The Word

Theme: The Upper Room Text: Acts 9:37&38 37  But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.  38  And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.  The prophets and apostles of old were often housed in the upper rooms of the rich when they enter a town to carry out ministerial duties. Tabitha also called Dorcas as learned yesterday was devoted to good works and charitable deeds. Today's text concerns her death after a short illness. Due to her works amongst the people, she was not laid with the expectation of burial but the people believed God to perform the miracle done in the days of Elisha when the Shunammite's son was raised to life. With this expectation, they sent two men to the apostle Peter  imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Dear b...

Theme: Tabitha! Text: Acts 9:36 36  At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated as Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.  It is expected of every Christian whether male or female to possess the attitude of Tabitha. She is a disciple of the Lord and showed love toward all. She was full of good works and charitable deeds. What can be said of you amongst the brethren? Do you have a good report or not? Constant evaluation of your life to the Word of God helps to shape your life from the perspective of the Word. You can be a Tabitha in your family, congregation, community, workplace and anywhere you find yourself. Let the Tabitha in you come alive.  PRAYER: Thank You Lord for using Tabitha to teach me to bring my good works and charitable deeds alive. Guide me Holy Spirit and equip me for every good work in Christ Jesus. AMEN!

Blessed be the Name of the Lord God Almighty for granting us life to start another week. I will declare Your faithfulness at all times and my song shall be of Your Name. Thank You, Lord, for being the Good Shepherd over my life and all that is mine (family, friends, and all).  It is written, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies". Father in the Name of Jesus Christ, I accept the table You have prepared for me for by sitting at the table, Your blessings will overflow. As it is written, at the set table, " You anoint my head with oil;  My cup runs over." I receive the anointing on my head, the anointing to lead, succeed, triumph, prosper, conquer, etc. For s urely goodness and mercy shall follow me a ll the days of my life a nd I will dwell in the house of the  Lord  Forever. AMEN!

Cain was the first human born by Adam and Eve. He was given the name Cain, because his parent said, "I have gotten a man from the LORD". With time, Cain became a tiller of the ground (crop farmer). He could not offer the rightful sacrifice to the Lord as did his little brother Able. It has been stated that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD which implies it was never the first of his harvest like Abel who offered the firstborn of his flock. His offering was not respected by God and this made him angry and his countenance fell. God questioned him concerning his behaviour and advised him to do the right thing as sin lies in the door and its desire is for him but he should rule over it. Cain killed Abel in the field and hide the body. When the Lord questioned him about Abel's whereabouts, he said he is not his brother's keeper. He was cursed because Abel's blood cried out of the ground to the Lord. Some Characteristics of Cain * He wa...

Theme: Turn to the Lord Text: Acts 9:35   35  So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. The best gift we can ever give to others is Jesus Christ and this is done by sharing His Word with all. Peter's word of prayer to heal Aeneas open the way for all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon to turn to the Lord. If we reach out to the world with Christ they will embrace Him because He will never fail them. There are still people in our families, churches, communities, and the world over that haven't fully understood the power in the name of Jesus Christ. We have a role to play to turn such souls to the Lord. It is time to act now!  PRAYER: Lord Jesus give us the strength to proclaim Your Name to the end of the earth. Take away our fears and increase our faith that where reason fails, we will keep the kindled fire of faith burning. This we ask in Your Name. AMEN!

Theme: Healing of Aeneas  Text: Acts 9:33&34 33  There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed.  34  And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately.  In yesterday's devotion, we saw how the apostle Peter went through every part of the country. It was this that led him to Aeneas a man who had been bedridden for eight years and paralyzed. The healing of Aeneas has some notable acts we all ought to learn from. Peter found the sick man and not the other way round. He found the man as he went from one house to another and that's what we ought to do during evangelism.  He never projected himself as capable of healing Aeneas but went straight to the one who has all the capabilities to do so. He said  “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Our sermons, crusades, revivals, and all other means of drawing others ...

Theme: Christ to All Text: Acts 9:32 32  Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all  parts of the country,  that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. Peter has been instrumental in the early church. He whom the Lord said satan has asked to sift him like wheat but He has prayed for the Father that Peter might be strengthened afterwards to also strengthen the other disciples. The Word of the Lord has been faithful and it came to pass as such. In today's text, we see how dedicated Peter is to the spread of the Gospel. He was willing to send Christ to every part of the country.  This must be our attitude of sending Christ to all. We are empowered to preach Christ to the end of the earth. How well have you preached Christ in your vicinity? Don't leave any stone unturned when it comes to the Great Commission. A soul is waiting to be saved by your message. Avail yourself for God to use. PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the grace of reaching out to others w...

Theme: The Church Prospers Text: Acts 9:31 31  Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. As we established yesterday, it is only in unity we can advance the Gospel. The peace of the Lord is not as the world gives. It is pure and edified because it is of truth without any form of deceit. When we walk in the fear of the Lord, the Holy Spirit comforts us on all sides. In the comfort of the Holy Spirit, we see a divine increase in all that we do as a church. PRAYER: Thank You Lord for breathing upon us peace. Guide us to walk in the truth in all that we do in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: Affectionate Brethren Text: Acts 9:28-30 28  So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out.  29  And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him.  30  When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus. In our previous devotion, we saw how Barnabas was able to convince the brethren that Saul belongs to the flock of Christ. This made them accept him and he dwelt with them spreading the Good News. However, he was faced with opposition from the Hellenists. The Hellenists opposed him because of his stance that Jesus is Lord as they have believed in diverse gods.  Here again like in Damascus, the life of Saul has been threatened and the apostles displayed another brotherly affection towards him. Dear beloved in the Lord, we need to be each other's keepers in the advancement of the Gospel. We cannot do it individually but coll...

Eve is the name Adam gave to his wife. The name Eve means mother to all the living. She was the helpmate created by God for Adam and when she was presented unto Adam he made a profound statement that  “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man.”  Some Characteristics of Eve: * She was made out of man.  * She had no idea about the exact law of the forbidden fruit. The law was given to Adam before she was created.  * She was deceived by the serpent when it realized she couldn't quote the law accurately. * She was the first to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And she was able to convince Adam to also eat it.  *  Adam accused her of misleading him and God was disappointed in her by exclaiming, “What is this you have done?”  *  She transferred her blame to the serpent for convincing her to eat the fruit.  *  She was cursed by God for disobedience; “I wil...

Theme: Be A Barnabas!  Text: Acts 9:27&28 26  And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.  27  But Barnabas took him and brought  him  to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.  In yesterday's devotion, we saw how the apostles let Saul through the city wall to escape the wicked schemes of the Jews. By the mercy of God, he was able to journey to Jerusalem safely but met another opposition. His previous life of persecuting the apostles made the disciples in Jerusalem not trust he has been transformed.  The Lord used Barnabas to change the story in Jerusalem. Dear beloved in the Lord, seek to unite people than sow the seed of discord. Let truth proceed from your lips than revenge. In our Christian walk, th...

Theme: Divine Escape Text: Acts 9:23-25 23  Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him.  24  But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him.  25  Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket. If we work earnestly for the Lord, He rewards us greatly. As Saul advances the Gospel, the Jews plotted to kill him. God made it known to him so does He make known to us the evil schemes of the wicked. The wicked behave just like these Jews who watch over the city gate day and night. Our adversaries do not sleep so we must be vigilant not to fall prey to their hands. The sure way is to remain faithful in the Lord. God always make a divine escape for those who diligently seek Him. It is the Lord that gave the disciples the wisdom to let down Saul by the wall in a large basket. His ministry could not be truncated because God is not done with him. We can...

Theme: Increase More for Christ  Text: Acts 9:22 22  But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this  Jesus  is the Christ. There's no turning back when we come to Christ. Saul did not give a day's show but kept his faith in the Lord and he increased more in strength. This strength is an inner spiritual one that encourages him to keep moving irrespective of what people say or do around him. Dear beloved in the Lord, every child of God deserves to have this kind of strength. It comes alive if we keep proclaiming Christ to the world. If we divert people's attention from us to the Lord, we will increase in this strength but if we seek attention for ourselves, we will come to nothing.  PRAYER: Abba! Father, thank You for the grace of Your strength in me through Christ Jesus. I seek more of You and less of me in all that I do. Help me to preach the Gospel through the lens of the Holy Spirit and not th...

Theme: Amazed! Text: Acts 9:21 21  Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” In yesterday's devotion, we learned that Saul preached in the synagogue about Christ. Today's text is about how shocked the congregants were that he preached concerning Christ. The works of the Holy Spirit always astonish us. For even the vilest sinner can be reformed easily by His touch. Do not give up praying for those who persecute the church for the Lord will soon do a great thing in their lives. Anyone who comes to Christ is a new creation the former life has been taken away through the Saviour's Blood for the new life in Christ, to manifest. Do not be amazed when the power of God transforms a person for with God all things are possible. PRAYER: Thank You Lord for the grace of redemption in Christ Jesus. Blessed be Your name for t...

Theme: Preach Christ  Text: Acts 9:20 20  Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. How awe it will be to see the persecutor of the brethren preach about what he very antagonised. Having received his sight and strengthening, Saul stayed with the apostles in Damascus for some days. Today's text is about him preaching Christ in the synagogue. Dear beloved in the Lord, it is a wake-up call to every one of us to seek to preach Christ in our homes, communities and church. The task given to us by the Lord is to proclaim the Gospel to the end of the earth so rise and proclaim Christ to the world. PRAYER: Touch my lips Spirit of the Living God and grant me the utterance to proclaim Christ wherever I find myself in the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Blessed be the name of the Lord for He is worthy to be praised and adored. I will lift my hands and glorify His Name all the days of my life. I will proclaim the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living for great and awesome are His deeds in our midst.  It is written, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me". By the power of the Holy Spirit, I declare I have a divine angelic escort in every sphere of my life. I shall dread no evil. I decree in the Name of Jesus Christ that I am guided by the rod and staff of the Most High God therefore, I shall never be misled. I declare comfort in all situations in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN! Psalm 23:4

The name Adam is a Hebrew name meaning "son of the red earth". He was the first to be created by God from the dust of the earth and was given the right to have dominion over every other creature. He was the one that named all the animals the Lord God had created and was the first to be given instruction. He was without a helpmate until the Lord put him to sleep and took off his rib and enclosed it with his skin to form his suitable companion whom he named Eve.  Some characteristics of Adam: *He was not born but created *He was good at his work; he single-handedly named all the animals  *He couldn't communicate well the command to Even that's why she was deceived. *He couldn't hold himself back from falling into sin when Eve offered the fruit to him. *He was quick to accuse God and his every companion of his sin *For his sin, the earth was cursed *He was the father of Cain, Abel, Seth and other children *He lived 930 years 

Theme: How Strengthened are You?  Text: Acts 9:19 19  So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. There are moments in our lives when we lose our appetite usually characterised by ill-health, on hearing bad news or even sometimes when we are overjoyed. When Saul encountered the Lord, he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. In yesterday's devotion, we saw how the Lord restored his sight through the laying on of the hands by Ananias, and later receiving the Holy Spirit after baptism. He gained his will to eat after all these. Dear beloved in the Lord, we ought to be strengthened both physically and spiritually to carry on with our tasks. Strength comes from within but is given to us through the power of God that dwells in us. If we solely depend on our physical being we cannot be strengthened. Just as we take in food to keep the body healthy so must we nourish the soul and spirit with the s...

Theme: Receive Your Sight Text: Acts 9:17&18 17  And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  18  Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. Today's devotion throws light on how Ananias carried out the Lord's instruction in the street called Straight. He commenced the process by laying on of hands. He did not go in his power or authority so was quick to acknowledge the Lord led him to Saul. In Christ, we are siblings it was for that reason Ananias addressed Saul as a brother. Ananias has been sent to Saul to fulfil two purposes; for Saul to receive his sight and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Saul received his sight after something like scales fell off his eyes. D...

Theme: A Chosen Vessel  Text: Acts 9:15&16 15  But the Lord said to him,  “Go, for   he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before   Gentiles,   kings, and the   children   of Israel.   16  For   I will show him how many things he must suffer for My   name’s sake.” There are moments in our lives we acquire items for a specific purpose but such items could also meet different purposes. Let's take for instance a keyholder, the purpose is to keep our keys intact and safe. However, some keyholders could be used as bottle top openers, to trim or file nails, amongst other things. Having ownership of these items gives us the right to decide what to use them for.  God being our Creator decides what we should be moulded into. The Lord was attentive to hear the complaints of Ananias in yesterday's devotion. Today's text is based on the Lord's response to Ananias. Saul has been chosen to be a vessel  to bear the name ...

Theme: What Have You Heard? Text: Acts 9:13&14 13  Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.  14  And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” In his willingness to serve, Ananias became scared on hearing the name of Saul of Tarsus. Forgetting that the Lord knows of every happening around them, he began to report who Saul is to the Lord. It is not what he experienced with Saul but what he heard others say about him. Many of us today have also depended on the accounts of others about the nature of relatives, friends, neighbours, and even within the congregation such that, we don't get along well with them.  At least we can say what Ananias heard is true but what about what we have also heard about others? Dear beloved in the Lord, seek counsel from the Lord in decisions concerning others than depend on human knowledge. God knows ...

Theme: Saul's Vision  Text: Acts 9:10-12 10  Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision,  “Ananias.”  And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”  11  So the Lord said to him,  “Arise and go to the street called Straight and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul   of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.   12  And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” In previous devotions, we've seen the path Saul intends to take but had an encounter with Christ and became blind. His sudden state made him deny himself food for three days seeking the face of the Lord for mercy in prayer. The Lord mercifully answered him in a vision where he saw Ananias restored his sight. As the Lord reveals it to him, He as well revealed it to Ananias.  God is a God of order and does not give room fo...

Thank you,  Lord, that You are  my shepherd;  therefore I shall not want anything in life. My joy comes from You and not in any other thing. You o Lord Almighty  make me lie down in green pastures; that I shall lack nothing but be continually nourished by the leading of the Holy Spirit  besides the still waters. I declare in the Name of Jesus Christ and the favour of being by His living water, that my soul is  restored. I am  led in the paths of righteousness f or Christ's  name’s sake. I am righteous and I am living a righteous life in all that I do. I declare my week is blissful and full of divine glory as the Lord is my Sheperd. AMEN!

Dear cherished reader, The Word will from next week, blog daily devotion from Monday to Friday. Saturdays will be devoted to biblical character study whereas Sundays will be declaration "command your week".  Thanks for reading, commenting and sharing. God richly bless you! AMEN!

Theme: Three Days of Self-denial Text: Acts 8:7-9 7  And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.  8  Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.  9  And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Having encountered the Lord, Saul lost his sight. It's amazing how the voice of the Lord was heard by them all yet none saw Him interestingly enough, the main man became blind. This is a good illustration of how dark and cold the life of Saul is without the Lord. Saul had to deny the desires of the flesh (eyes, food and drink) to draw closer to the Lord. Self-denial is important in the walk with the Lord; this is the moment we desire more of God and less of our will. Each moment of our lives should be spent to please God than to gratify the desires of the flesh.  PRAYER: Thank You, Saviour Jesus, f...

Theme: Arise! Text: Acts 9:5&6 5  And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”  Then the Lord said,  “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.   It  is  hard for you to kick against the goads.”  6  So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord  said  to him,  “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” In yesterday's devotion, we learned that Saul encountered a divine Light that asked him why he was persecuting Him. Saul sought to know whom he was persecuting and so asked   “Who are You, Lord?” Jesus answered him by revealing His identity.  Dear beloved in the Lord, it's all vanity trying to antagonize the Kingdom of God. Jesus said He will build the church and not even the gate of hades can overcome it. Saul understood this and desired to know what he must do. The Lord asked him to arise, enter the city and he will be told what to do. Dear beloved in the Lord, ...

Theme: Why are You Persecuting Me? Text: Acts 9:3&4 3  As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.  4  Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him,  “Saul, Saul,   why are you persecuting Me?” Saul was granted his request and he set out to Damascus. On his way, he encountered the unexpected. There is always a divine transformation whenever the Light appears. In the beginning, the first Word of creation is, "Let there be Light". It is this divine Light Saul encountered. Jesus then asks him why he was persecuting Him. Are you also persecuting Jesus in any way? Do you antagonise the advancement of the Kingdom's work? If you're not gathering then you are scattering so watch your ways. PRAYER: Dear God, I humbly come before You seeking You make known to me the ways I persecute the church unknowingly. Open the eyes of my understanding that I may help build the church to Your glory in the name of Jesus C...

Theme: The Way Text: Acts 9:1&2 9 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. It's difficult most often to understand we are misleading others when we feel convinced within us that we are on the right path. So it was, Saul felt he is fighting for the Lord to do away with blasphemy in the synagogue and persecuted the apostles. To him, the people of the Way were not walking according to the will of God. However, they were rather followers of Jesus the Only Begotten Son of God. He sought official permission to deal with such individuals little did he know he was far from the truth.  Jesus Christ said He is the Way, Truth and Life. We can therefore not know the Way and Truth if the Holy Spirit is not with us. The carnal mind misleads and misjudges the carnal...

I will extol You, O  Lord , for You have lifted me up, a nd have not let my foes rejoice over me.   O  Lord  my God, I cried out to You, a nd You healed me.   O  Lord ,  Y ou brought my soul up from the grave;  You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Thank You, Lord, for ushering us into the fifth month of the year. Blessed be Your Name. I agree with the psalmist and declare' " You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;  You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to  the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.  O  Lord  my God, I will give thanks to You forever." I decree in the name of Jesus Christ that my garment of shame, reproach, sickness and every form of evil has been removed and I am adorned in the garment of praise, joy unspeakable, good health and all divine heavenly blessings. AMEN! Psalm 30