The Word

Theme: Worthy of Praise Text: John 8:54-56 54  Jesus answered,  “If I honour Myself, My honour is nothing.   It is My Father who honours Me, of whom you say that He is   your God.   55  Yet   you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and   keep His word.   56  Your father Abraham   rejoiced to see My day,   and he saw it and was glad.” A good recommendation comes about knowing fully the one you have recommended is capable of delivering to meet expectations. Like Christ, we need to walk the way of truth and righteousness so that we may please God in all things. Our expectations of the glorious Day of the Lord should awaken in us the desire to do good. May we rejoice like Abraham and declare Maranatha!  PRAYER: Dear God, give me the spirit of humility and truth. May my way of life bring gladness and honour to Your Name o Lord. AMEN!

Theme: In Christ Death is Defeated Text: John 8:52&53 52  Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say,  ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’   53  Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?” The audience of the Lord seems not to understand why He said anyone who keeps His Word shall never taste death. Abraham and the prophets had indeed died but Christ is the key to shouting the month of death. He has everlasting life and anyone who keeps to His Word abides in Him and so will be a fruitful branch to His Vine. Just as a branch cannot live unless attached to the tree, so it is with us. If we are cut off from Christ's Vine, it simply means we are dead (we cannot survive if we are cut off for we will only get dry).  PRAYER: Keep me dear Lord as a branch in Your Vine. Help me to keep Your Word ...

Theme: Seek God's Glory  Text: John 8:48-51 48  Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?”  49  Jesus answered,  “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and   you dishonor Me.   50  And   I do not seek My  own  glory; there is One who seeks and judges.   51  Most assuredly, I say to you,   if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” Trying to please people at the expense of doing God's will can be detrimental to our lives existence. People could tag or give us names simply because we fail to follow their dictate. Be reminded that Jesus suffered the same. What we need to learn from Him is to let our deeds bring honour to the Name of God and seek God's glory. The key to eternal life lies in Jesus Christ and Him solely can we overcome the power of death.  PRAYER: Dear God, grant unto me a willing spirit to diligently seek to honour Yo...

Thank You, Lord, that just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so You surround us now and forever. Hallowed be Thy Name among all the gods of the nations.  Our hearts rejoice in Your marvellous doings in our lives. Hallelujah! I agree with the psalmist and declare; "Pray for peace in Jerusalem (Your continent, country, family, workplace, home, etc) and may all who love this city prosper. In the Name of Jesus Christ, I declare peace upon the earth. May the land be healed and restored to its glorious beauty and may this reflect in every area of our lives to the glory of God. AMEN! Supporting Scripture: Psalm 122:6-9 & 125:2

Chimham was Gileadite whose name means, "as they or like them". He is believed to be the son of Barzillai. His father committed him to king David to cross over the Jordan with him. Much hasn't been said about him.  Some lessons to learn from Chimham; ¶ He never objected to his father's decision to go with King David. He obeyed and willingly followed the king.  ¶ His father's loyalty paved way for him to win favour with the king such that on his deathbed, David instructed Solomon to do good to the sons of Barzillai. This could also mean he was equally loyal to the king.  ¶ King David gave him his ancestral home as a gift. It became an Inn which was described as the habitation of Chimham. It is also believed to be The Inn where there was no room at the time Mary was in labour so Jesus was born and laid in a manger. Supporting Scriptures: 2 Samuel 19:37-40; 1 Kings 2:7 &  Jeremiah 41:17

Theme: Believe God's Word Text: John 8:45-47 45  But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.   46  Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?   47  He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” In a dispensation when evil is on the increase likewise social vices, it's sometimes very tempting to compromise the Word of God. A lot of people are much more interested in hearing things that tingle their ears than the truth. This is a wake-up call to us to seek the voice of God above any other voice.  PRAYER: Dear Lord help me to know Your voice and act promptly to every Word of Yours in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: The Devil is a Liar Text: John 8:44   44  You are of your father the devil, and the   desires of your father you want to   do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and   does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.   The Word of God is truth but the devil's word has always been lies. His scheme of old led to the fall of man and the introduction of death. No truth can be found in the devil because he is the father of liars. Anyone who does not avail to the truth fall prey to the deceit of the devil. Such a person manifests the lies of the devil in whatever he/she does. For us to live truthfully, we need to draw near to Hod. If we draw near to God, God will draw near to us. Let us resist the edge to walk in lies (give room to be deceived or develop an attitude of telling lies) to confidently walk in truth all the days of...

Theme:Listen to the Word of God  Text: John 8:42&43 42  Jesus said to them,  “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for   I proceeded forth and came from God;   nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.   43  Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.   In yesterday's dev otion, we learned that if we say we are Abraham's descendants then we must possess his nature. Today, our focus is on the essence of listening to the Word of God. Out of the Word, we know God is love and anyone who belongs to Him possesses the nature of love. The Word also helps us to distinguish the voice of God from that of the devil. We receive discernment to know if a messenger is of God or not. That enabling grace was what was lacking in the audience of Jesus Christ that was why they never understood His speech.  PRAYER: Dear God, "Teach me Your way, O LORD, and l will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided hear...

Theme: Do the Works of Abraham  Text: John 8:39-41 39  They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.”  Jesus said to them,  “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.   40  But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth   which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.   41  You do the deeds of your father.”  Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.” Abraham's walk with the Lord was one beautiful one that won him favour before the Lord. As we learned yesterday, it's just not by mere words to say Abraham is our father it must be backed by actions. This is exactly what the Lord was communicating to His audience. If we say we are Abraham’s children, we would do the works of Abraham. We need to walk in truth and abide by it. In a dispensation like ours, we need to be born of God. To be born of God is to surrender to Him completely and resist t...

Theme:The Father! Text: John 8:37&38 37  “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but   you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.   38  I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have   seen with your father.” Every child does have a father and so it is in the spiritual realm. God is the Father to all who believe in Jesus Christ whereas those who do not, walk under the dictate of the devil. Christ's audience holds to the fact they are Abraham's descendants. However, mere words do not give identity but rather actions. If the Word of God has no place in us, then we cannot say God is our Father. Let the Word of God enrich every area of our life. PRAYER: Lord, You are my Father. I pray Your Word to be my guide in life. May I be a child that pleases You in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

God is our refuge and strength,  a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear,  even though the earth be removed,  and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  Though its waters roar and be troubled,  though the mountains shake with its swelling. Hallelujah! I declare by faith and agreed with the psalmist, "There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,  the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.  God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;  God shall help her, just at the break of dawn". By the presence of God in my life, I cannot be destroyed nor all that is mine ( family, friends, neighbours, businesses, career, education, finances, etc). In the Name of Jesus Christ, we are protected and preserved fro m the very break of day. AMEN! Psalm 46:1-5

Jonadab was the son of Shimeah, David’s brother and he was the adviser of Ammon David's son. He is said to be a very shrewd man. He gave bad advice to Ammon which led him into raping his half-sister. An issue which later claim the life of Ammon when Absalom murdered him.  Lessons to learn from Jonadab's character;  ¶ He was a bad companion. He never gave Ammon any good counsel. If he had not device such an evil plot in Ammon, he wouldn't have forced his way with his half-sister.  ¶ He declared Ammon's death without sympathy as a true friend would. He told the king;  “Let not my lord suppose they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons, for only Amnon, is dead. For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.   Now , therefore, let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead. For only Amnon is dead.”  ¶ Be mindful of evil companions because ...

Theme: Free Indeed Text: John 8:36   36  Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. The yoke of sin can only be broken by the power of the Saviour's Blood. When He sets you free, you are free indeed. Nothing can hinder our freedom when the Lord sets us free. Have faith the Lord has set you free in every area of your life and you can freely move in confidence. No power can contend the liberty we have attained in the Lord. Declare it aloud; " Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed". Prayer: Thank You Lord for the freedom You have bestowed on us. Indeed we are free from every form of bondage and we walk in this confidence as we go about our duties to Your glory. AMEN!

Theme: A Slave to Sin  Text: John 8:34&35 34  Jesus answered them,  “Most assuredly, I say to you,   whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.   35  And   a slave does not abide in the house forever,  but  a son abides forever. The conversation between Jesus and His audience continues in these verses. He further explains to them sin can also enslave them. Sin is simply not walking in God's will. So if we fail to accept the will of God, then we open the door to sin. Once sin enters it tries to take dominion (takes our rightful place) and push us to the darkest place. It denies us of rightful place with God because  a slave does not abide in the house forever,  but  a son abides forever. If we walk in God's will we become children and thereby abide with Him forever.  PRAYER: Dear God, it is written, submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee. In the Name of Jesus Christ, I resist every edge to sin and I surrender to Y...

Theme: Are You in Bondage? Text: John 8:33 33  They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How  can  You say,  ‘You will be made free’ ?” You can be born free but if you make the wrong choices in life, you can enslave yourself. The text for today is a response from the Jews to Jesus' statement the truth shall set them free. They hold to the belief so long as they are defendants of Abraham, they are born free not slaves. As we studied yesterday lies and deceit will enslave anyone who gives room to them. However, the truth in Christ Jesus will give us total liberation.  PRAYER: In You my Lord is liberty. I surrender to You and pray by Your Holy Spirit, let anything that holds me in bondage be broken. Thank You for letting me loose from the shackles that enslave me. In the Name of Jesus Christ have I prayed. AMEN!

Theme: The Truth Sets You Free Text: John 8:31&32 31  Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him,  “If you   abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.   32  And you shall know the   truth, and   the truth shall make you free.” Have you ever been in a fix as to whether, to tell the truth, or not? Most often we are faced with challenges that push us to lie to save our face. Nevertheless, this often is temporal because we live with the guilt which usually enslaves us. However, once we open up to the truth, we are set free. Where or what then is the truth? Jesus is the truth. If we abide in Him that is, live by His standards which is love, then truth will proceed from us. We shall  know the   truth, and   the truth shall make us free. The weight of regrets and pain will be removed and we shall have the peace of mind to carry on our daily activities.  PRAYER: Dear God, I need Your truth to take control over my heart and mind...

Theme: Do You Please the Lord? Text: John 8:28-30 28  Then Jesus said to them,  “When you   lift   up the Son of Man,   then you will know that I am He, and   that I do nothing of Myself; but   as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.   29  And   He who sent Me is with Me.   The Father has not left Me alone,   for I always do those things that please Him.”   30  As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. Our journey in this world needs to be guided by divine principles. Christ did not live His life to please everyone but the Father alone. He pointed to His crucifixion as allowing the will of the Father to prevail above His even though He has a picture of how awful His death will be. What Christ has enlightened us on is, the Father does not abandon those who diligently and faithfully seek Him. Dear beloved in the Lord, let us live each day to please the Father for it pays to please God....

Shout joyfully to the  Lord , all the earth;  Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.   Sing to the  Lord  with the harp,  with the harp and the sound of a psalm,  with trumpets and the sound of a horn;  Shout joyfully before the  Lord , the King. Father, You have said, "They shall not labour in vain,  nor bring forth children for trouble;  For they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the  Lord ,  and their offspring with them". Honour Your Word in my life, family, neighbours, friends and the church. We break the yoke of labouring in vain and every chain of reoccurring evil in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN! Supporting Scripture: Psalm 98:4-6 & Isaiah 65:23

Zacchaeus was a little man by stature and was known to be a rich chief tax collector. He was unjust in his work. He encountered Christ and his life became transformed. Lessons from Zacchaeus' life; ¶ He did not allow his wealth to come between him and his Saviour. He climbed a tree to see the Lord. His desire was stirred to see the Lord and he acted accordingly.  ¶ He acted in faith when the Lord told him he had to be in his house. He welcomed the Lord to his house joyfully.  ¶ He did the honourable thing by giving half of his goods to the poor; and if he had taken anything from anyone by false accusation, he restore fourfold. Supporting Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Theme: Who Are You? Text: John 8:25-27 25  Then they said to Him, “Who are You?”  And Jesus said to them,  “Just what I   have been saying to you from the beginning.   26  I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but   He who sent Me is true; and   I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him.”  27  They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father. Often when we meet people who ain't familiar to us, we ask who they are and they ask us the same in return. Knowing who someone is, helps to establish a mutual relationship. Even though Jesus has been engaging His audience about who He is, they still cannot figure out who He is. If we do not build a healthy relationship with the Lord, it will be difficult for us to understand His way. However, when we engage in fellowship with the Lord, we get divine insight into the things of the Lord. That also helps us to know our true identity in Christ Jesus. PRAYER: T...

Theme: Not of This World  Text: John 8:23&24 23  And He said to them,  “You are from beneath; I am from above.   You are of this world; I am not of this world.   24  Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins;   for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” In yesterday's devotion, we learned if we fail to seek Christ then we cannot be where He is. Today's text further elaborates on the reason why it will be difficult to be where Christ is. The earth is beneath the heavens and the gap is physically clear for anyone who has the sense of vision to see. Anyone who does not believe in Jesus as the Messiah cannot be saved. Believing open the stairway to heaven for Christ is that stairway to the Father. Though we are in the world, we are not of the world because we have Christ in us and so it qualifies us to be heavenly candidates. Let us, therefore, live each moment as Christ.  PRAYER: Thank You Lord for ...

Theme: May You Not Die in Sin Text: John 8:21&22 21  Then Jesus said to them again,  “I am going away, and   you will seek Me, and   will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.”  22  So the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself, because He says,  ‘Where I go you cannot come’ ?” Sin came to the world through one man and through One Man, generations after generations have been saved from the grip of sin. In the text for today, Jesus foretold of His death but was not understood by those who were around Him. To them, He intends to commit suicide since they knew well there exists a gap between the living and the dead. But Jesus is rather calling them to repentance. If we fail to allow our hearts to become penitent, we cannot be where Christ is. We cannot also claim to be seeking God and still stir up the passion of this age (the lust of the eye and the flesh) in us. If we persist in sinning then we will die in it but if we repent and seek Christ, we sh...

Theme: Do You Know the Father? Text: John 8:19&20 19  Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?”  Jesus answered,  “You know neither Me nor My Father.   If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”  20  These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come. A relationship with Christ draws us closer to the Father for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are One (the Triune God). The Pharisees lack this knowledge simply because they failed to recognise the Messiah. The Way to the Father is through the Son as it is written, no one goes to the Father except through Jesus Christ. If we desire to know the Father, then we need to associate with Jesus.  PRAYER: I desire to know You more Lord. Give me insight into how best to know You and help me to live worthy of Your glory in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: I Am Not Alone  Text: John 8:16-18 16  And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for   I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.   17  It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true.   18  I am One who bears witness of Myself, and   the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.” Christ while carrying out His earthly mission was not alone throughout the process. The Almighty God was with Him and bears witness to all He uttered. We ought to understand here that, in carrying out the Great Commission we also must not be alone. We need the fellowship of the Holy Spirit and the brethren to accomplish it. Christ has never been alone so will we in all our ways.  PRAYER: Thank You Father for bearing witness to Christ and for the same grace over our lives. Help us to be one with You in mind and heart. In the Name of Jesus Christ so shall it be established. AMEN!

Blessed be Your Name, Lord God Almighty for You have revealed Your love to us through Christ's suffering, death, resurrection and ascension. Our heart makes melody of Your awe nature.  Father, in the Name of Jesus Christ, I agree with the psalmist and declare; "Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live;  And do not let me be ashamed of my hope". May all who hope in You Lord never be put to shame in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN! Supporting Scripture: Psalm 119:116

Our character study for today is on Ittai the Gittite. Though much hasn't been written about him, his decision to follow king David when Absalom rebelled is worth noting. He was a foreigner and an exile who was willing to follow the king. He never considered being tired nor did he take offence against the king for bringing him to exile. Lessons to learn from Ittai the Gittite: ¶ Once you desire to serve the King of kings, nothing should deter you from doing so. Ittai the Gittite was willing to serve king David.  ¶ Purpose to follow the Lord irrespective of what happens in life. Ittai the Gittite did not choose the comfort of his bed in Jerusalem but he wanted to wander with King David. ¶ He received the blessings of the king likewise will God bless us greatly if we diligently follow Him.  Supporting Scripture: 2 Samuel 15:19-22

Theme: Judging By the Flesh  Text: John 8:14&15 14  Jesus answered and said to them,  “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but   you do not know where I come from and where I am going.   15  You judge according to the flesh;   I judge no one. In yesterday's devotion, we established that Jesus' witness of Himself as the Light of the world is true without a doubt. The problem with the Pharisees is that they were judging from the carnal perspective instead of the spiritual one. Though they know the law yet they do not have the insight of the Messiah when He was with them simply because they have clouded their thoughts and heart with principles of their traditions. This is teaching us that, simply reading the Bible without discernment will not help us to know the Lord. A relationship is established only if we have proper communication with Him.  PRAYER: Thank You Lord for reveali...

Theme: A True Witness  Text: John 8:13 13  The Pharisees, therefore, said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.” In yesterday's devotion, Jesus declared He is the Light of the world. Today's text is about the reactions of the Pharisees. Their point of view was that testimonies are only authentic when shared by a third party other than the individual him/herself. However, they never fully knew who Jesus was. To them, He was just one of them, the son of a carpenter. Every testimony of God is true and He solely can bear witness of Himself. Jesus is just not the Light of the world but the Way and the Truth. Believe in His Word for it is purely true. PRAYER: Dear God, help me to trust Your Word and to hold on to it faithfully. I pray You send the Holy Spirit to clear my mind of any doubt about Your Word in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: Jesus is Our Light Text: John 8:13 12  Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying,  “I am the light of the world. He who   follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” The first command of creation is "Let there be Light". God knew in His Light will deliverance come to the world from its void state. Jesus has made known He is the Light of the world. That means He is the means to which anyone who wants to have a pleasant life with God ought to look up to. To follow Him is to surrender. In surrendering, we do not live by our will but His. It is from that perspective we will not walk in darkness but have the Light of life.  PRAYER: Father of Light to You we humbly come that we may never walk in darkness again. Shine in our hearts and minds that we may be enlightened about the truth. Thank You Jesus for being our Light. AMEN!