Monthly Archives: December 2024

MEMORISE: For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.   Isaiah 55:12

READ:   John 15:9-11

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

MESSAGE

Many people mistake happiness for joy. Happiness is based on happenings, while joy is not dependent on any happenings at all. The only way to access real joy is through Jesus Christ. This is why, after a person becomes born again, he or she begins to feel so joyful, even though nothing special seems to be happening to him or her on the outside.

Many years ago, a professor, who had just given his life to Christ, came to me and said, “Can I ask you a question, sir?” I braced myself because I thought to myself, “lf a professor wants to ask a question, it must be a tough one.” He then said, “1 hope there is no problem with being so joyful. I don’t know why, but recently, I have been so joyful, and I am concerned.” I told him that what he was experiencing was very normal; everyone who connects with God experiences real joy. If you are yet to experience the kind of joy that goes beyond your circumstances, give your life to Christ today and live holy. You will begin to experience joy that you will find difficult to explain.

Some people have been born again for a long time but have lost their joy. They lost their joy, not because they had less money or less of whatever they used to have, but because they started disobeying Jesus.

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 15:10-11

In the Scripture above, Jesus said that if you keep His commandments and abide in His love, His joy will remain in you, and your joy will be full. If you really want that joy that chases depression and sorrow away forever, you need to obey Jesus and abide in His love. 1 John 5:3 says that God’s commandments are not grievous.

Beloved, the secret to real joy is in obeying the commandments of Jesus Christ. Commit to always obey Him, and as you begin to live for Him, His joy will flood your heart. He loves you, and He wants to give you unexplainable joy.

KEY POINT

It is only in Jesus Christ that you can experience true joy.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Thessalonians 1-3

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 6: I AM SO GLAD THAT OUR FATHER IN HEAV’N

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.

CHORUS

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. Though I forget Him and wander away,

Still He doth love me whenever 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 in eternity be:

“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me.”

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MEMORISE:

“The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.” – (Psalm 29:11)

READ: HABAKKUK 3:17-19 (KJV)

17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

MESSAGE:

You cannot always determine a person’s strength from his or her physical appearance. For instance, having big muscles does not necessarily reflect how strong a person is. If a person’s strength is based on physical appearance alone, then David would not have defeated Goliath (1 Samuel 17:42-54).

Ecclesiastes 7:19 says that a wise man is stronger than ten mighty men. In verse 12 of that same chapter, the Bible says: “For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.” This means that wisdom, money, or both, provides strength and security.

Everyone has something or someone that they depend on as their strength. However, the greatest of strengths comes from above. This is why David said in Psalm 121:1-2:

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

David had a source of strength that helped him overcome battles, live in prosperity, and leave a good legacy. In the Scripture above, he said that his help came from the Lord. In other words, God was his strength. The strength that comes from the Lord is absolutely reliable because, not only is it supreme, it is always constant. That strength does not ever fade; it is everlasting. Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. If the Lord is your strength, your strength will be constant, even in old age. Deuteronomy 34:7 says that at 120 years old, Moses was still very strong; His eyes were not dim and his natural strength had not diminished. The strength that comes from the Lord is comprehensive. Philippians 4:13 says:

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

‘All things’ in the above Scripture includes working miracles and laying hands on the sick for their recovery. Mark 16:17-18 says:

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Beloved, do not be satisfied with your natural strength alone because it is very limited. Like David, look up to God for strength to overcome all of life’s challenges and to do the impossible. Our God is faithful, and He can be relied on.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please be my strength in every area of my life.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 THESSALONIANS 1-5

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL: 19 – ROCK OF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME

1 Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee;

Let the water and the blood,

From Thy riven side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure,

Save me from its guilt and power.

2 Not the labor of my hands

Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;

Could my zeal no respite know,

Could my tears forever flow,

All could never sin erase,

Thou must save, and save by grace.

3 Nothing in my hands I bring,

Simply to Thy cross I cling;

Naked, come to Thee for dress,

Helpless, look to Thee for grace:

Foul, I to the fountain fly,

Wash me, Savior, or I die.

4 While I draw this fleeting breath,

When mine eyes shall close in death,

When I soar to worlds unknown,

See Thee on Thy judgment throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee.

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