The Word

Theme: The Weapons of Victory Text: James 5:13-18 Memory Verse ~ James 5:13-14 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  To every circumstance in life, there's a remedy. The study of the Bible aids you to easily find solutions to your challenges. One weapon to hold on to is prayer. In times of difficulties, prayer helps to lessen your pain. The Psalmists often give testimonies of the saving Hand of God in their moments of afflictions, distress, etc (Psalm 18:6; 118:5; 120:1). David when delivered from his adversaries also lifted up a song in 2 Samuel 22 to the praise of God. Is the seventh verse, he stated: "7 In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry  entered...

Theme: Profitable for Use Text: Jeremiah 13:1-11 Memory Verse ~ Jeremiah 13:8-11 8 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 9 “Thus says the Lord: ‘In this manner I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. 10 This evil people, who refuse to hear My words, who follow the dictates of their hearts, and walk after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be just like this sash which is profitable for nothing. 11 For as the sash clings to the waist of a man, so I have caused the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to cling to Me,’ says the Lord, ‘that they may become My people, for renown, for praise, and for glory; but they would not hear. ’ A nation who rely on God is never put to shame. Likewise, anyone who rely on God shall not be put to shame. The Lord used a sash to illustrate how ruined we will become without...

Theme: My Inheritance in the Lord Text:  Psalm 16:1-11 Memory Verse Psalm 16:5-6 5 O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. Inheritance is good, but not every inheritance is profitable. Earthly inheritance often suffers destruction (Matthew 6:19). Your portion of inheritance should be in the Lord. Having such an inheritance takes you from mingling with evil and gives you transformation to live a life of righteousness. Your inheritance in the Lord equips you in life. You get access to divine counsel that always place you ahead of all. Joseph's trust in the Lord  soar him from being a prisoner to becoming a Prime Minister (Genesis 41:9-46). The Lord will keep to His word concerning your life through Christ Jesus. Your body will find perfect rest in the Lord (Matthew 11:28-30). Your joy will be unspeakable when the Lord is yo...

We are called to reach out to lost souls in the world. Having been to a place of fellowship today, reflect on the hymn, "A Charge to Keep I Have" by Charles Wesley and share with someone what you've learnt today. God bless you. Amen! A charge to keep I have, A God to glorify, A never-dying soul to save, And fit it for the sky. To serve the present age, My calling to fulfill: Oh, may it all my pow’rs engage To do my Master’s will! Arm me with jealous care, As in Thy sight to live; And O Thy servant, Lord, prepare A strict account to give! Help me to watch and pray, And on Thyself rely, Assured, if I my trust betray, I shall forever die. AMEN!

We are called to reach out to lost souls in the world. Having been to a place of fellowship today, reflect on the hymn, "A Charge to Keep I Have" by Charles Wesley and share with someone what you've learnt today. God bless you. Amen! A charge to keep I have, A God to glorify, A never-dying soul to save, And fit it for the sky. To serve the present age, My calling to fulfill: Oh, may it all my pow’rs engage To do my Master’s will! Arm me with jealous care, As in Thy sight to live; And O Thy servant, Lord, prepare A strict account to give! Help me to watch and pray, And on Thyself rely, Assured, if I my trust betray, I shall forever die. AMEN!

Theme: Shield from Harm Text:  2 Kings 11:1-3 When  Athaliah  the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal heirs. 2 But  Jehosheba , the daughter of King Joram , sister of  Ahaziah , took  Joash the son of Ahaziah , and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were being murdered; and they hid him and his nurse in the bedroom, from Athaliah , so that he was not killed. 3 So he was hidden with her in the house of the Lord for six years, while Athaliah reigned over the land. Greed, power drunk and selfishness make people do whatever it takes to change the order or principles laid down. Such people are in the family, Church, society,  workplace, and the world over. The only thing that interest them is what will benefit them. Undoubtedly, Athaliah manifested this after the death of her son Ahaziah. She killed the heirs to the throne except Joash so as to...

Theme:  The Place of Honour Text: Luke 14:7-14 Memory Verse ~ Luke 14:10-11 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. 11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Our journey on this earth is coupled with events. We are often invited to these events to either perform a role or just to witness. These events include wedding, christening, graduations, funeral amongst others. The joy of accepting these invitations often cloud us such that our focus is to be there and be seen by all present as a significant factor to the occasion. Beloved, be careful where you position yourself before the start of the program. Humility brings honour. A man who fails to humble himself ruins his own life. Proverbs 25:6-7 put it's as, "6...

Theme: Christ Our Burden Bearer Text: Psalm 55:22 22 Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. In the presence of God is fullness of joy. All who come to the Lord for refuge shall not be put to shame. The burdens of life rage from afflictions, hunger, lack,  sickness, joblessness, financial crisis amongst others. Man has been burdened after disobedient in the Garden of Eden. In pronouncing their punishment, God burdened the serpent with moving on it's belly and to be crushed by a seed of the woman. To the woman, a burden of child bearing was place on her. The man was burden with toils in tilling the ground and his burden shall take him to death (Genesis 3). Understanding what constitute your burden in life, makes you able to come boldly into the presence of the Burden Bearer for those who trust in God. This burden bearer is Jesus Christ and He said, we should come to Him with our burdens so as t...

Theme: Possessing a Forgiving Spirit. Text: Mark 11:25-26 25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” The Christian journey is a journey that can successfully be completed if love abides in your heart. Where love resides, there's forgiveness. To forgive is to pardon your offenders or better still let go of evil from your heart and allowing the seed of love to manifest in your relationship with those who do evil towards you. Jesus has been very firm on forgiveness and in teaching His disciples how to pray, He established a clause that states; "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" (Matthew 6:12;14-15). Beloved, your key to be pardon is to pardon others. Christ's blood wipes away your guilt so you must also freely forgive...

Theme: Christ is Undivided Text:  1 Corinthians 1:10-17 Memory Verse ~ 1 Corinthians 1:12-13  12 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? The Body of Christ is one and  we've been called forth to join. We are from diverse grounds granted grace to access the glory of God through Jesus Christ. Having access this grace, our fellowship should not be distorted by unprofitable divisions. We need to build the Church in unity. Irrespective of your congregation, there's the need to focus on Christ alone and not being cynical. Though we may have divergent opinions on issues, it should not bring about divisions. If we have the same mind in Christ, we will surely overcome disunity. Christ said he who does not gather with Him, scatters a...

Theme: My Deliverer Text:  Psalm 18:2 "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." The Lord delivers us from all life's struggles. He shields us from harm and makes provisions for everything relevant for our existence.  Keep your trust always in the Lord. Chris Tomlin's song my deliverer, will be our praise song today. " My Deliverer" I will wait for You to move  For Your mighty hand to save  When the trouble water rise  You are my hiding place  You are my hiding place  Your walls are salvation  Your gates are praise  My Deliverer  My Deliverer  My Deliverer  Is the Lord  Who is like You mighty God  Who can take me from Your hand  As I walk with You in freedom  You're the Rock on which I stand  You're the Rock on which I stand AMEN!

Theme: The Mighty Physician Text: Mark 2:13-17 Memory Verse ~ Mark 2:17 17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Christ's journey on this earth, was to call sinners to repentance. He did well in identifying every individual with a challenge and stretching forth redemptive Hands to these people. Jesus is the Mighty Physician. This has been evident in His encounter with people who need physical and spiritual health like the Samaritan woman at the well, changing water into wine at the wedding in Canaan, restoring sights, healing the lame, raising the dead amongst others. In the House of Levi, his dining with tax collectors did not go well with the Pharisees and Scribes so they questioned His leadership. But Christ said, he came to heal the sick. Sin makes us drift from the normal healthy life of fell...

Theme: God's Miracle is Limitless Text: Psalm 126 Memory Verse ~ Psalm 126:5-6 5  Thosef who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. 6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. God is a miraculous worker and His deliverance never fails. Trusting in the Lord brings positive result that we often marvel about. Irrespective of your circumstances in life, call on the Lord in faith and He will come to your aid. Faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26). As you trust God, you also ought to work out your faith. Being idle when trusting God for a miraculous work in any sphere of your life, is dead: if you want God to see you through school to come out with flying colours yet you don't put in any effort to study, that's an illustration of faith without works. The result you so desire for, won't manifest without you studying. Your labour shall not be in vein. Keep being ...

Theme: The Perfect Sanctification Text: Hebrews 10:11-18 Memory Verse ~ Hebrews 10:16-18 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” 17 then He adds,“Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. When our fathers of old commit sin, they can only seek forgiveness by offering animal blood to wash their sins. This is often led by the high priest (Leviticus 4:1-6:7). But glory be to God, by the blood of Jesus Christ, our High Priest, we no longer need to offer sacrifices for our sins. Sin is sin and irrespective of the gravity of your offense, Christ welcomes you to divine sanctification. When He returns, it will no longer be to save a lost generation but rather to take with Him the penitent. He w...

Theme: Imitate Your Lord Daily Text: Psalm 5:1-3 Give ear to my words, O Lord, Consider my meditation. 2 Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. 3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up. It is essential that you meditate or have a quiet time with God in the early hours of the morning. Having a quiet time draws you to the Lord and empowers you for the day. In the gospels, Jesus Christ is often out alone in the early hours of the day and evening to pray: Mark 1:35; 6:46; Matthew 14:23; Luke 5:16; 9:18. We also ought to learn from our Savior. We need to pray and study the Word of God (Bible). Prayer is our weapon to overcome the darts of the devil and his agents. What do you use your early hours of the morning for? Have you scheduled your morning for prayer and study of the Word of God?  If you have not, it's time to fix it in. You nee...

Theme: The Reviving Blood Text: Matthew 27:50-54 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” The death of Christ is  one to empathize with when the account is been given. An innocent Man led to the cross to be crucified. He died a painful and shameful death for the sake of mankind. His death brought life and restoration than damnation. Beloved in the Lord, we will look at two a...

Theme: His Praise Fills My Lips Text: Psalm 35:28 28 And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness And of Your praise all the day long. The Lord has seen us through many battles and challenges of  life. There are some situations we least expected to make head way yet, by the mercies of God, we've made it. Instead of complaining or murmuring about what you're yet to have from the Lord, channel it into praise and glorify the Lord. As your praise goes up, more doors will open and victory shall be yours. Scriptures to meditate with: Psalm 22:22, 42:11, 117 and 145. Prayer: My lips shall tell of Your marvelous works  and I'll never fail to give You praise at all times in Jesus name. AMEN!

Theme: His Will, My Will Text: Psalm 139:23-24 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. As a believer and Christian, assessing your faith is important as maintaining a balance diet. Having grown from being an infant Christian to a matured Christian, you should be able to tell when you're moving out of track and in track. It is during your daily assessment you're able to determine how well you've established your relationship with God (Ephesians 4:14-16). The psalmist asks of the Lord to search him, because he is confident he can't hide anything from God as he has established his hope in the Lord. Our heart manifest what the brain has programmed or conceived for long. It plays it in fear, doubt or hope. As the Lord can tell what the heart holds, likewise He can determine the troubles of the mind. An unrest mind suffers anxieties. The perils of lif...

Theme: Rage Rips off Your Glory Text: Genesis 4:6-24 Memory Verse ~ Genesis 4:9  Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” Our devotion today is on Cain. He is the first son of the fallen man Adam. He had a brother, Abel whose offering the Lord preferred over his and rage birth in him towards his little brother. Rage is a violent uncontrollable anger. It emanates from the mind and takes control over the reasoning power in distinguishing between wrong and right. For this reason the Lord in the sixth and seventh verses cautioned Cain. The GNTA Bible version puts it: Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why that scowl on your face?  If you had done the right thing, you would be smiling; but because you have done evil, sin is crouching at your door. It wants to rule you, but you must overcome it." If Cain had listen to the Lor...

Theme: Fear Cripples Victory Text: Numbers 13:21-33 Memory Verse ~ Numbers 13:30 30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” Having set out in full confidence, the spies did well and carried out every instruction given them by Moses. Assessing your own life, have you been able to fully accomplish your given tasks?  How well did you do it? Was it to expectation or there were lapses? Usually the end justifies the work done.  Though they've done their work well, fear sets in as a destruction to all the bravery displayed. Fear cripples victory. Once fear manifests itself in you, it births doubts which weakens the power of overcoming. Beloved, fear is sinful, and it has been a part of our fathers of old and still lingers in our mist. We need to battle this out of our lives and hold on to the truth of God's promises in faith. Where our faith fails, fear dominates ...

Theme: Called to Serve Text: Numbers 13:1-20 Memory Verse ~ Numbers 13:1-2 13 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader among them.” Our verse for discussion today, is essential for us, as we have leaders representing us in our family, church, community, nation and the world at large. Each leadership is a call from God to lead others and most often, these leaders have great qualities in leading ( Romans 13:1-2). The instruction to Moses from God is; a.  Send men to spy out Canaan b.  Select from each tribe a leader among them. God has also called you to be a leader either at home, workplace or the community. You're to spy and give account of the good and ill of society and how strategically you can lead your people for the good in society to prevail and curbing down the ills. Mo...

Theme: Anxiety Text: Proverbs 12:25 25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. Anxiety is persistent worry and fear over situations. It can lead to health challenges. It is therefore not wise to be anxious over every little thing. For our own good, the Holy Bible instructs us to be anxious for nothing but in all things give thanks ( Philippians 4:6-7). Our Lord Jesus Christ also admonished us to not worry about the things we need in life rather seek the glory of the Kingdom of God ( Matthew 6:25-34). In depressing situations, we need to comfort those who are suffering with the word of God, hymns, and other soothing words to keep them calm. Identify someone who is depressed in your locality and reach out to them in love to comfort them. Prayer: Father in heaven, keep our hearts and mind from anxiety. Increase our faith in You continually in Jesus name. AMEN!

Theme: The Divine Instruction Text: Proverbs 3:1-2 1 My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands;  2 For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.   The law of the Lord can only be kept in the heart if you study it diligently. The Psalmist in Psalm 119:9 asked, "How can a young man cleanse his ways?" The response that follows is,  "By taking heed according to Your word." Studying the word serves as a guide. Beloved in the Lord, you need to learn the word, get understanding and teach others. As a family in the Lord, we need to continually apply the principle given to the Israelite in Deuteronomy 6:6-9 and 11:18-21. Bible Study is essential to all believers. if we fail to study the Bible, it retards our spiritual grow. The Word is life and so in keeping the word, we prolong our life. Christ said He has come that we may have life and have it in fullness ( John 10:10). Make a conscious effort to study the word, write ...

Theme: Save a Soul Text: James 5:19-20 19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. Our core mandate is to propagate the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In so doing, some brethren that wander from the truth, will be drawn back as well as those who haven't experienced Christ yet. It may be as a result of pride, misunderstanding, pains, affliction, amongst other things that some wander from the truth. It is our responsibility to bring such people back on track. Identify some backsliders this weekend and reach out to them. Intercede on their behalf. Do not desire to be saved alone, reach out to those not conforming to the will of God. The instruction is go into the world and make disciples of all nations ( Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8). Prayer: Dear Father, as I go about my duties, help me to ...

Theme: The Wondrous Works of Our God. Text: Psalm 138:7-8 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. 8 The Lord will [a]perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. How awesome is it to have a Good Shepherd watching over you. In the midst of difficulties, the Lord will revive you. Though you're faced with challenges in life, you're not consumed by  these challenges. There's always a way out and that's the beauty of  the Shepard's staff (Psalm 23:1-4). The adversary, the devil always seek whom to devour. However, the outstretched Hand of God delivers us from the schemes of the devil. The agents of darkness plots all manner of evil against us but they couldn't prevail because, our God keeps watch over us. You can't dwell in His presence for your so...

Theme: My Master's Praise Text: Psalm 138:1-6 Memory Verse ~ Psalm 138:6 6 Though the Lord is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar. It is always good to give thanks to the Lord. He has done mighty and great things in our lives. Praise also takes away worry and anxiety. It keeps you in focus of the miraculous works of God. When you put your trust in the Lord, you'll never be disappointed. He's faithful in every circumstance. Keep the Lord's praise on your lips ( Hebrews 13:15). Prayer: We will dwell on  Charles Wesley's hymn,  oh for a thousand tongues to sing. Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer’s praise, The glories of my God and king, The triumphs of His grace! My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim, To spread through all the earth abroad, The honors of Thy name. AMEN!

Theme: Every Lip Shall Glorify the Lord. Text: Daniel 3:26-30 Memory Verse ~ Daniel 3:28-29 28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego , who sent His Angel[g] and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! 29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.” If the Lord be for us, what harm can locate you (Romans 8:31)? The Hebrew boys were not hurt in the fiery furnace. Even their garment were in perfect shape without the scent of smoke. That's the gracious work of God. He keeps watch over His  own and never fails in His pro...

Theme: Suffering to Gain Your Life in Christ. Text:  Daniel 3:19-25 Memory Verse ~ Daniel 3:21-23 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. It's another awesome day and we are continuing with the story of the three Hebrew boys and the fiery furnace. The reply of these boys to Nebuchadnezzar of not bowing down to his idol (the golden statue) made him very furious that he instructed the fire be heated seven times more. These boys were bound by men of valour. It will be difficult to resist and their sight could even frighten anyone in such...