MEMORISE:

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 Timothy 2:2

READ: 1 Timothy 2:1-4

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

MESSAGE

The battle of life has proven to be difficult to every generation for various reasons. The enemies are often difficult to identify and sometimes come in the form of human opposition, criticism and antagonism. At other times they come as physical challenges and obstacles. At times they present themselves as natural happenings that would fade away with time, so we do nothing until they become serious problems. However, we must note that there is a spiritual dimension to every battle of life. According to Ephesians 6:12:
“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.”

Though the credentials of our enemy may be intimidating, still, a Christian enters the battle of life from a position of victory. This is the high standpoint of the Christian faith and the only ground on which we should meet the devil and his agents.

To bequeath is to hand down or transfer to a beneficiary. Our victory has already been handed down to us! Glory! Revelation 12:11 says “they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony…..”

Our weapons of warfare are clearly greater than those of our wicked foes. The Blood of Jesus has secured our victory and our sword of the spirit is the word of God. We do not confront and overcome the devil and his agents by our ability but by the blood of Jesus. This makes it absolutely necessary that we live as victors in this world while we return all glory to God for our victory.

The battle is not ours but the Lord’s Jesus is the seed of the woman, our Captain and the Lord of hosts. We are more than conquerors through Him that loved and shed His precious Blood for us. Let us praise and worship the Almighty God who has granted us victory through the Blood of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, help me maximize Your victory over the devil in my life, in the Mighty Name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 73, 77-78.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 4: BLESSED ASSURANCE, JESUS IS MINE.

1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

o Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

3. Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Proverb 15:13

READ: Psalm 51:10-13

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

MESSAGE

Joy is a powerful fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is the privilege of every Christian to walk in the light, to have all round peace, and experience joy that flows like a river. There is a difference between happiness and joy; happiness is usually triggered by happenings around a person. A negative turn in circumstances could spoil or ruin happiness. However, joy flows right on through times of trouble, unhindered through dark and difficult periods of life and even in times of persecution or opposition. Nothing hinders the flow of joy because it is not dependent on any earthly condition, but on a spiritual conviction. Joy is an exclusive privilege of the children of God; He gives Hie people perpetual joy as a reward of obedience to His word. Jeremiah 15:16 says:
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”

Joy is divine and is rooted in the word of God. Christians should search for joy through the word and not in the World. This joy propels people to preach to sinners, help the poor, visit the widow and the fatherless, and spread the good news of the kingdom. Therefore, the kind of joy that is not beneficial to others and does nothing to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ is not worth it, and cannot be from God.

There are however, diverse kinds of Joy: there is joy of one’s own salvation, the joy of the salvation of other, and the joy of seeing young converts walking in the truth. The joy that comes from salvation of others surpasses the joy of our own salvation. The blessed privilege of being used of God to win souls to Christ, and to see people being delivered from sin, sickness, poverty, and bondage, is the highest honor anyone can receive. I pray that the joy of the Lord will overflow in you and become a source of joy to the whole world, in the Mighty Name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please let joy like a river flow through me to the world, in the Mighty Name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 43-45, 49, 84-85 & 87.

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!

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:
7 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; Genesis 22:17

READ: Genesis 26:11-14

11 And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.

12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.

13 And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:

14 For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.

MESSAGE

The fact that God designed humanity for greatness is clearly stated in the Bible. Many however, still doubt this reality despite the record in Genesis 1:26-30 where God decided to create mankind in His own image and likeness. He commanded them to be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth, subdue it and also to have dominion over all creation. God did not only bestow greatness on humanity in Genesis 1:26-28, He also ensured all creation was subject to man.

Though the fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-19) married this divine plan, the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has restored the lost glory to humanity (John 17:22). For this reason, the Bible emphasizes that God’s design for greatness remains intact in every born-again child of God according to 1 Peter 2:9 that says:
“ But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;”

This is profound. Every child of God living holy and committed to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christian is bound to experience greatness. Therefore, searching for greatness through dubious, sinful, immoral, or criminal methods, is merely a demonstration of foolishness. Seeking greatness anywhere apart from God is an exercise in futility. The power of God to make you great rest squarely on His personality as the Almighty and unlimited God. If you desire to be great, do not waste your money, time and energy in pursuit of greatness outside God; it will end in disappointment and failure (Matthew 16:27). Surrender your life and ambition for greatness to Jesus today then He will save your soul and make you great indeed- far beyond your wildest imaginations. Praise God!

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please let your great plans for my life become a reality very soon, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 6, 8-10,14,16,19 & 21.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 15: I AM SO GLAD THAT OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.

1. I am so glad that our Father in Heav’n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see,
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.
o Refrain:
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

2. If I forget Him and wander away,
Still He doth love me wherever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.

3. Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song through eternity be,
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!”

4. Jesus loves me, and I know I love Him;
Love brought Him down my poor soul to redeem;
Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree;
Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me!

5. If one should ask of me, how can I tell?
Glory to Jesus, I know very well!
God’s Holy Spirit with mine doth agree,
Constantly witnessing Jesus loves me.

6. In this assurance I find sweetest rest,
Trusting in Jesus, I know I am blest;
Satan, dismayed, from my soul now doth flee,
When I just tell him that Jesus loves me.

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8

READ: John 15:16

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

MESSAGE

All Christians are saved and given the mandate to go into the world to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and bring others into the Kingdom of God. Every Christian has also been equipped with all that is necessary to carry out the assignment. The Bible makes it clear that God does not give an assignment to His children without providing the necessary tools to execute the task. Before God sent the disciples out as witnesses to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and uttermost parts of the earth, they were first filled with the power of the Holy Spirit is the One who equips the saints for tasks in the vineyard of God. The importance of the Holy Spirit is emphasized in Luke 24:49:
“…..behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” The Holy Spirit is so crucial for service that the disciples were told to remain in Jerusalem until His power came upon them.

When God calls anyone into a spiritual office, it is because He has a role for such a person to play in His redemption plan for mankind. Isaiah 61:1 says:
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”

The Holy Spirit gives hope to the hopeless, healing to the sick and life to the spiritually dead persons. Acts 10:38 reveals that it is the anointing of the Holy Spirit that enabled Jesus to do all that He did. Hence, if we are to do the same and even greater works (John 14:12), then we must also be filled with the Holy Spirit. Are you ready for service?

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please anoint and equip me for greater works, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 1-4

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 2: 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.
o Refrain:
I surrender all,
I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
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, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that 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 fall 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!

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18

READ: 1 Peter 2:9-12

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

MESSAGE

The word grace connotes God’s benevolence to the underserving. Grace empower Christians to do both the ordinary and extraordinary (2 Corinthians 9:8).

However, if you do not grow in grace after being born again, making heaven may become increasingly difficult. This is why peter advise Christians to grow in grace as seen in today’s memory verse.

When anyone stays at the level of salvation and fails to grow, there is a great possibility of backsliding. For this reason, Paul rebuked the church in Corinth. Despite being saved, they didn’t aspire to holy living (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).

What are the effects of growing in grace?

According to today’s memory verse, steadily growing in grace helps us avoid lust and worldliness. When a Christian allows such into his/her life, there will be a gradual spiritual decline which is very dangerous. To avoid this decline, we must follow Peter’s counsel- desire the sincere milk of the word ( 1 Peter 2:2). We must also strive to keep our salvation, working it out with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12)- not in riotous or careless living, but in sobriety and modesty. When we grow in grace, it will not be difficult to live in obedience to God’s word.

“…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6

The benefit of godly living is further stressed in Zechariah 4:7 “Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.” A life of grace will do wonders.

Today, I adapt an Apostolic prayer for you: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” (1 Corinthians 16:23), now and forever more. Amen.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, give me a hunger for Your word. Cause me to grow in the grace of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 121, 123,-125, 128-130.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:
And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? Out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress? 2Kings 6:27

READ: Psalm 121:1-3

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

MESSAGE
I once told my children that, based on human experience, life is generally believed to be hard and full of sorrows. A combination of factors may be responsible for this. First among these is found in 1 Peter 5:8: “…your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Furthermore, Genesis 3:17 says “…cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it..”

The implication of these passage on unsaved people is so great that Job 14:1 had to say “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.” For the above reasons, every human being needs divine help and support. In the name that is above all others, you will receive divine help to carry on in life. Isaiah 41:10 says:

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

Yes, our God is ever ready to help in times of trouble, but many Christians seem to take this for granted until things begin to get out of hand. Whenever you are struggling with sin or addicted to a bad habit, when you find yourself moving in cycles of poverty and sickness or delayed fulfilment of prophesies; it is time to seek divine help. Remember that only God’s help gives permanent solutions to human problems. Therefore, in line with Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” you must first obtain mercy. Genuinely give your life to Christ, meditate on God’s word at all times (Joshua 1:8-9) and depend completely on the Holy Spirit to access divine help. This is the secret of my success in life and ministry as the General Overseer of the RCCG. I cannot *thank* God enough for the tremendous help I always enjoy from Him. I pray the Lord will send divine help to you today in the mighty name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please let Your divine help be available to me always, in the Mighty Name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 28-31.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 7: 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—
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:

That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God. Numbers 15:40

READ: 2 Timothy 2:19-22

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

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.

22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the

MESSAGE

God has great need for loyal and trusted hands for His work here on earth. The Bible establishes the fact that all inhabitants of the world in their billions are potential vessels in the hands of of the Almighty. However, Matthew 9:37 tells us that though the kingdom assignment is great and plenteous, the laborers to execute it are few. This indicates that while there are billions of potential vessels for use by God, only few actually qualify. Any vessel that God would use must meet some strict conditions. I this wise, Matthew 20:16 confirm to us that many are called; only a few are chosen. 2 Timothy 2:21 gives a detailed description of the kind of vessel God will use:

“ 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.”

Therefore, the vessel God would use must be holy, honorable, dedicated and available. Each time I see people handling the business of God with levity, I always wonder if they understand the nature of the service, they have been called into. God is Holy. He is so righteous that He cannot behold iniquity. For you to be a vessel in His service you must be holy. He is so righteous that He cannot behold iniquity. For you to be a vessel in His service you must be holy in thoughts and conduct. Those who continue in sin and live a hypocritical lifestyle cannot be blessed in the service of the Lord. Those who rendered acceptable service in the Scriptures like Abraham, Enoch, Joseph and Daniel, made up their minds to abstain from anything that could pollute them. This however, cannot be done by mere self-will but through the grace of the Almighty God, which is more than sufficient (Titus 2:11-12).

Yes, uncountable people are available for God’s use, but only those who purge themselves of filthy habits shall become vessels unto honor, sanctified and suitable for the Master’s service.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please help me to become a vessel unto honor, fit for the Master’s use, in the Mighty Name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 25-27

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 12: I AM THINE OH LORD.

1. I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.
o Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

2. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!

4. There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; Mark 16:17

READ: John 7:37-38

37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

MESSAGE:

Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a spiritual experience that is highly misunderstood in Christendom today. It was prophesied in Joel 2:28:
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:”

It was promised by John the Baptist in Matthew 3:11 “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after …shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”. This was then actualized by Jesus Christ when He said “But ye shall receive power after tat the Holy Ghost is come upon you…” (Acts 1:8). This is the means by which the Holy Spirit initiates Christians into spiritual communion with Jesus Christ, with the evidence of speaking in tongues and for the purpose of equipping them for God’s service.

Joel 2:28 and Acts 1:8 clearly states that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit gives access to some supernatural gift and abilities like prophecy, healing and vision.

To receive the baptism of the Holy spirit, one must develop an insatiable hunger and thirst for His infilling (John 7:37-38). In the scripture above, Jesus said anyone that believes in Him as the Holy Spirit Baptizer, will become a source of living water. He also said that those who drink from Him willnever thirst again (John 4:14). Acts 2:38-39 says “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you…..” God provided the Holy Spirit as a means of solving all human problems. However, we must first repent of all our sins, accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and then receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. May the living waters flow through you to the whole world in the mighty name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please fill me with the Holy Spirit that Your power may flow through me, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 56, 120, 140-142.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 19: 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.

o Refrain:
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.

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.

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.

5. Or, if on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I’ll fly,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

6. There in my Father’s home, safe and at rest,
There in my Savior’s love, perfectly blest;
Age after age to be nearer, my God, to Thee.

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:
Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. Micah 7:5

READ: 2 Samuel 22

And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
2 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;

3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.

4 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

5 When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;

6 The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;

7 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.

8 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.

9 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.

11 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.

12 And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.

13 Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.

14 The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.

15 And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.

16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

17 He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;

18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.

19 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.

20 He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

21 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

23 For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.

24 I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.

25 Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.

26 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.

27 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.

28 And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.

29 For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.

30 For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.

31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

32 For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?

33 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.

34 He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet: and setteth me upon my high places.

35 He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.

37 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.

38 I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.

39 And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.

40 For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.

41 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
42 They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
43 Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.
44 Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.
45 Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
46 Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.
47 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
48 It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me.
49 And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
51 He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.

MESSAGE:

Spying is a military strategy. In Numbers 13:1-21, God directed Moses to send spies into Canaan. In Joshua 2:1, Joshua sent spies to Jericho. The devil also uses spies. In 2 Kings 6:13-14, the king of Syria sent spies after Elisha. When the target is a great one, the spy is usually recruited from within. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples was recruited to spy on Him. There is a saying that if the enemy within cannot kill a fellow, neither can the one outside. This is why you need to beware of spies, especially the ones close to you.

Spies collect information from careless talk. Ephesians 5:4 warns us to be careful of careless talk, even jesting. Spies ask questions to know your thoughts and plans. Proverbs 18:7 says:
“A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.”

Many people are trapped by their loose tongues. If you are already succeeding, know that there is a spy ready to pretend to be your friend, so be careful of what you say. Be careful of the information you let out, no matter how trivial you think it is. One day, I went on a visit and someone offered to get me a particular brand of soft drink, only for another fellow to insist that I have a preference for another brand entirely. I thought oh, so I have been observed! Should the devil decide to get at me, he could use that drink. That day, I bid that preferred brand bye-bye. The devil can use the most minute information to get at anyone, however, your Ally can deal with the spy. He said in Matthew 15:13:
“…Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.”

It is really not your duty to begin to look out for spies, let your Ally deal with them (Psalm 54:4), you just watch your tongue. Proverbs 29:11 says:
“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”

KEY POINT:

Be careful, especially with your words.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 7, 27, 31, 34 & 52.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 18: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE.

1. My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!

3. While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.

4. When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!

Please follow and like us:

20