MEMORISE: Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 1 Corinthians 5:6

READ: Revelation 2:12 -17

12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

MESSAGE

The church in Pergamos was standing firm. They did not deny the faith even with so much decadence around them. The only thing God had against them however is that they accommodated sinners in their midst without cautioning them that they were doing the wrong thing. It is not enough to live holy; you must also be concerned about the holiness of the entire Church. You must not be slow to call to correction those who are doing it wrong within the body of Christ. I am not saying that you should confront anyone but make it clear to anyone that there is the fake and the original. State the attributes of the fake and those original. You don’t have to mention names, the people will know who and who you are talking about. It will be clear that you are not in support of their actions.

“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” 1 Corinthians 5:11

In many Churches today, the line between the Church and the world is blurry. During praise and worship, they are singing songs and drumming just like the people of the world. Members of the congregation are dancing the latest dance steps in the world. You see ladies exposing their bodies and wearing very tight clothes. Choristers make their faces up so much that when you see them coming, you know they pay more attention to adorning the flesh than the spirit (1 Peter 3:3-4). The Bible says, “Be ye separate” (2 Corinthians 6:17). If light is beginning to look like darkness, then you can be sure it is no longer light but darkness.

We now have amongst us also, people who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans saying “As long as you have given your life to Christ, then you can go ahead and commit sin; grace will cover you”. Now, because some of these people are big men of God, the other Pastors who know the truth are too afraid to speak up. Don’t keep quiet! Speak up and tell whoever will listen to you that the Nicolaitans doctrine is of the devil and Jesus hates it (Revelation 2;15).

REFLECTION

In Revelation 2:15, Jesus said He is coming to fight those who follow wrong doctrines within the church. Check carefully: are you one of them?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 20-24

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 28: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD

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.

Refrain:

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way

to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2 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 blest if we trust and obey.

3 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.

4 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:

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” – (Matthew 10:28)

READ: Revelation 2:8-11 (KJV)

8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

MESSAGE:

Jesus assured the Smyrnan Church that even though they could experience painful physical death, because they were serving Him, they would have no part in the second death. If Jesus could use this as a consolation, it is then very clear to us that the second death is more hurtful than the physical one. This is why I pity those who would rather sin than experience some pain for the sake of the gospel. The physical death is not what you should fear but rather, the spiritual one (Matthew 10:28). The physical death will last a short time, but the spiritual one is for eternity.

Some people want to do greater things than Jesus did, but are not willing to suffer like Him. Paul said;

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; – (Philippians 3:10)

You cannot fully know Jesus without also partaking in the fellowship of His sufferings. If you are only with Jesus for the goodies but will run away to the devil once the going gets rough, then you are not worthy of His crown. If you don’t love Him enough to surrender your life to Him, then you are not worthy to receive His eternal life. He said;

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. – (Matthew 16:25)

The real life you should hold firmly to with all your might is eternal life. Don’t let anything be too big for you to sacrifice here on earth so as to avoid that second death. Jesus, in the letter to the Church in Smyrna says that He expects us to be faithful until death. Many have not even been confronted with death and they are already unfaithful. Are you one of those? Are you truly faithful to God even in the midst of trials and temptations around you? Today is a good day for you to repent from your unfaithfulness. If you refuse to repent, don’t expect to enter heaven at all because Jesus said if you deny Him here on earth, He will also deny you in Heaven (Matthew 10:33).

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please help me never to deny You again. No matter what temptations I pass through, Lord help me to remain faithful to You.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

Isaiah 14 – 19

AUTHOR: PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL: 29 – WILL YOUR ANCHOR HOLD IN THE STORMS 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?

Refrain:

We have an anchor that keeps the soul

steadfast and sure while the billows roll;

fastened to the Rock which cannot move,

grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love!

2 Will your anchor hold in the straits of fear,

when the breakers roar and the reef is near?

While the surges rage, and the wild winds blow,

shall the angry waves then your bark o’erflow? [Refrain]

3 Will your anchor hold in the floods of death,

when the waters cold chill your latest breath?

On the rising tide you can never fail,

while your anchor holds within the veil. [Refrain]

4 Will your eyes behold through the morning light

the city of gold and the harbour bright?

Will you anchor safe by the heavenly shore,

when life’s storms are past for evermore? [Refrain]

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MEMORISE: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. Isaiah 55:8

READ: Revelation 2:8 -10

8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

MESSAGE

You may wonder if the Smyrna Church offended God, because He kept talking about them going through tribulations and being cast into prison without saying He would rescue them at any point. This letter in the wholeness, gives us a little insight into how God thinks.

Firstly, while it may seem like God cannot see when His children are being persecuted, He knows it all and He has a crown waiting for you if you endure to the end. Secondly, because Jesus knew that some of them would die as a result of persecution, He introduced Himself to them as the One who was dead and is alive. Jesus always relates with us based on what we are going through. He approaches us by letting us know that He has been through that situation before and overcame it. Hebrews 4:15 says:

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

Whatever it is that you are going through now, Jesus has been through it before, and He overcame. You will also overcome in Jesus’ name. Sometimes persecution can come from so-called Christians too. Jesus says you should remain faithful, nonetheless. No matter what these people do, you are to look up to Him who is the author and finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Finally, we see God’s perspective of riches. Though these people seemed to be living in poverty, Jesus said “but though art rich” (Revelation 2:9). To man, the rich ones are those with the big cars and houses, but to God, the rich are those with great faith. 2 Corinthians 6:10 says that these are people who, though they may be poor, are rich because they are making others rich. These are the people storing up treasures in Heaven by using all they have to spread the gospel of God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:19-20). This is not to say that it is a sin to be rich materially, after all, God said He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Exodus 3:6) and these were all wealthy men. Understand that no matter how much money you have, you must never see financial wealth as your riches. You are rich when you are rich in faith.

ACTION POINT

I challenge you to build your faith up so much that even Jesus Christ Himself would testify that you are rich in faith.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 10-13

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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MEMORISE: Matthew 15:8

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

READ: Revelation 2:4-7

4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.

7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

MESSAGE

You wonder how Jesus would say that the Ephesus church had forgotten their first love after saying that He had seen their works, labour and patience (Revelation 2;4). This tells us clearly that all the labour that these people were putting into the work of God was not from their heart. It had all become routine and there was no longer a deep fellowship between them and the Holy spirit.

Many Christians today fall into this trap of the devil. When they are in prayer meeting, they can pray for two hours, but they can hardly pray for 5 minutes in their closets. When the church evangelism team goes out to evangelize, they are the first to arrive, but they have never opened their mouth to preach the gospel to their neighbors who is an unbeliever. Oh! Gone are those days when you would arrive in church only to be told by the pastor that you would be the one to preach that morning, days when every Christian was a soldier, ever ready for the use of his Master. These days, the Pastor has to pray hard, and give enough notice before he can ask a member to lend the church their car for an assignment. Sadly, the love of many has waxed cold. Is it your love for God that pushes you to the things you do for Him, or do you do them just as a normal duty you have in church? Are you still bubbling with that first love you had when you first gave your life to Christ or is your Christianity now a bunch of activities?

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Revelation 2:5

At the beginning of the letter, Jesus said He has seen their works. In verse 5 above, He says they should return to their first works.

There is the work you do mechanically, without being driven by love for God and there is the work you do as a result of your love for Him.. Jesus is telling you today to return to your first love, to do the first works that were driven by that love. It could be the same activity, but the works must now be backed by love.

REFLECTION

Ask yourself, “What drives me to do the work of God?”

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 6-9

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,

S 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 said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts: 2 Chronicles 6:14

READ: Revelation 2:1 -3

1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

MESSAGE

The first thing Jesus said to the Ephesus Church, after introducing Himself to them is:

I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which were evil: and thou hast try them which says they are apostles, and are not, and has found them liars:

Revelation 2:2

God is watching us closely. He can see it all! He said that members of the Ephesus church did not tolerate sinners. They were separate (2 Corinthians 6:17). Are you comfortable amongst sinners? The Bible asks “what has light gotten to do with darkness”? if you choose a business partner who is not born again, he could be brandishing charm under the table where no one can see him. You would then be wondering why God is not answering your prayers, without knowing that evil spirits have been invited into your business.

Jesus also commended the church for trying the people who came to them claiming to be apostles and finding the fake ones to be liars. When Paul was about to leave the Ephesians, he said:

“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter among you, not sparing the flocks. Also of your own self shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them” Acts 20: 29-30.

Paul warned them of false prophets, and they immediately started trying whoever claim to be sent by God to them. This tell us that the member of this church were not just hearers of the word but doers also. If these people have not acted on Paul admonition to them, only God knows the kind of doctrine that could have enter the church. It is because of this admonition that Jesus said they hated the Nicolaitans. The Nicolaitans are those who preach that once you are saved, you are forever saved- the false grace preachers. The Ephesus church never believed their lies because they tested spirit before even listening to any preacher. You will only fall for false doctrines if you don’t test all spirits.

PRAYER POINT

Father, give me the gift of the discerning of spirits so that I don’t fall prey to wrong doctrines.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 1-5

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,

drsTill my life is wholly lost in Jesus,

And His perfect will.]

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

S 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: The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Revelation 1:20

READ: Revelation 1:10 -20

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

MESSAGE

We see in our Bible reading – today that Jesus Christ was about to dictate letters for John to write and deliver to seven Churches. The Almighty God chose these seven Churches because they represent all the strengths and weaknesses of Christians all through the ages. In the next few days, we will be looking at each of these letters and drawing lessons from them because they are meant for the body of Christ in general and also for the individuals’ that make up the church. Thus, we should regard them as letters from your husband to you – Christ is the husband of the church as we are his bride.

The statement, he that have an ear should let him hear (Revelation 2:7,11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22) makes it clear that He is talking to individuals. On judgment day, you will get the reward of your works here on earth, regardless of which church you were attending.

When John turn to see the voice that spoke to him, there were seven candlesticks representing the churches and, in their midst, he saw Jesus (Revelation 1:12-13). This tells us that Jesus is in the midst of the churches. Jesus is in our midst in the Redeemed Christian Church of God and other every other churches of God out there. Halleluyah.

As soothing as this information is, it should also bring fear to those who are not doing His will. He is right there in your midst and can see all the atrocities that you are committing in the church. On the other hand, He can see all faithful ones and He has a reward for everyone according to their works. What reward does Jesus has for you?

John also saw seven stars in the hand of Jesus and these seven stars are the angel of the churches. Since it is the angel of these churches that the letters were addressed to (Revelation 2:1), it means these were the leaders of the churches – the Pastors. The Pastors are in His hands. This is why He says that you should not touch his anointed and do his prophet no harm (Psalm 105 :15).

If you are a pastor, ensure that you do not bring abomination into his vineyard so that you will not be crushed by His everlasting hands.

REFLECTION

Based on your works so far, what kind of reward do you think Jesus has prepared for you.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Songs 3- 8

AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE

HYMN 14: NEARER MY GOD TO THEE

1. Nearer, my God, to thee,

Nearer to thee!

E’en though it be a cross

That raiseth me.

Still all my song shall be

Nearer, my God, to thee,

Nearer, my God, to thee,

Nearer to thee!

2. Though like the wanderer,

The sun gone down,

Darkness be over me,

My rest a stone,

Yet in my dreams I’d be

Nearer, my God, to thee,

Nearer, my God, to thee,

Nearer to thee!

3. There let the way appear,

Steps unto heav’n;

All that thou sendest me,

In mercy giv’n;

Angels to beckon me

Nearer, my God, to thee,

Nearer, my God, to thee,

Nearer to thee!

4. Then with my waking thoughts

Bright with thy praise,

Out of my stony griefs

Bethel I’ll raise;

So by my woes to be

Nearer, my God, to thee,

Nearer, my God, to thee,

Nearer to thee!

5. Or if, on joyful wing

Cleaving the sky,

Sun, moon, and stars forgot,

Upward I fly,

Still all my song shall be

Nearer, my God, to thee,

Nearer, my God, to thee,

Nearer to thee

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MEMORISE

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – (2 Timothy 2:15)

READ: Daniel 9:1-7 (KJV)

1. In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;

2. In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

3. And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes;

4. And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

5. We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments;

6. Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

7. O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.

MESSAGE

Many people these days hardly study. Most youths would rather spend their time on Social Media than read books or conduct meaningful research. Every great person became so because they studied and learnt the right things to get to where they are today, so if you want to be great, learn to study. Some years back, you would have to visit a library in person to get the materials that you want to study, but now, you can find most of what you need on the internet.

I wonder then why many people still don’t study. There are certain circles of influence that you cannot reach if you don’t study. The Bible says you need to study to show yourself approved (2 Timothy 2:15). There are certain heights you cannot reach for God if you are not studious. Peter was a great man of God whose shadow was healing the sick (Acts 5:15). In fact, Peter became the leader of the Apostles, but Paul was the one who did a whole lot more amongst the apostles and that is because he was an educated man. Most of the New Testament was written by Paul because he was educated and wrote many letters. We have many anointed Christians, but not many influential ones because not many are willing to study.

In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes; – (Daniel 9:2-3)

Daniel knew there was a need to pray; he knew the correct prayers to offer because he studied the right books. Some people keep suffering in certain situations because they don’t know the truth about what they are facing. Some don’t even study the Bible to see what the word of God says about their problems.

Daniel 12:4 says that in the last days, knowledge will increase. This is coming to pass. The world is increasing in knowledge. Don’t leave the knowledge that will influence this world to the devil; go and get that knowledge too and use it for the Kingdom of God.

KEY POINT

Make studying your lifestyle.

AUTHOR: Pastor E. A. Adeboye

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Ecclesiastes 4 – 8

HYMNAL:

HYMN 03 – 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.

CHORUS:

O 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.

CHORUS:

O deeper yet I pray, And higher ev’ry day,

And wiser, blessed, Lord,

In Thy precious, holy word.

3. Deeper, deeper! tho’ it cost hard trials, Deeper let me go!

Rooted in the holy love of Jesus, Let me fruitful grow.

CHORUS:

O deeper yet I pray, And higher ev’ry day,

And wiser, blessed, Lord,

In Thy precious, holy word.

4. Deeper, higher ev’ry day in Jesus, Till all conflict past,

Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image

Perfected at last.

CHORUS:

O deeper yet I pray, And higher ev’ry day,

And wiser, blessed, Lord,

In Thy precious, holy word.

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MEMORISE: 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: and ye would not. Isaiah 30:15

READ: Proverbs 18:6 -8

6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

MESSAGE

The greatest things in life are formed and grown in silence. When a woman conceives the baby is formed in silence. By the time the baby is mature enough for the world to see, he or she will come out of the womb and the noise will begin naturally. Many years ago, a minister of God came from America to the Redemption Camp and when he saw how big the place was and all the amenities there, he asked, “Why are you not making a lot of noise about this place?” I told him that in my village, they say that when you light a fire, you cover it so that it flames very well, and the wind will not put it out. After a while, the fire will be so big that you won’t be able to cover it anymore. That is when everyone will see it. The less noisy you are, the farther you will go in life and the greater you will be.

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16

One major thing that makes a serpent wise is its silence. If they were noisy animals, I think all serpents in the world would have been dead by now. The more silent you are, the less likely you are to be killed by the wolves of this world. The noisy fellow will talk without thinking, but the silent fellow will think before talking. If he does not have a perfect answer yet, he would rather say nothing, so you cannot hold his words against him.

It is not every question that you must answer. It is not every challenge that you must rise to. Learn to stay silent sometimes; that is how you will last long. The reason some people lose their respect and relevance in society is that they talk too much. Proverbs 17:28 says that even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent.

When everyone is talking in a meeting and one fellow is quiet, it is likely that soon, the head of that meeting would ask everyone to be silent for their quiet fellow to speak, then his words will be more respected. They do that because his silence is perceived as wisdom and so his words will be held with high regard. Always ask God for the wisdom to know when to be silent, when to talk and what to say at all times.

KEY POINT

Great things are formed and grown in silence.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 31- Ecclesiastes 3

AUTHOR: PASTOR 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 Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. Mark 10:27

READ: Romans 4:16 -21

16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

MESSAGE

In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth from nothing. The Bible says that the earth was without form and void. The earth was shapeless; in other words, there was nothing good about it. If you had seen the earth in its initial state, you would have concluded that there was certainly no possibility of anything good coming out of it. Surprisingly, in less than seven days, the Almighty God created one of the greatest beauties out of nothing. God specializes in impossibilities.

Long ago, a young boy was brought to us because he was a rascal. He was so rascally that we put him in the care of a military man who was also an instrumentalist in the Church then. Anyone who saw this boy then would never have believed anything good could come out of him. But then, the military man started teaching him music. One day my wife and I travelled. During our trip, she saw a flute she liked and decided to buy it for the so-called rascal. When the boy saw it, he started to practice and today, the little boy whom everyone saw as a rascal is Pastor Kunle Ajayi – my personal minstrel. Each time I go for ministrations and Pastor Kunle plays the saxophone before I come up, the atmosphere changes: the Spirit of the Lord comes down mightily into the meeting.

God changed the name of Hadassah the slave girl to Esther the Queen. God turned a flaming furnace into an air-conditioned atmosphere for three Hebrew boys: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. God shut the mouths of lions for Daniel. The Almighty God pulled down the wall of Jericho standing in the way of the people of God. What can my Daddy not do?

Our God is a God of possibilities. He will make the impossible possible. If there is any situation in your life for which an improvement seems impossible, God will turn it around. If there is any obstacle hindering your joy, the Almighty God is rolling it away now, in Jesus’ name.

Don’t ever doubt God’s ability to make the impossible possible in your life. No matter what you are going through, my Daddy- the Maker of all things- will turn it around. You have to commit your life into His hands and trust Him for victory that He will give to you.

PRAYER POINT

Heavenly Father, I ask that every obstacle in my life proving to be insurmountable be rolled away right now in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YAER: Proverbs 28-30

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 17: O LORD MY GOD, WHEN I IN AWESOME WONDER

O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder

consider all the works thy hand hath made,

I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,

thy power throughout the universe displayed;

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee,

how great thou art, how great thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee,

how great thou art, how great thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander

and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;

when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

Then sings my soul…

And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,

sent him to die – I scarce can take it in

that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

he bled and died to take away my sin:

Then sings my soul…

When Christ shall come with shouts of acclamation

and take me home – what joy shall fill my heart!

Then shall I bow in humble adoration

and there proclaim, ‘my God, how great thou art!’

Then sings my soul…

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MEMORISE: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

READ: John 5:4 -6

4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

MESSAGE

Adversity may be a part of the system of this world, but my daddy – the Creator of the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1) – is greater than every adversity. Adversities are seemingly insurmountable circumstances that are greater than the power of man. They are mountains that hinder the progress of a person, a family or a group of people. Some adversities can be so great that the fellow would feel there is no way out. The Israelites faced this kind of adversity when they were delivered from slavery. Pharaoh and his army were coming behind and the Red Sea was right in front of them. The Israelites were afraid because, obviously, there was no way out. Humanly speaking, it was impossible to surmount such a situation. Even Moses did not know what to do until he cried out to God. My Daddy – the Almighty God – made a way where there was no way. For the first time in the history of man, a great body of water parted, and the children of Israel walked through that sea to the other side.

In the name of Jesus, I pray the Almighty God will deliver this kind of victory into your hands this day. This kind of unprecedented and unbelievable victory can only be found in Jesus Christ. The devil may raise storms around you, but Jesus gives absolute victory over every insurmountable situation.

Many years ago, during one of the Holy Ghost Congresses in Nigeria, a woman cried out for help, asking me to pray because she was barren, and her in-laws were not allowing her to enjoy peace in her home. I prayed for her and forgot about it. A year after this, I stood praying for people on a long line, and a woman stood before me, I asked her what she wanted, but she repeatedly said, “Jesus!” I was almost getting impatient. When I asked her again, she said “Jesus”, and explained to me that she was the woman I prayed for a year before about barrenness. Right there before me, she was holding a child with her right hand and one with her left. May God give you this kind of victory today in Jesus’ name.

God gives victory over adversities to His children. If you are yet to surrender your life totally to Jesus Christ, now is the time to do so, and every adversity against you will fall, in the mighty name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT

Father please, give me victory over every kind of adversity in my life, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 21-23

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 13: MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS

1 My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

2 When darkness veils His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil.

3 His oath, His covenant, His blood,

Support me in the whelming flood;

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay.

4 When He shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh, may I then in Him be found;

In Him, my righteousness, alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne.

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