The Word

Theme: One Body in Christ Text: Romans 12:4&5 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.  In yesterday's devotion, we learned that we ought to think soberly in relating to other believers. Today's text throws light on the church as one body in Christ. Our body is made up of many members even the head alone has countless members; The hairs, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose all happen to be things we can see physically but what about those parts that are hidden from the normal eyes? Every part of the body has a function and therefore ought to be given the necessary attention as the body parts that are visible to us. In the church, we have those in leadership and those not in any leadership position. Yet they all contribute to the growth of the body of Christ.  Therefore we must accord respect to everybody. So we, being many, are one body ...

Theme: Think Soberly Text: Romans 12:3 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. The Apostle Paul has identified the need for each believer to do away with pride as we are all members of one body in Christ. Before delving into it, he admonished the church to not think more highly of themselves than they ought to think. This is to say, never undermine others in the faith. We have all received the same grace from God with diverse levels of maturity; some are infants while others are mature Christians. Therefore we out to be circumspect with how we relate to these two groups. The best form of response is to humble ourselves and be at par with both the infant and mature Christians in reasoning. Never intimidate the infant Christian nor dog-eat-dog with the mature Christian. Think soberly as God has dealt to each one a measure of...

Theme: Renewal of Mind Text: Romans 12:2 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. In yesterday's devotion, we learned that we ought to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God which is our reasonable service.  Today, we will delve into one important thing the Apostle Paul admonished the believer to do. He admonished that, we ought not to be conformed to this world. Conformity to the world takes diverse forms. Limiting our standards as Christians makes us conform to the world. Never compromise your faith for anything. You can do this best by having a daily devotion (meditating on the Word of God ~ Psalm 1:1-3) to renew your mind in the things of the Lord. The renewing of your mind is the work of the Holy Spirit. A daily fellowship with Him takes the toxins (whatever contradicts the Word of God) of life out of you. Once your mind i...

Theme: Reasonable Service Text: Romans 12 :1 12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  Paul exhorts the church in his time which is equally relevant to our dispensation to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God which is our reasonable service. To present our bodies as a living sacrifice calls for total surrender and holy living. It's an embodiment of service to God. It is just not a service but a reasonable service to the Most High in His Vineyard and in our associations with others. The command concerning sacrifices of animal offerings in Leviticus 1:10 says, ‘If his offering is of the flocks—of the sheep or of the goats—as a burnt sacrifice, he shall bring a male without blemish. ' The emphasis is on without blemish. Every reasonable service to God must be carried out in purity. In John 21:15-17, Peter's love accor...

Christ has fulfilled the purpose of God to make us true children of God as stated in Ephesians 1:5&6 ~ having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.  Declare in the Name of Jesus Christ, I am a child of God loved and accepted into the family without any reproach. Therefore, nothing can disqualify the qualified of the Lord. God's will for my life is good and is evident in my health, finances, marriage, ministry, and all areas of my life. I walk in God's grace and His grace speaks over my life. My week is a gracious one and I walk in the good pleasure of God. AMEN!   

Jethro means his excellency or posterity. He was the father-in-law of Moses the servant of God. He was an excellent observer and gave counsel wisely to his son-in-law Moses. He was a Medianite blessed with seven daughters.  Some Characteristics of Jethro: He was a good father to his daughters. He trained his daughters and they were great shepherds. His training made his daughters more dutiful. Every child of God whether male or female must be trained to be responsible. He was a priest of Median. He submitted to the Lord by serving as a priest and his service may in a way guide Moses before he was called to rescue the Israelites. Thanks to Christ we have all been called into the royal priesthood so we must serve in every capacity that we can in the Lord's Vineyard. While with Moses and saw how burdensome his duties were and gave him good advice to divide his schedules and delegate people to do the minor tasks. Moses obeyed him and the outcome was excellent. We must give good counsel...

Theme: Touched and Made Perfectly Well Text: Matthew 14:34-36 34 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, 36 and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.  It is so amazing to be with Jesus for nothing comes to Him and knows decay. Christ is indeed the light and life to all men. The people of Gennesaret had heard a lot about Jesus and the inhabitants were privileged to have Jesus for they recognized Him to be the miracle worker and then brought sick relations to receive healing by touching Him.  When we recognize who Jesus is in our lives, we will open up to Him, and He will make everything perfect in our lives. Which area of your life have you shunned from the Lord? It could be marriage, health, education, nurturing of children, business, career, pr...

Theme: Faith Matters Text: Matthew 14:31-33 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” The world of the believer is best built strongly and firmly on faith - faith in the One True God and the Sovereign Lord of all. In yesterday's devotion, we learned we ought to step out in faith. Peter never drowned until fear took over him then he cried out to the Lord to save him. Whoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved and so the Lord came to his rescue. The saving grace of Christ strengthened the faith of the other disciples and they worshipped Him saying truly Jesus is the Son of God.   Dear beloved in the Lord, faith matters in our journey of life. For without faith, we can't please God. At a point, Christ said if the faith of the dis...

Theme: Stepping Out in Faith Text: Matthew 14:28-30 28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” Ungodly fear brings nothing good to the believer but rather sinks him/her into the seas of life. Peter wanted to experience the supernatural and so request the Lord command him to walk on the sea. It is one thing to request and another to take a leap of faith without any hesitation. Peter trusted the authority of the Lord but could not keep to it because his attention has been drawn away by the wind (carnal reasoning). To Peter, the reality is the wind is raging that he could easily be tossed away. Since he shifted from walking on the water by faith to walking by sight, he began to drown.  Dear beloved ...

Theme: Be of Good Cheer! Text: Matthew 14:25-27 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid. Fear often makes us characterize good things as evil. The disciples got carried away by fear of seeing a figure walking on the sea and exclaiming it is a ghost. Growing up I loved to watch cartoons, especially Scooby Doo. There's always tension at the beginning about a ghost or evil spirits hunting people. Amazingly by the end of the episode, the evil spirit or ghost is apprehended and everybody calms down. As young as I was, I remembered shivering in my seat until the spirit is caught. Unfortunately, such an evil spirit turns out to be a responsible person in society. However,  with the disciples what seems to scare them is Jesus, no...

Theme: The Mountain Prayer  Text: Matthew 14:22-24 22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Jesus Christ is a perfect example for all believers to emulate. He schedules His time to rise early with the Father and retire the day's activities with Father in prayer alone. He did away with any form of distractions by first sending His disciples away ~ His close allies were the initial focus. We need to take a break from our friends so we can focus: It can even be ministry friends whom you are doing the same line of work with. You need to excuse yourself and get empowered by the Holy Spirit to ensure the group flourishes. Corporate prayer is good but solitude prayer is ef...

A closer relationship with Christ gives us our true identity and helps us to grow spiritually. We need to affirm who we are in Christ so that we can boldly declare it at all times, especially in moments of distress. Ephesians 1:3&4 states; Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. This implies we have every spiritual blessing in Christ and need not struggle to manifest such great gift within us all thanks to the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Declare in the Name of Jesus Christ, "I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. I am not an ordinary person because I have been chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. Therefore I no longer live under the dictates of sin rather I live a holy and blameless life abou...

Our character for study today is Herod Antipas. He mistook Jesus Christ for John the Baptist whom he killed. He was an adulterous man who took his brother's wife.  Some Characteristics of Herod Antipas   He was a man of authority who allow lustful desires to lure him into adultery. We need to understand if we fail to work on our character, we will only abuse the positions we occupy to get things done our way. He had John the Baptist put in prison to please Herodias. We must learn not to allow the dictates of sin to entice us to compromise the truth and pure way of life.  He desires to listen to John the Baptist but failed to repent. Enjoying the Word of God is not enough, we need to take practical steps to penitence. The Word of God must renew and transform us to become better people in society.  He was under oath to give anything to Herodias daughter after her dance performance. We must learn to be careful with our words when it comes to giving promises or assurance...

Theme: Avoid Wastage Text: Matthew 14:20&21 20 So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. 21 Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.  Many of us are fond of taking more food than we can consume on our plates. Unfortunately, we end up tossing the leftover in the bin. This should not be mentioned among us believers in the Lord. The text for our devotion enlightens us not to waste food. Jesus having given thanks on the five loaves and two fish, gave them to His disciples and asked them to share to the multitude. The multitude ate and were filled and there were leftovers which were collected into twelve baskets. Most of us have resources at our disposal and virtually failed to manage their usage; we misuse the stationery, and utilities (water & electricity) in our workplaces, and homes, while some are in dire need of them. If you are also a bully, note you are wasting lives em...

 Theme: Looking up to Heaven  Text: Matthew 14:19 19 Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. In yesterday's devotion, Christ asked the disciples to hand over the five loaves and two fish to Him. The text today gives an insight into what He did with the loaves and fish. When we hand over what we have to God He makes us lie in green pastures. Christ instructed the multitude to sit down on the grass. He ensured to put them in a comfortable position so they can enjoy the provision He has for them. Anxiety and worry are the tools employed by the evil one to distract our faith in God. Dear child of God, the Good Shepherd will always make you lie in green pastures so be anxious for nothing.   The lesson from what Christ did by looking up to heaven teaches us to seek God's approval and...

 Theme: Five Loaves and Two Fish Text: Matthew 14:16-18 16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” 18 He said, “Bring them here to Me.”  In yesterday's devotion, we saw how the disciples were concerned about the well-being of the multitude that followed them to listen to Jesus. However, they had no means to feed them so they required their Master to send them away. In today's devotion, we will find out what the Master's response was. Jesus said they need not send the crowd away but give them something to eat. Have you ever tried dishing out food for lots of people at a feast ground? Imagine how hectic it can be and sometimes some are unfortunate and gets nothing to eat and compare it to the disciples sharing five loaves and two fish with the crowd.  Dear beloved i n the Lord, if we learn to commit the little things we have into the Hands of Jesus Christ...

Theme: Be Concern About Others Text: Matthew 14:15 15 When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” In yesterday's devotion, we learned Jesus took compassion on the multitude that followed Him to a deserted place and healed them of their sicknesses. In today's text, we will learn about how to be considerate of others. The disciples became worried about the well-being of the multitude as evening approached. They required the Lord to send the multitude away so they could get food to eat. If we put others first, we will constantly desire the best for them. Do not be cynical in life for it does not yield any positive result but whenever we show concern for others we open the door to the fulfillment of the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2; Philippians 2:4) .  PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I need You to open my eyes to the knowledge of the truth...

Theme: Moved with Compassion Text: Matthew 14:13&14 13 When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.  The death of John the Baptist made Jesus go into solitude. Despite that, the multitude followed Him on foot from the cities to such a deserted place. We ought to yearn to be with the Lord at all times even when we are faced with difficulties. Nothing should limit our fellowship and relationship with Christ for in the deserted places we will find His compassion. The Saviour is a compassionate God that shows mercy to anyone who calls on Him. Just as He healed the sick among the multitude, He will heal us too if we draw closer to Him.  PRAYER: Most Compassionate God, I come to You this day heal me and let Your mercy encompass me. May Your will be...

 Are you anxious about your daily supplies? Do you get frustrated because you have little or nothing to lay hold on for the days ahead? Cheer up, for the Great Supplier is always in the business of supplying the needs of all His children. Be encouraged by this verse ~  "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).    Declare in the Name of Jesus, I shall not want any good thing in life as God can meet all my needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. My health  needs are met  therefore, I receive total healing from the crown of my head to the sole of my feet. My financial needs are met therefore, I shall be a blessing to many. My marital needs are blessed because Christ is the third strand in my marriage and no force of darkness can prevail against us. My needs to complete my education, projects, business plans, promotion, and in every sphere of my life have been provided for...

Our study will be on Herodias. Herodias is a girl's name of Greek origin meaning "to monitor or watch over". In the Bible, Herodias is the wife of Herold Philip and had a daughter.  Some Characteristics of Herodias: √ She was a married woman who left her husband to be with her brother-in-law. She committed an abomination by sleeping with her husband's brother Herod. We must not give room for sin in our lives. √ She denied her daughter the right to receive a good reward from Herod after dancing well. She was not a good mother to her daughter. We must learn to give our children the right instructions in life so that they can make the right choices in life. √ She was a murderer. She influenced her daughter to demand the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Because of her, a righteous man was put to death. If we influence others' judgment over the truth and it hurt others, we are not different from Herodias.  √ She is a shameless woman who has no fear of God by putt...

Theme:  Beheading  John the Baptist Text: Matthew 14:10-12 10 So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. 11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.  In yesterday's devotion, we learned that Herod was sorry the daughter of Herodias demanded the head of John the Baptist. Today's text affirms Herod went ahead to give the command even though he was sorry because he was under oath before his guests. As we said in the previous devotion, the girl has nothing to profit from John's head so she gave the head to her mother when it was brought. Dear beloved in the Lord, we need to be mindful of what we do when our children are around. They will learn both the good and bad deeds we practice before them. Herodias wanted to just do away with John who was constantly reminding her she needs to return to her husband. Some people have been abus...

Theme: Sorry  Text: Matthew 14:9 9 And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.   In yesterday's devotion we learned that Herod was pleased with Herodias daughter's dance and under oath gave her a blank cheque to demand whatever she desire and it will be given to her. She was misled by the mother to demand the head of John the Baptist on a platter. The king felt sorry for her request. To be sorry implies having regrets for an action earlier taken. Cultivate the habit of carefully thinking through an action before doing it likewise with our choice of words (words are powerful tools that either build us or destroy us). Do not build your wall of life with sorry (causing harm always and later regretting it). Dear beloved in the Lord, we need to be guided by the spirit of God lest we regret not availing ourselves to His will.  We ought to be alert and of sober minds for our enemy, the dev...

 Theme: Give Me John the Baptist's Head Text: Matthew 14:6-8 6 But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. 7 Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.” In yesterday's devotion, we learned how the unlawful act of Herod led to adultery, covetousness, and the intent to kill John the Baptist who point his errors to him. In today's devotion, we would learn how some parental decisions can mislead or misguide the decisions of their children. Herod made an oath to give Herodias' daughter anything she asked for. We must learn to have a limit to promises we make before people. Conditions must be well spelled out so that it does not push us to compromise our stance in the Lord. Every child believes his/her parents will be in the right position to make great choices for their lives and th...

 Theme: Unlawful Acts  Text: Matthew 14:3-5 3 For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. Everyone desires an orderly system where we are well guided by laws. A lawless society has no peace and falls short of the glory of God. Herod was in a position he ought to do the right thing but he did otherwise. John the Baptist boldly confronted him on what he was doing yet he never relent in his actions. The ten commandments guide us in our relationship with God and fellow humans - the seventh states "Thou shalt not commit adultery". It was unlawful for Herod to take his brother's wife as it breaches the seventh and tenth commandments.  Herod did not just commit adultery but also coveted the wife of Philip. Such unlawful...

  Theme: The Report Text: Matthew 14:1&2 14 At that time Herod the Tetrarch heard the report about Jesus 2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”  In a dispensation where we turn to run to people's social handles to get information about them, it is sometimes misleading if the individual fails to provide the right information on the social media handles. However, the report Herod the Tetrarch received about Jesus is a true picture of what Christ was doing in the lives of people. Dear beloved in the Lord, what report do people give about us? Will it please the Lord that such reports - malice, unforgiveness, sowing seed of discord, envy, and pride amongst others are said about us? We must not give room for the devil to paint an unpleasant picture of us in the mind of people. We must emulate Christ so that accounts given about us by others will display the power of God.    Ther...

Understanding who we are can never be completed without the mention of the Almighty God. He created us and has a purpose for each one of us. Until we find our place in Him we cannot possess what is ours in the Lord. To subdue, we need both the Blood of Jesus Christ and the testimony of our mouth (divine declaration). We can only boldly give testimony if we know what is written in the Word of God. The psalmist said, "Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created. He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away". Abba! Father, thank You for fashioning me beautifully and wonderfully for Your glory. At Your command O, Lord I received life to be a human being and to be established forever. Your decree never passes away therefore I decree in the Name of Jesus Christ; whatever is a hindrance to my progress in life lose your grip over my life. You have no authority over me for I am a new creature in Christ. The Lord...

The name Phoebe means "pure", "radiant", or "bright". Her name had a positive impact on her life for her service to God brought light to many. She was a part of the early church as a deacon in Cenchreae. She was mentioned in the letter of the Apostle Paul to the Romans.  Some Characteristics of Phoebe: √  She played a significant role in the church in Cenchreae. Though a woman she has been mentioned to have significantly helped the believers in Cenchreae which is encouraging every believer whether male or female, young or old to be zealous for the Kingdom of God. √  She held a position in the church but was not a title holder (proud to be in the position) rather served in that capacity. We must serve than love the titles of the positions we occupy. √  She was a benefactor to Apostle Paul. She also supported the growth of the ministry of Paul and others. We must learn to support the church in its development and to also assist the needy, orphans, and po...

Theme: Nothing in Me Text: John 14:29-31 29 “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here. Christ has been in an intensive conversation with His disciples in the past few days of our devotion. He brings the curtain to an end on His conversation with His disciples and gave them assurance, that the purpose of what He is telling them is to stir up their faith to believe when they see the manifestation of the things He has assured them will take place. However, His concluding information makes reference to the ruler of the earth. The ruler of this earth is the devil (Lucifer). In the text of our consideration, we are going to look at what Christ meant by the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing ...

Theme: The Gift of Peace  Text: John 14:25-28 25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I  said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I. Peace means tranquillity or freedom from disturbance of any kind. The world is continually becoming unsafe because peace is not guaranteed fully. We hear of a military coup, climate change, and pandemics, amongst others all around us. These challenges impede our peace and deny us freedom from disturbances. However,  Christ is offering us His kind of peace not as ...

 Theme: Making Home with the Lord Text: John 14:22-24 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.  In yesterday's devotion, we learned Christ can manifest in us if we have and keep His commandments. Today's text enlightens us on making a home with our Lord. Judas asked Jesus, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” The response to this question is what we shall delve into today. Emphasis is given again concerning having love for the Lord by keeping to His Word. The Word of God is written down for us in the Bible to be a standard for our existence. When we fail to heed the warnings and instr...

 Theme: Christ Manifests in Us   Text: John 14:19-21 19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”  In yesterday's devotion, we learned the commandments of God are fulfilled in love. Today's text enlightens us about the suffering of Christ and also that Christ can manifest in us if we love Him. Christ speaks about the suffering that awaits Him leading to death and later His resurrection to life eternal; "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also" . In Him, we can attain life as He is the resurrection and the life. Anyone who desires eternal life must trust in Christ and believe HE...