THEME: ANTIDOTE TO SICKNESSES AND DISEASES

MEMORISE: And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. Exodus 16:18

READ: Exodus 16:16 -20

16 This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents.

17 And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.

18 And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.

19 And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning.

20 Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.

MESSAGE

There are many sicknesses and diseases in the world today that were not there in the days of our forefathers. This can be traced primarily to the difference in food consumption between those olden days and now. In those days, they didn’t have canned foods as they never tried to preserve anything through artificial means. Their bodies were strong and healthy because they got their food fresh from the farm as there were no freezers. These days, we want to minimize the number of times we go shopping. We want to be hungry this moment and have our food ready in five minutes, hence the increase in junk food and the use of microwave ovens. These things come at a cost to our health and vitality.

I am 80 years old now and still as strong as l was a couple of decades ago. Yes, no doubt, the Lord has been keeping me strong. I on the other hand too have not been consuming what will kill my body.

If you want to stay strong and healthy, stop eating frozen and junk foods when Jesus was teaching His disciple in Matthew 6:11, He told them to pray thus, “Give us this day our daily bread”, not our weekly bread, not our monthly bread. As much as you can, get your food for the day fresh from the Source.

All frozen foods and canned foods you see are being preserved with chemicals that are dangerous to your health. Have a small garden or flower pots somewhere around your house where you can plant some vegetables so that you can get fresh whenever you want.

In the days of old, our fathers did not have as many sickness as we have now because they did not have cars, neither did they have air conditioners. They breathed in fresh air and cool themselves with it. These days some people move from air-conditioned homes to air-conditioned cars to air-conditioned offices. You are still young why can’t you stay outdoors just for a little while every day to take in fresh air and vitamin D in the morning? If you start exercising your body and eating right, you will begin to feel the improvement in your health right away.

ACTION POINT

Going forward, be deliberate about eating right and exercising your body.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 6-9

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 2: CONQUERORS AND OVERCOMERS NOW WE ARE

1 Conquerors and overcomers now are we,

Thro’ the precious blood of Christ we’ve victory,

If the Lord be for us, we can never fail;

Nothing ‘gainst his mighty pow’r can e’er prevail.

Refrain:

Conquerors are we, thro’ the blood, thro’ the blood;

God will give us victory, thro’ the blood, thro’ the blood,

Thro’ the Lamb for sinners slain,

Yet who lives and reigns again,

More than conquerors are we,

More than conquerors are we.

2 In the name of Israel’s God we’ll onward press,

Overcoming sin and all unrighteousness;

Not to us, but unto him the praise shall be,

For salvation and for blood-bought victory. [Refrain]

3 Unto him that overcometh shall be giv’n

Here to eat of hidden manna sent from heav’n;

Over yonder he the victor’s palm shall bear,

And a robe of white, and golden crown shall wear. [Refrain

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MEMORISE: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11

READ: Philippians 4:11 -13
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

MESSAGE

The interesting thing about contentment is that it is something you can learn. Paul said he had learnt to be content whether he had plenty or little. You can learn contentment and you can start learning it right now. Everybody needs to learn to be content. When you look at Paul’s statement, you can understand his mindset. What he was actually saying when he said that he was content whether in plenty or in lack is that he knew that no situation is permanent. This is a very important mindset to help us learn contentment. When you know your present situation is not permanent and things will soon get better, then you will be content with what you have now. When you know that every day is not a feast, you won’t be expecting to eat every delicacy possible every day. In any case, all you need is to eat enough to give you strength for the day.

The moment you learn contentment, you begin to enjoy the peace of God that passes all understanding because you won’t worry about tomorrow. Once you are content, nobody can tempt you to steal or falsify records, you then suddenly discover that there is nothing any man can do to shake you.
It is when lack of contentment has led you to do something that you shouldn’t have done that you become afraid. Jesus Christ said

Hereafter l will not talk much with you for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. John 14:30

If you are content with whatever God gives you, then you will not go after what the devil is offering you. In Luke 4:2-8, the devil offered Jesus a lot of riches and influence even though Jesus was hungry and tired at the time the offer was made, He did not take the offer because He was content with what God had given to Him. If you know that the Lord has prosperity planned for you, then you will not spoil your chances of getting that prosperity by being covetous now. Not being content has made many people steal thousands and lost the billions that God was planning to give them.

PRAYER POINT
Lord, please teach me to be content

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 3- 5

AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE

Hymn 29: WILL YOUR ANCHOR HOLD IN THE STORM OF LIFE
1 Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift or firm remain?

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Stedfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.

2 It is safely moored, ’twill the storm withstand,
For ’tis well secured by the Savior’s hand;
And the cables passed from His heart to mine,
Can defy the blast, through strength divine.

3 It will firmly hold in the straits of fear,
When the breakers have told the reef is near;
Though the tempest rave and the wild winds blow,
Not an angry wave shall our bark o’erflow.

4 It will surely hold in the floods of death,
When the waters cold chill our latest breath;
On the rising tide it can never fail,
While our hopes abide within the veil.

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MEMORISE: But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6

READ: 1 Timothy 6:6 -12

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.

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

MESSAGE

Money never satisfies those who love it. (Ecclesiastes 5:10-12). When you have a Mercedes S Class, you rejoice. However, the day you see someone with a Roll Royce, you become hungry for more. In any case, Ecclesiastes 5:11 says that when the money you have increases, the number of those who will spend it will also increase. Ecclesiastes 5:12 goes further to say that the people you call poor enjoy more blessings than the rich ones because nothing bothers their sleep, whereas the abundance of the rich hardly allows them rest. A lot of rich people even have problems eating because they have so much to choose from. Some rich people will spend several minutes trying to decide on what to eat whereas those of us who are not rich just thank God for what is available, and we eat it with joy.

I Timothy 6:6-8 says godliness with contentment is great gain. The passage further says that if you have food to eat and clothes to wear, you should be content with that. No matter how big your house is, you can only sleep in one room at a time. No matter how many cars you have, you can only travel in one at a time.

We brought nothing into the world, and we will take nothing out when we are leaving. Whatever money or treasures you amass here on earth will be useless when it is time to leave.

There was a man who was so rich and so miserly that he used to go to the market by himself to buy foodstuff. Anytime his wife cooked his own pot of soup, he would take it into his room and lock it away from everyone else. He didn’t trust the banks, so he kept his money in a room where no one ever entered. One day, he died and his Children came home. On getting home, they began looking for the key to the room where he kept his money. The youngest then said, “l know Papa, l am sure he must have swallowed the key before he died”. So, they turned his corpse, started beating his back and the key popped out of his mouth.

All the wealth you are pursuing will be useless to you one day. Rather than focus on this thing that are temporal, why don’t you put your gaze on eternal blessings (2 Corinthians 4:18). Don’t lose eternal treasures because of your focus on material things. Be content with what you have.

KEY POINT

Spend your time on earth amassing treasures in heaven rather than treasures here which will be destroyed eventually.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 66- Jeremiah 2

AUTHOR: E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 24: THROUGH THE LOVE OF GOD OUR SAVIOR

1 Through the love of God our Saviour,

all will be well.

Free and changeless is his favour,

all, all is well.

Precious is the blood that healed us,

perfect is the grace that sealed us,

strong the hand stretched forth to shield us,

all must be well.

2 Though we pass through tribulation,

all will be well.

Ours is such a full salvation,

all, all is well.

Happy, still in God confiding,

fruitful, if in Christ abiding,

holy, through the Spirit’s guiding,

all must be well.

3 We expect a bright tomorrow,

all will be well.

Faith can sing through days of sorrow,

‘All, all is well.’

On our Father’s love relying,

Jesus every need supplying,

in our living, in our dying,

all must be well.

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MEMORISE: And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23

READ: Revelation 3:14 -18

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Luke 9:23 -24

23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

MESSAGE

The Laodiceans were very rich people, but they were lukewarm. Jesus said He would spew them out of His mouth because they said they were Rich and thus had need of nothing. Jesus told these people that they were poor and to be rich, they needed to come and buy gold tried in the fire from Him. To be clothed, they needed to buy white raiment from Him too. This reminds us of what we learnt when we discussed the letter to the Smyrna Church earlier this month (10th and 11th of August).

Jesus didn’t say they should come and get from Him the gold tried in fire or the white raiment; He said they should come and buy it. In other words, they would have to give up something in order to get it. This is where the problem is with lukewarm Christian. They want convenient Christianity and that does not exist. They want to come to Church when they like and do only what is convenient for them in the word of God. If you are not giving something up to stand in the faith, you are a lukewarm Christian. If you discover that for some time now, the Lord has not taken anything from you that was difficult to give up – whether it is material or in your character, you are a lukewarm Christian. You don’t get the white raiment, or the gold tried in the fire without giving something up. You don’t become spiritually rich without giving up something in the physical.

If you don’t tell anyone about Jesus, or you indulge in the lust of the eyes or pay people to do the work of God because you can no longer work for Him with your own hands as that will be beneath your social class, you are a lukewarm Christian. If you are finding it difficult to let go of a particular thing or pick up something new so as to gain spiritual riches, you had better change your ways now because the Lord says He will spew you out of His mouth.

God has spewed some people out of His mouth, but they don’t know it. They think they are still in Christ, but they’re long gone. I hope that today’s message can help shed some light on whether you have become lukewarm or not.

I really do pray that the Almighty God shows you the area where you may need to reignite the fire, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT

Father, any area where my fire has become lukewarm, please show me and help me to become hot for you again, in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 55-59

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 3: DEEPER DEEPER IN THE LOVE OF JESUS

1. Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus

Daily let me go;

Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,

More of grace to know.

Refrain:

Oh, deeper yet, I pray,

And higher ev’ry day,

And wiser, blessed Lord,

In Thy precious, holy word.

2 Deeper, deeper! blessed Holy Spirit,

Take me deeper still,

Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,

And His perfect will.

3 Deeper, deeper! tho’ it cost hard trials,

Deeper let me go!

Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,

Let me fruitful grow.

4 Deeper, higher, ev’ry day in Jesus,

Till all conflict past,

Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image

Perfected at last.

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MEMORISE: And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Matthew 24:12

READ: Revelation 3:11 -13

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

MESSAGE

Behold I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown

Revelation3:11

Jesus Christ said that it is possible for someone to take crown that was prepared for another person. It is possible for a Christian to have worked hard for God but lose the crown to someone else due to carelessness and not being watchful. I pray that this will not be your portion in Jesus’ name.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Matthew 24:12-13

There is no medal for starting the race- It comes when you finish it. If you drop out of the race and God chooses someone else to finish it for you, the fellow will get all your medals. In the name of Jesus, nobody else will get the crown that l have been working for in the Kingdom of God all these years. I want to say like Paul: l have finished my race, l have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

I heard a story about fifty Christians who were being tortured by soldiers. The soldiers took the Christians to a very cold lake, stripped them naked and told them to get into the water. The soldier then makes a bonfire beside the lake. Then told the Christians that whenever any of them was ready to deny Jesus, they could come out of the lake and warm themselves by the fire. The Christian resisted and at some point, they were close to death. Suddenly, fifty angels appeared with crown in their hands, and they were moving towards these Christians in the lake. The Christians could not see them. It was at that point that one of the Christians thought he could no longer resist the cold, so he denied Jesus and, as he was coming out of the lake, the angel who brought his crown was about to turn back to heaven when one of the soldiers who had seen the Angel turning back put off his own clothes and jumped into the lake, thereby claiming the crown but the other fellow had lost. I tell you my brethren from the depth of my heart, hold fast to the end so that no one else would take your crown.

KEY POINT

Hold fast to the end so that no one else would take your crown.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 50-54

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 2: CONQUERORS AND OVERCOMERS NOW WE ARE

1 Conquerors and overcomers now are we,

Thro’ the precious blood of Christ we’ve victory,

If the Lord be for us, we can never fail;

Nothing ‘gainst his mighty pow’r can e’er prevail.

Refrain:

Conquerors are we, thro’ the blood, thro’ the blood;

God will give us victory, thro’ the blood, thro’ the blood,

Thro’ the Lamb for sinners slain,

Yet who lives and reigns again,

More than conquerors are we,

More than conquerors are we.

2 In the name of Israel’s God we’ll onward press,

Overcoming sin and all unrighteousness;

Not to us, but unto him the praise shall be,

For salvation and for blood-bought victory.

3 Unto him that overcometh shall be giv’n

Here to eat of hidden manna sent from heav’n;

Over yonder he the victor’s palm shall bear,

And a robe of white, and golden crown shall wear.

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THEME: LETTER TO THE PHILADELPHIAN CHURCH 1

MEMORISE: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 1:7

READ: Revelation 3:11 -13

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

MESSAGE

Jesus was full of praises for Philadelphian Church. He also gave them several promises, only warning them to hold fast. Such a beautiful letter!

In AD 17, Philadelphia experienced a lot of earthquakes. The tremors kept the people of Philadelphia constantly alert.

When people have no troubles, they feel so relaxed and assume that they don’t need God. That is why 1 Peter 1:7 says that trials come to strengthen our faith. The reason you see so much revival in Africa these days than in developed world is probably that what we have to pray for in the developing countries is always provided by the respective governments of nation of developed world. Thus, we have no choice than to do as David did in Psalm 121:1-3 – to look up to the Lord from whence cometh our help.

Once in a while when God sees that a Christian is beginning to fall into spiritual sleep, He sends a trial to wake him up, l believe one of the reasons Solomon started worshipping idols is that after building the temple, he became idle and forget God. You must always look for new mountains to conquer, you must always say, like Caleb in Joshua 14:12 “…give me this mountain”. Don’t ever feel relaxed as if you don’t need God. If after building the temple, Solomon had decided to advance the Kingdom of God further, he would have had the constant need to rely on God. If you have made a lot of money, use the money to start organising outreaches for the sinners and the poor. Just remain busy for God, asking for new mountains to conquer all the time and you will never forget Him.

History tells us that the Philadelphian Church was a mission-minded one. The members were always witnessing and sending people out on missions. When the Mohammedans came to Asia Minor and all the other Churches collapsed, the Philadelphian Church stood firm. There is still a Church in Philadelphia to date. This tell us very clearly that if you are always witnessing, if you are always winning souls, the devil will not be able to make you fall.

KEY POINT

If you want your faith to last to the end, become a soul winner.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 45-49

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 9: I’VE A MESSAGE FROM THE LORD

1 I’ve a message from the Lord, Hallelujah!

The message unto you I’ll give.

’Tis recorded in His Word, Hallelujah!

It is only that you “look and live.”

Refrain:

“Look and live,” my brother, live.

Look to Jesus now and live.

’Tis recorded in His Word, Hallelujah!

It is only that you “look and live.”

2 I’ve a message full of love, Hallelujah!

A message, O my friend, for you.

’Tis a message from above, Hallelujah!

Jesus said it, and I know ’tis true.

3 Life is offered unto you. Hallelujah!

Eternal life your soul shall have

If you’ll only look to Him. Hallelujah!

Look to Jesus, who alone can save.

4 I will tell you how I came, Hallelujah!

To Jesus when He made me whole:

’Twas believing on His name, Hallelujah!

I trusted and He saved my soul.

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THEME: LETTER TO THE CHURCH OF SARDIS 2

MEMORISE: For many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14

READ: Revelation 3:3 -6

3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Matthew 24:42 -44

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

MESSAGE

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

Revelation 3:4

The Church in Sardis must have been fairly big, but Jesus said only a few of them had not soiled their garments. These few must have been called fanatics, but Jesus called them worthy (“for they are worthy”). Even though the world around us now is extremely corrupt, there would always be a few who will not stain their garments. Are you among such few that the Lord considers worthy?

Here are the things Jesus said concerning these few:

They will walk with Him in white because they are worthy to do so. Their names will be found in the book of life. He will confess their names before God and angels.

I want to be amongst these few: What about you?

For those who are not amongst the few, those who don’t do His will and have soiled their garments, He is saying: He will come upon them like a thief. They will not be clothed in white along with Him. Their names will not be found in the book of life, but rather in the book of death.

When the raptures happen, these people will not be prepared, so just like a thief takes his or her victims by surprise and steals from them, so will the rapture do to these ones (Matthew 24:43). By God’s grace, l am prepared. Thus, if the rapture happens now, by the grace of God l will be smiling. The unfortunate thing is that there will be many people in this second set.

Jesus said that, to be amongst the few, you must overcome. You must overcome temptations, the lures of the devil, and the world!

If you want to be amongst the few whose names will be found in the book of life, then you must ensure that you live a holy life from now. Study your Bible daily, don’t miss Christian fellowships, pray without ceasing, preach the word and do the work of God. I pray that you make it to heaven on the last day, in Jesus’ name.

REFLECTION

If rapture takes place today, will you make it to heaven?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 41-44

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 8: I’M PRESSING ON THE UPWARD WAY

1 I’m pressing on the upward way,

New heights I’m gaining every day;

Still praying as I onward bound,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Lord, lift me up, and let me stand

By faith on Canaan’s tableland;

A higher plane than I have found,

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

2 My heart has no desire to stay

Where doubts arise and fears dismay;

Though some may dwell where these abound,

My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

3 I want to live above the world,

Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;

For faith has caught the joyful sound,

The song of saints on higher ground.

4 I want to scale the utmost height

And catch a gleam of glory bright;

But still I’ll pray till rest I’ve found,

“Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”

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MEMORISE: And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Acts 4:32

READ: Revelation 2:18 -29

18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

28 And I will give him the morning star.

29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Acts 2:44 -47

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

MESSAGE

The only thing that Jesus had against the Thyatira Church was that they gave Jezebel the permission to teach the congregation and she taught them to sin against God. Maybe we should put our attention on the people that were misled. Remember the condition that must be fulfilled if you were to trade in Thyatira in those days. The people easily fell to Jezebel’s lure because she offered them a way to trade and still look like they had not fallen away from their faith.

Many people today are going into the world because they have not been able to find support for their businesses and careers in the Church/amongst Christians. It is important that we join hands to help one another achieve our goals. Set up committee to teach the people about their businesses. Design programmes to teach people skills that can help them make money. Give people the opportunity to tell others within the Church the business that they do and most importantly, encourage everyone to buy whatever they need from a member of the Church. If we Christians patronize one another, there will be less pressure to compromise in order to earn our daily bread.

The Church is a place where we all should be brothers and sister; no discrimination! Read the history of the Church in Acts 2:44-47; they shared all they had and ensured that nobody was hungry. Do you share what you have with the poor in your Church so that they also have some or do you stay away from them because they don’t have!

When we talk about evangelizing for those in the world to come to Christ, we must be aware that the devil is also evangelizing for those who are in Christ to go into the world. Let us do what we can to reduce the pressure on them to go into the world. Yes, you pray with them to receive their breakthrough, but if you have resources they need and you don’t offer them, you are not helping them or the body of Christ in general. James 2:15-16 says:

“If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?”

ACTION POINT

Look for someone in your local assembly who needs help financially and assists the fellow. Also, always ensure you patronize members of the church when you need a product they sell or a service they can provide.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 33-36

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 7: I LOVE THIS FAMILY OF GOD

I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God,

I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!

Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,

For I’m part of the family,

The Family of God.

You will notice we say “brother and sister” ’round here,

It’s because we’re a family and these are so near;

When one has a heartache, we all share the tears,

And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear.

I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God,

I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!

Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,

For I’m part of the family,

The Family of God.

From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King,

No longer an outcast, a new song I sing;

From rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong,

I’m not worthy to be here, but praise God I belong!

I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God,

I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!

Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,

For I’m part of the family,

The Family of God.

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MEMORISE: But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 18:6

READ: Revelation 2:20 -23

20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

MESSAGE

In our Bible reading today, Jesus tells us what will happen to Jezebel if she does not repent. There are many people in the body of Christ now, talking about old-fashioned Christianity. They say some of the things which form the foundation of living a Christian life are no longer necessary and we can do things differently and still remain Christians. They say as long as your heart is in tune with God, it does not matter how you dress, it is the heart that matters. They forget that it is what is in the heart that will reflect outside. They say you can have intimate friends who are sinners as long as you do not join them in committing sins. They forget that it is evil communication that corrupt good manners. If you are one of those encouraging people to be a little slack with their Christian life so that they can enjoy some of the benefits of this world, you are a Jezebel. How can you say there is something like old-fashioned Christianity when Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)?

There is nothing like old-fashioned or modern Christianity. Christianity is about becoming like Jesus. Any doctrine or teaching that encourages a mixture with the world system is not Christianity at all, it is the doctrine of Jezebel. Stop teaching, tolerating or encouraging it.

God said He will punish Jezebel by confining her to a bed. Many people develop some stubborn sicknesses without knowing that the root is from God Himself. Unless they repent, they will die from the sickness and not only them but their children also. Jesus said in Matthew 18:7:

Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offence come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

You had better be careful what you teach the children of God so that you don’t end up being cursed by God Himself.

KEY POINT

There is no old – fashion Christianity; always teach the undiluted word of God when given the opportunity.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 29-32

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 5: HAVE YOU BEEN TO JESUS

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r?

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?

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?

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?

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: Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. Revelation 2:20

READ: Revelation 2:18 – 29

18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

28 And I will give him the morning star.

29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

MESSAGE

Thyatira was a great commercial city with many trade unions and only members of these associations were allowed to sell their goods there. However, these unions occasionally held feasts in the temples of idols and engaged in gross immorality. For members of the Church to trade, they had to join the unions, thereby partaking in idol worship and immorality. This was a big problem and there was a woman in the Church who capitalized on it to lure them into sin. She called herself a prophetess so many of them believed whatever she said. What Jesus had against the Church in Thyatira however was that they kept giving this woman the platform to preach, as we see in our memory verse today.

These people knew that she was seducing God’s people into fornication and idolatry, yet they kept allowing her to teach. You must be very careful who you allow to step on the podium in your assembly so that Jesus will not say He is disappointed in you. Clearly, this woman must have been very rich and influential. You must never allow children of the devil to teach the children of God, no matter how big their contributions to Church projects are.

Some subtle Jezebels are allowed on altars these days. When the Church brings a professional who is not a true Christian to the altar to teach the people, they have invited Jezebel. The fellow is not going to teach Scriptural principles because he or she does not live by them. Such persons will teach the principles they live by which are those of the world. Once you put someone in front of the children of God to teach them, somehow you have told the people this is a role model worthy enough to listen to and follow.

Whatever field it is that you want your people to learn how to be successful in, find a Christian who has been successful in that area and invite him or her. If you don’t know any Christian who has been successful in that field groom your people to attain success by yourself with the help of Holy Spirit. Don’t invite Jezebels to teach the people how to get success from the devil.

KEY POINT

Be very careful who you allow to mount the altar to teach the people.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 25-28

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 3: DEEPER DEEPER IN THE LOVE OF JESUS

1. Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus

Daily let me go;

Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,

More of grace to know.

Refrain:

Oh, deeper yet, I pray,

And higher every day,

And wiser, blessed Lord,

In Thy precious, holy Word.

2. Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,

Take me deeper still,

Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,

And His perfect will.

3. Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,

Deeper let me go!

Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,

Let me fruitful grow.

4. Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,

Till all conflict past,

Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image

Perfected at last.

5. 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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