Day One Miracle - Sunday, January 1, 2017
Memorise: Genesis 1:3: And God said, "Let there be light; and there was light.
Please read: Genesis 1: 1-5
1 In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
Hymn: Hymn 1
Prayer point:
Father, send Your light into the darkness of my life today in Jesus' Name
The first challenge that confronted the universe was darkness, and this was the first thing that God dealt with. When an individual walks in darkness, he is likely to fall into a ditch and thereby end his life. In other words, darkness is potentially harmful. This is why there must be light; and there will be light in your life today in Jesus' Name.
In Genesis 1:3. it was until God spoke His Word that the miracle of light occurred. Many people do not know what they lose when they refuse to allow the Word of God to penetrate their lives. When there is darkness, stagnation is inevitable: this is why the devil works round-the-clock to get his victims before they discover the light of God in Christ. So, if you are reading this devotional and you have not come into the light of God m Jesus Christ, today is your day of salvation; now is the acceptable time, (2 Corinthians 6:2). I decre‘ the miracle of the first day into your life in Jesus Name.
Saturday 31 December 2016
Starting a New Year - Sunday 1st January, 2017
Starting a New Year - Sunday 1st January, 2017
Memorise: Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:8
Read: Job 8:5-7 (King James Version)
5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;
6 If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
Bible in one year: Matthew 1-3, Isaiah 1:1-17, Hymn Sing hymn 1
MESSAGE:
Welcome to this New Year! It is always good to experience something pleasantly new. At the dawn of a new year, hopes are renewed, aspirations are born and expectations are high. But when the ups and downs of life take their toll in the course of the year, many people are not able to sustain the zeal and zest that they started the year with. Does this sound familiar? For some, it appears as if the events they experience in the course of the year are set up to completely dash their hopes. If this has been your experience, it shall be different this time around in the mighty Name of Jesus. 1 January 2017 open heavens message
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11
As you take in the fresh New Year breeze, know for sure that God has something great in store for you which will unfold in the course of this year. Something huge is coming your way, so let your hope be fixed on the Lord. God wants you to end this year big and great, and to have your heart overflowing with joy. Open Heavens Sunday 1 January 2017:- Starting a New Year. Remember that in the Kingdom of God, the end of a thing is always of greater significance than its beginning. Hence, the Holy Ghost in Job 8:7 said:
“Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.”
Because some people start a new year with little or nothing, they don’t expect anything great to come their way that year. If you find yourself in such a situation, know that if you settle some key issues in your life, you can be assured of a greater, bigger and glorious year. First, start the year with God (Proverbs 8:17). If you are still living in sin, the greatest way to start this year is by going on your knees, confessing your sins to God, asking for His forgiveness and inviting Jesus Christ to be your captain and pilot from now onwards. Also, you need to cultivate a personal relationship with God by studying the Bible regularly, fellowshipping with other believers in a Bible-believing Church, worshipping God and taking time to pray on daily basis. In addition, daily ask God for direction, wait to receive it, and be sure to follow as He leads. Utilise all opportunities that come your way and give your best to God and His work. If you do all these, I assure you that this year will end very well for you.
Action Point: Thank God for granting you access to this New Year. Let your thanksgiving be a daily offering to God this year.
Memorise: Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:8
Read: Job 8:5-7 (King James Version)
5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;
6 If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
Bible in one year: Matthew 1-3, Isaiah 1:1-17, Hymn Sing hymn 1
MESSAGE:
Welcome to this New Year! It is always good to experience something pleasantly new. At the dawn of a new year, hopes are renewed, aspirations are born and expectations are high. But when the ups and downs of life take their toll in the course of the year, many people are not able to sustain the zeal and zest that they started the year with. Does this sound familiar? For some, it appears as if the events they experience in the course of the year are set up to completely dash their hopes. If this has been your experience, it shall be different this time around in the mighty Name of Jesus. 1 January 2017 open heavens message
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11
As you take in the fresh New Year breeze, know for sure that God has something great in store for you which will unfold in the course of this year. Something huge is coming your way, so let your hope be fixed on the Lord. God wants you to end this year big and great, and to have your heart overflowing with joy. Open Heavens Sunday 1 January 2017:- Starting a New Year. Remember that in the Kingdom of God, the end of a thing is always of greater significance than its beginning. Hence, the Holy Ghost in Job 8:7 said:
“Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.”
Because some people start a new year with little or nothing, they don’t expect anything great to come their way that year. If you find yourself in such a situation, know that if you settle some key issues in your life, you can be assured of a greater, bigger and glorious year. First, start the year with God (Proverbs 8:17). If you are still living in sin, the greatest way to start this year is by going on your knees, confessing your sins to God, asking for His forgiveness and inviting Jesus Christ to be your captain and pilot from now onwards. Also, you need to cultivate a personal relationship with God by studying the Bible regularly, fellowshipping with other believers in a Bible-believing Church, worshipping God and taking time to pray on daily basis. In addition, daily ask God for direction, wait to receive it, and be sure to follow as He leads. Utilise all opportunities that come your way and give your best to God and His work. If you do all these, I assure you that this year will end very well for you.
Action Point: Thank God for granting you access to this New Year. Let your thanksgiving be a daily offering to God this year.
Friday 30 December 2016
Acceptable Service - Saturday 31, December 2016
Acceptable Service - Saturday 31, December 2016
Memorise: Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. – James 1:27
Read: Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Bible in One Year: Numbers 7:84-10:10, Psalms 140
MESSAGE:
The major difference between David and the other soldiers at the war front was simply the fact that David could not stand the insult and blasphemy against the God of Israel. He knew God so well, and he feared and honoured Him so much that he decided to confront the giant warrior called Goliath without any fear of losing his life. David, in this case, took the meaning of acceptable service to another level. It can be very painful when the authority of God is so challenged, you will want to do anything to defend Him even if it means doing so with your life. In 1 Samuel 17:23-26, Goliath came out, boasted exceedingly and asked; “Where is the God of Israel?” For as many as had no intimate relationship with God, this threat, challenge and disgraced meant nothing to them. But then, one day, a little boy who loved the Lord was there, he heard Goliath talk against his God and he got very angry. His love for God propelled him to dare this giant that was bringing shame on God and His people.
It can be very painful when you have problem that has persisted, especially when you know that your God is more than able to solve it. People may even ask, “Did you not say your God can do all things? Why has He not done yours?” Yes, it can be painful, but you must be prepared to love God to the extent of not minding what people say about your condition.
In Psalms 115:1-3, when the unbelievers where asking the psalmist: “Where is your God?” instead of being embarrassed or wallow in self-pity, he was not bothered. In fact, he began to make excuses for God because of his love for Him. He replied them: “Are you asking of my God because of this little problem? My God is still in Heaven. He is still on the throne and He cannot be dethroned. If you must know, my God does whatever He pleases and is not accountable to anyone. Whether He does it or not, you cannot take Him to court. He knows the right time to solve this problem because your time and mine may not be His. Is it not for me? I am prepared to wait for His time; I am not in any hurry”. With that kind of answer, the mouths of the enemies will be stopped. How much do you love God? The proof of your love for God against all odds in the mark of an acceptable service unto Him!
Prayer Point: Father, I commit my life to You wholeheartedly.
Memorise: Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. – James 1:27
Read: Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Bible in One Year: Numbers 7:84-10:10, Psalms 140
MESSAGE:
The major difference between David and the other soldiers at the war front was simply the fact that David could not stand the insult and blasphemy against the God of Israel. He knew God so well, and he feared and honoured Him so much that he decided to confront the giant warrior called Goliath without any fear of losing his life. David, in this case, took the meaning of acceptable service to another level. It can be very painful when the authority of God is so challenged, you will want to do anything to defend Him even if it means doing so with your life. In 1 Samuel 17:23-26, Goliath came out, boasted exceedingly and asked; “Where is the God of Israel?” For as many as had no intimate relationship with God, this threat, challenge and disgraced meant nothing to them. But then, one day, a little boy who loved the Lord was there, he heard Goliath talk against his God and he got very angry. His love for God propelled him to dare this giant that was bringing shame on God and His people.
It can be very painful when you have problem that has persisted, especially when you know that your God is more than able to solve it. People may even ask, “Did you not say your God can do all things? Why has He not done yours?” Yes, it can be painful, but you must be prepared to love God to the extent of not minding what people say about your condition.
In Psalms 115:1-3, when the unbelievers where asking the psalmist: “Where is your God?” instead of being embarrassed or wallow in self-pity, he was not bothered. In fact, he began to make excuses for God because of his love for Him. He replied them: “Are you asking of my God because of this little problem? My God is still in Heaven. He is still on the throne and He cannot be dethroned. If you must know, my God does whatever He pleases and is not accountable to anyone. Whether He does it or not, you cannot take Him to court. He knows the right time to solve this problem because your time and mine may not be His. Is it not for me? I am prepared to wait for His time; I am not in any hurry”. With that kind of answer, the mouths of the enemies will be stopped. How much do you love God? The proof of your love for God against all odds in the mark of an acceptable service unto Him!
Prayer Point: Father, I commit my life to You wholeheartedly.
The Lord’s Spokesman - Friday 30, December 2016
The Lord’s Spokesman - Friday 30, December 2016
Memorise: Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. – 2 Corinthians 5:20
Read: 1 Peter 4:10-11 (KJV)
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Bible in One Year: Numbers 7:1-83, Psalms 139:17-24
MESSAGE:
The first instruction that God usually gives to any appointed spokesperson in the Bible is to be bold. Moses, Joshua, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel were all enjoined to be bold and courageous to face the task ahead of them. This is simply because human beings are always rebellious to God’s commandments, this is more so with the rich, powerful and influential people in the society. Without boldness, it becomes difficult to speak against such prominent people out of fear of reprisal. However, when God surrounds your life with His presence as a mountain, you become immune to all attacks of your enemies. It is not that they won’t try; but their attempts will fail. Many believers take God’s protection for granted, because it is not physical or tangible to them, however, it is very visible to their enemies who operate in the negative spiritual realm. For so long, Satan desired to harm Job but could not, because of the protective wall he called a hedge.
“Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.” - Job 1:10
The enemy knows the areas God’s protection covers in the lives of believers. They know the areas that are exposed, and it is those exposed parts that they usually target. If you are toying with sin, you are gradually exposing yourself to the enemies. From Satan’s reply, he must have been frustrated in previous attempts to harm Job. He could touch just anybody else but Job. As long as you are inside the protective cover of the Lord, the enemies will be frustrated concerning you. They will look for every opportunity to strike at you, but finding none, they will attempt to distract you from the path of holiness into sin. If they can succeed in getting you to sin and especially get you to continue in that sin, God will withdraw, and they will take over. Ensure you remain under His cover.
Prayer Point: Father, please, help me never to shed Your covering over me in Jesus’ name.
Memorise: Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. – 2 Corinthians 5:20
Read: 1 Peter 4:10-11 (KJV)
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Bible in One Year: Numbers 7:1-83, Psalms 139:17-24
MESSAGE:
The first instruction that God usually gives to any appointed spokesperson in the Bible is to be bold. Moses, Joshua, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel were all enjoined to be bold and courageous to face the task ahead of them. This is simply because human beings are always rebellious to God’s commandments, this is more so with the rich, powerful and influential people in the society. Without boldness, it becomes difficult to speak against such prominent people out of fear of reprisal. However, when God surrounds your life with His presence as a mountain, you become immune to all attacks of your enemies. It is not that they won’t try; but their attempts will fail. Many believers take God’s protection for granted, because it is not physical or tangible to them, however, it is very visible to their enemies who operate in the negative spiritual realm. For so long, Satan desired to harm Job but could not, because of the protective wall he called a hedge.
“Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.” - Job 1:10
The enemy knows the areas God’s protection covers in the lives of believers. They know the areas that are exposed, and it is those exposed parts that they usually target. If you are toying with sin, you are gradually exposing yourself to the enemies. From Satan’s reply, he must have been frustrated in previous attempts to harm Job. He could touch just anybody else but Job. As long as you are inside the protective cover of the Lord, the enemies will be frustrated concerning you. They will look for every opportunity to strike at you, but finding none, they will attempt to distract you from the path of holiness into sin. If they can succeed in getting you to sin and especially get you to continue in that sin, God will withdraw, and they will take over. Ensure you remain under His cover.
Prayer Point: Father, please, help me never to shed Your covering over me in Jesus’ name.
Thursday 29 December 2016
Resist the Devil - Thursday 29, December 2016
Resist the Devil - Thursday 29, December 2016
Memorise: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. – James 4:7
Read: James 1:12-16 (KJV)
12 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.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Bible in One Year: Numbers 5-6, Psalms 139:1-16
MESSAGE:
The Bible presents the devil as the accuser of the brethren, but more importantly, the devil is also in the business of presenting God in a bad light to human beings at every opportunity he gets. He usually puts questions in the heart of men in order to cast doubt on God’s acts of love towards humanity. He successfully did that in the Garden of Eden, and he is still using the same trick today. The Psalmist, in the midst of his troubles asked questions.
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” - Psalms 42:5
There is a difference between questions and queries. He asked why his soul was feeling downcast. In other words, he expected his soul to look up to see the brighter side in the midst of gloom. When you ask God questions, but still demonstrate faith in Him and His ability, it is okay. But when your questions do not reflect your past experience of what you enjoyed from God’s mercies and faithfulness, you are already issuing God a query. Before any child of God issues out a query to God, the fellow must have changed his view about God and how powerful He is, if not, he wouldn’t dare query God. After all, you cannot issue a powerful king a query. Romans 9:20 says,
“Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?”
Similarly, the one who would query God is in doubt of God’s love and good intentions. He believes God is negligent, carefree and irresponsible. At such a time, he has believed the lies of the devil.
Beloved, God loves you much more than anything else, He is the One who gave Himself for your salvation and washed you clean in His Blood. No matter the situation, His love for you will never diminish as long as you remain in His Kingdom. Believe the best about Him. Believe His good intentions even when you do not understand. The One who died for you will not work against you when you are in a good relationship with Him. Never query God; it will worsen your situation.
Prayer Point: Father, please forgive me for all the queries I have issued through doubt in Jesus’ name.
Memorise: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. – James 4:7
Read: James 1:12-16 (KJV)
12 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.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Bible in One Year: Numbers 5-6, Psalms 139:1-16
MESSAGE:
The Bible presents the devil as the accuser of the brethren, but more importantly, the devil is also in the business of presenting God in a bad light to human beings at every opportunity he gets. He usually puts questions in the heart of men in order to cast doubt on God’s acts of love towards humanity. He successfully did that in the Garden of Eden, and he is still using the same trick today. The Psalmist, in the midst of his troubles asked questions.
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” - Psalms 42:5
There is a difference between questions and queries. He asked why his soul was feeling downcast. In other words, he expected his soul to look up to see the brighter side in the midst of gloom. When you ask God questions, but still demonstrate faith in Him and His ability, it is okay. But when your questions do not reflect your past experience of what you enjoyed from God’s mercies and faithfulness, you are already issuing God a query. Before any child of God issues out a query to God, the fellow must have changed his view about God and how powerful He is, if not, he wouldn’t dare query God. After all, you cannot issue a powerful king a query. Romans 9:20 says,
“Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?”
Similarly, the one who would query God is in doubt of God’s love and good intentions. He believes God is negligent, carefree and irresponsible. At such a time, he has believed the lies of the devil.
Beloved, God loves you much more than anything else, He is the One who gave Himself for your salvation and washed you clean in His Blood. No matter the situation, His love for you will never diminish as long as you remain in His Kingdom. Believe the best about Him. Believe His good intentions even when you do not understand. The One who died for you will not work against you when you are in a good relationship with Him. Never query God; it will worsen your situation.
Prayer Point: Father, please forgive me for all the queries I have issued through doubt in Jesus’ name.
Wednesday 28 December 2016
Spiritual Warfare II - Wednesday 28, December 2016
Spiritual Warfare II - Wednesday 28, December 2016
Memorise: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. – James 5:15
Read: Ephesians 6:16-18 (KJV)
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Bible in One Year: Numbers 3:5-4:49, Psalms 138
MESSAGE:
Spiritual warfare is an invisible battle that is waged in the spirit realm. The enemies cannot be seen with the physical eyes and the weapons of warfare are not physical as well. What is even more significant is that it is what happens spiritually that determines the physical manifestation that will be experienced by humans. A person overpowered in a spiritual war may become sick, paralyzed, or mad in the real world. Many that are attacked at night may develop an incurable sickness that will lead to their death within days. Some may be physically alright health-wise, but may begin to operate under a terrible demonic bondage that hampers growth of any kind, and this may go on for years unnoticed. These are prisoners living within invisible prison walls while appearing to be normal and free. Isaiah 49:25 says:
“But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.”
The worst type of imprisonment is being within invisible prison walls while appearing to be free. Nobody will offer to help you out because there will be nothing physical to suggest that you are imprisoned. The lame man in Acts 3:1-18, was physically born into a prison of sickness and was there for over 40 years, he was in a physical prison, obvious to everyone, but most people are in spiritual prisons, invisible prisons. One of my uncles, who studied in Britain returned, and in an attempt to protect himself from forces of darkness, went to meet an herbalist and obeyed the man’s instructions to the letter. He got seven leaves of a particular plant, spread them on the floor and defecated on them. Thereafter, the herbalist gave him a particular power to spray on his faeces and instructed him to eat it. After this, he returned home boasting that since nobody touches faeces, nobody could touch him. He almost died of cholera! Some professors, despite all their Western education, still bow to trees and worship various objects because they are in a spiritual prison. A medical doctor who knows and teaches people about the danger of smoking but still smokes himself is imprisoned spiritually.
It is not enough to point accusing fingers at somebody somewhere, consider your life and find out if there is any trace of imprisonment. Prayerfully take steps to break loose from it. When you are free from physical and invisible prisons, then you are truly free.
Prayer Point: Father, please break every prison wall around me in Jesus’ name.
Memorise: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. – James 5:15
Read: Ephesians 6:16-18 (KJV)
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Bible in One Year: Numbers 3:5-4:49, Psalms 138
MESSAGE:
Spiritual warfare is an invisible battle that is waged in the spirit realm. The enemies cannot be seen with the physical eyes and the weapons of warfare are not physical as well. What is even more significant is that it is what happens spiritually that determines the physical manifestation that will be experienced by humans. A person overpowered in a spiritual war may become sick, paralyzed, or mad in the real world. Many that are attacked at night may develop an incurable sickness that will lead to their death within days. Some may be physically alright health-wise, but may begin to operate under a terrible demonic bondage that hampers growth of any kind, and this may go on for years unnoticed. These are prisoners living within invisible prison walls while appearing to be normal and free. Isaiah 49:25 says:
“But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.”
The worst type of imprisonment is being within invisible prison walls while appearing to be free. Nobody will offer to help you out because there will be nothing physical to suggest that you are imprisoned. The lame man in Acts 3:1-18, was physically born into a prison of sickness and was there for over 40 years, he was in a physical prison, obvious to everyone, but most people are in spiritual prisons, invisible prisons. One of my uncles, who studied in Britain returned, and in an attempt to protect himself from forces of darkness, went to meet an herbalist and obeyed the man’s instructions to the letter. He got seven leaves of a particular plant, spread them on the floor and defecated on them. Thereafter, the herbalist gave him a particular power to spray on his faeces and instructed him to eat it. After this, he returned home boasting that since nobody touches faeces, nobody could touch him. He almost died of cholera! Some professors, despite all their Western education, still bow to trees and worship various objects because they are in a spiritual prison. A medical doctor who knows and teaches people about the danger of smoking but still smokes himself is imprisoned spiritually.
It is not enough to point accusing fingers at somebody somewhere, consider your life and find out if there is any trace of imprisonment. Prayerfully take steps to break loose from it. When you are free from physical and invisible prisons, then you are truly free.
Prayer Point: Father, please break every prison wall around me in Jesus’ name.
Monday 26 December 2016
Spiritual Welfare I – Tuesday December 27th 2016
Spiritual Welfare I – Tuesday December 27th 2016
Memorise: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; 2nd Corinthians 10:4
Read: Ephesians 6:10-15 (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil
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.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Bible in one year: Numbers 1:1-3:4, Psalms 137
Message:
Life is full of battles. This is confirmed by the Word of God in Job 5:7 which says that man is born into trouble. What determines whether you will be a victim or victor in the battle of life is who you choose as your ally. In Mark 5:25-34, we read about a woman with the issue of blood. She went through a lot in her battle with that sickness. If you do not think sickness is a serious thing, just ask for stomach pain for one hour, and then you will know that sickness is a war. Every agent of sickness fighting against your health shall be destroyed in Jesus’ name. Poverty is also a war, Proverbs 10:15 says poverty destroys. The poor is a victim or captive of the spirit of poverty, and the poor who refuses to fight the spirit of poverty will die poor. Besides, poverty makes your relations hate or look down on you (Proverbs 14:20). That means that if you refuse to fight against poverty, those who should become your friends will be your enemies. If you do not want to lose your loved ones, you must win the battle against poverty. Poverty shuts you up; it robs you of your right to the freedom of speech. The foolish ideas and opinions of the rich are heard at the roof tops while the most brilliant ideas of the poor are unheard. In anyway poverty has shut you up; the Lord will reverse the situation today in Jesus’ name. The book of 2nd Corinthians 10:4 says:
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;”
All we need is to be equipped with the Word of God, live a holy life, and have strong faith in the saving Power of the Lord Jesus. Open Heaven Tuesday 27 December 2016:- Spiritual Warfare I
Barrenness is also a war. When Hannah was still childless, she was put in perpetual sorrow. She lost her right to joy. Is barrenness denying you of the joy of the Lord? The Lord will intervene and deliver it into your hands this season in Jesus’ name. Another thing to fight is bondage. The man in Mark 5:1-15 was in bondage. He lost the right to do what he wanted. When Paul saw himself doing what he hated, he knew he was in the same bondage as the mad man of Gadara (Romans 7:15-25). Yet, in both cases, God gave victory. Paul did not mince words; he called it a war. Are you struggling with sin? Start a fight against bondage. The Lord who rescued Paul and the Gadarene will give you victory over sin and your flesh today in Jesus’ name.
Prayer Point: Father, please fight my battles and defend my cause in Jesus’ name.
Memorise: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; 2nd Corinthians 10:4
Read: Ephesians 6:10-15 (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil
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.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Bible in one year: Numbers 1:1-3:4, Psalms 137
Message:
Life is full of battles. This is confirmed by the Word of God in Job 5:7 which says that man is born into trouble. What determines whether you will be a victim or victor in the battle of life is who you choose as your ally. In Mark 5:25-34, we read about a woman with the issue of blood. She went through a lot in her battle with that sickness. If you do not think sickness is a serious thing, just ask for stomach pain for one hour, and then you will know that sickness is a war. Every agent of sickness fighting against your health shall be destroyed in Jesus’ name. Poverty is also a war, Proverbs 10:15 says poverty destroys. The poor is a victim or captive of the spirit of poverty, and the poor who refuses to fight the spirit of poverty will die poor. Besides, poverty makes your relations hate or look down on you (Proverbs 14:20). That means that if you refuse to fight against poverty, those who should become your friends will be your enemies. If you do not want to lose your loved ones, you must win the battle against poverty. Poverty shuts you up; it robs you of your right to the freedom of speech. The foolish ideas and opinions of the rich are heard at the roof tops while the most brilliant ideas of the poor are unheard. In anyway poverty has shut you up; the Lord will reverse the situation today in Jesus’ name. The book of 2nd Corinthians 10:4 says:
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;”
All we need is to be equipped with the Word of God, live a holy life, and have strong faith in the saving Power of the Lord Jesus. Open Heaven Tuesday 27 December 2016:- Spiritual Warfare I
Barrenness is also a war. When Hannah was still childless, she was put in perpetual sorrow. She lost her right to joy. Is barrenness denying you of the joy of the Lord? The Lord will intervene and deliver it into your hands this season in Jesus’ name. Another thing to fight is bondage. The man in Mark 5:1-15 was in bondage. He lost the right to do what he wanted. When Paul saw himself doing what he hated, he knew he was in the same bondage as the mad man of Gadara (Romans 7:15-25). Yet, in both cases, God gave victory. Paul did not mince words; he called it a war. Are you struggling with sin? Start a fight against bondage. The Lord who rescued Paul and the Gadarene will give you victory over sin and your flesh today in Jesus’ name.
Prayer Point: Father, please fight my battles and defend my cause in Jesus’ name.
No Treachery - Monday 26, December 2016
No Treachery - Monday 26, December 2016
Memorise: Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. – Matthew 19:6
Read: Malachi 2:11-16 (KJV)
11 Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god.
12 The LORD will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts.
13 And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.
14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 26:14-27:34, Psalms 136
MESSAGE:
Today’s devotional is meant to remind children of God of the fact that sexual immorality is ravaging promiscuous youths and careless married people in the body of Christ. Many are facing unexplained challenges as a result of their illicit sexual activities. I often tell my spiritual children that if anything God has given to you is precious to you, then keep satanic offers billions of miles away from it. John 10:10 says whenever the devil comes, forget the promises he makes; it is to steal and destroy what you already have. If he cannot steal from you, he will not waste his time coming in the first place. How then could you think that when you give in to the devil, in committing adultery or fornication you will not lose something? You are so greatly deceived! The greatest losers are those who engage in sexual sins, especially because their bodies are involved, they drive God out of their hearts and welcome in the devil. Oh! If only you knew what you lost by that single act of sex, you will never do it again! If you are still living in fornication or adultery, you are a big time loser. Repent and the Lord will deliver you by His mercy today in Jesus’ name. The book of 1 Corinthians 6:15 says
“Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.”
Proverbs 6:26 says it is the precious thing you have that the devil targets when he tempts you with sex. While you are relishing in ecstasy for a few minutes of pleasure, you are losing what it took you several years of agonising prayer, fasting, seeking God’s face and self-denial to obtain. It is like pulling down a house. Some people build their house for up to six months, one year, five years or even more. But bring a bulldozer or let there be a fire outbreak in that house and the house is down in a matter of minutes. Fornication razes you down even below your foundation in a matter of minutes! Every fornicator is a loser. Fornication or adultery does not allow its victim to have permanent blessings. When God gives such victims a blessing that they are expected to secure through righteousness, the moment they fornicate, the blessing is eaten up and before they realize it, everything is gone. Are you secretly fornicating or committing adultery even as a Christian worker, or minister? You are undoing yourself. Repent and stop it now before it takes your life and sends you to hell!
Prayer Point: Father, please cleanse your Church from every form of sexual sin in Jesus’ name.
Memorise: Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. – Matthew 19:6
Read: Malachi 2:11-16 (KJV)
11 Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god.
12 The LORD will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts.
13 And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.
14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 26:14-27:34, Psalms 136
MESSAGE:
Today’s devotional is meant to remind children of God of the fact that sexual immorality is ravaging promiscuous youths and careless married people in the body of Christ. Many are facing unexplained challenges as a result of their illicit sexual activities. I often tell my spiritual children that if anything God has given to you is precious to you, then keep satanic offers billions of miles away from it. John 10:10 says whenever the devil comes, forget the promises he makes; it is to steal and destroy what you already have. If he cannot steal from you, he will not waste his time coming in the first place. How then could you think that when you give in to the devil, in committing adultery or fornication you will not lose something? You are so greatly deceived! The greatest losers are those who engage in sexual sins, especially because their bodies are involved, they drive God out of their hearts and welcome in the devil. Oh! If only you knew what you lost by that single act of sex, you will never do it again! If you are still living in fornication or adultery, you are a big time loser. Repent and the Lord will deliver you by His mercy today in Jesus’ name. The book of 1 Corinthians 6:15 says
“Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.”
Proverbs 6:26 says it is the precious thing you have that the devil targets when he tempts you with sex. While you are relishing in ecstasy for a few minutes of pleasure, you are losing what it took you several years of agonising prayer, fasting, seeking God’s face and self-denial to obtain. It is like pulling down a house. Some people build their house for up to six months, one year, five years or even more. But bring a bulldozer or let there be a fire outbreak in that house and the house is down in a matter of minutes. Fornication razes you down even below your foundation in a matter of minutes! Every fornicator is a loser. Fornication or adultery does not allow its victim to have permanent blessings. When God gives such victims a blessing that they are expected to secure through righteousness, the moment they fornicate, the blessing is eaten up and before they realize it, everything is gone. Are you secretly fornicating or committing adultery even as a Christian worker, or minister? You are undoing yourself. Repent and stop it now before it takes your life and sends you to hell!
Prayer Point: Father, please cleanse your Church from every form of sexual sin in Jesus’ name.
Sunday 25 December 2016
Be Diligent - Sunday 25, December 2016
Be Diligent - Sunday 25, December 2016
Memorise: The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. – Proverbs 21:5
Read: Proverbs 6:6-11 (KJV)
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 24:17-26:13, Psalms 135
MESSAGE:
Diligence can be defined as conscientious hard work and perseverance, particularly with regards to your relationship with God. The Bible presents diligence in a highly favourable manner, which clearly shows that God loves hardworking people but hates the lazy ones. When He looks for people to use for assignments, He chooses hardworking people. If you see a lazy and nonchalant fellow occupying an ecclesiastical position, ask him how he got there because God has no business with lazy bones. Even when a person becomes mad, that state of insanity does not take away hard work from the fellow. When you observe mad men, you will know those who were hard-working and those who were lazy. The lazy ones will sit all day long or scavenge in one location for virtually the whole day, but the hardworking ones will go far distances, even travelling several kilometres on foot. Very hardworking mad fellows are possible candidates of God’s mercy. If you see them, pray for them and the Lord will deliver them.
Diligence results in a rich harvest and links you up with the high and mighty in the society. That is why Jesus, in Mark 5:1-20, came all the way to a graveyard in search of a mad fellow, bypassing other people in the process. It was because that mad man was a diligent fellow and Jesus knew that after his deliverance, he would use his energy and diligence to serve the Lord. Hence, Jesus delivered him and he immediately became an evangelist, combing the whole country for Jesus.
Similarly, you need to use the temperament that God gave you to serve Him, for example, if you are an extrovert, God wants you to use that extroverted nature to reach out to people, go from place to place speaking for God and leading souls to Christ. If you were extroverted before you were saved but thereafter you became introverted and hardly speak with anyone, you are getting something wrong. One reason God saved you was because of your extroverted nature which He expects you to use for the increase of His Kingdom. Paul was an extrovert and worked for Satan, but after his conversion, he worked much more for Jesus, touring different countries for the Lord. Are you adequately engaging your temperaments? Are you diligently handling the Kingdom business?
Prayer point: Father, please let my work bring maximum benefit to the Kingdom of God in Jesus’ name.
Memorise: The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. – Proverbs 21:5
Read: Proverbs 6:6-11 (KJV)
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 24:17-26:13, Psalms 135
MESSAGE:
Diligence can be defined as conscientious hard work and perseverance, particularly with regards to your relationship with God. The Bible presents diligence in a highly favourable manner, which clearly shows that God loves hardworking people but hates the lazy ones. When He looks for people to use for assignments, He chooses hardworking people. If you see a lazy and nonchalant fellow occupying an ecclesiastical position, ask him how he got there because God has no business with lazy bones. Even when a person becomes mad, that state of insanity does not take away hard work from the fellow. When you observe mad men, you will know those who were hard-working and those who were lazy. The lazy ones will sit all day long or scavenge in one location for virtually the whole day, but the hardworking ones will go far distances, even travelling several kilometres on foot. Very hardworking mad fellows are possible candidates of God’s mercy. If you see them, pray for them and the Lord will deliver them.
Diligence results in a rich harvest and links you up with the high and mighty in the society. That is why Jesus, in Mark 5:1-20, came all the way to a graveyard in search of a mad fellow, bypassing other people in the process. It was because that mad man was a diligent fellow and Jesus knew that after his deliverance, he would use his energy and diligence to serve the Lord. Hence, Jesus delivered him and he immediately became an evangelist, combing the whole country for Jesus.
Similarly, you need to use the temperament that God gave you to serve Him, for example, if you are an extrovert, God wants you to use that extroverted nature to reach out to people, go from place to place speaking for God and leading souls to Christ. If you were extroverted before you were saved but thereafter you became introverted and hardly speak with anyone, you are getting something wrong. One reason God saved you was because of your extroverted nature which He expects you to use for the increase of His Kingdom. Paul was an extrovert and worked for Satan, but after his conversion, he worked much more for Jesus, touring different countries for the Lord. Are you adequately engaging your temperaments? Are you diligently handling the Kingdom business?
Prayer point: Father, please let my work bring maximum benefit to the Kingdom of God in Jesus’ name.
Saturday 24 December 2016
Topic: Once I Was Blind - Saturday 24, December 2016
Topic: Once I Was Blind - Saturday 24, December 2016
Memorise: He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. – John 9:25
Read: John 9:1-7 (KJV)
1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 22:17-24:16, Psalms 133-134
MESSAGE:
There is a category of people that God is counting on to spread the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the world. We can see how powerful the testimony of a witness could be in our Bible reading today. In Matthew 5:14, Jesus declared all followers of Jesus as the light of the world and He went further in Mathew 5:16 to say:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
We are therefore called to be witnesses to the Power of God in our lives, sharing the testimony of His saving Power, Goodness, Mercy, Faithfulness, Love, Blessing, and the Miracles with the people of the world. 1 John 1:5 says:
“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”
Many perpetually live in darkness without any hope of deliverance; many are in bondage to sin, sickness, poverty, and lustful desires. God is counting on you to share the testimony of your salvation, healing, deliverance, and victory over demonic powers with somebody today. As you begin to share your experience from today, God will turn you to a mighty beam of light that will shine into the kingdom of darkness to liberate souls that are in bondage in the mighty Name of Jesus.
Testifying to the Glory of God is not only beneficial to others; it also provides an opportunity to destroy the stronghold of the devil in your life. Revelation 12:11 says:
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; ”
One sure way of repelling those who want to drag you into sin is by confronting them with the light of the Gospel. Also, when light shines in a dark environment, all secret activities will be exposed. Do you know that it is possible for you to know the secret thoughts and plans of your enemies before their implementation? To do this, let the light of God’s Word shine in your heart and be full of the Holy Spirit. There is hardly and significant thing that takes place on earth without God first revealing it to one of His confidants (Psalms 25:14). In addition, when light comes, it propels you into action. Not many people want to perform brain tasking assignments when it is dark. If you allow the light of Jesus to shine in your heart, you will be supernaturally propelled to pick up your lost destiny and fulfil it. So, arise and shine, let your light shine bright in the dark places of the earth, share your testimony, let the whole world see what the Lord has done for you.
Prayer Point: Father, please give me a voice; let the whole world hear my testimony very soon.
Memorise: He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. – John 9:25
Read: John 9:1-7 (KJV)
1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 22:17-24:16, Psalms 133-134
MESSAGE:
There is a category of people that God is counting on to spread the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the world. We can see how powerful the testimony of a witness could be in our Bible reading today. In Matthew 5:14, Jesus declared all followers of Jesus as the light of the world and He went further in Mathew 5:16 to say:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
We are therefore called to be witnesses to the Power of God in our lives, sharing the testimony of His saving Power, Goodness, Mercy, Faithfulness, Love, Blessing, and the Miracles with the people of the world. 1 John 1:5 says:
“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”
Many perpetually live in darkness without any hope of deliverance; many are in bondage to sin, sickness, poverty, and lustful desires. God is counting on you to share the testimony of your salvation, healing, deliverance, and victory over demonic powers with somebody today. As you begin to share your experience from today, God will turn you to a mighty beam of light that will shine into the kingdom of darkness to liberate souls that are in bondage in the mighty Name of Jesus.
Testifying to the Glory of God is not only beneficial to others; it also provides an opportunity to destroy the stronghold of the devil in your life. Revelation 12:11 says:
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; ”
One sure way of repelling those who want to drag you into sin is by confronting them with the light of the Gospel. Also, when light shines in a dark environment, all secret activities will be exposed. Do you know that it is possible for you to know the secret thoughts and plans of your enemies before their implementation? To do this, let the light of God’s Word shine in your heart and be full of the Holy Spirit. There is hardly and significant thing that takes place on earth without God first revealing it to one of His confidants (Psalms 25:14). In addition, when light comes, it propels you into action. Not many people want to perform brain tasking assignments when it is dark. If you allow the light of Jesus to shine in your heart, you will be supernaturally propelled to pick up your lost destiny and fulfil it. So, arise and shine, let your light shine bright in the dark places of the earth, share your testimony, let the whole world see what the Lord has done for you.
Prayer Point: Father, please give me a voice; let the whole world hear my testimony very soon.
Friday 23 December 2016
Where your Treasure is - Friday 23, December 2016
Where your Treasure is - Friday 23, December 2016
Memorise: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. – Matthew 6:21
Read: Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV)
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 20:1-22:16, Psalms 131-132
MESSAGE:
Treasures are highly valued objects or accumulated riches. Physical treasure has at best only short-term benefits and is capable of opening up the owner to various physical and spiritual dangers. However, spiritual treasure is of eternal value and comes from knowing and serving God. The Bible encourages Christians to save for the future and expects good parents to keep an inheritance for their children. It is also desirable to invest wisely. By the special grace of God, these processes could lead to a huge accumulation of wealth. The focus however is not the wealth but the mindset and attitude of the owner. Matthew 6:20 says,
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”
The problem is that wealthy people are familiar with how to make earthly investment and acquire earthy treasures, but only a few of them have the understanding of what it means to lay-up treasures in Heaven or how to go about it. The Bible recorded an encounter between Jesus and a very rich ruler with a similar challenge in Luke 18:15-25. Luke 18:22 says,
“Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven….”
The solution that Jesus offered is simple, if you want to have treasures in Heaven and you have earthly wealth, sow a bulk of it into the lives of the poor. If you go the extra mile to enrich the poor, you will have treasures in Heaven. Your wealth or possessions on their own are worth nothing to God, except they are converted into something of value that promotes the work of God, or affects the lives of others for good. If you use your wealth to promote the gospel or you meet needs with it, you will reap the harvests in Heaven because the principle of sowing and reaping applies there. A way to be rich in Heaven is to be rich in good works (1 Timothy 6:16). Use your wealth to better other people’s life, no rich Christian Brother or Sister has a reason to be poor in Heaven. No poor believer should also be poor in Heaven. You are the one to take the decision that will positively impact your eternity. Invest in the work of God by promoting the Gospel and sow bountifully into the lives of the poor.
Prayer Point: Father, please help me lay up heavenly treasure more than earthly treasure.
Memorise: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. – Matthew 6:21
Read: Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV)
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 20:1-22:16, Psalms 131-132
MESSAGE:
Treasures are highly valued objects or accumulated riches. Physical treasure has at best only short-term benefits and is capable of opening up the owner to various physical and spiritual dangers. However, spiritual treasure is of eternal value and comes from knowing and serving God. The Bible encourages Christians to save for the future and expects good parents to keep an inheritance for their children. It is also desirable to invest wisely. By the special grace of God, these processes could lead to a huge accumulation of wealth. The focus however is not the wealth but the mindset and attitude of the owner. Matthew 6:20 says,
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”
The problem is that wealthy people are familiar with how to make earthly investment and acquire earthy treasures, but only a few of them have the understanding of what it means to lay-up treasures in Heaven or how to go about it. The Bible recorded an encounter between Jesus and a very rich ruler with a similar challenge in Luke 18:15-25. Luke 18:22 says,
“Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven….”
The solution that Jesus offered is simple, if you want to have treasures in Heaven and you have earthly wealth, sow a bulk of it into the lives of the poor. If you go the extra mile to enrich the poor, you will have treasures in Heaven. Your wealth or possessions on their own are worth nothing to God, except they are converted into something of value that promotes the work of God, or affects the lives of others for good. If you use your wealth to promote the gospel or you meet needs with it, you will reap the harvests in Heaven because the principle of sowing and reaping applies there. A way to be rich in Heaven is to be rich in good works (1 Timothy 6:16). Use your wealth to better other people’s life, no rich Christian Brother or Sister has a reason to be poor in Heaven. No poor believer should also be poor in Heaven. You are the one to take the decision that will positively impact your eternity. Invest in the work of God by promoting the Gospel and sow bountifully into the lives of the poor.
Prayer Point: Father, please help me lay up heavenly treasure more than earthly treasure.
Wednesday 21 December 2016
He Knows His Sheep - Thursday 22, December 2016
He Knows His Sheep - Thursday 22, December 2016
Memorise: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. – John 14:6
Read: John 10:25-29 (KJV)
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 17-19, Psalms 129-130
MESSAGE:
The Bible in several passages referred to God as the good Shepherd, but in the book of John 10:14, Jesus boldly declared, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” Also in John 10:27, God says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me”. The Lord is omniscient, He is all knowing, nothing is hidden from His sight, and He therefore has a very good knowledge of the identity of all human beings. Furthermore, 2 Timothy 2:19 says:
“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.”
Every Christian is hereby encouraged to depart from all forms of immorality in order to benefit from the heavenly package reserved for true children of God.
Because God paid for the salvation of humanity with His Son’s Blood, Christians in the world are precious to Him. Hence, the Lord will always keep His obedient children from partaking in the judgement of sinners. An example of this is recorded in 1 Kings 14:7-16. Jeroboam was a very wicked king. He did not only sin, but caused so many to sin with him. When God pronounced judgment on him, his entire family faced extinction. He had many sons who all perished with him, but Abijah was spared because he towed the path of righteousness. When judgment is determined against families, yours will be spared in Jesus’ name. When cities and communities are to face disasters and destruction, you will be spared.
If you love to do God’s will all the time and diligently obey His voice, He will keep you from judgment. When He brought plagues of Egypt, in the land of Goshen where the Israelites lived, there was no trace of the plaques (Exodus 8:21-23). God separated His own from those who were not His. 2 Timothy 2:19 says no matter what people claim, God knows His people. Are you one of God’s sheep? It is not enough to claim to be a child of God; does God know you as His bona- fide son or daughter? If you are not sure, check your life and be reconciled to God today. If you are recognized by God, there is a hiding place reserved for you in Christ where you will not be a casualty in time of judgment. Like the psalmist, you shall only see and hear of those who are causalities but you shall never be touched (Psalms 91:7-8). Once again, are you among the faithful few?
Prayer Point: Father, please, set my prayer life on fire today in Jesus’ name.
Memorise: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. – John 14:6
Read: John 10:25-29 (KJV)
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 17-19, Psalms 129-130
MESSAGE:
The Bible in several passages referred to God as the good Shepherd, but in the book of John 10:14, Jesus boldly declared, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” Also in John 10:27, God says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me”. The Lord is omniscient, He is all knowing, nothing is hidden from His sight, and He therefore has a very good knowledge of the identity of all human beings. Furthermore, 2 Timothy 2:19 says:
“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.”
Every Christian is hereby encouraged to depart from all forms of immorality in order to benefit from the heavenly package reserved for true children of God.
Because God paid for the salvation of humanity with His Son’s Blood, Christians in the world are precious to Him. Hence, the Lord will always keep His obedient children from partaking in the judgement of sinners. An example of this is recorded in 1 Kings 14:7-16. Jeroboam was a very wicked king. He did not only sin, but caused so many to sin with him. When God pronounced judgment on him, his entire family faced extinction. He had many sons who all perished with him, but Abijah was spared because he towed the path of righteousness. When judgment is determined against families, yours will be spared in Jesus’ name. When cities and communities are to face disasters and destruction, you will be spared.
If you love to do God’s will all the time and diligently obey His voice, He will keep you from judgment. When He brought plagues of Egypt, in the land of Goshen where the Israelites lived, there was no trace of the plaques (Exodus 8:21-23). God separated His own from those who were not His. 2 Timothy 2:19 says no matter what people claim, God knows His people. Are you one of God’s sheep? It is not enough to claim to be a child of God; does God know you as His bona- fide son or daughter? If you are not sure, check your life and be reconciled to God today. If you are recognized by God, there is a hiding place reserved for you in Christ where you will not be a casualty in time of judgment. Like the psalmist, you shall only see and hear of those who are causalities but you shall never be touched (Psalms 91:7-8). Once again, are you among the faithful few?
Prayer Point: Father, please, set my prayer life on fire today in Jesus’ name.
The Anointing Makes the Difference - Wednesday 21, December 2016
The Anointing Makes the Difference - Wednesday 21, December 2016
Memorise: How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. – Acts 10:38
Read: Matthew 17:14-21 (KJV)
14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 15-16, Psalms 127-128
MESSAGE:
The word ‘anointing’ is often used in the Old Testament in recognition of the Lord’s divine calling upon the lives of individuals. In addition, the anointing was a physical recognition of the particular role or office of people such as kings, prophets, or priests.
However, the anointing in the New Testament is not limited to prophets and priests, it is the birthright of every born again Child of God. In Mark 6:7, Jesus gave power over unclean spirits to His disciples. In Luke 9:1, He gave them power to cure diseases, and in Luke 10:19, He gave them power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. I once told my spiritual children that the new anointing is so powerful, that it can repeat whatever it has done for your spiritual fathers. It can re-open closed doors and turn the mocked into a celebrity. In 1 Samuel 16:11-13, when Samuel came to the house of Jesse while shopping for a kingly candidate, nobody presented David. It was until Samuel specifically asked for him that he was summoned. But after David was anointed in 1 Samuel 22:1-2, the same brothers who saw nothing good in him came to submit themselves under his authority. Have people written you off as a nobody? Do they deny you your rights and consider you unfit for any meaningful position? The anointing of God will reverse that situation in your life this season in Jesus’ name. You will be sought after. You will be transformed into a very important personality by the anointing.
Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 12:7 says:
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”
The above verse shows that God’s anointing is not for flamboyance, globetrotting, or to be made merchandise of. On the contrary, the anointing is for making a difference in this evil world by living in holiness and righteousness, healing the sick, setting the captives free, making the barren fruitful, replacing sorrow with the joy and moving the impoverished into prosperity so that the Name of the Lord may be glorified. To what extent does the anointing on you impact those in need of it? To what extent are you making a difference in your community?
Prayer Point: Father, wake me up to my responsibility of making a real difference in this world.
Memorise: How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. – Acts 10:38
Read: Matthew 17:14-21 (KJV)
14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 15-16, Psalms 127-128
MESSAGE:
The word ‘anointing’ is often used in the Old Testament in recognition of the Lord’s divine calling upon the lives of individuals. In addition, the anointing was a physical recognition of the particular role or office of people such as kings, prophets, or priests.
However, the anointing in the New Testament is not limited to prophets and priests, it is the birthright of every born again Child of God. In Mark 6:7, Jesus gave power over unclean spirits to His disciples. In Luke 9:1, He gave them power to cure diseases, and in Luke 10:19, He gave them power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. I once told my spiritual children that the new anointing is so powerful, that it can repeat whatever it has done for your spiritual fathers. It can re-open closed doors and turn the mocked into a celebrity. In 1 Samuel 16:11-13, when Samuel came to the house of Jesse while shopping for a kingly candidate, nobody presented David. It was until Samuel specifically asked for him that he was summoned. But after David was anointed in 1 Samuel 22:1-2, the same brothers who saw nothing good in him came to submit themselves under his authority. Have people written you off as a nobody? Do they deny you your rights and consider you unfit for any meaningful position? The anointing of God will reverse that situation in your life this season in Jesus’ name. You will be sought after. You will be transformed into a very important personality by the anointing.
Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 12:7 says:
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”
The above verse shows that God’s anointing is not for flamboyance, globetrotting, or to be made merchandise of. On the contrary, the anointing is for making a difference in this evil world by living in holiness and righteousness, healing the sick, setting the captives free, making the barren fruitful, replacing sorrow with the joy and moving the impoverished into prosperity so that the Name of the Lord may be glorified. To what extent does the anointing on you impact those in need of it? To what extent are you making a difference in your community?
Prayer Point: Father, wake me up to my responsibility of making a real difference in this world.
Tuesday 20 December 2016
APPLY FO THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER AFRICA EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
AFRICA EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
The Africa Education Scholarship is intended to benefit an education professional involved in higher education in sub-Saharan Africa.
| Amount: |
Full tuition fee award, accommodation, living expenses and flights to and from London.
|
|---|---|
| Eligibility: | You must be from sub-Saharan Africa, work in the field of education and hold an offer for a full-time Masters at the University. |
| Criteria: | Equivalent to a UK First Class Honours degree, financial need and development potential. |
| Number available: | 1 |
| Deadline: | 3 May 2016 |
What happens next?
The University of Westminster is one of the few universities in the UK to offer full scholarships to postgraduate students. Below is a comprehensive list of international scholarships offered by the University
FULL SCHOLARSHIPS
PART TUITION FEE SCHOLARSHIPS
VARIABLE AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS
Download the full scholarships brochure
Apply for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships to study at a UK University
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships – information for candidates
Commonwealth Scholarships for Master’s and PhD study in the UK are offered for citizens of developing Commonwealth countries. These scholarships are funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), with the aim of contributing to the UK’s international development aims and wider overseas interests, supporting excellence in UK higher education, and sustaining the principles of the Commonwealth.
Students from developing countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK can apply for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for Master’s study, jointly supported by UK universities.
Purpose: To contribute to development needs of Commonwealth countries by providing training for skilled and qualified professionals and academics who would not otherwise have been able to study in the UK.
Intended beneficiaries: High-quality postgraduate students who have not studied extensively overseas before, who would not otherwise have the opportunity to study in the UK, and who have the potential to enhance the development of their home countries with the knowledge and leadership skills they acquire.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are offered for selected taught Master’s courses, and are usually tenable for one year only. These scholarships do not cover undergraduate courses, PhD study, or any pre-sessional English language teaching.
Eligibility
Lying Not a Christian Virtue - Tuesday 20, December 2016
Lying Not a Christian Virtue - Tuesday 20, December 2016
Memorise: A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. – Proverbs 26:28
Read: Ephesians 4:22-25 (KJV)
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 14, Psalms 125-126
MESSAGE:
Today, we are revisiting a previous discussion on a deadly sin that has been trivialized in modern times. Indeed, lying is not a Christian virtue; on the contrary, one of the fruits of righteousness is the hatred of lies. Today, the world has classified lies. Some are called heavy lies, some feather weight lies, some are white lies, some are green lies, some are business lies, some are ministerial lies; some are lies that cannot hurt a fly, while some are dangerous and implicating lies. No matter how men, by their own opinions, choose to classify lies, deciding what a lie is, is not in the purview of men but of God; hence such classifications hold no water. If you are a lover of lies, you are far from being righteous. If you tell lies at all, you are miles from being righteous. Do you know that if you keep away from sin and the only crime found in you after death is a lie, it will keep you from entering through the pearly gates? Revelations 21:28 says that all categories of liars will be found in the lake of fire, not in Heaven:
“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.”
Nothing can ever take anyone in the above categories into Heaven. If you are a lying leader, you are simply on your way to hell. A righteous fellow cannot stand lies because he or she is a chip off the old block; a child of truth whose father is the Truth (Revelation 19:11-16), in John 8:44, Jesus says that the devil is a liar and the father of all liars. If you are a General Overseer or superintendent, a senior pastor or believer and you tell lies, your father is the devil. A day is coming when everybody will go back to their father. After death, the devil will stand in the way to claim his own. He will ask some popular leaders and believers; “Where are you going?” they will reply: “I am going to Heaven of course”. The devil will laugh them to scorn. “Did you not read that all liars will go to hell in Revelations 21:8? You are my child, come with me to the lake of fire, our eternal abode”. Make restitution on the lies you have told. Have you offered some people some benefits in a business transaction and you received the payment, but for one reason or the other, you did not give them what you promised? Go and return their money or else that lie and deceit will not allow you into Heaven.
Prayer Point: Father, please deliver me from any sin that can prevent me from entering into Heaven.
Memorise: A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. – Proverbs 26:28
Read: Ephesians 4:22-25 (KJV)
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 14, Psalms 125-126
MESSAGE:
Today, we are revisiting a previous discussion on a deadly sin that has been trivialized in modern times. Indeed, lying is not a Christian virtue; on the contrary, one of the fruits of righteousness is the hatred of lies. Today, the world has classified lies. Some are called heavy lies, some feather weight lies, some are white lies, some are green lies, some are business lies, some are ministerial lies; some are lies that cannot hurt a fly, while some are dangerous and implicating lies. No matter how men, by their own opinions, choose to classify lies, deciding what a lie is, is not in the purview of men but of God; hence such classifications hold no water. If you are a lover of lies, you are far from being righteous. If you tell lies at all, you are miles from being righteous. Do you know that if you keep away from sin and the only crime found in you after death is a lie, it will keep you from entering through the pearly gates? Revelations 21:28 says that all categories of liars will be found in the lake of fire, not in Heaven:
“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.”
Nothing can ever take anyone in the above categories into Heaven. If you are a lying leader, you are simply on your way to hell. A righteous fellow cannot stand lies because he or she is a chip off the old block; a child of truth whose father is the Truth (Revelation 19:11-16), in John 8:44, Jesus says that the devil is a liar and the father of all liars. If you are a General Overseer or superintendent, a senior pastor or believer and you tell lies, your father is the devil. A day is coming when everybody will go back to their father. After death, the devil will stand in the way to claim his own. He will ask some popular leaders and believers; “Where are you going?” they will reply: “I am going to Heaven of course”. The devil will laugh them to scorn. “Did you not read that all liars will go to hell in Revelations 21:8? You are my child, come with me to the lake of fire, our eternal abode”. Make restitution on the lies you have told. Have you offered some people some benefits in a business transaction and you received the payment, but for one reason or the other, you did not give them what you promised? Go and return their money or else that lie and deceit will not allow you into Heaven.
Prayer Point: Father, please deliver me from any sin that can prevent me from entering into Heaven.
Monday 19 December 2016
Topic: The Good Fight of Faith - Monday 19, December 2016
Topic: The Good Fight of Faith - Monday 19, December 2016
Memorise: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: – 2 Timothy 4:7
Read: 1 Timothy 6:11-14 (KJV)
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 13, Psalms 123-124
MESSAGE:
The basis for all spiritual warfare can be explained as the opposition or hostility between light and darkness. Darkness is associated with blindness, emptiness, uncertainty, inactivity, stagnancy, ignorance, failure, wickedness, fear and evil. Darkness was the dominant authority over the universe in the beginning, and this was evidently the status quo at the time of creation in Genesis 1:1. Then God said let there be light and there was light. Light is a very powerful force. When there is light, darkness has no choice than to disappear. John 1:5 says,
“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
However, the truth is, not all light can outshine darkness. For instance, Genesis 1 talks of categories of light.
“And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.” - Genesis 1:16
There are lights of the sun, moon and stars. Then there are man-made lights of varying sizes. If you put on tiny torch in the midst of total darkness, you will only see the spot that the torch is pointing at. Everywhere else will be surrounded by darkness. The size of a light determines the area it will dominate or rule over. The sun rules over the day because it is far brighter than the moon. If the moon were to replace the sun during the day, there will be darkness during the day. Similarly, if you bring sun to replace the moon during the night time, the night will turn into day. This tells us that what determines the result of a situation is the amount of light it is exposed to. This means that exposing varying degrees of light on the same situation will give you different results. The volume of the light of God’s Word that you are exposed to will determine the degree of the change you will experience.
The intensity and size of God’s light in you will determine the sphere of domination. Although, God has commanded you to dominate everything, the actual scope of your dominance will be determined by the amount of God’s Word that is in you. The Word is the light of the world. If you lack the Word, you lack the light that gives definition to your ability to dominate. As you increase your Word content, you enlarge your coast. Staying away from the Word automatically reduces your glow and ultimately your ability to control forces, situations and circumstances. On the other hand, the moment you stop shinning as light, darkness will swallow you up. If you want to be victorious over forces of darkness, you should daily expose yourself to the light from God’s Word. The Word is the sword of the Spirit and the chief weapon of our warfare as Christians.
Prayer Point: Father, please baptize me in the pool of Your Word today in Jesus’ name.
Saturday 17 December 2016
A Messenger with a Message - Sunday 18, December 2016
A Messenger with a Message - Sunday 18, December 2016
Memorise: And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! – Romans 10:15
Read: 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (KJV)
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 10-12, Psalms 120-122
MESSAGE:
The whole of the Bible and everything about Christianity is summed up in the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which arises naturally from believer’s love for God and the appreciation of all that He has done for us, is known as evangelism. The New Testament Bible stresses the importance of evangelism, and provides important guidance as to how it should be done. Matthew 28:19 spells out the great commission:
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
The focus of evangelism is the proclamation of the good news of the coming of the kingdom of God, including forgiveness of sins and hope of eternal life, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Daniel 10:6 describes the peculiar features of the original messenger (Jesus Christ) as follows:
“His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.”
The fiery face and the fire in His eyes represents the countenance of a no nonsense judge, the voice of a multitude symbolize peoples, nations and languages of the world. There is no place on the surface of the earth where His message will not be heard. Another thing the passage talks about is the Lord’s feet, how they appear like brass when on fire. Brass signifies strength. Jesus feet are said to be polished brass. This indicates that His feet are empowered trample upon His enemies. If you are truly located in your place of authority in Christ Jesus, the only place your enemies can be is under your feet. Like Jesus, your feet need to be empowered so that when you trample on serpents and scorpions, you will not be hurt. To do this, you must empower your feet as God’s messenger with evangelism. Every soul you win for God’s Kingdom turns your feet to be as strong as the Lord’s so that you can easily have victory over your enemies. How many souls have you won to the Lord since the year began?
Prayer Point: Father, please make me an effective soul winner in Jesus’ name.
Memorise: And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! – Romans 10:15
Read: 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (KJV)
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 10-12, Psalms 120-122
MESSAGE:
The whole of the Bible and everything about Christianity is summed up in the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which arises naturally from believer’s love for God and the appreciation of all that He has done for us, is known as evangelism. The New Testament Bible stresses the importance of evangelism, and provides important guidance as to how it should be done. Matthew 28:19 spells out the great commission:
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
The focus of evangelism is the proclamation of the good news of the coming of the kingdom of God, including forgiveness of sins and hope of eternal life, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Daniel 10:6 describes the peculiar features of the original messenger (Jesus Christ) as follows:
“His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.”
The fiery face and the fire in His eyes represents the countenance of a no nonsense judge, the voice of a multitude symbolize peoples, nations and languages of the world. There is no place on the surface of the earth where His message will not be heard. Another thing the passage talks about is the Lord’s feet, how they appear like brass when on fire. Brass signifies strength. Jesus feet are said to be polished brass. This indicates that His feet are empowered trample upon His enemies. If you are truly located in your place of authority in Christ Jesus, the only place your enemies can be is under your feet. Like Jesus, your feet need to be empowered so that when you trample on serpents and scorpions, you will not be hurt. To do this, you must empower your feet as God’s messenger with evangelism. Every soul you win for God’s Kingdom turns your feet to be as strong as the Lord’s so that you can easily have victory over your enemies. How many souls have you won to the Lord since the year began?
Prayer Point: Father, please make me an effective soul winner in Jesus’ name.
Praying or Murmuring - Saturday 17, December 2016
Praying or Murmuring - Saturday 17, December 2016
Memorise: Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. – James 4:2
Read: Luke 15:25-32 (KJV)
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 8-9, Psalms 119:161-172
MESSAGE:
In Christianity, prayer is generally defined as a solemn request for divine intervention or an expression of thanksgiving addressed to the Almighty God. It is therefore clear that prayer is not synonymous with murmuring, protest, demand, or complains. A proper understanding of the art of prayer and the type of prayer that brings results is very important in Christianity.
Let’s consider some biblical examples of prayer. While describing the way he prayed under a particular circumstance, the Psalmist in Psalms 42:4 says he poured out his soul to God. The phrase, “I pour out my soul” describes the soul like it is liquid. Depending on the situation, some prayers can take on a casual form while others may wear a garb of seriousness.
The intensity of your thanksgiving prayer will differ in a case where you experienced a hitch-free trip compared to when you met with several difficulties during the trip but eventually arrived safely. The Psalmist in Psalms 130:1-2 talks of calling unto God out of the deep. Somebody said that this was Jonah’s prayer in the belly of the fish. When there is no imminent danger, and you are in the comfort of your air-conditioned bedroom praying, that kind of prayer will be sweet, smooth and leisure-like. But the one in the belly of a fish such as in Jonah’s case would definitely be different. Jonah would have been very aggressive and desperate and must have prayed like a drowning man.
In 1 Samuel 1:13-18, when Hannah was praying, only her lips moved. Some people have used this as an excuse to engage in silent prayers. But the truth is, although she was not making a sound, it does not mean that she was not praying aggressively. We could compare this to a situation where an eight-day-old baby is circumcised and he is in pains. He cries out in agony and he continues to cry until his voice pales out, yet he will continue crying. Hannah must have cried to the extent of losing her voice. There is an extent to which you will pray and you will realize that you have gotten God’s attention. What kind of prayer takes place in your family? How desperate are you? If you can pour out your heart to the Lord without being so mindful of grammar or who may be nearby, or who is looking or not looking at you, you will get His attention.
At the end of the day, what is important is getting answers to prayers and not whether you appear to men as being prayerful. I have often stated that whatever progress and achievements are visible in the RCCG today; they are by the grace of God and the prayers of the saints. As you engage heaven in aggressive prayers this season, you will receive divine attention in Jesus’ name. Call on Him!
Prayer Point: Father, please, teach me to pray genuinely from today in Jesus’ name.
Memorise: Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. – James 4:2
Read: Luke 15:25-32 (KJV)
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 8-9, Psalms 119:161-172
MESSAGE:
In Christianity, prayer is generally defined as a solemn request for divine intervention or an expression of thanksgiving addressed to the Almighty God. It is therefore clear that prayer is not synonymous with murmuring, protest, demand, or complains. A proper understanding of the art of prayer and the type of prayer that brings results is very important in Christianity.
Let’s consider some biblical examples of prayer. While describing the way he prayed under a particular circumstance, the Psalmist in Psalms 42:4 says he poured out his soul to God. The phrase, “I pour out my soul” describes the soul like it is liquid. Depending on the situation, some prayers can take on a casual form while others may wear a garb of seriousness.
The intensity of your thanksgiving prayer will differ in a case where you experienced a hitch-free trip compared to when you met with several difficulties during the trip but eventually arrived safely. The Psalmist in Psalms 130:1-2 talks of calling unto God out of the deep. Somebody said that this was Jonah’s prayer in the belly of the fish. When there is no imminent danger, and you are in the comfort of your air-conditioned bedroom praying, that kind of prayer will be sweet, smooth and leisure-like. But the one in the belly of a fish such as in Jonah’s case would definitely be different. Jonah would have been very aggressive and desperate and must have prayed like a drowning man.
In 1 Samuel 1:13-18, when Hannah was praying, only her lips moved. Some people have used this as an excuse to engage in silent prayers. But the truth is, although she was not making a sound, it does not mean that she was not praying aggressively. We could compare this to a situation where an eight-day-old baby is circumcised and he is in pains. He cries out in agony and he continues to cry until his voice pales out, yet he will continue crying. Hannah must have cried to the extent of losing her voice. There is an extent to which you will pray and you will realize that you have gotten God’s attention. What kind of prayer takes place in your family? How desperate are you? If you can pour out your heart to the Lord without being so mindful of grammar or who may be nearby, or who is looking or not looking at you, you will get His attention.
At the end of the day, what is important is getting answers to prayers and not whether you appear to men as being prayerful. I have often stated that whatever progress and achievements are visible in the RCCG today; they are by the grace of God and the prayers of the saints. As you engage heaven in aggressive prayers this season, you will receive divine attention in Jesus’ name. Call on Him!
Prayer Point: Father, please, teach me to pray genuinely from today in Jesus’ name.
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