Devotionals

MEMORISE:

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Ephesians 5:25

READ: Ephesians 5:25-31

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

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

MESSAGE

Christ has an undying love for the Church, since His relationship with the Church is our model, let me ask: Brother, do you love your wife enough to die for her?

If a husband loves his wife genuinely, a lot of the usual problems they complain about would be avoided. As a man, you should not buy new shirts for yourself and ‘forget’ to get for your wife; that may just show how little you love her. 2 Corinthians 8:9 says Jesus became poor so that we can be rich. She should be your priority, looking better and more radiant than you. This is one thing I admire about men from the igbo ethnic group of Nigeria. They take very good care of their wives. While the man may don just singlets and shorts, his wife would array in the best fashion.

Some men find it difficult to spend time with their wives. If you really love someone, you should, you should spend time with the person. Jesus said if you call Him at any time, He would answer (Jeremiah 33:3). That is how you should be with your wife; anytime she needs you, you should be there. You are the priest of the home just as Jesus is the Church’s high priest.

When you express your love for your wife, she will cook better meals for you, and look more radiant, more beautiful for you.

“………He that loveth his wife loveth himself.” Ephesians 5:28

From the experience of Job, we see that a man’s wife is his life. God told Satan that he could touch all that Job had except his life. Satan killed Job’s children, destroyed all his property, inflicted his flesh with sicknesses and diseases, but did not touch his wife. She was unscathed because God had said “Don’t touch Job’s life”; and since they were one, his life was hers and hers was his. Whatever you do to your wife, you are actually doing to yourself.

She should be loved, protected, nourished and cherished greatly because your life depends on it. God is taking note! If you don’t believe, read Malachi 2:12-14. Don’t cheat yourself.

REFLECTION:

How well do you express your love for your wife? Remember, actions speak louder than words.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 10-12.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 6: GOD GIVE US CHRISTIAN HOME.

1. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,
Homes where the Master’s will is sought,
Homes crowned with beauty Your love has wrought;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

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

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

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

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Ephesians 5:23

READ: Ephesians 5:22-30

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

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

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

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

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

MESSAGE
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Genesis 2:24

“This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:32

The union of a man and woman in marriage is a mystery because it conceals, as in a parable, a truth about Christ and the Church.

The divine reality in the concept of marriage is that God ordained a permanent union between His Son and the Church. Marriage between a man and a woman is the earthly representation of this divine plan. As God willed for Christ and the Church to become one body (Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 12:13), so He desires for marriage to reflect this pattern.

Husbands and wives should consciously copy God’s model for the relationship between Christ and the Church. Some essentials of this divine model are as follow:

First, the Church is to be led by Christ as the woman is to be led by her husband. The responsibility of the man is to see the vision for the family and that of the woman is to submit to the leadership of their husband as they work together to fulfil it.

It is also the responsibility of Christ to provide while the Church puts the resources into use so as to achieve the joint goal. The man is to provide for the home, in fact, 1 Timothy 5:8 describes anyone who does not provide for his home as worse than an infidel, having rejected the faith. The woman on the other hand, is to use the resources provided by the man (While also supporting as much as she can) for the good of the home, not for buying frivolous jewelry or shoes, except where the man has provided specifically for that. The wife being a ‘help meet’ should however support the man as much as she can (Genesis 2:18, Ephesians 5:22).

If we could pattern our marriages according to the relationship between Christ and the Church, we would have many fulfilling marriages today.

ACTION POINT:
Like Christ, husband, you are the priest and provider for your home. Take up your responsibility and ask God to help you.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 7-9.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:

And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD. Numbers 26:61

READ: Hebrews 13:8-13

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

MESSAGE

In the physical realm, there are different types of fire used for varying constructive or destructive purpose.

This is also true in the spiritual realm where fire could be godly or ungodly, constructive or destructive. The Holy Spirit is the source of godly fire.

Samson tearing a lion apart in Judges 14:5-6 is a classic example of what you can do when the Spirit kindles godly fire inside you. When He kindles fire in you, supernatural power comes and you are able to overcome your enemies. On the other hand, an ungodly fire produces a desire to perform acts (or an act) that negates God’s will and commandments. It destroys completely. It can also be an ungodly act in itself as we see in the case of Nadab and Abihu who died because they offered strange fire before the Lord.

“And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD.” Numbers 26:61

The ungodly fire made Samson go after strange women. It destroyed him. Some years ago, one of my spiritual sons was confronted with a strange fire of erotic emotions with his secretary. He sought spiritual counsel from me and I told him plainly to sack her immediately. He did and the strange fire was quenched. When you allow strange fire to grow, it will destroy. This is why the Lord wants you to beware of strange fire.

Strange fire could be unbiblical worship. For example, an intending couple should not spend nights together alone in the name of prayer vigil. It is strange fire when a lady comes to minister at the altar with sensitive parts of her body exposed. A pastor that introduces the blood of animals as a means of anointing during deliverance service is also dealing in strange fire. It destroys. Read the Bible and crosscheck your life today for any such appearance. If there is, put it out from the source immediately.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, deliver your Church from strange fire, in the Mighty Name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 4-6.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Psalm 107:20.

READ: Matthew 8:5-13

5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

MESSAGE

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. Genesis 1:3

There is power in God’s word. By it, He created the universe and still does wonders today. In today’s Bible reading, Jesus had wanted to visit the home of a Centurion to heal his servant but was surprised when the Centurion asked Him to “speak the word only” (Matthew 8:8-10). Jesus spoke and the servant was indeed healed (Matthew 8:13). This was a fulfilment of the prophesy “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” (Psalm 107:20).

A lot of people keep searching for deliverance, yet they disregard the most potent weapon- the word of God. For example, God’s word came to Caln but he ignored it. The word was meant to warn him, to deliver him from the possible error and subsequent sorrow and perdition, but he let the opportunity slip away through envy (Genesis 4:6-7).

Dear reader, the word of God is coming to you today, do not ignore it.

God’s word says “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41). What should you do? Obey, watch, watch, increase your prayer time so temptation will not sweep you away from the faith.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14). Believe the word and you will be free from sin permanently.

Philippians 4:19 says “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” if you believe, poverty shall become history in your life. If you are sick, 1 Peter 2:24 says by Christ’s stripes, we have been healed. Beloved, as you believe the Word today, you will experience a positive turnaround in the mighty name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please help me live a life of faith, so the Word You have sent may deliver me from all destructions.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 1-3.

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30

READ: Luke 10:1-3

1After these things the LORD appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

MESSAGE

Despite all your endeavors, if you are not actively winning souls, you are courting fruitlessness, and believe me, you don’t want to face the consequences of being fruitless, as stated in John 15:1-2:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”

If you are wise, you will make soul winning a priority in everything you do. When churches organize programmes with great crowds gathered and at the end of the day, there is no call for salvation, I just think “what a waste of time, effort and money.” What is the essence of doing anything at all in the Church if it will not ultimately lead more people to heaven? What is the essence of organizing concerts, doing jamboree and shouting to praise the Most High God if we do not prioritize His very heart beat- bringing lost souls back to His Kingdom? If you are a leader in any capacity in the body of Christ, I am speaking to you now. Whatever you are planning to organize in the Church that will not ultimately win souls to God’s kingdom or help already won souls to stand more firmly for God is a complete waste of time. If you are not bearing fruits, God Himself will take you away from the Vine. What a fearful thing it is if God himself separates you from Jesus Christ!

In your secular activities too, you must use every opportunity to win souls. Imagine how many terrorists would have been won to Christ, imagine how many parents of wayward children would have trained their children on the right path, if we had been using every available opportunity to win souls.

Anytime I am invited for honorary awards anywhere around the world, as long as I have that microphone in my hand and a few seconds to talk, I will appreciate the giver of the award and remind them that Jesus is coming soon with His own reward. No matter where you are, no matter who you are, no matter what you do, make soulwinning your lifestyle.

REFLECTION:

How well do you use all platforms at your disposal to win souls into the Kingdom of God?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 King 3-4
2 Chronicles 1
Psalm 72.

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:
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Proverbs 29:2

READ: 1 Timothy 2:1-4

1I 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

If children of God would carefully study the Bible and obey its commands, the world would be a much better place. God would consistently reveal His mind to them and expressly answer their prayers. By the grace of the Almighty, anyone conversant with the history and development of the Redeemed Christian Church of God will agree without any doubt that God has constantly revealed His mind to guide us in this Church. May His name be praised forevermore in the mighty name of Jesus.

One clear spiritual principle God revealed to His people is that supplication, prayer and intercession be made for leaders and people in authority at all levels. Unfortunately, many of us do not know the importance of praying for our leaders. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says:
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

Foremost, we are to seek God’s face to give us righteous leaders. Samuel would have erroneously anointed Eliab if not for God’s guidance. Thank God he listened and obeyed (1 Samuel 16:6-7). Who knows what would have befallen Israel if Eliab or any of David’s other brothers had been crowned king?

Secondly, prayer helps leaders to provide good governance, resulting in a quiet, peaceable, and prosperous life for the people. Leaders are targets of wicked physical and spiritual attacks for the simple reason that any defeat suffered by a leader will have a ripple effect on the whole community (Zechariah 13:7).

The devil always makes use of this method in his warfare against nations. That was the case in 1 Chronicles 21:1: “And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.” This error led to the death of several thousand people in 1 Chronicles 21:14.

Let us specifically ask God to give us righteous leaders. Righteousness exalts a nation (Proverbs 14:34) and this should start from the people in authority.

As we intensify prayers for our leaders today, our joy shall indeed be full and our nation shall be exalted in the Mighty Name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:
Pray for your leaders more than ever before and ask for grace to do this regularly.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 119-1-88.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Matthew 10:42

READ: Matthew 6:1-6

1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

MESSAGE

Expecting reciprocal help from those you have helped may not be wise. God does not always work that way.

For if ye love themsays in Matthew 6:2 which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? Matthew 5:46

In today’s memory verse, Jesus promises a reward to whoever gives a drink to any young and defenseless person for the gospel sake. This is indeed encouraging and reassuring.

Going by this, as children of God, we must do good to all men, regardless of their affiliations. That way, we will be like our impartial Father who causes the rain to fall and sun to shine on both the good and the evil.

Sometimes ago, a Christian couple fed an unbelieving young man. This gesture eventually made him give his life to Christ. Today, that young man is the founder of a successful Christian organization with many branches across Nigeria. Imagine the effects of one good deed.

Jesus warned against doing good deeds because of the praise of men (Matthew 6:1-6). For many years, Christians generally adhered to this. However, things are changing really fast today. Some people even publicize their trips to motherless babies’ homes. Jesus says in Matthew 6:2:
“Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”

The Lord wants you to always do good to your neighbors. This way, you will show you are a true child of your Father. “…..he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.” (Proverbs 14:21). Follow peace with all men and show kindness to everyone. God will surely reward you.

ACTION POINT:
Look out for the poor in your community and be good to them.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Kings 1-2
Psalm 37,71,94.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy 6:6-7

READ: Genesis 18:19

19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

MESSAGE
It is most surprising that the children of Christians of the outgoing generation appear to be missing in action today. Typically, if a Christian couple had three children for example the next generation should therefore have at least three people standing for God, but this is clearly not so. Now we have worldly musicians whose parents are leaders in the church. The devil may be working hard to make the world a corrupt place, but a lot of Christian parents seem to be helping him get the job done faster. How can Christian parents dress their children in revealing clothes? Everything you introduce to your children now will be normal to them as they grow. If you are already dressing your daughter in revealing clothes now that she is little, she would most likely wear even more provocative ones when she is a teenager.

If you are a child of God, you must make sure that your children emulate you in the things you do, the way you talk and even the things you love. You instill this in them by showing them what is right and what is wrong as they grow up. Some parents go to church and leave their children at home, claiming that they don’t want to force them to serve God; they want them to grow up to love God by themselves. I pity them because they are just giving the devil a free hand with their children. Do you let the child decide if he wants to go to school or not? God said about Abraham in Genesis 18:19:
“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD…..”

Can God say the same thing about you? Before you evangelize to the unbelievers outside, are you sure that there is no unbeliever in your home? Watch what they wear, what they say, who their friends are. Teach them to read their Bible and to pray. When you teach your children to live godly lives, you will have rest in your old age because the Holy Spirit in them will not allow them to misbehave. If you have a child who is already going wayward, I pray that he/she would encounter Christ and change for the better in the mighty name of Jesus.

ACTION POINT:
Every day, as you teach them, pray for your children that they will walk in the ways of the Most High God all their lives.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 111-118.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Please follow and like us:

20

MEMORISE:

There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. Isaiah 65:20

READ: Isaiah 65:20-23

20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.

21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.

22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.

23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.

MESSAGE

Are you aware that your strength can reman intact even as you grow old? According to Deuteronomy 34:7, Moses was One hundred and twenty years old, yet had 20/20 vision and was not weak.

Isaiah 65:20 says young child will die at age of one hundred year. Just imagine that if in the church when we say, “We lost a child” we are talking of someone aged One Hundred years. That is the promise of God. Joshua 14:10, 11 says:
“…..and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.”

In the verse above, Caleb said, at eighty-five he was still as strong as he was at forty. He could still fight battles! Compare your age to that of his and see if it is normal to feel weak. God will renew your youth like the eagles’ in the mighty name of Jesus (Psalm 103:5)!

No matter your age, sickness has no place in your body because it is still the temple of God (Corinthians 6:19). The devil has deceived many of us with the idea that certain sicknesses are typical for old people. It is a big lie. My Bible tells me that I am healed by the stripes of Jesus. it didn’t say that l will enjoy healing when I am fifty. It will work for me all through life. So, I decree: no sickness can stay in your body in the mighty name of Jesus.

Now, with age comes wisdom and discipline- wisdom to eat only what is right and discipline to stay away from eating anything that would hurt you. As an adult with experience, the effects of diabetics you have seen should keep you from consuming sugar. You should have seen people die of cancer so much so that you know consuming organic food is better than processed ones with chemicals in them.

If you are faithful in playing your part to stay healthy, just leave the rest to God. He is faithful to keep you strong.

PRAYER POINT:

Let’s pray for our leaders that as their days are, so shall their strength be.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 108-110

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 23: ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIER.

1. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!
o Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

2. At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

3. Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

4. Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never ’gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.

5. Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.

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: Exodus 5:1-8

1And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.

2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

3 And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days’ journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.

4 And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.

5 And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.

6 And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,

7 Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.

8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

MESSAGE

Generally, ignorance kills, it is however even more lethal when people do not know God. Such people do not know God. Such people could fall into the hands of God just as Nebuchadnezzar did (Daniel 4:33).

Pharaoh was reluctant to free the Israelites because he was ignorant of God’s power (Exodus 5:2), yet that was not enough to excuse him and his kingdom from God’s judgment. God will never accept ignorance as an excuse for disobedience to His will.

Knowledge however, is power, more so the knowledge of the Most High God. It is the ultimate power.

How do we know God to the extent that we can draw maximum benefits from Him? How do we avoid walking contrary to His will?

God is the source of both temporal and eternal blessings. To know Him, you must first know Jesus. Matthew 11:27 says:
“All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.”

Knowing Jesus Christ is knowing the mind of God and those who know their God shall be strong and do exploits (Daniel 11:32). No wonder Paul prayed passionately to know Jesus intimately (Philippians 3:10).

When we look at Paul’s prayer, we may understand why he did great exploits in the ministry. To achieve the same kind of result in our Christian walk, we also must be knowledgeable in the word of God. Search the Scripture daily to know Jesus Christ the more (John 5:39), His mission before (Matthew 1:21), during (John 14:6) and after His earthly ministry (Revelation 22:12).

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please reveal Your majesty to me that I may reverence You as I should.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 24
1 Chronicles 21-22.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Please follow and like us:

20