MEMORISE:
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17

READ: Romans 7:18-25

18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

21. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

22. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

23. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

24. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

25. I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

MESSAGE:
Speaking about a new creature is an indication that there was an old one.

A new life in Christ however, is the new way of thinking and doing things in accordance with the word of God.

Galatians 2:20 says:

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

This simply means that when a person accepts Jesus as his or her Lord and Saviour, such a person automatically becomes dead to the old life.

Every link with the old life is cut off. The old password simply refuses to work because the username has changed.

This marks the end of the old life and the beginning of the new one in Jesus, as seen in todays memory verse
(2 Corinthians 5:17 ).

Out of the blue, you suddenly have new standards, you begin to measure everything you do in line with the word of God.

This new life in Christ comes with the assurance of abundant life here on earth and even in heaven. You have the assurance of answered prayers, confidence in His love and mercy.

As you read His word, your faith grows and intensifies to the point where you know that He will never leave nor forsake you.

God is faithful and dependable; as a new creature in Jesus Christ, you can count on Him.

Ignore the devil whenever he comes to remind you of your past. The Bible describes him as the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10 ).

Respond boldly by reminding him that old things are passed away and you are now a new creature in Christ.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, as a new creature in Christ, please help me to always live according to Your word, in Jesus name.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Job 13:1-28 ,
Job 14:1-22

HYMN 2: AMAZING GRACE! HOW SWEET THE SOUND.

Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear,
And Grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come.
‘Tis Grace hath brought me safe thus far

The Lord has promised good to me.
His Word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

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MEMORISE:

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Revelation 3:21

READ: Romans 8:35-39

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

MESSAGE:

It is sweet to be a conqueror but sweeter still to be more than a conqueror! Christians, being the brides of Jesus Christ, can be likened to the wife of a boxing champion. A boxing champion is a conqueror, but the wife is more than a conqueror because when the champion is awarded the winning belt, he hands it over to the wife who didn’t even fight.

In the same vein, our Lord Jesus Christ conquered for us- His bride and gave us the victory. This fact informed Apostle Paul’s statement who wrote in Romans 8:37 that “….in all these things we are more than conquerors …”

Jesus Christ said to His disciples in John 14:12:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ has obtained more than enough grace and mercy for us with His perfect obedience to the Father.

This is the direct opposite of the disobedience of the first Adam according to Apostle Paul in Romans 5:12,14. To God be the glory, the second Adam brought us victory over sin and death through His atonement (1Corinthians 5:45). The question now is: What should we do with the revelation in this Scripture? Simple: we must accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior for victory over Satan, sin and all its attendant woes. John the Beloved wrote in 1 John 5:4-5:

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”

This is the assurance we have from Almighty God, that it takes being born again- being born of God, to overcome the world. You will not just overcome the world; you will be more than a conqueror if you surrender your life to God and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior.

With Him as your Lord, you will be a conqueror and an overcomer.

ACTION POINT:

Decide to live holy so that you can be more than a conqueror in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 11-12.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 4: CONQUEROR AND OVERCOMERS NOW ARE WE.

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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20

MEMORISE:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

READ: Genesis 12:1-4.

1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

MESSAGE:
The concept of faith is a great one and it is backed by evidence. For example, Hebrews 11:8 says:
“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”

This was faith in action. This is why the Bible says in Hebrews 11:6:
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

We need faith to experience the supernatural. Jesus said in Mark 11:22-23:
“…..Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”

This means that our faith must be in the God who never fails. Jeremiah 17:5 says:
“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.”

In the light of our Bible reading of today, faith is simply accepting the verdict of God in all situations. Faith is saying ‘Yes, Lord’. We must learn to identify the will of God as we exercise faith. Jesus Christ exercised His faith in the will of His Father when He prayed in Luke 22:42:
“…Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

God will give you that kind of faith in Jesus’ name. The reality of Jesus’ type of faith is the one that cries “Thy will be done O, Lord” even in the face of adversity. This was also the type of faith that made Job say:
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15.

This is the type of faith that glorifies God; it is the type that will ultimately take us to heaven.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please grant me the grace to say “Yes Lord” to Your will in every situation of my life, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 9-10.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 14: JESUS MY LORD, MY GOD, MY ALL.

1. 1 Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all,
hear me, blest Savior, when I call;
hear me, and from thy dwelling place
pour down the riches of thy grace.

2. Refrain:
Jesus, my Lord, I thee adore;
O make me love thee more and more.

3. 2 Jesus, too late I thee have sought;
how can I love thee as I ought?
And how extol thy matchless fame,
the glorious beauty of thy name?

4. 3 Jesus, what didst thou find in me
that thou hast dealt so lovingly?
How great the joy that thou hast brought,
so far exceeding hope or thought!

5. 4 Jesus, of thee shall be my song;
to thee my heart and soul belong;
all that I have or am is thine,
and thou, blest Savior, thou art mine.

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MEMORISE:

Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: Isaiah 59:1

READ: Matthew 6:9-13.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

MESSAGE:
Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us what the contents of our prayers should be in the Scripture reading of today. We must draw some eternal lessons from this passage. One, we must acknowledge the Fatherhood of God if we want to receive answers to our prayers. Jesus Christ said “….” – Matthew 15:26. Who are the dogs? The Bible in Revelation 22:15 says:
“For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”

Secondly, we must learn that only those who honor the name of the Lord can have their prayers answered. The Bible says:
“…for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” 1 Samuel 2:30

Finally, every child of God must seek that the will of God be done in this perverse generation. For this reason, Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12:1-2:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Children of God who want to be successful in life must ensure that they are not influenced by anything contrary to the word of God.

If you want your prayers answered, abide in Christ and let His word abide in you, as recorded in John 15:7:
“ If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

Psalm 66:18 also says:
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:”

Abide in Jesus, turn your back on sin completely, exercise your faith (James 1:6) and your prayers will surely be answered.

PRAYER POINT:
Lord, grant me the grace to abide in You, live in holiness and exercise my faith, that all my prayers may be answered, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 7-8.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 32: 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!

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20

MEMORISE:
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Genesis 2:18

READ: Ephesians 5:21-25

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

MESSAGE:
There are secrets of blessings in marriage. The first secret is the knowledge of the reason for marriage. It takes great commitment for a marriage to succeed and be blissful.

Our Bible reading for today shows us some principles that will help us to make our marriages work. The first one is mutual submission as believers in Christ. The Bible says in Ephesians 5:21:
“ Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”

1 Corinthians 7:3-4 explains further:
“Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.”

Another principle is the submission of the wife. The Christian wife must learn to submit to her husband. When she does, she receives blessings that money cannot buy:
“For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.” 1 Peter 3:5-6

It is dangerous for a woman to go into a marriage with a man she would not willingly submit herself to; it is better that such a woman does not marry at all. When the word of God says “Wives, submit….” Some people take it as a piece of advice rather than the express command it is. It must be obeyed. In fact, the Bible goes further to reveal the degree of the submission; it says in Ephesians 5:24:
“……as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.”

You would know a virtuous woman by the extent of her submission to her husband. I thank God that I have found in my wife a virtuous woman whose price is far above rubies (Proverbs 31:10). May the Lord bless your home with eternal peace, in the mighty name of Jesus.

ACTION POINT:
Wives, take practical steps towards voluntary submission to your husbands. Husbands, render love and tenderness to your wives. Also, please join me in praying for my wife as she celebrates her birthday today.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 5-6.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 5: GOD GIVE US CHRISTIAN HOMES.
1. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,
Homes where the Master’s will is sought,
Homes crowned with beauty Your love has wrought;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

2. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the father is true and strong,
Homes that are free from the blight of wrong,
Homes that are joyous with love and song;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

3. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the mother, in caring quest,
Strives to show others Your way is best,
Homes where the Lord is an honored guest;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

4. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the children are led to know
Christ in His beauty who loves them so,
Homes where the altar fires burn and glow;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

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20

MEMORISE:

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

READ: Psalm 91

1He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

MESSAGE:

The promises of God in Christ are Yea and Amen (2 Corinthians 1:20); this means that any promise God makes to all believers in Christ will definitely come to pass. Isaiah 26:1-3 says:
“In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

For a fellow to enjoy this benevolence however, some conditions must be met. Firstly, you must be born again (John 3:3,5). Secondly, you must believe every word that proceeds from the mouth of God – that is faith. You can prove that you believe in God’s word by obeying it. James 1:22-25 says “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves….but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

When a man does the will of God as contained in His word, he is emboldened to trust the Lord for his miracles. Remember the story of Daniel? After he was thrown in the den of lions, the king went early in the morning to confirm that the God of Daniel is great and mighty. He asked “O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?” (Daniel 6:20). Instead of the lions roaring back at the king, it was Daniel who replied with the voice of triumph. He said “……My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.” (Daniel 6:21-22). Daniel’s experience was in line with the word of the Lord in Isaiah 43:2 which says:
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

Kindly note however, that Daniel was able to enjoy God’s protection because he lived a life of holiness. Isaiah 59:1-2 clearly shows that iniquity prevents God from saving a person. From this day onward, divine protection will be your portion in Jesus’ name. Ensure however, that you are dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, in righteousness (Psalm 91:1-3).

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please keep me in Your perfect peace at all times; I trust in You alone.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 3-4.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 23: STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF CHRIST MY KING.
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.

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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20

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

READ: 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (KJV)

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

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

MESSAGE:
Our God is the God of plan and purpose. He does not do anything without a reason.

For example, when He wanted to create man He said, …Let us make man in our image…and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea… (Genesis 1:26).

Also, when God sent His only begotten Son to the world, it was for a purpose – “…for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew. 1:21).

Examples are inexhaustible. In the same vein, when God brings us to Himself through the ministry of the Church, it is for a purpose.

You are not in Church just to add to the number.

Therefore, every child of God must find out the divine purpose for his or her life.

Every child of God must also ensure that he or she is spiritually prepared as a vessel unto honour and not unto dishonour.

The striking thing about this truth is that both honourable and dishonourable vessels are found in the Church!

Every Christian must therefore ensure that he or she is a vessel unto honour (2 Timothy 2:20).

To be a vessel of honour, every child of God must purge himself or herself of anything sinful.

Matthew 5:48 says:

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

(2 Corinthians 6:14-18) says in part, that we should not touch the unclean thing; rather we should separate ourselves from the world of darkness.

A vessel of honour according to the Psalmist does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1:1).

Beloved, if you want to be used of God for good works, be ready to pay the price of a true disciple and live holy. The Lord will not only use you but He will reward you handsomely according to Mark 10:28-30.

As Christians, we have the greatest calling, so let us make ourselves available for good and honourable service.

May the Lord find us to be worthy vessels in the might name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please make me an honourable workman in Your vineyard, in Jesus’ name.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Job 1-2

HYMN 24: TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE.

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine:
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

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20

MEMORISE:

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:10

READ: Romans 15:23-29.

23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

MESSAGE:
In today’s Scripture Reading, Apostle Paul teaches us one missing ingredient of true discipleship in today’s contemporary Church: the ministry of care. Despite the great anointing with which Apostle Paul was ministering to the Jews and Gentiles alike, he was still particular about the ministry of care.

Jesus Christ taught on the importance of hospitality when he said:
“For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” Mark 9:41

In Matthew 25:35-40 He says:
“……For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

The Bible reinforces this in James 2:15-16:
“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?”

Children of God must engage in the ministry of care along with any other that we may have been called into. This makes our calling a complete and perfect one. The needy among us should be given consideration at all times, even as we preach the gospel to them (James 2:15-16). Indeed, many have testified that taking care of the needy has provided opportunities for effective soul-winning.

As a Christian, are you socially responsible as directed in Isaiah 58:6-7?

ACTION POINT:
Commit a part of your income to meeting the needs of those who lack one thing or the other, in your community or Church.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 60-62.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 23: STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF CHRIST MY KING.
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.

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 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.

4. Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List’ning ev’ry 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:

A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. Proverbs 19:9

READ: Mark 14:57- 59.

57 And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,

58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.

59 But neither so did their witness agree together.

MESSAGE:
In Exodus 20:16 God commanded that we should not bear false witness against our neighbors. The consequences of being a false witness are found in Proverbs 19:9 where the Bible says:
“A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.”

Wicked people rely on false witnesses to perpetrate their evil deeds. It was the false witness of Rehum the chancellor, Shimshai the scribe and their cohorts against the Jews that halted the rebuilding project of Zerubbabel according to Ezra Chapter 4. These people wrote false allegations against the Jews and their leadership, then sent the document to King Artaxerxes.

“Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.” Ezra 4:24

The consequences of false witness can be unimaginable. False witnessing shall not destroy your destiny in Jesus’ name.

The only way the Jewish leaders could get Jesus crucified was through false witnessing. The Bible says:
“For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.” Mark 14:56

Despite the conspiracy, there were discrepancies in their reports. The lessons to learn here is that, as Christians, we must live above board like our Master if we shall not become easy prey to the accuser of the brethren. In the same vein, we must learn to be transparent and honest. This will prevent us from being false witnesses.

When we engage in false witnessing and other forms of falsehood, we crucify Jesus Christ over and over again. In what areas of your life are you being a false witness- a fake affidavit, a false claim that you are married with so many children whereas you are still single? May that lying spirit not blot your name from the book of life in Jesus’ name. Be a witness to the Truth; Jesus is the Truth personified, as clearly stated in John 1:17 and John 14:6.

Ask yourself today: are you a witness for God or Satan?

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please deliver me from every lying spirit and help me to be a true witness for Jesus Christ.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 54-56.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 14: JESUS MY LORD, MY GOD, MY ALL.
1. Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all,
hear me, blest Savior, when I call;
hear me, and from thy dwelling place
pour down the riches of thy grace.

Refrain:
Jesus, my Lord, I thee adore;
O make me love thee more and more.

2. Jesus, too late I thee have sought;
how can I love thee as I ought?
And how extol thy matchless fame,
the glorious beauty of thy name?

3. Jesus, what didst thou find in me
that thou hast dealt so lovingly?
How great the joy that thou hast brought,
so far exceeding hope or thought!

4. Jesus, of thee shall be my song;
to thee my heart and soul belong;
all that I have or am is thine,
and thou, blest Savior, thou art mine.

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MEMORISE:

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psalm 1:1

READ: Mark 14:54, 66-71.

54 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.
68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.
70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.
71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.

MESSAGE:
Our obedience to 1 Thessalonians 5:22 urging us to abstain from every appearance of evil saves us from calamity. The Bible on many occasions warns us against keeping company of the ungodly, so that we are not entangled with their wickedness. For example, the Bible says in Proverbs 1:10:
“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”

The Bible also says:
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 1 Corinthians 15:33.

The Bible reading for today shows the Peter did three deadly things that fostered his denial of Jesus Christ: he was following Jesus from afar (from a distance). It is possible that he would have received courage from the Master if he had followed Jesus closely. Secondly, even though Jesus had asked the soldiers to allow His disciples to leave, Peter ignored this request. He followed Jesus, though fearfully, to the palace of the high priest. This is why Jesus told the Laodicean Church to be either hot or cold (Revelation 3:14-16). Thirdly, on getting to the palace of the high priest, Peter sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire (Mark 14:66-67). One could wonder what Peter was still doing in that place up to the point where he was confronted with the fact that he had been with Jesus. the answer is not far-fetched-he was enjoying the warmth of the fire with the ungodly.

Beloved, let us be wary of the comfort zones of life; they may be physically comfortable but not spiritually ideal. Some Christians cannot distinguish between spiritually conducive environments and locations that are detrimental to Christian living. A Christian sharing an apartment with a member of the opposite sex due to accommodation issues, is simply playing with the fire of lust and it would soon burn him or her. Let us be guided by the Holy Spirit at all times.

ACTION POINT:
Study your environment to see whether it is conducive for your spiritual growth, and take wise steps to avoid temptation.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 51-53.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 22: STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS.

1. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry, His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.

2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet call obey:
Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day;
Ye that are men now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.

3. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;
Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,
Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.

4. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.

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