The Word

 Theme: Another Helper  Text: John 14:15-18 15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. Christ has been our help from ages past and He is always ready to help us whenever we call to Him. Everybody needs assistance in life and we often want help from family, friends, and loved ones in the community, church, and at our workplaces. The fulfillment of the commandment is in love, so when profess we love the Lord it manifests in our actions by keeping to His commands. Christ has another Helper to offer freely to us and He is the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is not far from us but rather very near as He has made His home in our bodies. In Him is no deceit for He is f...

 We need to understand it is only the works of God in our lives that can transform our lives and make us established on all sides. Declaring God's Word and believing it will never return to Him void is key to claiming His glory. Agree with the Psalmist declaration; "Let Your work appear to Your servants, and Your glory to their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands".  Declare in the Name of Jesus Christ that the works of the Lord in my life are evident and cannot be covered. The works of God show forth in the lives of my children, family, and friends unquestionably. I am adorned in the beauty of God therefore the works of my hands are established. I will never labour in vain and whatever I lay my hands to do shall not fail. This is settled and my week testifies of God's wonderous works in my marriage, finances, health, career/profession, education, ministry, project...

The name Philip means, warlike or lover of horses.  Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.     Philip is among the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ and he was called by Christ to follow Him. He followed Christ obediently and saw the need to lead his friend Nathaniel to see the Messiah. He told Nathaniel , “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Some Characteristics of the Philip: √ He possesses an evangelist's attitude in that, after encountering the Lord, he led Nathaniel to the Lord and did the same with many others  √ People often seek his assistance to speak with Christ and he ensures to do the needful for the people to meet the Lord √ When in doubt or confused, he opens up easily to understand more about the Lord; ¶ When the Lord asked him where to buy bread for the crowd he answered,  “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy en...

 Theme: The Answered Prayer Text: John 14:12-14 12   “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.   13   And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be   glorified in the Son.   14   If you   ask anything in My name, I will do it. In the past few days, our focus has been on Jesus and how His works take root in the authority of the Father God Almighty. For us to perform the works He did while on earth, we must believe in Him. No ministry can survive or be well established without the authority of God. If we trust God in all things then our ministry will grow from grace unto grace. God has used many people in the past and even in our dispensation to do extraordinary works (miracles). The scenarios of Elijah and Elisha, and the miracles performed by the apostles are examples of what we can do if we ...

  Theme: The Authority of God Text: John 14:10&11 10   Do you not believe that   I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you   I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.   11   Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me,   or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. In yesterday's devotion, we learned that the Father is revealed in Christ Jesus. Today's text is an elaboration of the revelation of the Father in Christ. Christ is in the Father and possesses His traits in action and in word. The key indicator is the authority by which Christ performs His tasks. He does not speak of His own authority but that of God. The Father manifests in Christ to speak in parables with the people of His dispensation and as well grant healing, forgiveness, and mercy to as many people as believed. Dear beloved in the Lord, the authority of God Almighty i...

 Theme: The Father Revealed Text: John 14:7-9 7   “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”  8   Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”  9   Jesus said to him,  “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip?   He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Getting to know people goes beyond just having the ability to mention their full names at ease. We could stay with people for several years without getting to know them because we have not built a good relationship with them. It is sometimes embarrassing for siblings to not even know where their elderly or younger ones stay, work, or even who (the family) they are married to. We are in a world where we know people by the details on their social handles than who they really are. In today's text, Philip a disciple of Jesus was in a fixed ...

 Theme: The Way Text: John 14:4-6   4   And where I go you know, and the way you know.”  5  Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”  6   Jesus said to him,  “I am   the way,   the truth, and   the life.   No one comes to the Father   except through Me. Ever played a maze game? I guess every stage is a challenge to overcome and all it requires to win is choosing the right way. Life decisions can somehow be like a maze game - if you choose the wrong way, you will face the consequence and vice versa. In the previous devotion, we learned our Saviour has gone ahead of us to prepare a place for us in the Kingdom of God. To gain access to this Kingdom we are required to walk in the way. Confused Thomas seeks to know where the Lord is going and the way Jesus has mentioned in the statement, " Where I go you know, and the way you know".     In response, Jesus stated...

Theme: Just Believe Text: John 14:1-3 14   “Let   not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.   2   In My Father’s house are many   mansions; if it were not so,   I would have told you.   I go to prepare a place for you.   3   And if I go and prepare a place for you,   I will come again and receive you to Myself; that   where I am, there you may be also.  Following Jesus requires we put our trust in Him and believe He is able to do all things for us. In the text of consideration, Jesus encourages His disciples "Let not your heart be troubled". Many of us have allowed the troubles of life to weaken our faith and our trust in God. We are admonished to believe in God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Christ did not come to condemn the world but through Him, the world would be saved. It is on the premise of this He is assuring the disciples of preparing a place for them in His Father's H...

All mankind needs is the mercy and compassion of God to take away the pain and misery that surrounds the human race. Empty promises that do not hold water and seemly like a mirage every passing day from people we look up to. The psalmist in considering all that man goes through declared; " Return, O   Lord !  How long?  And   have compassion on Your servants.  Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, t hat we may rejoice and be glad all our days!"  Declare in the Name of Jesus Christ that the compassion and mercy of God have located your marriage, children, health, finances, career, business, projects and all that is yours therefore, you are satisfied on all sides. You shall rejoice and be glad all the days of your life and nothing can hinder this for your case is settled. Declare your week is full of gladness and you shall rejoice in the Lord. AMEN! Supporting Scripture: Psalm 90:13&14  

 Jahaziel means God sees and he was  the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph.  He was a priest and served during the reign of King Jehoshaphat. When the Moabites and their allies suddenly attacked Jehoshaphat and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, fear took total control over their lives but as they call on God, the Spirit of God came upon Jahaziel to proclaim the Word of God.  Jahaziel availed himself and the Spirit of God took control over him although there were other Levitical priests at the time. We should not just join the service to pray, read the Bible, and sing hymns and songs but we need to open up our spirits for the Holy Spirit to have His way in our lives Supporting Scriptures: 2 Chronicles 20:14-17   

Theme: The Spiritual Service Text: Numbers 4:42-48 42   Those of the families of the sons of Merari who were numbered, by their families, by their fathers’ house,  43   from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, everyone who entered the service for work in the tabernacle of meeting—   44   those who were numbered by their families were three thousand two hundred.  45   These  are  the ones who were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the word of the  Lord  by the hand of Moses.  46   All who were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel numbered, by their families and by their fathers’ houses,  47   from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, everyone who came to do the work of service and the work of bearing burdens in the tabernacle of meeting—  48   those who were numbered w...

 Theme: The Spiritual Service VII Text: Numbers 4:34-41 34   And Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites by their families and by their fathers’ house,  35   from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, everyone who entered the service for work in the tabernacle of meeting;  36   and those who were numbered by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty.  37   These  were  the ones who were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all who might serve in the tabernacle of meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of the  Lord  by the hand of Moses.  38   And those who were numbered of the sons of Gershon, by their families and by their fathers’ house,  39   from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, everyone who entered the service for work in the tabernacle of meeting—  40   thos...

 Theme: The Spiritual Service VI Text: Numbers 4:21-28 21   Then the  Lord  spoke to Moses, saying:  22   “Also take a census of the sons of Gershon, by their fathers’ house, by their families.  23   From thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, you shall number them, all who enter to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of meeting.  24   This  is  the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and carrying:  25   They shall carry the curtains of the tabernacle and the tabernacle of meeting  with  its covering, the covering of badger skins that  is  on it, the screen for the door of the tabernacle of meeting,  26   the screen for the door of the gate of the court, the hangings of the court which  are  around the tabernacle and altar, and their cords, all the furnishings for their service and all that is made for these ...

  Theme: The Spiritual Service V Text: Numbers 4:29-33 29   “ As for  the sons of Merari, you shall number them by their families and by their fathers’ house.  30   From thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, you shall number them, everyone who enters the service to do the work of the tabernacle of meeting.  31   And this  is  what they must carry as all their service for the tabernacle of meeting: the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its sockets,  32   and the pillars around the court with their sockets, pegs, and cords, with all their furnishings and all their service; and you shall assign  to each man  by name the items he must carry.  33   This  is  the service of the families of the sons of Merari, as all their service for the tabernacle of meeting, under the authority of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.” The Lord has required a census for ...

  Theme: The Spiritual Service IV Text: Numbers 4:17-20 17   Then the  Lord  spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:  18   “Do not cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites;  19   but do this in regard to them, that they may live and not die when they approach the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in and appoint each of them to his service and his task.  20   But they shall not go in to watch while the holy things are being covered, lest they die.” In previous devotions, we have learned about the duties assigned to the Levites by households. However, the line of duty of the Kohathites was critical and demanded diligence lest they die. God being a loving Father and very concerned about the well-being of the Kohathites gave a direction to protect them. In our line of duty, we should know the limits to go and not disregard the commands of the Lord.  Dear beloved in the Lord, we have all ...

When life becomes tough and challenging, there is the need to seek the Lord more. For He can build and answer the prayer of the destitute. The destitute has no will or power to help himself. Look around and identify the challenges surrounding you. Commit the challenges to God in prayer for He will answer you. Psalm 102:16&17 states; For the Lord shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory. He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, and shall not despise their prayer. Declare in the Name of Jesus that the Hand of God is building me up in all areas of my life and His glory is evident in all I do. In the Name of Jesus, the Lord shall not despise my prayer and will answer every prayer I made to Him concerning all areas of my life. My week is blessed and loaded with divine testimonies in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

King Josiah is a descendant of King David the son of King Amon and his mother was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned for thirty-one years in Jerusalem. He did what was pleasing in the sight of God and led the people of God back to God. Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the  Lord  with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him. Some Characteristics of King Josiah; √ He became king at a very young age but reigned well. √ His quest to renovate the house of God led to the discovery of the law of the Lord. √ He welcomed the Word of God with a penitent heart √ He consulted the prophetess Huldah on what to do concerning the law of the Lord that was found √ He made a covenant before the  Lord , to follow the  Lord  and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His...

Theme: The Spiritual Service III Text: Numbers 4:16 16   “The appointed duty of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest  is   the oil for the light, the  sweet incense,  the daily grain offering, the  anointing oil, the oversight of all the tabernacle, of all that  is  in it, with the sanctuary and its furnishings.” Service in the Kingdom to advance the Gospel is not a one-man show. It requires collaboration and division of labour. The Levites have been grouped according to households so they can diligently perform their given tasks. In our dispensation, the Holy Spirit has given each one of us talents and gifts to support in the service. Identifying what your role is in the service is key to keeping you busy and providing related services for other Vineyard workers to ensure great performance.  Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest has been assigned to the oil for the light, the sweet incense, the daily grain offering, the anointing oil, the overs...

Theme: The Spiritual Service II  Text: Numbers 4:11-15 11   “Over the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth, and cover it with a covering of badger skins; and they shall insert its poles.  12  Then they shall take all the utensils of service with which they minister in the sanctuary, put them in a blue cloth, cover them with a covering of badger skins, and put them on a carrying beam.  13   Also they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth over it.  14  They shall put on it all its implements with which they minister there—the firepans, the forks, the shovels, the basins, and all the utensils of the altar—and they shall spread on it a covering of badger skins, and insert its poles.  15   And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry...

Theme: The Spiritual Service I Text: Numbers 4:7-10 7   “On the table of showbread they shall spread a blue cloth, and put on it the dishes, the pans, the bowls, and the pitchers for pouring; and the showbread shall be on it.  8   They shall spread over them a scarlet cloth, and cover the same with a covering of badger skins; and they shall insert its poles.  9   And they shall take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand of the light, with its lamps, its wick-trimmers, its trays, and all its oil vessels, with which they service it.  10   Then they shall put it with all its utensils in a covering of badger skins, and put  it  on a carrying beam.   In yesterday's devotion, we learned about spiritual covering and how we ought to present ourselves as Christians. Today's text will be enlightening us on spiritual adornment for service. Our spiritual adornment has royal significance and a full display of the Holy Spi...

Theme: The Spiritual Covering Text: Numbers 4:4-6 4   “This  is  the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of meeting,  relating to  the most holy things:  5   When the camp prepares to journey, Aaron and his sons shall come, and they shall take down the covering veil and cover the ark of the Testimony with it.  6   Then they shall put on it a covering of badger skins, and spread over  that  a cloth entirely of blue; and they shall insert its poles. In yesterday's devotion, we learned God spoke to Moses and Aaron and asked them to take a census of the Kohathites. Today's text is giving a guide to what the Kohathites will be doing in assisting the Levitical priests in their service to the Lord. The journey of the Israelites has not been by their own directives but rather by what the Lord pleases. The ark of the Testimony is often carried along in this journey in a revered manner not exposed to the ordina...

Theme: Called into the Service Text: Numbers 4:1-3 4  Then the  Lord  spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:  2  “Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the children of Levi, by their families, by their fathers’ house,  3  from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, all who enter the service to do the work in the tabernacle of meeting.  For the days ahead, we will be looking at the responsibilities assigned to the respective Levites in the tabernacle of meeting. We shall relate it to our dispensation and understand what we can do in the fulfillment of the Great Commission. The text for today stated the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron to take a census of the sons of Levi (specifically the Kohathites) from age thirty even to fifty. Unlike the Israelites to whom the priestly duties have been specifically assigned to the Levites, we have been called into the fellowship of the Holy Spirit to go and make disciples of all nations...

Life's challenges can surround us sometimes and we just don't know where to turn to. It can be compared to the unannounced invasion of the Moabites and Ammonites to attack Jehoshaphat. These Moabites and Ammonites can be challenges in your marriage, children not being obedient or performing well academically, health issues, issues in your ministry, education, relationships, finances, workplace/career, business, investment, and uncompleted projects amongst others.  Your focus should not be on the challenge but rather on God. If you fixed your eyes on God and hope in His saving grace then a Jahaziel will be raised in your favor to declare the Word of God for that situation saying;  “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem ( Insert your family name ), and you, King Jehoshaphat ( Insert your name )! Thus says the  Lord  to you:  ‘ Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude ,  for the battle  is  not yours , but Go...