The Word

My heart is gladdened that You Lord are my Good Shepherd. Thank You for keeping me and all that is mine safe and sound from the plots of the wicked. Blessed be Your Holy Name for the lots of benefits You have showered on me. My heart rejoices and declares with the psalmist; " Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me  all the days of my life;  and I will dwell in the house of the  Lord  forever". As I enter into the new month (the fifth month of the year) I declare in the Name of Jesus Christ, good things are locating every sphere of my life and I enjoy the mercies of God therefore grace speaks in my health, marriage, career, businesses, education, and in my family. AMEN! Supporting Scripture: Psalm 23:6

Benjamin is the twelfth son of Jacob begotten by Rachel. His mother named him Benoni meaning child of sorrows as she was about to die after delivery. However, his father changed the name to Benjamin meaning son of the right hand. He traveled with his other brothers to Egypt when his brother requested him to show they were not spies. Characteristics of Benjamin √ He is the head of the tribe of Benjamin  √ His father did not send him to Egypt for fear, that some evil might come to him √ Joseph his brother planted a silver cup in his sack. By this, he revealed his identity to them all √ Joseph gave three hundred bits of silver and five changes of clothing to Benjamin √ The sons of Benjamin were Belah, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard √ Jacob's (Isreal) benediction over him was; Benjamin is a wolf, searching for meat: in the morning he takes his food, and in the evening he makes division of what he has taken. √ Moses' benediction for his generation ...

EXCERPTS OF CHARLES H. SPURGEON'S PRAYER; "HOPE ON, HOPE EVER" O child of suffering, be thou patient. God has not passed thee over in His providence. He who is the feeder of sparrows, will also furnish you with what you need. Sit not down in despair. Hope on, hope ever. Take up the arms of faith against a sea of trouble, and your opposition shall yet end your distresses. There is One who careth for you. His eye is fixed on you, His heart beats with pity for your woe, and His hand omnipotent shall yet bring you the needed help. AMEN & AMEN!

Theme: Woe to Them! Text: Jude vs 11 11  Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. The wicked flee when no one is chasing so is it with all evildoers. Their lives are more miserable than can be imagined it is to this, the text for today exclaimed "Woe to them!" If the anger of Cain inhibits you, your life will be clouded by unrest in your mind and in your heart. It will land you in bitter circumstances like Cain who became a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth till he died because he could not control his anger and killed his brother Abel. (Genesis 4) In the case of Balaam, the gains from Balak is what enticed him not to hearken to the voice of God. The very thing (his donkey) that seems to delay his journey was rather saving him from the Angel of God. Balaam might have escaped death but woe to you who follow in his stead for you might not be given the same opportu...

Theme: What Destroys You  Text: Jude vs 10 10  But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things, they corrupt themselves. Have you ever traveled to a place you've been to a while but were confident you can make it easily there again only to end up lost and confused? Many who are led by their carnal instincts often fall in this regard and some unfortunately are destroyed in the process. In previous devotions, we learned how ungodly people disregard the authority of God. Today, they are identified in the text as people who speak evil of whatever they do not know. This can be likened to those who blasphemy the works of the Holy Spirit challenging the works with baseless arguments. Unfortunately for them, the things they take pride in often destroy them.  PRAYER: Father Your Word is truth and it sets us free. In the Name of Jesus Christ, help me not to speak evil of Your truth, and may every evil destructi...

Theme: The Lord Rebuke You! Text: Jude vs 9 9  Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”  Our lives struggle is full of contentions right from our homes to workplaces and the community. We ought to learn how to deal with issues of this nature without in any way belittling others. The Archangel Micheal did not in any way dared bring against the devil a reviling accusation, over the rightful ownership of Moses but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” We must lay our difficulties before God and pray for His intervention. When we express the statement, "The Lord rebuke you!" it implies may the Lord's judgment (displeasure or reprimand) come upon the devil or our adversaries. We no longer take charge in the battle but God and He gives victory.  PRAYER: Dear God teach me to trust in the power of Your rule. May I stand firm in You an...

Theme: Carnal Fantasies  Text: Jude vs 8 8  Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. In previous devotions, we learned evil men have found themselves in the body of Christ and their ways unpleasing to the Lord. They cunningly misrepresent the Word of God to suit their selfish desires. These very people are addressed in our text as dreamers for they live on fantasies than on the truth of God's Word. They defile their flesh which is the temple of the Holy Spirit, reject authority that is they have no regard for those the Lord has chosen to lead them and they speak evil of dignitaries that is to mean because they are corrupt they feel others who have genuinely earn a high status got it through crooked means. They defy the glory of the angels and do not give any honour to the Lord's servant.  PRAYER: Dear God let Your Holy Spirit take away every form of carnal fantasies that defile my flesh, make me reject ...

What shall I render to the  Lord  for all His benefits toward me?  I will take up the cup of salvation,  and call upon the name of the  Lord .  I will pay my vows to the  Lord  now in the presence of all His people. Hallelujah! It is written in Psalm 126:4 (GNT) " Lord , make us prosperous again, just as the rain brings water back to dry river beds". In the Name of Jesus Christ, the wind of prosperity blow into our health, marriages, finances, education, contracts, projects, agricultural fields, works of our hands, and every field of our lives that we shall prosper and be exceedingly prosperous. As the rain brings back water to the dry river beds, so shall helpers be raised in our favour to usher us into our prosperity in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN! Supporting Scriptures: Psalm 116:12-14 & 126:4

Joseph is the eleventh son of Jacob by Rachel in his old age. His mother named him Joseph with the hope of giving birth to many sons after him. Pharaoh named him Zaphnathpaaneah after he made him prime minister of Egypt. He was loved by his father who made a coat of many colours for him. Unlike his elder brothers, Joseph was honest and sincere about his father's business it was that he expose his brothers. Some Characteristics of Joseph √ He was a dreamer. His dreams endangered him as his brothers feared he might become lord over them.  √ His dreams were fulfilled in Egypt when he saved his family from famine.  √ He was sold by his brothers to an Ishmeelites √ He served as a slave in Egypt before Potiphar bought him √ He was blessed and favoured by God that Potiphar made him overseer of his possession √ He was seduced by Potiphar's wife but he overcame her by fleeing from her. Unfortunately, his outer garment was in the hands of Potiphar's wife which she used as evid...

Theme: Consequence of Sexual Immorality  Text: Jude vs 6&7   6  And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;  7  as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. The Lord detests sexual immorality and He has been clear on this throughout His Word. The fallen angels failed to keep their proper domain by abandoning their heavenly abode for sexual pleasure with the daughters of men. Sodom and Gomorrah also had records of sexual immorality which led to the city being destroyed by hail fire. The place to these people is everlasting fire. Reflect on your life and assess how moral have you been. If sexual immorality has taken root in you and is bearing ...

Theme: The Unbelieving Souls Text: Jude vs 5 5  But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed those who did not believe.  It's quite easier for us to say we believe in God when we are on the mountain (enjoying the pleasantness of life). But this isn't so when we are in the valley of life (moments when everything isn't working in our favour). To believe means relying completely on God irrespective of the outcome. The Israelites who were delivered from the cruelty of Pharaoh are not far different from us; The slightest discomfort makes them murmur against God so we are too. We forget the goodness of God and do not believe in His saving grace. All those who doubted ever being able to conquer the city of Canaan never entered it because they were destroyed by God. God cannot save us if we do not believe He can. Ask the Holy Spirit to kill every unbelieving spirit in you. PRAYER: Dear G...

Theme: Crept in Unnoticed  Text: Jude vs 4 4  For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. In yesterday's devotion, we learned we must earnestly contend for our faith in our deeds and words. Jude enlightened that some men (not of the body of Christ) have crept in (joined the church) not intending to surrender to God but to hide behind grace to commit evil atrocities.  As believers, we need to be mindful of who preaches or teaches us the Word of God. This is because these ungodly men/women are misrepresenting the Gospel to lure many into ungodly lifestyles. They are quick to teach Christians it is okay to sin (fornicate, and commit adultery or any form of sin) because they have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour so their sins are no longer counted. Shall we continue to sin because grace abounds? Nev...

Theme: Contend Earnestly for the Faith Text: Jude vs 3 3  Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. We often contend for many things in life; to love and be loved back, career opportunities, educational success, financial liberty, titles and positions amongst other things. How often have we displayed an earnest zeal for the Kingdom's works? Jude is calling us to contend for our faith. To contend for the faith means to stand firm in righteousness not permitting the works of darkness to prevail where we dwell. Wherever we find ourselves, Christ must be preached in our words and deeds.  PRAYER: Dear God, help me to stand firm in the Lord in all that I do. May my fears be replaced with earnest faith that I may contend the faith boldly in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: Greetings to the Called Text: Jude vrs 1&2 1  Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,  to  those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:  2  Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Greeting is part of our everyday lives right from our homes to the communities where we live. Jude introduces himself as a bondservant of Christ and a brother of James. His epistle is addressed to the called (invited to become a part of the Christian fold and honouring the call), sanctified (set apart for the glorious work of God's Kingdom) by God the Father, and preserved (redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb of God and saved from damnation) in Jesus Christ. In Christ, the mercy, peace and love of all Christians shall multiply or abound.  PRAYER: Faithful Father, help me to continually be in fellowship with you and to understand the purpose of my calling, sanctification and preserv...

O  Lord , You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;  You maintain my lot.  The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;  Yes, I have a good inheritance.  I will bless the  Lord  who has given me counsel;  My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.  I have set the  Lord  always before me;  Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. It is written that when the Lord appeared unto the Apostles He greeted them; "Peace be unto You!" And He breathed upon them to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. I declare I am a partaker of the peace of God therefore, I no longer dwell under the spirit of timidity, pain, affliction, regrets, depression, dispossession, disappointment, or any of the setbacks of the evil one. In the peace of God, I triumph in my marriage, nurturing my children, my business, career, education, investments, projects, family, ministry, and all areas of my life...

Zebulun is Jacob's tenth son born to him by Leah. Much hasn't been said of Zebulun but his generation has been mentioned in Israelite history as the tribe of Zebulun.  Some Characteristics of Zebulun; √ He was Leah's sixth son  √ His mother named him Zebulun because she said "God hath endowed me with a good endowment; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons" √ His sons were Sered who became the head of the family of the Sardites; Elon who became the head of the family of the Elonites and Jahleel who became the head of the family of the Jahleelites √ Jacob's blessing over him was;  Zebulun  shall dwell by the haven of the sea; and he shall become a haven of ships, and his border shall adjoin Sidon √ Moses' benediction on the tribe of Zebulun is "Rejoice, Zebulun in your going out... They shall call the people to the mountain; There they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness; For they shall partake of the abun...

Theme: Love & Respect Text: Ephesians 5:33 33  Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Our relationships must all be built on love and respect. Irrespective of age, and status in life we ought to be guided that, in Christ, the key element is love and respect which is vital in our marriage and other relationships. Husbands and those in authority ought to love their wives and subordinates as themselves in demonstration of the love of Christ over the church. Wives and subordinates also need to accord respect to their husbands and leaders. A good blend of these will make us have lasting and fruitful relationships whether spiritual (with Christ) or physical (human relationships).  PRAYER: Stir up Your love in us o Lord and ignite us to love as You have loved us. We pray for the spirit of submissiveness so that we may have mutual respect for one another in al...

Theme: A Great Mystery  Text: Ephesians 5:30-32 30  For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.  31  “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the   two shall become one flesh.”   32  This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Understanding the things of the body of Christ which is His relationship with the church, is a deep mystery that the carnally minded cannot fathom. An illustration has been given these few days based on marriage; what is expected of both wives and husbands. After marriage, both the man and woman need to make their own home by leaving their parents and being united as one body. Likewise, we need to leave anything that dictates to us behind and accept our unity in Christ Jesus in obedience. Our union with Christ and human marriage are all mysteries that can only be fully revealed by the Holy Spirit within us.  PRAYER: Lord Je...

Theme: Love Yourself Text: Ephesians 5:28&29 28  So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.  29  For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord  does  the church. In yesterday's devotion, we learned husbands ought to love their wives and to present them worthy before families, friends and neighbours. Today's text detailed how husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. Whatever the husbands will not be pleased with, they must not do it against their wives. No normal person hates himself but loves himself by nourishing his body to appear presentable before others. So must husbands nourish and cherish their wives just as the Lord does the church. The wives are united with their husbands in marriage as one body if the husbands fail to love their wives then they hate themselves.  PRAYER: Dear God, help all husbands and the body of Christ to love uncon...

Theme: Husbands Love Your Wives Text: Ephesians 5:25-27 25  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,  26  that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,  27  that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. In yesterday's devotion, we learned that wives ought to submit to their husbands as the church to the Lord Jesus Christ. Today's text emphasizes husbands must love their wives. Christ sacrificed for the betterment of the church this is out of love unconditional. Husbands must equally have this kind of love for their wives and home. This love directs and distinguishes (sets apart) the wives as Christ sets apart the church from the world through His Word; the words of the husbands must bring sanctification and glorification to their wives so that they can pr...

Theme: Wives Submit to Your Husbands  Text: Ephesians 5:22-24 22  Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  23  For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.  24  Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Submission is a vital element in every relationship; marriage, the corporate world, friendships, and above all with God. Submission does not in any way makes one inferior but rather eliminates if not reduces tension in the relationship. Marriage here has been used to establish the relationship between Christ and the Church. The wife is called to yield or accept the authority of the husband as head in decision-making and every other thing. She ought to seek her husband's concerns before undertaking an initiative. Likewise, must the church seek Christ's will and yield completely t...

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercies endures forever. The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord's doing; It is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. It is written; "The women came to the tomb of Jesus early on the first day. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus Christ". As the stone was rolled away by the power of the Holy Spirit, from the tomb of our Lord, may every hindrance in our lives be rolled away. We declare in the Name of Jesus Christ, that we shall not be found in the place of satanic confinement; We come out of such places and enter into our greatness, breakthroughs, testimonies, miracles and divine blessings. AMEN! Supporting Scriptures: Psalm 118:1;22-24 & Like 24:1-3

Issachar is the ninth son of Jacob born under quite amazing circumstances. His elder brother Reuben brought some mandates to their mother from the field. His stepmother Racheal desires some of the mandrakes so she gave Leah the right to be with Jacob to have the mandrakes. Some Characteristics of Issachar; √ His mother named him Issachar because she believed God has given her a hire because she have given her maiden to her husband. √ His father's prophetic blessing over him was; Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens and he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant, and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute. √ The sons of Issachar were; Tola, Phuvah, Job, and Shimron. √ His descendants were valiant men of might. √ Moses' benediction over the tribe of Issachar is to rejoice in their tents and be empowered to call the people to make sacrifices of righteousness and they shall be blessed to be wealthy....

Theme: At the Lord's Cross Text: Luke 23:39-43 39  Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”  40  But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  41  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”  42  Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”  43  And Jesus said to him,  “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in   Paradise.” To most people, Easter has become an annual tradition or ritual that must be observed in the church without giving it significant spiritual thought. That's exactly what happened the day the Lord was crucified with the two criminals. On one side of the cross is blasphemy while on the other penitence is on display. How do you embrace Easter? The blasphemous...

Theme: Submit in the Fear of God Text: Ephesians 5:20&21 20  giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,  21  submitting to one another in the fear of God. Have you ever been caught up in a situation where you have to give up your place for another i.e. during church programs or even events where the chairs are inadequate? Sometimes it's very frustrating and inconvenient to do so but for the fear of God, you just have to. An act of submission can take diverse forms but the result narrows to having others' interests at heart. It does not in any way makes you inferior to others but makes your light shine brighter. When you submit in the fear of God, the element of compromise is eradicated thereby ensuring godliness. Help us, Lord, to submit to each other in the fear of God. PRAYER: Dear God, guide me to submit to Your authority and the brethren in Your fear. Make me cheerful and grant unto me the heart of worship...

Theme: Be Filled with the Spirit Text: Ephesians 5:18&19 18  And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,  19  speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord A fellowship with God requires a spiritual walk and perspective than instinct. We are admonished not to be drunk with wine where we misuse our money on unworthy courses (orgies, fornication, adultery, gambling, etc...). We need to avail ourselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Our fellowship should be flavoured by  speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. What we say, listen to and meditate on is key to helping us be filled with the Holy Spirit. We ought to be mindful of the things we permit around us so that we may remain connected to the Holy Spirit. PRAYER: Open my spiritual being heavenly F...

Theme: Be Not Unwise Text: Ephesians 5:17 17  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom likewise anyone who fails to fear God lacks wisdom. Dear beloved in the Lord, we need to seek the will of God in all that we do. Yesterday's devotion admonished us to redeem the time as the days are evil. Without the knowledge of what the Lord wills for us in life, it will be difficult to accomplish it. Therefore we need to be wise (seek God's approval before we act). The unwise never care to know what God might be saying about a situation before acting. Be not unwise.  PRAYER: Dear God, reveal Your way and will to me that I may be wise. Holy Spirit, give me a nudge when I am deviating from the Lord's will and bring me back to it in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: Redeem the Times Text: Ephesians 5:15&16 15  See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,  16  redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Too soon we will be celebrating Easter. Each year, we embrace Easter with all holiness but are quick to forget all the promises we made to God on picnic Monday with lots of entertainment that most often doesn't glorify God. As believers we must not set times in a year to be penitent but we ought to have a penitentiary spirit always. The text for today tells us to walk circumspectly not as fools (ungodly or worldly people) but as wise (obedient to God). We ought to value every second of existence because the agents of darkness are waging spiritual wars to ensure we deviate from the path of truth. We can only redeem the times in this evil world if we are obedient to the Word of God.  PRAYER: Dear God, our days are but like the flower that withers by sunset. Guide us to circumspectly wa...

It is written in Philippians 2:8-11; And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,  and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  To You, my Saviour and the Lamb of God be all glory and honour for taking the form of man to pay for my sins. Thank You for suffering on the cross that I may receive liberation. My lips will declare Your praise and proclaim Your mighty works. Hallelujah!  In the Name of Jesus Christ, I subdue every authority of the wicked one underfoot and by the Name of Jesus, my week is blessed. AMEN!

Asher is the eighth son of Jacob and the last of the two sons of Zilpah Leah's maid. He was named by Leah who expressed her joy at his birth and said; “How happy I am! The women will call me happy.” Through him the tribe of Asher was birth.  Some Characteristics of Asher; √ Not much has been written about him. √ His name means happy  √ His father Jacob's blessing for him was; “Asher’s food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king. √ Several years later, Moses also pronounced the same blessings upon them; About Asher, he said: “Most blessed of sons is Asher; let him be favoured by his brothers, and let him bathe his feet in oil. √ His sons were: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi and Beriah. Their sister was Serah.  Supporting Scripture; Genesis 30:13; 46:17; 49:13 & Deuteronomy 33:24;