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: 2 Corinthians 6:3-7

3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

6 By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

MESSAGE:
The word perseverance can be simply described as being persistent in doing something despite difficulties and delay in achieving success. No one can excel in the Christian journey without perseverance.

2 Timothy 4:2 encourages us to:

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.”

The fruit of the Spirit – longsuffering (Galatians 5:22) is exhibited in the life of a believer who perseveres.

In the Christian race, without perseverance it is very easy to fall away from the faith. No wonder Jesus said in the book of Matthew 24:13:
“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

Endurance and perseverance are integral to our Christian walk. A believer who cannot endure suffering will be unable to do the wiII of God.

Suffering is one of the ways God purges us of every impurity. Without suffering, the flesh will grow strong and hinder your spiritual growth (Isaiah 48:10).

What kind of hardships should believers endure?

Persecution: Jesus said believers will be persecuted for believing in Him. John 15:20 says”… If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you…”

Affliction: Sometimes believers would be afflicted but the Bible says it is working for us ” … a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Momentary Lack: Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:12 “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” So when lack comes along, we must learn to endure in faith knowing that the storm wiII be over soon.

It is however comforting to know that despite all the challenges we will face in our Christian race; the crown of life awaits us if we persevere (Revelation 2:10).

REFLECTION:
Would you endure hardship for the sake of the gospel?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: EXODUS 8:1-32, EXODUS 9:1-35, EXODUS 10:1-29

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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MEMORISE:
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

READ: Psalm 119:10-12

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.

MESSAGE:

It is shocking how believers engage in all manner of conversations and associations carelessly. If you know the value of your heart, you would guard it jealously. In 2 Samuel 13 we see a classic case of what happens when a person does not guard his or her heart. Amnon who was prince and could have married any lady in the land lusted after his half-sister who was a virgin. He then engaged in a seemingly harmless conversation with a friend who watered the seed of evil already planted in his unguarded heart. The evil desire then blossomed and led to his untimely death in verses 28 and 29 of the same chapter. The man who advised him to rape his sister is the same one who announced his death to David, his father (2 Samuel 13:32). Choose those you associate with wisely (Psalm 1:1).

Be careful of whom you listen to and be mindful of what you let into your heart. Jesus said in Matthew 5:8:

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

If you allow impurities to dwell in your heart, forget about ever seeing God.

In Matthew 12:34, Jesus said:

“… for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

In other words, your lifestyle and speech are an overflow of the meditation of your heart. Believers who listen to worldly music and also allow their children to listen to them are courting trouble. The result may not be instant, but it will accumulate and surely begin to yield ungodly fruits.

King David knew the secret to a clean heart, and he shared this in Psalm 119 :11:
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

Meditating on the Scriptures, listening to recordings of sound teachers of the gospel and keeping company with fellow believers are some of the primary ways through which we can keep our hearts guarded. You can only express what you have in your heart. Thus, if you constantly expose your heart to God’s word, you would guard your heart from all forms of ungodliness. Motivational words cannot cure sinful thoughts, only the word of God can.

Fill your heart with the word of God.

ACTION POINT:
Guard your heart diligently with the word of God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 5-7

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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MEMORISE:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; Philippians 2:10

READ: Philippians 2:9-11

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

MESSAGE:
Many people wonder why names are important. Well, to start with, a name says a lot about the bearer. The Bible says that whatever Adam named the animals, that is what they were called (Genesis 1:19). What you are called has serious consequences on what you become.

When I was a lecturer at the University of Lagos, there was a Professor’s typist who everyone jokingly called Prof. Whenever they called him Prof, he would smile and reply, “Yes, yes”. Then one day, he made a life changing decision. “I am a typist, but everybody calls me Professor. Then a Professor I will become”. He then began to attend evening classes and little by little, he passed his exams and gained admission into the University. Before I left the University of Lagos, the typist was already studying for his Ph.D. All these came about because a typist was called a Professor.

God takes names very seriously. In Genesis 17:5 He changed Abram’s name to Abraham, then in Genesis 17:15 He changed Sarai’s name to Sarah.

God also changed Jacob’s name as well in Genesis 32:28:
“And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel…”

God changed their names when He wanted to promote them. He gave them new names that reflected what He wanted to make out of them. This teaches us that if we want to go to a new level, we should begin to bear the name for that level.

Just as we see in our Bible reading for today, God exalted Jesus by giving Him a name that is above every other.

What is the next level that you want to attain? Start bearing a name that reflects that new level from now. However, if you think that you might get into trouble by asking people to call you that name, stand in front of your mirror and begin to call yourself that name as often as you can.

Some believers answer to funny nicknames that are not a reflection of who they want to be; worse still, some even call themselves such names in a bid to appear modest. Don’t answer to such nicknames anymore. The name you answer to is what you will become.

REFLECTION:

What is the name that you are called? Is it a reflection of what you want to become? If not, change that name immediately.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 2-4

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 1: ALL HAIL THE POW’R OF JESUS NAME.

1. All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ Name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!

2. Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race,
Ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all!

3. Let every kindred, every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all!

4. Oh, that with yonder sacred throng
We at His feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all!
————————
Remember: ‘There Is No Problem Without Solution; Jesus Is The Solution To All Problems.
————————

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MEMORISE:
To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. Romans 16:27

READ: 1 Corinthians 1:19-31

19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

MESSAGE:

Our focus in today’s study is on one of the attributes of God – wisdom. God’s wisdom is beyond human understanding. His wisdom has no end, and no one can ever compete with him. Indeed, there is no basis for comparison. The depth of God’s wisdom is unsearchable. God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. 1Corinthians 1:25 tells us that even the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of man, and His weakness is stronger than man strength.

One of the numerous ways God showed His infinite wisdom is the way He paid the price for our sins. While the devil was rejoicing that Jesus would be disgraced publicly with a shameful death, God was rejoicing because that was exactly what He needed to save the world (1 Corinthians 2:8). It was after the death of Jesus and the rise of the Apostles, sharing the gospel around the world that Satan realized that he had played by the script of the Omniscient God. While anyone would have seen God’s silence when Jesus was being crucified as foolish, it was actually wisdom. This is why I know that though the devil may be laughing at you now, he does not know that God only allowed him to win the battle so that he would lose the war over your life. You will laugh last in the mighty name of Jesus.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

Do you want God to give you wisdom? The first step is to fear Him (Proverbs 9:10). When you fear God, you will refrain from all unrighteousness. Your colleagues may call you a fool for not falsifying figures for your gain but soon, when they begin to see you enjoying things that they cannot afford, they will know that you are actually wise. When you fear God and stay away from evil, you begin to walk in wisdom.

Finally, ensure that you specifically ask God for wisdom and give it to you.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5

At the end of time when those who are foolish are thrown into the lake of fire and we who have received the wisdom of God are reigning with Him in eternity, then it will be clear that we made the right choice.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, put Your fear in my heart so that I may be wise.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 1

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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MEMORISE:
Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Psalm 62:11

READ: Job 26:12-14
12 He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud.

13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.

14 Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?

MESSAGE:
My God is very powerful. God’s power is everlasting; it never fails nor diminishes. Only an all-powerful God could have created the sun with mere words (Genesis 1:3). Only an all-powerful God would part the Red Sea with a blast from His nostrils so His children could cross safely and then close it back to drown their pursuers (Exodus 15:8). Usually, food grows from the ground, but it takes an all-powerful God to rain food down from Heaven for His children to eat (Exodus 16:13-15,31).

In our Bible reading for today, Job described the omnipotent nature of God when he said:

“He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud. By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent. Lo, these [are] parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?” Job26:12-14

How we describe God captures but a tiny fraction of the power He wields. Our minds cannot fully comprehend His power and that is why a lot of times, we undermine His omnipotence. Often times, we are quick to forget that nothing is beyond God. Luke 1:37 says that with God nothing shall be impossible. Jeremiah 32:17 says:
“Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.”

God is able to bring to pass anything He desires. Many believers are living with problems today because they have not come to the understanding that all power in heaven and on earth belong to God. He is not a God that is limited by time or the acts of men. He is the Mighty Man in Battle, the Ancient of Days, Creator of Heaven and Earth, Undefeatable Champion, The Almighty God!

If you know how powerful God is, you will never undermine His ability to turn your situation around and give you victory in all battles of life.

Go before Him today in faith that He is the Almighty God and He will surely prove His Omnipotence in your life.

PRAYER POINT:
Lord, help me to acknowledge at all times that all power belongs to You alone.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ephesians 4-6

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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MEMORISE:
He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. Proverbs 28:22

READ: Timothy 6:9-11

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

MESSAGE:
God wants His children to be rich, but according to our Bible reading today, He warns them to flee the inordinate ambition to be rich at all costs. These days, many people engage in cybercrime and ritual killings, just to get rich. There are some others who are good at falsifying figures so as to get some gain.

I assure you that ill-gotten wealth will always have sorrow in it. I have seen all kinds of wealth in my little time as a Pastor and I tell you, many wealthy people are living in so much sorrow that they are willing to give up all they have in exchange for peace of mind. Many people have used ill­ gotten money to buy cars without knowing that they have bought what would drive them to their early graves.

You see, if you follow the will of God, He will bless you without adding any sorrow. I believe this is the kind of wealth you want: wealth with no sorrow attached.

Matthew 6:3 3 says:
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

1Timothy 6:10-11 also says:
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou,0 man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”

This clearly means that the only way to get wealth without sorrow is to get it in righteousness. I assure you according to the word of God that riches will pursue and overtake you if you put the kingdom of God first in your life. I am speaking from experience.
There were times when I was unable to go to Lagos from the Redemption Camp because I did not have N2 for tollgate fees. I would console my wife by saying “Maybe our not going is God’s way of making us avoid an accident on the way”. There was to be no accident, it was just that I did not have N2.

I did not complain then because I knew that my tomorrow would be glorious as long as I kept seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. I did not allow my lack to push me to steal Church funds.

When any opportunity to get rich through sin comes your way, you had better flee, because wrapped in that juicy fruit is sorrow and destruction.

KEY POINT:
Only God can give you wealth without any kind of sorrow attached to it. Seek Him first.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: John 19-21

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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MEMORISE:

Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? Haggai 1:4

READ: Hag. 1:1-10

1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,

2 Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.

3 Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying,

4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?

5 Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.

6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.

7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.

8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord.

9 Ye looked for much, and, lo it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.

10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.

MESSAGE:

There are certain kinds of offences that the head of a corporate organization would not bother to address personally. However, there are also some other kinds of offences that would have to be addressed personally by the head of the organization. This is similar to what happens in Heaven. All sins are evil, but there are certain sins for which God may send an angel to punish the sinner, while there are some others that He address personally. One of such sins is leaving the house of God uncompleted.

God will fight anyone who leaves His house uncompleted by ensuring that any money such a fellow makes goes into a pocket with holes (Haggai 1:4-7).

“Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.” Haggai 1:4-7

Could it be that the reason you’ve been unable to do much with your income is that you don’t care to contribute to the completion of your local Church building? Today, God is saying “consider your ways”. I don’t like it when I see God’s building project uncompleted, especially when I have the resources that can help complete it. I have discovered that in return, God has given me houses that I did not build and cars that I did not buy, including those I cannot afford.

One of my sons heard that we were building an auditorium in The Redeemed Christian Church of God and immediately sent me a huge sum of money in Naira. Within days, he got the same amount of money he had contributed, but in dollars. when you join in completing God’s building project, He will thank you wondrously, but when you ignore it, you may attract His wrath as it is recorded in our Bible reading today.

Never miss an opportunity to build for God.

KEY POINT:

Every opportunity to give to God is an opportunity to be blessed by Him; rejoice in it.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: John 17-18

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 6: GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS.

1. Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

o Refrain:
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

2. Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow

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MEMORISE:

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: For God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

READ: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

MESSAGE:

I see some people’s reaction when it is offering time and I wonder if they know whom the offering is for at all. God is not broke and He is not a beggar. He doesn’t need your money. We see in Haggai 2:8 that silver and gold are His. If you have the opportunity to give Him an offering, you should do so rejoicing. Imagine meeting one of the richest men in the world at a restaurant and he requests that you help pay for his meal because he did not have his wallet on him, with a promise to refund you. would you give him the money grudgingly? You know he is not asking for the money because he is poor; indeed, he would refund your money and most likely add some extra. In fact, you may not even be interested in getting the money back, you might just see it as a privilege that you had an opportunity to give to him. Why then do you treat God like a beggar when asked to give an offering?

I will never forget a Church I attended outside Nigeria. It was the first time I was attending that Church and the entire place looked very beautiful. All the members were shining as they came to Church. With the way everyone was looking so radiant I concluded “God must have really prospered these people”. Then l observed something: when the Pastor got up and said, “It is offering time”, everybody jumped up and began to rejoice. The Holy Spirit then said to me ”That is their secret; they are cheerful givers”.

Many years ago, I was at a Church where they requested for several kinds of offerings. The offerings were so many that at a point I grumbled before reaching for my pocket and I heard God say in an angry tone “Keep your money”. I quickly apologized for grumbling and immediately became cheerful. I became even more cheerful when He later on permitted me to give my offering. If you decide to never give offerings or tithes again, the work of God will still go on. When Elijah went to the widow of Zarephath and asked her for a meal, it was not Elijah who was in need, it was the widow. In 1 Kings 19 an angel brought food and water to Elijah. There was nothing stopping the angel from giving him food and water every day; however, God sent Elijah to her because He wanted to meet her need. The cattle upon a thousand hills belong to God. If He asks you to give Him something, it is because He wants to bless you.
I hope your attitude towards giving to God will improve from now.

KEY POINT:

Every opportunity to give to God is an opportunity to be blessed by Him; rejoice in it.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 26-27

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 1: MUST I GO AND EMPTY HANDED

1. “Must I go, and empty-handed,”
Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him,
Lay no trophy at His feet?

o Refrain:
“Must I go, and empty-handed?”
Must I meet my Savior so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him,
Must I empty-handed go?

2. Not at death I shrink or falter,
For my Savior saves me now;
But to meet Him empty-handed,
Thought of that now clouds my brow.

3. Oh, the years in sinning wasted,
Could I but recall them now,
I would give them to my Savior,
To His will I’d gladly bow.

4. Oh, ye saints, arouse, be earnest,
Up and work while yet ’tis day;
Ere the night of death o’ertake thee,
Strive for souls while still you may.

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MEMORISE:

Therefore, Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death. 2 Samuel 6:23

READ: 2 Samuel 6:16-23

16 And as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.

17 And they brought in the ark of the Lord, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.

18 And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts.

19 And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.

20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!

21 And David said unto Michal, It was before the Lord, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel: therefore will I play before the Lord.

22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.

23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.

MESSAGE:

Michal is the only woman recorded in the Bible who never gave birth to a child in her lifetime. We see the reason in our Bible reading for today. David had just triumphantly brought in the Ark of the Covenant to Israel and was coming home to bless his household when Michal welcomed him with mockery. How do you welcome your husband when he gets home from work? Is it with honor or contempt like Michal?

Many years ago, when I wasn’t as popular as I am now, a very distinguished person visited our home while I was away. When I arrived, I greeted him and went into my room to pray. My wife joined me, and we prayed together as we normally do. When she came out afterwards, she apologized to the guest for leaving him all by himself, but he said, “No Ma’am, I have seen such a great example today”.

Dear wife, your husband deserves far more honor from you than any dignitary anywhere. Always welcome him home like a king who has returned to his palace. The home should be where he refreshes himself before he goes out again to face the world; help him to feel refreshed. Make him always happy to return home, not sad that he has to come and face a nagging wife again. Some men spend long hours at the office, not because they are working but because they want to spend less time at home. Don’t make your home like that

It is a terrible thing for a wife to mock her husband. The Bible says you are to submit to your husband as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:22). If you mock your husband, you are mocking your own head and if it is not well with the head, it cannot be well with the body. Your husband’s current financial state doesn’t matter don’t mock him. Even when he makes a mistake do not mock him. There are certain blessings that can come to you through your husband, but if you keep mocking him, the blessings will not flow from him to you. On that faithful day when David had danced so much for God, the anointing on him must have been special. He was coming home to bless his family, which included Michal. Her barrenness could have ended that day. However, instead of a blessing, she got a course.

Your husband is the priest of your home; he is representing God in that home·

It is dangerous to mock a representative of God. Learn from Michal.

KEY POINT:
Make a commitment today that you will always honour your husband.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 16 -18

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 3: BE GLAD IN THE LORD AND REJOICE.

1. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice,
All ye that are upright in heart;
And ye that have made Him your choice,
Bid sadness and sorrow depart.

o Refrain:
Rejoice, rejoice,
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice;
Rejoice, rejoice,
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice.

2. Be joyful, for He is the Lord
On earth and in Heaven supreme;
He fashions and rules by His word—
The “Mighty” and “Strong” to redeem.

3. What though in the conflict for right
Your enemies almost prevail?
God’s armies, just hid from your sight,
Are more than the foes which assail.

4. Though darkness surround you by day,
Your sky by the night be o’ercast,
Let nothing your spirit dismay,
But trust till the danger is past.

5. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice,
His praises proclaiming in song;
Let gratefulness give all a voice,
The loud hallelujahs prolong!

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MEMORISE:

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

READ: Matthew 18:23-34

23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

MESSAGE:

God is great and He has great plans for His children. However, there are many People who work against the plan of God for their lives. Romans 8:31 says:

“What shall we then say to these things? If God before us, who can be against us?”

Many people answer the question above by saying “Nobody”, and I always wonder which Bible they are reading, because in my own Bible, the answer was not given. The Bible was silent about the answer. Let us therefore look at it logically. If God be for us, can the devil be against us? ‘Definitely not, because James 4:7 says that if we submit to God, then we can resist the devil and he will flee. If God be for us, can demons be against us? No way, because Mark 16:17 says we are to cast demons out. If God before us, can witchdoctors be against us? No, because Isaiah 54:17 says no weapon formed against us shall prosper. If God before us, there is only one fellow who can be against us: ourselves.

Disobedience is the major thing that makes many people work against themselves even when God is for them. Disobedience has destroyed many destinies in the past. God is the master sculptor. When a sculptor wants to make a masterpiece and the wood decides to break off where it shouldn’t, he may then be left with no choice than to toss it into the fire as firewood.

Unfortunately, this is the reality of many people God had destined for greatness. If you refuse to obey God, He will not force you, but your actions may make His original plan not come to pass anymore. This is why you must obey God to the letter at all times, no matter how difficult it may appear. Facing difficulties while obeying God is far better than the anguish of an unfulfilled destiny caused by disobedience to His world.

Beloved, I leave you with this passage:
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 1 Peter 5:6

KEY POINT:

The cost of indiscipline is far higher than that of discipline.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: John 13-16

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 24: TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE.

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

2. 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.

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

4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.

5. 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.

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

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