THEME: IN THE TIME OF PEACE, PREPARE FOR WAR III

MEMORISE:

And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. Deuteronomy 34:7

READ: Joshua 14:7 -12

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.

MESSAGE

There are many people in the hospital now who would not have been there if only they had been eating healthy foods and exercising regularly. They ate whatever they felt like eating and did not do any exercise because they didn’t seem to be having any health challenges, only to find out later that a disease had been growing inside them all the while. In the time when you are feeling healthy, that is when you should pay good attention to your health. For those whose health deteriorated to such an extent that they landed in the hospital, it may be too late for them to go out and exercise. They can only pray for God to heal them and I am quite sure that when they get better, they will begin to eat healthy. I join my faith with whoever is reading this from the sickbed now; be healed in Jesus’ name. I know some Christians will quote 1Timothy 4:8;

For bodily exercise profiteth little; but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

They interpret the verse above to mean that spiritual exercise is the only important thing to consider. That passage however, did not say physical exercise does not profit at all. It says it profits little. That little profit must not be ignore. A lot Arests on that ‘little’ as you cannot be as spiritually profitable as you would be if you were sick. God needs your body to help Him fulfil His will on the earth. The more Christians live healthy, the more work He can use them to do and the longer they can do the work. God was able to use Moses right up until he was 120 years old because Moses was strong and healthy even at that age. Caleb was able to say, “Give me this mountain” at the age of 85 because he was strong and healthy. Take care of that body. Don’t let it break down before you pay attention to it. If you find out that when you walk a few miles, you start panting, you need to start exercising. If your back seems to be aching more quickly than before, then maybe your sugar intake is becoming too much. Pay attention to your health now so that you don’t run into trouble later.

It is advisable to have a comprehensive medical check-up once or twice a year. It is not just when you are feeling sick that you should ask the doctor to examine you. By then, it may be late.

REFLECTION

When was the last time you did a comprehensive medical check up

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 25-28

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 16: O GOD OUR HELP IN AGES PAST

1 O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Our shelter from the stormy blast,

And our eternal home.

2 Under the shadow of Thy throne

Thy saints have dwelt secure;

Sufficient is Thine arm alone,

And our defence is sure.

3 Before the hills in order stood,

Or earth received her frame,

From everlasting Thou art God,

To endless years the same.

4 A thousand ages in Thy sight

Are like an evening gone;

Short as the watch that ends the night

Before the rising sun.

5 Time, like an ever-rolling stream,

Bears all its sons away;

They fly forgotten, as a dream

Dies at the opening day.

6 O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Be Thou our guard while life shall last,

And our eternal home.

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MEMORISE:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18

READ: Ephesians 6:10 -18

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

MESSAGE

There was no war when Abraham was training his servant to fight, but the day came when he needed to rescue his nephew. By then, he had 318 soldiers to take to war. If you study the story of Abraham you would realize that he never had to fight another war afterwards, but that one time that he fought was worth all the preparation he had gone through (Genesis 14:14-16). David also didn’t start learning to use his sling on the day he slew Goliath. He had perfected its use long before that. He had been practicing how to use the sling long before he ever set eyes on the giant. You never can tell when you would need to fight; on that day, your victory will depend on whether or not you had been preparing. Ephesians 6:13 says:

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

You are to put on the whole armour of God so that you are able to stand in the evil day; be ready ahead of time.

The perfect time to prepare for war is when all is going well. That is the only time that you have to prepare anyway, after all, you can’t start at the war front. Is it at the war front that you would start learning to shoot a gun? Is it when a boxer is in the ring with his opponent that he would start practicing jabs and hooks? Read your Bible and memorise Scriptures now so that when you need to confront the devil tomorrow, you can say, “It is written” like Jesus did in Matthew 4:1-11. Pray hard now, so that if trouble were to arise tomorrow, you can easily decree and the storm would cease.

Some people wonder why we keep fasting again and again, particularly when all seems to be going well. I remember some years ago when I asked the people to fast for 100 days. Not long after that, a crisis broke out, I told my people, “Relax, no harm will come near you because you have already prepared; you’ve paid the price ahead of time”. Those who didn’t join us in our fast were eventually forced to still do so because there was fear all around.

KEY POINT

Make sure that you are spiritually fit so that you will not be defeated by the devil in future.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 21-24

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 21: STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF GOD

1. Standing on the promises of Christ my King,

Through eternal ages let His praises ring,

Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,

Standing on the promises of God.

o Refrain:

Standing, standing,

Standing on the promises of God my Savior;

Standing, standing,

I’m standing on the promises of God.

2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail,

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

By the living Word of God I shall prevail,

Standing on the promises of God.

3. Standing on the promises I now can see

Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;

Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,

Standing on the promises of God.

4. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,

Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,

Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,

Standing on the promises of God.

5. Standing on the promises I cannot fall,

List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call,

Resting in my Savior as my all in all,

Standing on the promises of God.

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MEMORISE:

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Revelation 22:12

READ: Revelation 22:11 -15

11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

MESSAGE

There is a story of a fisherman’s son who had been taught how to swim long before he could speak properly. His tutor, the fisherman himself, was loving, but very demanding. Every day, he insisted that this boy spent hours in the water, practicing new strokes and techniques. They practiced every day and no matter how well the boy swam, his father was never satisfied. The most difficult part of the boy’s training was what his father called, “floating exercise”. This involves moving around in small circles in deep waters, keeping only the head just above the waves for many hours. At first the boy endured it all hoping that one day his training period would be over. Later, he confronted his father, asking why the training sessions were so difficult. “You are training for the stormy day”, the fisherman replied. He smiled gently and patted his boy on the back, adding, “My son, there may be no storm for twenty, thirty or even sixty years, but one day, without notice, the storm will come. When it comes, those who are not prepared would pay the price”.

Several years later, half of the men in the boy’s village went on a fishing expedition. The boy went with them. Big fishes did not seem to swim close to the villages anymore. To catch a big fish, men had to go really far into the sea. On this fateful day, the storm came. It came suddenly and raged for hours. When it finally subsided, the men who stayed back at the village sent out a rescue team and the only living soul was the fisherman’s boy, afloat, moving round and round in circles. As he climbed into one of the rescue boats, he remembered his father’s saying “When the storm comes, those who are not prepared would pay the price”. He had seen several of his playmates and villagers perish because they could not float long enough as they had not practiced hard enough. He had seen unprepared people pay with their lives.

There is a storm coming soon, It is called the rapture. Only those who are prepared will be saved when it comes. That day, many people will weep and gnash their teeth. Many will end up in hell, burning in agony forever because when things seemed rosy, they ignored God and His promptings to live holy. When that time comes, will you be amongst the survivors?

ACTION POINT

Don’t mind the fact that many people are no longer preparing for the rapture; make sure you are ready so that you will not be weeping on that day.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 16-20

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 27: WHEN LIFE’S BILLOW YOU ARE TEMPEST TOSSED

1 When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your blessings, see what God hath done;

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

2 Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

yCount your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.

3 When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold.

Count your many blessings, money cannot buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your Lord on high.

4 So amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

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MEMORISE:

The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow. 2 Kings 5:27

READ: 2 Kings 5:20 – 27

20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.

21 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?

22 And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.

23 And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.

24 And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.

25 But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.

26 And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?

27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.

MESSAGE

It is important to make the right choices in life, especially because one’s children could also be affected by them. When the army that invaded Sodom took lot into captivity in Genesis 14:8-12, they didn’t leave his children at home. The children were taken into captivity because their father made the choice to stay in Sodom. Kora, Dathan and Abiram decided to oppose Moses and they died with all their family members (Numbers 16:28-33). Gehazi decided to follow Namaan to get some gifts, even though he knew his master would not approve. When Elisha cursed Gehazi with leprousy, he said it would be on him and his seed forever (2 Kings 5:27). In Daniel 6, when some people decided to plot against Daniel so that he could die in lion’s den, their children were not call to the meeting; however, when Daniel came out of the den alive and the king summoned those who plotted so that he could throw them in the Lions’ den, he asked that their wives and children suffer the same consequences.

It may interest you to know that the choices of your relatives and close friends also have an impact on you. Thus, when a relative is making wrong choices, warn him or her because when trouble comes, the fellow wouldn’t be the only one to suffer. This is particularly true of your children. If your child is going the wrong way, warn the child and do everything in your power to ensure that he or she returns to the godly path.

Proverb 29:15 says,

The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

Even if a person does not suffer anything as a direct result of not correcting his or her child, such a person would still experience shame and this is a terrible thing. The elders says that one can get embarrassed once, but shame last forever. You don’t want to live in shame forever just because you did not warn your child when he or she started going wrong. You therefore need to be very particular about the choices your children make. Don’t just leave them to themselves- guide them, while depending on the Holy Spirit to help you know which way is best for the child.

PRAYER POINT

Father, help me to guide my children to always make godly choices in life, in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 12-15

AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE

HYMN 16: O GOD OUR HELP IN AGES PAST

1 O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Our shelter from the stormy blast,

And our eternal home.

2 Under the shadow of Thy throne

Thy saints have dwelt secure;

Sufficient is Thine arm alone,

And our defence is sure.

3 Before the hills in order stood,

Or earth received her frame,

From everlasting Thou art God,

To endless years the same.

4 A thousand ages in Thy sight

Are like an evening gone;

Short as the watch that ends the night

Before the rising sun.

5 Time, like an ever-rolling stream,

Bears all its sons away;

They fly forgotten, as a dream

Dies at the opening day.

6 O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Be Thou our guard while life shall last,

And our eternal home.

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THEME: CONNECTED FOR FRUITFULNESS

MEMORISE: I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5

READ: John 15:1 -10

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

MESSAGE

The Bible reading for today tells us that abiding in Jesus Christ is the secret of bearing good fruit. This is why being born again is just the beginning of a life of fruitfulness; abiding in Jesus Christ in unbroken continuity is the secret of fruitfulness. How then can we abide in Jesus? John 15:7-8 says:

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall be my disciples.

Here we discover three things: One, Jesus is the secret behind fruitfulness and without Him we can do nothing good. Two, abiding in Him is the attitude required of us to bear good fruit. Three, living by His words (teachings) is the practical way of abiding in Jesus Christ. He said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me…” (Matthew 11:29). Everyone is capable of bearing good fruit, provided the fellow comes to Jesus Christ through faith, living according to His word. John 8:31 says:

…If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.

God is the ultimate in all ways,even where fruitfulness is concerned. Whoever desires to be fruitful must be connected to Him. Psalm 23:1 says that those who follow God will not lack. John 10:9 further describes the blessings of those who connect with Jesus:

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall go in and out, and find pasture.

All things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Beloved, these Scriptures above and many more confirm that if you are connected to God, your all-round fruitfulness is guaranteed. Are you connected to Him?

PRAYER POINT

Father, please keep me connected to You forever, in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 5- 7

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN1: ALL TO JESUS I SURRENDER

1 All to Jesus I surrender,

All to Him I freely give ;

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, … I surrender all ; . . .

All to Thee, my blessed Saviour, I surrender

all. . . .

2 All to Jesus I surrender,

Humbly at His feet I bow ;

Worldly pleasures all forsaken—-

Take me, Jesus, take me now.

3 All to Jesus I surrender,

Make me, Saviour, wholly Thine ;

Let the Holy Spirit witness

I am Thine and Thou art mine.

4 All to Jesus I surrender :

Lord, I give myself to Thee ;

Fill me with Thy love and power,

Let Thy blessing rest on me.

5 All to Jesus I surrender :

Now I feel the sacred flame ;

Oh the joy of full salvation !

Glory, glory to His name !

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MEMORISE: Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:19

READ: Ecclesiastes 4:9 -12

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

MESSAGE

There is power in numbers. By God’s standard and according to today’s Bible reading, two individuals have an advantage over one. We also see this in our memory verse today, where Jesus told us (His followers) that when as little as just two of us come together to ask God for something, He will,perform it (Matthew 18:19). This shows us that the Lord wants us to be united as He assures us that whatever we ask of Him in agreement shall be done.

We all need partners to work for success in our Christian race. God provided a partner for Moses in the person of Aaron his brother (Exodus 4:10-17). Hur, another minister under Moses, aided him in his Intercessory prayer for Israel’s victory in their war with the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-13). Some Christians are ignorant of the spiritual aid they can get from their fellow believers. During a crisis, we need partners, as in case of David’s encounter with a descendant of giants. It was Abishai – David ‘s aide, who killed the giant that would have slain David. No one knows the rank of Abishai in the army, yet he was David’s rescuer on that terrible day of the battle 2 (Samuel 21:15-17).

In the Bible reading of today, the word of God expressly tells us the benefits of the numerical strength of a people. This is why l always emphasize the numerical growth of the Church. The benefits of the numerical strength of the Church cannot be overemphasized. A project is more easily accomplished by 200 people than with just 20. This also reveals the benefit of marriage. A lot of blessings accrue to holy matrimony and this is why the Bible says two are better than one (Ecclesiastes 4:9).

Another major benefit of coming together as Christians is the privilege to enjoy the presence of the Lord. Jesus Christ promised in Matthew 18:20 that wherever two or three persons are gathered in His name, He will fellowship with them. Beloved, let us endeavour to encourage communal Christian living and mutual support -the benefits are indeed numerous (Psalm 133:1-2).

ACTION POINT

The church should encourage corporate social responsibility that enhances unity and power.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 1-4

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 2: CONQUERORS AND OVECOMERS NOW ARE WE

1 Conquerors And Overcomers Now Are We,

Through The Precious Blood Of Christ We’ve Victory

If The Lord Be For Us We Can Never Fail,

Nothing Against His Mighty Power Can Ever Prevail.

(Refrain)

Conquerors Are We, Through The Blood Of Jesus

God Will Give Us Victory, Through The Blood Of Jesus

Through 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 Overcome Shall Be Given,

Here To Eat Of Hidden Manna Sent From Heaven,

Over Yonder He The Victors Palm Shall Bear,

And A Robe Of White, And Golden Crown Shall Wear. (Refrain)

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MEMORISE:

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Isaiah 58:3

READ: Isaiah 58:1 -12

1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.

3 Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.

9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:

11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

MESSAGE

The first thing to note when you want to embark on a fast is that the devil will try to stop you. He knows that the moment you start fasting, you would become too strong for him to manipulate. Therefore, he would use every means at his disposal to stop you so get ready to ensure that he fails. On a regular day when you have not decided to fast, you could find yourself staying without food until much later in the day, sometimes until evening without feeling hunger pangs; however, the moment you decided to fast, you would wake up hungry. Ignore the hunger and stay committed to your decision to fast.

Another trick the devil uses is to ensure that your nose picks up the aroma of food wherever it is cooked or served around you. You would find yourself noticing how big the piece of chicken on your colleague’s plate is or hear someone talking about how good the food in the restaurant next door is. Don’t take these thoughts of food lightly; they are tactics of the devil to stop you from fasting, so you must be violent about blocking them from your mind. Give them no room at all. Leave that place where the food is being served or talked about; if you cannot, then occupy your mind with the word of God immediately.

People have asked me severally, “How are you able to fast for forty days and nights and sometimes even longer?” The answer is simple: when I decide to fast, I go to my calendar, count the number of days I want to fast for, then mark the starting and ending dates of the fast. After this, I say to my stomach, “As from this date, there will be no more food for you until so and so date”. If I begin to feel hungry when the fast starts, I know the devil is trying to get me to break it, so I take that as a reminder that it is time to pray and before I know it, the hunger would have gone. Lastly, when you fast, talk less to other people and more to God. During a fast, when you talk to people, your strength diminishes, but when you talk to God, it increases. Reduces physical activities as much as you can while you increase spiritual ones. The time you would have spent cooking or eating can then be used to study your Bible and/or pray. This is also the time to increase your giving to the needy around you, as we read in our Bible text today. Also, note that the moment you boast about your fast, it becomes useless (Matthew 6:16-18).

KEY POINT

Be violent about blocking everything the devil uses to discourage you from fasting.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 27- 29

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 22: SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER

1. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

That calls me from a world of care,

And bids me at my Father’s throne

Make all my wants and wishes known.

In seasons of distress and grief,

My soul has often found relief,

And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,

By thy return, sweet hour of prayer

2. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

The joys I feel, the bliss I share,

Of those whose anxious spirits burn

With strong desires for thy return!

With such I hasten to the place

Where God my Savior shows His face,

And gladly take my station there,

And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

3. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

Thy wings shall my petition bear

To Him whose truth and faithfulness

Engage the waiting soul to bless.

And since He bids me seek His face,

Believe His Word and trust His grace,

I’ll cast on Him my every care,

And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

4. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

May I thy consolation share,

Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,

I view my home and take my flight.

This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise

To seize the everlasting prize,

And shout, while passing through the air,

“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

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THEME: BENEFITS OF FASTING

MEMORISE: And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 1 Corinthians 9:25

READ: 1 Corinthians 9:24 -27

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

MESSAGE

Fasting may seem difficult for many people, but there are many benefits therein, if only you can control your belly. Firstly, fasting is a means of keeping your flesh under control. The fellow who fasts often, accompanying it with Bible study and prayer, will find it easier to life holy. If you check yourself and see that you are beginning to entertain lust once in a while, that means sin is beginning to look enticing to you; declare a fast for yourself. As you fast, your spirit will gain better control of your flesh and then the lust will die.

The reason many people have fallen from grace is that they do not fast often. I have heard some say that Jesus has finished all, fasting inclusive, on the cross. How about Paul the Apostle who wrote in 2 Corinthians 11:27 that he fasted often? He was the same one who said in 1 Corinthians 9:27 that he put his body under subjection. You want your body to remain under the control of the Holy Spirit? Then you must fast often. Galatians 5:16 says the only way to not fulfil the lusts of the flesh is to walk in the Spirit and that can only happen through fasting.

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:16

When you fast, your appetite is under control and the ability to control your appetite is a major factor in determining how much dominion you can have in this world. In Genesis 25:29-34, Esau could not control his appetite and as a result, he lost his birthright. While Esau was very desperate and willing to exchange his birthright for some food, Jacob recognized that it was a day for him to fast. He gave up his pottage to Esau and even added bread to it. When you have no control over your belly you are sacrificing your dominion on the altar of food.

Many people are not fulfilling their destinies because they don’t fast. Commit to subduing the flesh today through regular fasting and you will live victoriously in the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER POINT

Father, please give me the grace to fast often in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 24-26

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: But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4

READ: Matthew 4:1 -4
1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

MESSAGE
In the laslt two days, we have established that what you put in your belly must not be your preoccupation. In fact, Philippians 3:19 says that whoever does whatever his belly dictates to him will end up in destruction.
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

The question then arises-what should we be feeding on regularly? 1 Peter 2:2 says that:

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Your appetite for the word of God must be insatiable, just like a baby’s appetite for milk. You should be hungrier for God’s word than you are for regular food. The word of God should be a major part of our diet because he that is only alive in the flesh and dead in the spirit is as good as dead altogether.

It is the spirit that giveth life the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
John 6:63

The word of God is spirit and life. It is the real food that will keep you alive; feed on it daily!

When I was a younger Christian, my friends and I ensured that before we ate any physical food, we would first study the word of God. That is one of the major contributors to my growth spiritually. If you make the word of God your earnest desire, even you will be surprised at your spiritual growth. You will suddenly discover that you are beginning to think like Christ.

Which do you eat more – the word of God or physical food? Your desire must be for the word of God daily. One thing about the word is that it can never be exhausted. That is one well that never runs dry! You can get revelation from reading a passage today, then read it again tomorrow and the Holy Spirit teaches you something different from it.

Make the word of God your daily meal.

ACTION POINT
Make sure that a day does not go by without you taking time to study and meditate on the word of God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 16-19

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 19: O WORSHIP THE KING ALL GLORIOUS ABOVE
1 O worship the King all-glorious above,
O gratefully sing his power and his love:
our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

2 O tell of his might and sing of his grace,
whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

3 Your bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

4 Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
in you do we trust, nor find you to fail.
Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,
our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!

5 O measureless Might, unchangeable Love,
whom angels delight to worship above!
Your ransomed creation, with glory ablaze,
in true adoration shall sing to your praise!

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THEME: HOW OFTEN DO YOU EAT?

MEMORISE: Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! Ecclesiastes 10:16

READ: Proverbs 23:1 -2

1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:

2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.

MESSAGE

One major characteristic of children is that they are always on the lookout for food. When you put something in the hand of baby, the next thing he or she will do is to put it in his/her mouth. Food is a significant part of their daily activities. If Food becomes the topmost priority to you to the extent that it is the first thing you think of every day, you are likened to an immature leader whose followers are doomed, as we see in our memory verse today. For such people, whatever is placed in their care is seriously endangered.

According to 1 Kings 17:2-6, God personally took responsibility for Elijah’s feeding and only served him twice daily. This implies that God’s standard for eating, especially adults, is twice a day. I remember the day l shared this message with some Pastors; many of them did not like my Bible study of that day because they were used to the concept of ‘three square meals a day’. In addition to this, many people still have the habit of snacking just when they are about to sleep. This is not good for you at all, especially if you are to be in charge of important things, including your destiny. As an adult, it is advisable that you eat only twice a day; that is what the Lord who made your body recommends.

As a matter of fact, those who are really serious about their destiny don’t eat everyday. Paul the Apostle said in 2 Corinthians 11:27 that he fasted often. No wonder he fulfilled Hs destiny (2 Timothy 4:7-8). I am 80 years old now, and l don’t eat every day; l still fast often because l want to fulfil my destiny before l leave this world.

In 1984, l was on a forty-day fast, lying weak on my prayer mat, when someone came in, saw me and asks, “what else are you looking for in life that is making you fast this much?” That was 38 years ago; what had l achieved then that someone would advice me to stop fasting? Look how far l have come since then. l’m sure it is clear that l made a good choice by ignoring the fellow. What have you achieved so far? Are you satisfied with it? You should only eat every day when you are no longer striving for anything more than you have already.

PRAYER POINT

Father, please don’t let my belly hinder me from fulfilling my destiny in mighty the name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: ALL TO JESUS I SURRENDER

1 All to Jesus I surrender,

All to Him I freely give ;

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, … I surrender all ; . . .

All to Thee, my blessed Saviour,

I surrender all. . . .

2 All to Jesus I surrender,

Humbly at His feet I bow ;

Worldly pleasures all forsaken—-

Take me, Jesus, take me now.

3 All to Jesus I surrender,

Make me, Saviour, wholly Thine ;

Let the Holy Spirit witness

I am Thine and Thou art mine.

4 All to Jesus I surrender :

Lord, I give myself to Thee ;

Fill me with Thy love and power,

Let Thy blessing rest on me.

5 All to Jesus I surrender :

Now I feel the sacred flame ;

Oh the joy of full salvation !

Glory, glory to His name !

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