The Word

Mary is known mainly as the mother of Jesus Christ. She was betrothed to Joseph at the time the Angel of the Lord appeared to her telling her she will conceive of the Holy Spirit. She accepted the Lord's will and it was accomplished fully in her. Some characteristics of Mary; ¶ She kept herself undefiled. God wants to have fellowship with us in the purity of heart and mind.  ¶ Her devotion to the Lord gave her strength to trust the Lord. Knowing the consequence of getting pregnant before the final marriage right yet she accepted the Lord's will be done. ¶ She relates well with her family. She visited Elizabeth when she knew of her state by the message of the Angel. We need to also cultivate the habit of checking on relations.  ¶ She reflects on issues than complaints. She pounds over her Son's words when he was a child than discussing them with others. ¶ She was concerned at the wedding in Cana when there was no wine. She acted in faith and it resulted in the best wine bein...

Theme: Obedience Pays  Text: Matthew 1:24&25 24  Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,  25  and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name  Jesus . Heeding instructions often helps us to accomplish a given task. Usually, manuals aid us in how to handle and make use of items we purchase. In the case of Joseph, his bride carries a child of the Holy Spirit as revealed to him by the Angel of God. As we learnt in previous devotions, he never wanted to embarrass the Blessed Virgin Mary and so the angelic visit was timely. He carried out every command given until Jesus was born. Just as we are particular about how to make use of the manuals of our gadgets to protect them, so must we understand that our manual is in the Word of God. If we diligently obey the Word of God, then we will receive the crown of glory.  PRAYER: Dear God, You a...

Theme: Immanuel  Text: Matthew 1:22&23 22  So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:  23  “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,”  which is translated, “God with us.” We could relate well to how it feels like when mum or dad is travelling without us growing up as children. The absence of parents at home often makes most children sick but  they become well immediately at the sight of their parents. God knows this so much He wants to always be with us. Immanuel means God is with us. The prophecy of the prophet Isaiah came to pass through the Blessed Virgin Mary when she conceived our Immanuel by the power of the Holy Spirit. When you feel all left out or alone, just remember to declare it aloud "Immanuel!"  PRAYER: Dear God, thank You that I am never alone. Glory be to Your Name for Your ever presence every moment of my life. I com...

Theme: Divine Intervention  Text: Matthew 1:18-21 18  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother, Mary was betrothed to Joseph before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.  19  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.  20  But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.  21  And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name  Jesus , for He will save His people from their sins.” The custom of old required any woman found unfaithful before marriage must be exposed and stoned to death. Mary was caught up in such a situation, yet Joseph wanted to avoid causing her pain and embarr...

Theme: Fourteen Generations  Text: Matthew 1:17 17  So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon, until the Christ are fourteen generations. God is an orderly God. He does things orderly and never deviates from anything. The three genealogies we've studied have a space of fourteen generations. From the time of promise (Abraham) to when it began to manifest (David made king) and to the Messiah have intervals of fourteen generations. The wicked got punished whole the faithful were rewarded. These generations have both weaknesses and strengths yet in all they trusted the Sovereignty of God.  PRAYER: Dear God, visit my family lineage and directs our thoughts, desires and will to conform to Yours. Help us to avail ourselves for Your orderliness to prevail in all that we do in the Name of Jesus Christ have we asked with th...

Theme: The Genealogy III Text: Matthew 1:12-16 12  And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel.  13  Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor.  14  Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud.  15  Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob.  16  And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. The third genealogy could not enjoy royal privileges as most went into exile. Despite being in exile they remain faithful to the Lord. This is evident in Joseph's nature and that of his betrothed bride the Blessed Virgin Mary. We must glorify God in both moments of good and bad. Let us seek God more when difficulties surround us for He is an ever help in time of need.  PRAYER: Dear God, teach our hearts to love and cherish Your chastising. Help us to diligently seek Your way ...

Oh, sing to the  Lord  a new song!  Sing to the  Lord , all the earth.  Sing to the  Lord , bless His name;  Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.  Declare His glory among the nations,  His wonders among all peoples. It is written, " For You have broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, The rod of his oppressor,  as in the day of Midian". In the Name of Jesus Christ, as today marks Christmas, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, every yoke of burden in my life, family, marriage, children, friends, neighbours, ministry, finances, career, businesses, and education is broken. Every oppressing rod in any area of my life catches fire and I triumph in all things in Jesus Christ. AMEN! Supporting Scriptures: Psalm 96:1-3 & Isaiah 9:4

Joseph is known to be the earthly father of Jesus Christ begotten by his betrothed bride the Blessed Virgin Mary. Joseph is from the tribe of Judah and is the son of Jacob begotten by Matthan.  Some Characteristics of Joseph: ¶ He is an honest and faithful man. He was faithful to God and his relationship with Mary such that he never defiled himself.  ¶ When he learned of Mary's pregnancy he intend to divorce her quietly than publicly disgracing her as demanded the custom in those days. However, the Angel of the Lord gave him a revelation and he withheld his intention.  ¶ He is responsible. He cared for Mary throughout her expectant period to delivery. He put her on his donkey as they journeyed to Bethlem for the census. He was concerned about her safety till she delivered.  ¶ He obeyed the voice of the Lord and journeyed to Egypt for the safety of the baby Jesus.  ¶ He searched for his son for three days when he could not find Him with any of his relations. Late...

Theme: The genealogy II Text: Matthew 6:6b-11 David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah.  7  Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa.  8  Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah.  9  Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah.  10  Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah.  11  Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon. The second set of the genealogy of Jesus Christ comprises royals. The dynasty started with King David and it displayed how venerable the chosen race was. Its early imperfections were evident in David taking Uriah's wife and killing him in battle. Yet God chose the son of Bathsheba over the other sons. This set of genealogies is a mixture of both good and evil kings. Some feared the Lord wherea...

Theme: The Genealogy  Text: Matthew 1:1-6a 1  The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:  2  Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers.  3  Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram.  4  Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon.  5  Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse,  6  and Jesse begot David the king. It is good to keep family history as it is essential to know one's roots. The genealogy of Jesus Christ is three fourteen generations. The text for consideration is the first set of generation. The father of all is Abraham so he begins this order which ends with the royal dynasty of King David.  One significant thing to note here is, the women mentioned in this texts have peculiar thing; either they are no...

Theme: Amen! Text: Revelation 7:12 12  saying:  “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honour and power and might be to our God forever and ever. AMEN!” God is supreme and He deserves every form of praise, honour, adoration and thanksgiving from us. May our spirits be stirred to always accord Him that reverence.  PRAYER: Dear Lord fill me with the spirit of a worshipper to worship You ceaselessly in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: Praise Jesus Forever Text; Psalm 45:15&16 16  Instead of Your fathers shall be Your sons,  whom You shall make princes in all the earth.  17  I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations;  Therefore the people shall praise You forever and ever. We conclude the passage of our Saviour and Groom. Christ existed from the beginning of time and so is the Father of all. He has made us princes and princesses. Christ has indeed established His Name forever. We ought to let our praise go high in this festive season to give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness.  PRAYER: Praise be Your Name Ancient of Days for You have made us royals by Your standard. We lay our crowns and worship You in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: The King's Palace  Text: Psalm 45:14&15 14  She shall be brought to the King in robes of many colours;  The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to You.  15  With gladness and rejoicing they shall be brought;  They shall enter the King’s palace. Jesus is the King of kings and His royal palace is heaven. In previous studies, we learned we will be dressed in costly garments. We will present ourselves in the presence of our King in robes of many colours. We will His gates with thanksgiving in our hearts and enter His courts with praise. No one enters God's presence unjoyful. PRAYER: Open up my spirit o God to desire Your presence. Help me by the enabling grace of the Holy Spirit to rejoice always in Your presence in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

I will sing a new song to You, O God;  On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You, the  One who gives salvation to kings, who delivers David His servant (my loved ones and I)  from the deadly sword. It is written, " Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel". I declare the Lord is with me through every battle of life. By the presence of God, I conquer and subdue every contention in any area of my life in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN! Supporting Scriptures: Psalm 144:9&10 & Isaiah 7:14

¶ Hegai was king Xerxes' eunuch in charge of his palace or harem over the virgins to replace queen Vashti. He was used by the Lord to model Esther as queen.  ¶ He was to enhance the ladies with a beauty treatment. All men must learn to help improve the beauty of every lady around them i.e. sisters, nieces, aunties, female friends, etc. ¶ He was impressed with Esther and treated her kindly by ensuring her menu was appropriate as well as her beauty therapy. ¶ He also assigned palace maids to Esther and placed her in the best place in the palace. We need to identify people who need to be pushed in life and give them helping hands. ¶ He suggested what Esther should ask and it impressed the elders when she did. We need to have Hegais in our families, church, communities and workplaces.  Supporting Scripture: Esther 2

Theme: The Royal Text: Psalm 45:13 13  The royal daughter is all glorious within the palace;  Her clothing is woven with gold. The best identity that suits the Christian is a royal priesthood. In Christ, we have been made royals (princes and princesses) and priests to serve in His sanctuary. As the bride to the Lord, we qualify as the royal daughter that is arrayed in all glorious looks within His palace. Our garment is woven in gold indicating how expensive it is.  PRAYER: Thank You Lord for adorning me with costly garments. I pray my soul be adorned in purified gold of righteousness and faithfulness in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: The Favour Text: Psalm 45:12 12  And the daughter of Tyre  will come  with a gift;  The rich among the people will seek your favour. As we walk down the aisle with the Lord, we attract good and perfect gifts in life. The union with the Lord attract gifts of diverse nature. Favour will locate in every area of our lives and many will seek us to favour us. If our ways please the Lord, His favour will cause even our enemies to be at peace with us. There is a favour in our lives for choosing to be brides to the Lord. PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for the overflow of Your favour in my life. I pray the heavens to be opened in my favour and may every perfect gift from You be my portion in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: Let Go! Text: Psalm 4:10&11 10  Listen, O daughter,  consider and incline your ear;  Forget your own people also, and your father’s house;  11  So the King will greatly desire your beauty;  Because He  is  your Lord, worship Him. Marriage with the Lord requires some amount of sacrifice. We the bride of the Head of the church are being called to order in this text; If we keep holding onto the past - family, friends, and companions with whom we led lives of darkness, we cannot have a proper home with the Lord. We must let go of all these individuals and cliff to the Lord in truth and faithfulness. Then, the King will greatly desire our beauty (attitudes). He is our Lord so we need to reverend Him every step of the way. Let go of the distraction and worship the Lord!  PRAYER: Dear God, help me to resist the edge to go back to my formal life (living and walking in the carnal nature). Holy Spirit divine, strengthen me to worship the Lor...

Theme: Sweet-Scented Garment Text: Psalm 45:8&9 8  All Your garments  are   scented  with myrrh and aloes  and  cassia,  out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made You glad.  9  Kings’ daughters  are  among Your honourable women;  At Your right-hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir. The fragrance in the presence of God is sweet-scented and we are called to present ourselves, as a pleasing sacrifice in the sight of God. We are a royal priesthood and so just as earthly royals are adorned in the beautiful colours of apparel, we must also present ourselves. We are the sons and daughters of the King. Our marriage with the Groom (Jesus Christ) will be a full display of the wealth of God for we shall walk in gold.  PRAYER: Dear God, I pray the sweet-scented garment of my Saviour to be to adorn me. Help me to faithfully keep it unstained even as I await the glorious Day of His coming in the Name of Jesus Christ I ask...

Theme:Anointed  Text: Psalm 45:7 7  You love righteousness and hate wickedness;  Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You  with the oil of gladness more than Your companions. Our Saviour is a just King who loves righteousness. He has no deceit in Him and is not pleased with the ways of the wicked. He was unjustly nailed to the cross so that we may have His righteousness. Out of this God has anointed Him with the oil of gladness more than His companions. Therefore by the mention of the Name Jesus, every kneel bows and every tongue confesses He is Lord. If we abide in Christ this shooting shall touch us and transform every sphere of our lives to God's glory.  PRAYER: God, grant me the grace to walk righteously. I pray Your anointing to give me excellency in all I do. Thank You for the touch of Your Hand upon my life in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Oh, praise the Lord all you His servants. Lift your hands towards the sanctuary and praise Him. The Lord is good and His lovingkindness endures forever. Hallelujah! It is written,  And Jesus said, blessed is he who is not   offended because of Me. Father cleanse us from the guilt of taking offence at Your doings in the lives of others. Help us to appreciate and honour Your way and will in all things. And as we diligently do this, may Your blessings overflow in our lives in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN! Supporting Scripture: Psalm 134:1-3 & Matthew 11:6

Our study today is on the four leprous men whom the Lord used to drive the Assyrians when they laid siege over Israel. The Lord used the foolish things of this age to shame the wicked. Lepers were often treated in the past as unclean and not fit to mingle with others.  Some lessons to learn from the four leprous men; ¶ They did not allow their condition to deter them from advancing. Usually, we feel we need to meet the standard or status quo before we can make it. Learn from these lepers to make wise use of every opportunity that presents itself.  ¶ They were not afraid in making decisions. They weighed all the available options and were ever ready for the consequences of each outcome.  ¶ Their leprous state was used to frighten a whole mighty army. God is in the business of performing miracles. Don't limit God in any way. ¶ They made merry when they had to. They ate and drank but when it struck them that they are being selfish, they quickly return to share the good news ...

Theme: A Sceptre Of Righteousness  Text: Psalm 45:6 6  Your throne, O God,  is  forever and ever; A sceptre of righteousness  is  the sceptre of Your kingdom. Earthly kings have failed woefully often because it becomes difficult during their reign to rule righteously. Christ is the Sceptre of Righteousness. His throne has been established forever. His judgement is devoid of partiality. The Groom of the church is the Spectre of righteousness and in Him, we will find comfort and justice for all the injustices we have suffered. PRAYER: Dear Lord, may Your Kingdom come on earth and Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. For Yours is the Kingdom, power and glory forever and ever in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: The Arrows of God  Text: Psalm 45:5 5  Your arrows  are  sharp in the heart of the King’s enemies;  The peoples fall under You. God's arrows are His wrath. They pierce sharply into the heart of the wicked and expose their wickedness. The enemies of the King are those who are not of Christ. Their evil deeds will kindle the wrath of God over their lives. They will be humbled to deter others. May we present ourselves as true friends of the King in all that we do. PRAYER: Dear God, help me to accept Your discipline. May I never become an enemy to Your Kingdom but rather a faithful servant to Your glory in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: Ride Prosperously  Text: Psalm 45:3&4 3  Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One,  with Your glory and Your majesty.  4  And in Your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility, and righteousness;  And Your right hand shall teach You awesome things. In yesterday's devotion, we learned about the lips of our Messiah, which releases grace whenever He speaks. He is gracious in every way. The psalmist continues in today's texts on the majestic work of the Saviour. Our sword of warfare as believers is the Word of God and prayer. These will equip us for battle so that we may be victorious. Aside from weapons for battle, we need to back our lifestyles with attitudes that put us always at the advantage. T ruth, humility,  and  righteousness are the key ways of living that will ensure we prosper in whatever we do. By these, the Saviour rides prosperously as the Groom of the Church. The Right Hand ...

Theme: Grace Upon His Lips Text: Psalm 45:2 2  You are fairer than the sons of men;  Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever. In yesterday's devotion, we commenced the psalm of the Messiah and His glorious bride. The psalmist was ready to write a poem in honour of the Messiah. Today, he describes the Lord as fairer than the sons of men. One other remarkable thing he mentioned about the Messiah is that grace has been poured upon His lips. Yes, it has been the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that has given us the right standing with God. Grace is undeserved favour. What we do not merit has been made possible for us in Christ. So speak His grace as you study His Word and it will marvel you how your life will be turned around.  PRAYER: Lord Jesus, grace always proceeds from Your mouth. I pray for Your grace to manifest great tidings in every area of my life. In Your Name have I asked. AMEN!

Theme: A Lovely Poem  Text: Psalm 45:1 45  My heart is overflowing with a good theme;  I recite my composition concerning the King;  My tongue  is  the pen of a ready writer. We've been created to worship the Lord with our voices. The psalmist declares his intention to use his mouth to glorify the King our Saviour Jesus Christ. Our mouth can make the best of melodies when our heart embraces the Word of God. For the Word of God stirs our hearts to recite a lovely poem to God. In the quest to show appreciation, we recite a lovely poem to our King. PRAYER: So long as I have breath I will rejoice in You My God and King. My heart is filled with awesome themes for the great and mighty things You have done. My hallelujah is in the Name of the Lord. AMEN!

Blessed be the  Lord  God, the God of Israel,  who only does wondrous things!  And blessed be His glorious name forever!  And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. I declare in the Name of Jesus Christ, that the words of the psalmist shall be fulfilled in my life, family, church, friends, neighbours, and all that is mine or connected to me that;  There will be an abundance of grain in the earth,  on the top of the mountains;  Its fruit shall wave like Lebanon;  And those of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth. AMEN! Supporting Scripture: Psalm 72:16-19

Belshazzar is often known for his feast which he desecrated the gold and silver vessels from the temple of God. It was during the feast that a hand appeared and wrote on the wall. Daniel came to his rescue to interpret the writing for him. Unfortunately, he died without repenting unlike his father Nebuchadnezzar. Lessons from Belshazzar's character; ¶ Belshazzar was the king of the Chaldeans who had no regard for God despite witnessing all that happened in the reign of his father. Experience should not be gained only through our actions but from those of others so we can be guided in life. ¶ He was a king who loves orgies. His guests were his lords, his wives, and his concubines. Too much of everything is bad. This was what led to Belshazzar's downfall.  ¶ He loved to also show off. He gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple which had been in Jerusalem, so that the king and his lords, his wi...

Theme: Hide! Text: John 8:59 59  Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. The best way to avoid the danger of any kind is to hide from it. Jesus' life at the moment was in danger but He didn't just allow it to consume Him. Rather, He hid from those who want to attack Him. Common sense must always come to play to know when to attack or not. Withdrawing quietly from their midst kept Him alive to fulfil His purpose for coming down to the earth. We must also learn to hide when the need is and as well walk away if we have to. You may be right but apply common sense to save your destiny.  PRAYER: Dear God thank You for teaching me through the life of My Saviour. Help me to be wise and apply it well at all times. Grant me strength to hide if I have to, walk away if necessary, and when relevant may I defend in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: Before Abraham Was, I AM Text: John 8:57&58 57  Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?”  58  Jesus said to them,  “Most assuredly, I say to you,   before Abraham was,   I AM.” In the beginning, was the Word and this Word is Jesus Christ. In Him, all things have their existence. Jesus was, He is and will be forever the Lord Almighty. His audience judged according to the flesh considering His age. He was just in His early thirties but often speaks with much power and authority. He existed before Abraham and He is the Lord of Abraham. T he journey with the Lord does not matter with age. If you avail yourself at a young age, the Lord will use you for His glory. People might be older than you but if you diligently seek the Lord, you will amaze them with the in-depth wisdom the Lord will bestow on you.  PRAYER: Jesus You existed before Abraham. Help me to faithfully serve You and to trust every Word...