Devotionals

MEMORISE:
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

READ: Psalm 118:1-5
1O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

4 Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.

PRAYERS:
1. Father, thank You for Your faithfulness and kindness towards me.

2. Thank You Father, for the miracle of sleeping and waking up. Thank You for keeping me and my family. Thank You, Lord Jesus.

3. Thank you for answered prayers. It is a privilege that You always hear us when we call. Thank You Lord.

4. Thank You, Lord, for every member of the body of Christ. Thank You for the great work You are doing in Your church. We are very grateful, Daddy.

5. Thank You for divine provision. You know all our needs and You meet them all free of charge. Thank You, Jehovah Nissi.

6. Thank You for the grace to do Your work. It is You who works in us to will and do Your good pleasure. We are grateful to You for making us vessels unto honor.

7. Thank You because we know our tomorrow will be glorious. Thank you for giving us a glorious future beyond what any man can do for us. Thank You, Lord.

8. Thank You Father, for protecting us from the pestilence and all the evil in this world. We see with our eyes and hear about it, yet You do not let it come near us. Thank You, Jesus.

9. Father, I cannot thank You enough for my salvation. It is the best gift a person can ever receive, thank You for saving me from sin.

10. Thank You for all Your blessings in my life – they are so many I cannot count them all. Thank You, Father.

11. Thank You Jesus, for fighting all my battles and giving me victory on all sides. Thank You for healing and helping me always. I am deeply grateful.

12. Your personal thanksgiving prayer.

ACTION POINT:
Give thanks to God always.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Lamentation

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 26: TO GOD BE THE GLORY GREAT THINGS HE HATH DONE.
1. To God be the glory, great things he hath done:
so loved he the world that he gave us his son,
who yielded his life an atonement for sin,
and opened the lifegate that all may go in.

Refrain:
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
and give him the glory, great things he hath done.

2. Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
to ev’ry believer the promise of God.
The vilest offender who truly believes,
that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

3. Great things he hath taught us, great things he hath done,
and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son,
but purer, and higher, and greater will be
our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:
And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; 2 Samuel 22:2

READ: Psalm 91:1-8
1 He 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.

MESSAGE:
The Psalmist says in Psalm 125:1:
“They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.”

One point to be quickly noted about this Scripture is that it is only for those who put their trust in the Lord, not those who have alternatives to the Almighty God. Those who put their trust in God are immovable. This was David’s experience.

In the Bible text of today we see another dimension of divine protection over God’s people. This is food for thought for those who are still in doubt of God’s ability to protect to the very end. Some people are even afraid of prosperity because they feel they would be prone to enemy attacks when they prosper. They refuse to believe David’s assurance in Psalm 23:5 which says:
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”

Not only did God prepare a sumptuous table for David. He filled his cup to the point of overflow just to show that He had more than enough to give to His beloved, as if that were not enough, it was done in the presence of David’s enemies and they could do nothing against it. The Almighty God who prospers us is also the One who protects and He has assured us that He will keep us at all times (Psalm 91:3.5).

David’s experiences- first with the lion, then the bear (1 Samuel 17:34-37) and later with Goliath (1 Samuel 17:49-51) are testimonies that should make any doubter believe that our God is Jehovah Nissi. This means He is the Banner that our covers and goes ahead of us to guarantee victory in every battle we face (Exodus 17:15).

Beloved, I am assuring you that if you put your trust in the Lord, your protection will be guaranteed, because our God never fails. He watches over His elect so that His name may not be blasphemed. The Lord fights on behalf of His elect and always ensures they are victorious over evil. Hence, your victory over evil is guaranteed, so long as you remain on God’s side and away from sin.

ACTION POINT:
Examine your life carefully to see where and how you may have exposed yourself to temptations, ask for God’s forgiveness and commit to living a sin-free life from now.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Song of Solomon 5-8.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 1: ALL HALL THE POWER 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!

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

READ: James 4:7-10
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

MESSAGE:
Submission to the perfect will of God is a great weapon against trials and temptations. It is wisdom for us to submit to our Present Help in the time of trouble, according to Psalm 46:1. Our closest ally in the battle of life is Jesus Christ. The Bible says:
“ 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?” 1 John 5:4-5

For us to overcome, we must submit ourselves to God, resist the devil and then he will flee from us (James 4:7). The Bibles says that pride goes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). Many people fall into temptation because of pride. Romans 13:3 says:
“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:”

While pride makes people think they can survive this life without God, humility and sobriety are great instruments of defense in the face of temptations. We are encouraged to humble ourselves in the sight of God so that He can lift us. However, people easily fall into trials and temptations because of their failure to live soberly in this perverse generation. James 1:14-15 says “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished bringeth forth death”. The Bibles goes further in 1 Timothy 6:9-19 says:
“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. For the love of money is the root of all evil…..”

Beloved, to overcome trials and temptations, you must run to Jesus today with a sober heart, humility and the fear of the Lord. He will surely come to your aid, in the name Jesus.

ACTION POINT:
Examine your life carefully to see where and how you may have exposed yourself to temptations, ask for God’s forgiveness and commit to living a sin-free life from now.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Song of Solomon 1-4.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 28: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS.
1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12

READ: Proverbs 1:11-15
11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:

14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

MESSAGE:
The irony of life in the spiritual realm is that the devil is prosecutor. The Bible says in Revelation 12 :9 -10:
“ And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”

Despite the scripture above, there are blessings attached to overcoming temptations. Revelation 2:26 says “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:”

It takes genuine love for God to be able to overcome temptations. Joseph in Egypt was able to overcome the temptation of sleeping with his master’s wife because of the love he had for God (Genesis 39:9).

Today’s text gives us some insight as to how we can overcome temptations- we are to avoid the company of sinners and reject their ways. There would always be temptations as long as we are alive. Temptation in itself is not a sin, but falling into it is the sin. The sinful thoughts that the devil flashes at you do not become sins until you begin to entertain and act on them. It is our resistance that makes us overcomers. Hebrews 12:4 says:
“Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”

We must also avoid doing anything that could bring about temptations. For example, why would you carry a member of the opposite sex that is not your spouse in your lap? Remember: you are still flesh and blood. Let us learn from Joseph who fled Potiphar’s wife’s seduction so as not to sin against God (Genesis 39:7-12).

God has promised to always provide for us a way of escape from every temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). Joseph used the escape route God provided and the enemy was unable to destroy the glory ahead of him.

I pray you will always overcome every temptation from now, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, “…..lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil….” (Matthew 6:13).

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2Ecclesiates 10-12.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 11: I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR.
1. I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

o Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

2. I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.

3. I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

4. I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

5. I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8

READ: Psalm 24:7-10
7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

MESSAGE:
Many Christians are fearful in the face of attacks from the kingdom of darkness. This attitude is unlike that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon. These young Hebrew men knew their God to be strong and mighty and they made bold to declare this to King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 13:16-18).
Our God is strong and mighty in battle. He has never lost and can never lose any war. As I have preached on many occasions, our God is a war-Lord on land, according to 2 Chronicles 20:22-23. Also, is more effective than any Chief of Naval Staff when it comes to sea battles, according to Exodus 14:23-31. The Lord Strong and Mighty is more effective than any Chief of Air Staff when it comes to offensive air battles, according to Isaiah 30:30. This was proven in the battle He fought on behalf of the children of Israel under the leadership of Joshua in Joshua 10:11:
“And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.”

You have no reason to fear any attack of the enemies. The Psalmist says:
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

Isaiah 59:20 gives the condition that guarantees divine defense for the children of God: “…..unto them that turn from transgression….” The Lord can only fight on behalf of those who have reconciled with Him through genuine repentance, sin exposes an individual to enemy attacks without any spiritual defense, according to Isaiah 59:1-2. Therefore, ensure that your life is void of any iniquity that could make you vulnerable to the attack of the enemy. Our God is The Lord Strong and Mighty, The Lord Mighty in Battle, according to Psalm 24:8. This is the testimony of every true child of God.

The Lord will prove Himself strong and mighty on your behalf now and always, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please let Your power cause a positive transformation in my life today, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2Ecclesiates 1-5.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 29: WHAT CAN WASH AWAY MY STAIN.
1. What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

o Refrain:
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

2. For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

3. Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

4. This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

5. Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

6. Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Please follow and like us:

20

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

READ: Luke 14:26-27
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

MESSAGE:
It takes unfailing determination to go through life with Jesus Christ. Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior includes accepting Him with His yoke- in other words, submitting totally to His will. Indeed, to become a true disciple of Jesus, a person must subject his or her will to Him in totality. The Bible says in Mark 8:34:
“And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

Identifying with Jesus requires the belief in His standards and the commitment to live by them. This is however also brings the knowledge of truth and genuine freedom (John 8:31-32).

Submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ however, would also bring about persecution from the world. Our Lord Jesus Christ told us in John 15:18-19 that the world will hate us merely because He chose us to become His disciples.

Many so-called born-again Christians and even some leaders in the Church today want to follow Jesus but would not accept any doctrine that preaches “Suffering for the sake of Christ”. One wonders whether such people are serving the same God as Apostle Paul who prayed to know the fellowship of Jesus’ suffering. (Philippians 3:10).

Some people will call us fools when we preach the gospel to them (1 Corinthians 1:18). This however, is a relatively small price to pay to experience the power of God in our lives.

Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus came forward to claim the body of Jesus for burial in spite of the fact he was condemned and killed like a criminal. This is noteworthy because they were important personalities but that did not deter them from identifying with Jesus, even in death (John 19:38-42).

Beloved, let us take the yoke of Jesus Christ upon ourselves. We have to deny ourselves and carry our cross daily. His yoke is however easy and light (Matthew 11:29-30). Those that are not in Christ are under the grievous yoke of the kingdom of darkness that would ultimately lead to eternal damnation.

Surrender all to Jesus Christ today and He will give you rest.

ACTION POINT:
Decide to follow Jesus all the way in spite of the hostility of the world around you.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 27-30.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 18: PASS ME NOT, O GENTLE SAVIOR.
1. Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

o Refrain:
Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry,
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

2. Let me at Thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.

3. Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

4. Thou the spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee,
Whom in Heav’n but Thee.

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

READ: Matthew 27:3-8
3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.

8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

MESSAGE:
The type of sorrow that Judas Iscariot experienced is undesirable. I pray that you will not experience such sorrow in your life, in Jesus’ name. Peter’s sorrow s seen as godly because it led t repentance while that of Judas Iscariot is ungodly because it led to his death (2 Corinthians 7:10). When a person thinks he or she can outsmart the Lord, the result is ungodly sorrow. What makes man think he can outsmart God is greed and materialistic tendencies. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 says:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be herewith content.”

Judas Iscariot obviously had allowed greed to establish and grow within his heart. It was recorded in John 12:6 that he had been stealing from the purse Jesus asked him to keep. The greed then grew to the extent that he decided to the Lord Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver. He probably imagined that he could swindle the Jewish leaders. Judas probably expected that Jesus could not be arrested because he had witness Him escaping from the hands of the Jews before (Luke 4:28-30).

Judas however came to know the import of what he had done when he realized that Jesus surrendered Himself to be arrested and was condemned. This made Judas very sorrowful. Matthew 27:3. 5 says:
“3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.”

This type of sorrow however is ungodly as it led to despair, frustration, regret and eventually suicide.

Some Christians today also exhibit ungodly sorrow- not for committing sin, but for getting caught, this kind of sorrow does not lead to genuine repentance but rather dries up the bone as we read in our memory verse today.

May this never be our portion, in the mighty name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:
father, please don’t let the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and pride of life drown me in ungodly sorrow, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 21-26.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 7: HAVE YOU BEEN TO JESUS.
1. Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

o Refrain:
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

2. Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

3. When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

4. Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

READ: Luke 22:60-62.
60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

MESSAGE:
When Peter realized that he had failed to fulfil his promise never to deny Jesus Christ, the Bible says “…he went out, and wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:75). This is what the Bible calls godly sorrow. Godly sorrow has it’s blessing, according to today’s memory verse.

In the gospel of Matthew 5:4 we read:
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

When an individual is confronted with the reality of the sinful life he or she is living and certainty of hell, the fellow would mourn in repentance, if his or her heart is right with God. The best way to mourn for one’s sins is to confess and forsake them. Proverbs 28:13-14 says:
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.”

The story of the Pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:10-14) further illustrates godly sorrow, which brings about repentance. The Pharisee went to the temple only to begin to praise himself for all his good deeds. The Publican however, smote his chest and mourned for his sins. The truth of the matter is that the Almighty God considers what we count as our righteousness as nothing but filthy rags, as we read in Isaiah 64:6:
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

As Christians, we should not pile up unconfessed sins and so rob ourselves of the needed revival. Beloved, let us examine ourselves and see where we are falling short of God’s grace of living holy. Let us repent and come back to our first love if at all we have lost our way. Revelation 2:4-5 says:
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works;…..”

I pray that the Lord will revive you today, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, I need a revival of holiness; please revive me now, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 16-20.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 30: WHEN UPON LIFE’S BILLOW YOU ARE TEMPEST TOSSED.

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

o Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
[*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]

2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

4. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Please follow and like us:

20

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: Luke 22:54-60
54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off.

55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.

58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.

59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.

60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

MESSAGE:
An adage says “Show me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are”. The company you keep will go a long way to show who you are, what you do and how you respond to situation in life.

The story in our Bible reading of today tells us how peter eventually denied the master as predicted by Jesus Christ. Why did Peter deny Jesus? one, the Bible says when Jesus was taken and brought into the high priest’s house, Peter followed him “afar off” (Luke 22:54). It is dangerous to follow Jesus from afar. Secondly, because it was so cold out there, Peter moved into the hall and sat down with those enjoying the warmth of the fire that was set. It is unfortunate today that some so-called believers are enjoying the fire or the warmth of sin in the bosom of strange men and women.
“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

Peter, forgetting that he had the identity of a Galilean, sat in the midst of the resident of Jerusalem. He was confronted with the truth that he was a Galilean and follower of Jesus Christ for that matter. Many pretend they are not Christians so that they may conform to some so called ‘comfort zones’ in life, whereas, the Bible says we should not be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2).

Peter was not sensitive enough in the spirit to recognize that his location did not support his commitment to Jesus Christ. He denied Jesus to the point of swearing and the cook crew (Matthew 26:74-75). Beloved, let us learn from Peter that we should not follow Jesus from afar. We must not patronize places that would compromise our spiritual health, no matter how attractive they may be.

Sometime ago, I was on a road trip and was accosted by armed robbers. I asked my Daddy why such a thing would happen to me and He said “It is because you are dressed like the people the robber are looking for!” Truly, that day, I was dressed flamboyantly in the traditional attire of one of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria and the robbers mistook me for a chief!

Beloved, God wants us to be mindful of how we dress and the people we spend our time with. We are called to identify with the Lord always.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please help me never to deny You, however tough the trial may be.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 11-15.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 11: I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR.
1. I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

o Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

2. I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.

3. I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

4. I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

5. I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:
But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. Luke 22:21

READ: Luke 22:19-23
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.

22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

MESSAGE:
A kiss is a very intimate show of affection and it is usually not cheap to give or receive, one would then wonder why Judas Iscariot decide to use a kiss as the code to betray Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:48-50).

For one, Psalm 41:9 had to be fulfilled.
“Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.”

We must learn that the word of God will forever be fulfilled. Another lesson from what necessitated Judas’ betrayal code was the leadership style of Jesus Christ. He was obviously very close to His disciples. There was no distinction between Him and His subordinates- no class boundaries, no differentiation. As a matter of fact, He washed their feet. Whoever saw Jesus washing His disciples’ feet could have mistaken Him for a ‘servant of servants’. Whatever He did, He empowered His disciples to do also. What a lesson for Christian leaders!

Leaders must also be extremely careful of close associates without being necessarily suspicious. This is because out of twelve disciples, there usually would be one ‘Judas Iscariot’. The truth is, more often than not, there is always a need for a Judas for the fulfilment of God’s purpose for a leader’s life. This is a bitter truth, but it must be told.

There is however, a kiss that betrays, not someone else, but your very self! For example, when you intimately kiss a person who is not your spouse, you have betrayed your spirit man and empowered the flesh. Apostle Paul says that we should abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22) he says further, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” (1 Corinthians 10:23). In Romans 14:21, he also says:
“It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.”

May you neither be sold or sell yourself by a kiss of betrayal, in the name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:
Check the motives behind your actions; it may betray you. Pray that you will not end up like Judas Iscariot, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 6-10.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 2: AMAZIN GRACE! HOW SWEET THE SOUND.

1. 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.

2. ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

3. Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

4. The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

5. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

6. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

7. 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.

Please follow and like us:

20