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.

10 And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.

11 As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.

12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.

13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.

14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.

MESSAGE

Delayed promises and unfulfilled desires are common life occurrences, bringing about anxiety, disappointment, and hopelessness and, in some cases untimely death. Often, the devil uses delay as a deadly weapon to cause children of God to lose faith in Him and His promises, leading to the despair. So deadly is this weapon that even Abraham, the father of Faith, was caught in its crosshair. Even after God had gone to Great Lengths to reassure him that He would fulfill His promise of Sarah birthing him a son, his attitude and response to God was still that of hopelessness. Genesis 17:17 -18 says:

“Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!”

In Genesis 18:12, Sarah also manifested a similar attitude of unbelief to God’s promises that she would bear a son in less than a year. Elijah was so troubled with uncertainty that he asked God to take his life (1 King 19:4). Zachariah also showed his state of discouragement and hopelessness in his response to the message of the Angel sent by God to announce to him that he would have a son in his old age (Luke 1:18). Even John the Baptist, because of his incarceration, sent a message to Jesus that conveyed his feeling of confusion and despair (Matthew 11:2-3). These examples show people who had concluded that their cases were closed and it was all over for them. However, in spite of the hopelessness, God still proved himself a faithful keeper of His promises to them. In truth, what we often see as delayed promises, unfulfilled desires or closed cases are nothing but a misunderstanding of God’s timetable and divine principles. God never closes the chapter of an issue he has committed himself to until it is resolved. Therefore, no matter what you are passing through right now, I am assuring you today that God is not done with you yet!

God is the Alpha and Omega who knows the end from the beginning, and he has the power to do all things. It is not in his character to abandon a project. He reconnected Moses to his Destiny at the age of 80. He destroyed the giant occupants of Canaan to fulfill his promise to Israel. He sent Jesus the Messiah as the Savior of mankind, and He gives the Holy Spirit to all believers in Christ. God has promised that He will not leave or forsake you, so you can be assured that He will not leave or forsake you. He is not done with you yet (Hebrew 13:5). He will surely bring His word to pass in your life, and He will see you through to the very end, to the glory of His Name. Praise the Lord!

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please let Your will be done by bringing Your word to pass in my life in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Timothy 1-4

Jeremiah 8:18-9:11

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 8: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE
1. 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!

2. 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!

3. 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.

4. 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! Please

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MEMORISE:

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Jeremiah 6:16

READ: Isaiah 30:18-21

18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.

20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:

21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

MESSAGE

At a point in everyone’s life, we all come face to face with crossroads. Many people don’t know what to do when they find themselves at crossroads, and so they take steps in the wrong direction, leading to setbacks or destruction. This will not be your portion in Jesus’ Name. However, for this not to be your lot, you need to know what to do when at crossroads in life. The Holy Spirit offers an excellent solution in today’s memory verse. From His recommendations, the first thing you need to do is to pause and consider the options before you. He said “Stand ye in the ways, and see.” Some people are always in a hurry to make decisions at such moments, but this is not a wise thing to do. Do not allow your emotions or anyone rush you into making a decision when at crossroads. You need to learn to wait for the Lord, especially at such moments. Wait to hear expressly from God for Him to give you a sign on the right thing to do. In today’s Bible reading, when Paul and his company faced a dilemma on where next to take the message of the gospel, they waited until God gave them a sign through a night vision. Mind you, they were obeying the commandments of the Lord “to go ye into the world and preach the gospel”, and yet the Holy Spirit forbade them from preaching in two places. The Holy Spirit who forbade them from preaching in two places. The Holy Spirit who forbade them from preaching in those places did not expressly tell them where they would preach next. They had to wait for the Lord until He showed them the path to toe. How marvelous are the ways of our God! No wonder Isaiah 30:18b from our Bible reading says:

“ for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.”

After pausing to see, the next step the holy Spirit recommends in Jeremiah 6:16 is to ask for the old paths. There is s Nigerian adage that says “He who asks questions will not miss his way”. You need to ask questions on how the issue you are facing was handled by those who have gone ahead of you and what their results were. It is unfortunate that today’s men and women tend not to see anything good in the old paths, and yet these sometimes hold the key to their future. However, take careful note of the words used by the Holy Spirit in Jeremiah 6:16. He did not say you should ask for the old paths and walk in them; He said you should ask for the old paths and walk in them; He said you should ask for the old paths and make further enquiries on where the good way is. The old paths are not necessarily the good way, but they can point you in the direction of where the good way is. Don’t be fixated on doing things the way they have always been done, except that is seen to be the good way. You need to have a relationship with the One who declared Himself to be The way, in order for you to discover where the good way is in all situations (John 14:6). When you are His sheep, you will hear His voice behind you, telling you which way to go. When you yield to His voice, you will surely find rest for your soul.

ACTION POINT:

Apply the principles of Jeremiah 6:16 to any crossroads you are facing today.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Timothy 1-6

Jeremiah 8:4-17

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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