The Word

Theme: Rejoice in God's Testimonies Text: Psalm 119:14 14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. In yesterday's devotion, we learned that the Holy Spirit is our perfect teacher because He never makes a mistake. We further learned that the Holy Spirit is the One that can guide us to speak the mind of God. In today's text, the psalmist declares, " I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches". Understanding the regulations of the Lord (the way of His testimonies) gladdens our hearts. This is because we no longer live for ourselves but by the will of God. We find peace, rest, and completeness in Him as much as in all riches. If you have it all (riches of the world ~ academic excellencies, marriage, children, money, treasures, etc...) but have no peace of mind and rest then you cannot be complete. An incomplete person is unsatisfied and so cannot rejoice. Christ has made us complete by His Spirit and so d...

Theme: Teach Me, Lord Text: Psalm 119:12&13 12 Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes. 13 With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth. The best teacher is the Holy Spirit because He never makes a mistake. He is the One Christ has promised to guide us on the path of truth. We ought to be grateful to God for this wonderful privilege: The psalmist appreciated God by declaring, "Blessed are You, O Lord!" If we humble ourselves to hearken to the regulations of the Lord, He will guide us. He will teach us and we shall not fail to declare His regulations to others. Without knowledge of God's Word, we cannot evangelize to others. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to teach us so that we accomplish the Great Commission. No one can speak the mind of God (proclaim the intent of God) unless by His Spirit ~ 1 Corinthians 2:10-12. Why not avail to the teaching of God? PRAYER: Almighty God, please teach me Your way and guide me to truthfully proclaim Your wor...

Theme: Hidden in My Heart  Text: Psalm 119:10&11 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. We are in a world where many things weigh us down because our heart is heavy with many burdens: The burden of marriage, nurturing children, finances, ministry, workplace discomforts, regrets, disappointments, betrayals, and virtually all that we can think of. But should that be the case? Absolutely not! There is a burden barrier who is Jesus and we can lay all our burdens before Him so that our hearts are free from these burdens (Matthew 11:28-30). We can only draw near to Jesus with our whole heart, not a part. In so doing we will never wander away from His commandments.   When we embrace the Word of God into our hearts wholeheartedly, meditation on the Word stirs up our faith. The Word now occupies the heart and from the abundance of the spiritual stirring, it d...

Theme: Purified by the Word Text: Psalm 119:9 9 How can a young man cleanse his way?  By taking heed according to Your word. It is the desire of many young and even the old to live a purified life. But how can this be? This has been the psalmist's question: How can a young man cleanse his way? The response is to take heed to the Word of God. All standard of living is encapsulated in the Word of God. The Word of God guides us in all we do if we read and meditate on it day and night. Our soul is refreshed by the Word and we willingly accept God's way of living above any other. Do you take heed to the Word? If you do not, reconsider your ways.  PRAYER: Dear God, I desire to cleanse my way (in marriage, relationships, ministry, workplace, education, finances, etc...) but I often fail to. I need the enabling grace of the Holy Spirit to take heed of Your Word. Help me Lord in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!   

Gradually the year is drawing its curtain to a closure and we are all expecting divine intervention in circumstances we feel are beyond our control. Jesus' word of assurance concerning our request in Mark 11:23&24 should stir us up: "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them". Declare this "Father I thank You for sustaining me throughout these eleven months in 2023. I believe You will supply all my needs according to Your great riches therefore I commit my expectations in my spiritual life, marriage,  nurturing of children,  health, finances, ministry, education, projects, investments, businesses, and every sphere of my life to You and I believe they are settled and established...

 Asenath is an Egyptian name that means  "gift of the sun god". She was an Egyptian and the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On.  ✔ She was given to Zaphnath-paaneah to marry by Pharoah.  Zaphnath-paaneah is the name given to Joseph by Pharoah when he made him prime minister of Egypt. For Pharoah to choose her as a wife for his prime minister means she must be a responsible young lady. It is amazing Joseph never married any other woman besides her. Whether male or female, we need to keep good records so as to be recommended for higher opportunities. ✔ She was the mother of Manasseh and Ephraim the children she bore for Joseph. Her children found their place among the other tribes of Israel. It is likely she surrendered to the worship of Jehovah the God of her husband and guided her children in that path. ✔ Much has not been said about Asenath in the Bible. Unfortunately, her death was not recorded either.  Supporting Scripture: Genesis ...

Theme: An Upright Praise Text: Psalm 119:7&8 7 I will praise You with uprightness of heart when I learn Your righteous judgments. 8 I will keep Your statutes; Oh, do not forsake me utterly! In yesterday's devotion, we learned that the Holy Spirit our Advocate can help us to pilgrim on this earth keeping God's decrees. The psalmist continues in the text for today stating that, he will praise God when he learns of His righteous judgment. We can also praise the Lord by our deeds not just with our lips. The best praise is upright praise. The upright praise is a praise of honor to God by our obedience to His regulations. Our actions communicate our praise: We will live our lives the way we ought to live to please God. The Lord will never forsake us if we keep to His rules. Can your life be a proof of upright praise to God? A life without Christ cannot be said to be an upright praise life.  PRAYER: Dear God, I pray You give me the understanding of Your Word so that I can thank ...

Theme: Directed Text: Psalm 119:5&6 5 Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes! 6 Then I would not be ashamed when I look into all Your commandments. It is safe and easy to travel through an unknown road if you have road signs in place to tell you when to slow down, speed up, or take a sharp curve. That is how our pilgrim on this earth will be if we are directed by the Lord's statutes. The Lord's statutes will serve as a guide to us throughout the journey. Every ambiguity will be done away with and we shall have a clearer perspective of what the Lord desires of us to do or not to do. Then we will not be ashamed when we look into His commandments because our lives are a replica of the commandments given. We are divinely directed in the will of God on all sides kind courtesy of the Holy Spirit Christ has sent to be with us. If we submit to His authority in our lives, our lives will reflect all that the Lord has decreed. You cannot please God in the absence of the...

Theme: Be Diligent Text: Psalm 119:4 4 You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently. God gave a command that sums up the entire commandment which is to love Him and our fellow human beings. If we desire to keep His precepts, then we ought to be diligent. A careless life cannot grant us the willpower to fully obey the precepts of God. Dear beloved in the Lord, if we are careful with how we respond to the Lord's command, He will reward us greatly. Christ said, that if we keep to His command to love others as He has loved us, then people will know we are His followers (John 13:31-35). Elsewhere, He mentioned  “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free ” (John 8:31&32). Be diligent in keeping the Lord's precepts in all that you do.  PRAYER: Almighty God, You laid down Your precepts to be obeyed fully I pray Your excellent Spirit takes control over my life and makes me diligent in keeping to ...

Theme: Your Whole Heart Text: Psalm 119:2&3 2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart! 3 They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways. The heart conceives all issues of life aided by the thoughts of men. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. If we rely on God in all circumstances, our hearts yearn to give testimonies of His gracious wonders in our lives for keeping to His laws. Dear beloved in the Lord, our whole hearts not part is required to keep God's commands. This will guide us not to compromise with evil: What the people of the world will see as normal, we will view it through the lens of God's Word as sin or evil. In Christ alone can our hearts have right standing with God and we shall walk the narrow path with confidence: Even though we walk through the valleys of the shadows of death, we will fear no evil. Let's assess our hearts: Do you seek God with your whole heart? PRAYER: Lord God Almighty, I desire to ...

Theme: Blessed are the Undefiled Text: Psalm 119:1 119 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord! The undefiled in the Lord are those who have upheld the integrity of the faith. They never deviate from the law of the Lord but rather they walk honestly by the instructions of God. Dear beloved in the Lord, have you truthfully kept the faith? The way as Jesus admonished is narrow and difficult to walk but its end is life everlasting. However, the broad way is a lawless way that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13&14). If you intend to walk the undefiled way be sure to be seen as weird or an alien before those who walk on the broad way. Unfortunately, people compromise their faith in the name of it being the new normal: Take note, what is normal to the people of the world is never normal with the children of God. Choose to be different and be light where there is darkness.  PRAYER: Dear God, have mercy on me and deliver me from walking the defiled way. G...

The priestly blessing was established in the days of Moses and made perfect in Christ Jesus. Therefore, we need to declare this blessing daily. God instructed Moses to give Aaron and his sons these words to bless Israel using Numbers 6:24-26;  “The Lord bless you and keep you;  The Lord make His face shine upon you, a nd be gracious to you;  The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, a nd give you peace.”  In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I declare the blessings of God have located me and I am kept safe in His presence. God's smile is reflected in every sphere of my life and He is gracious to my household. Peace prevails in my family, community, workplace, and in my nation for His favour works to our advantage on all sides. Thank You Lord for my week is functioned to respond to the blessings of God even now and forevermore in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!  

Agur is mentioned in the thirtieth chapter of Proverbs to be its author. He was the son of Jakeh and his words of wisdom were directed to Ithiel—to Ithiel and Ucal. The name Agur means gatherer (together with wise men). It is also said to mean "the one who is brave in the pursuit of wisdom". Though much has not been said of him, his proverbs could guide us to know what to say of him.  Some Characteristics of Agur: ✔ He did not exalt himself to be wise but said he is more stupid than any man and  does not have the understanding of a man. We ought to humble ourselves and not allow pride to destroy us. ✔ He again addressed himself as neither learned wisdom nor have knowledge of the Holy One. Yet he was able to speak volumes of the Most High. We must learn from this that, enlightenment comes from God and not from our own strength.  ✔ He literally introduced that God has a Son: What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, i f you know?  In our dispensation, we caugh...

Theme: Body Without Spirit  Text: James 2:26 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Have you ever observed the lifeless body of either a human being or an animal? The distinction between you and the lifeless human or animal you have observed is the spirit within you. Any life without a spirit is dead. Likewise, anyone who has faith but without works is dead. If you cannot show forth your works of faith then you are lifeless. Dear beloved in the Lord when you begin to doubt as you hope for something from the Lord, note that you are becoming lifeless. Christ Jesus is life to us so always look up to Him in all circumstances and let Him guide you to work out your faith. No work of faith can flourish without the life of Christ for He is the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in Him, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Him shall never die (John 11:25). PRAYER: Dear Lord, You have come that I may hav...

Theme: Rahab's Works of Faith Text: James 2:25 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? Rahab was known as a prostitute in her homeland Jericho and probably looked down upon. However, a twist of events made her attain a divine recognition in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. She displayed her faith in the God of the Israelites and aided the spies to escape from the men sent by the king. She went into a covenant with the spies to save her household. She kept the scarlet cord through her window and she was saved. Dear friends, the work that must be done ought to be done if we want to see results. Learn from Rahab to listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and work for Christ: There might be no spies in this dispensation but there are opportunities knocking at your door that can catapult you to the next level so grab it. PRAYER: Almighty God, grant me divine wisdom like Rahab to act wisely when oppor...

Theme: Called the Friend of God Text: James 2:23&24 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. We all have friends and are happy to associate with them. For some, their joy in friendship is because of the status or fame that their companions are known for. However, there is a better friendship in the Lord. Abraham believed in God, it was accounted to him as righteousness and he was called the friend of God. He had an association with God by trusting every word of God for his life. There were no doubts or disbelieve in his relationship with God and so became a friend to God. Do you desire to be a friend of God? Keep His commandments and believe in Him: both (keeping God's commandments and believing in Him) require work to be done. Dear beloved in the Lord, if you accept Jesus as your Lord and Sa...

 Theme: Faith Made Perfect by Works Text: James 2:22 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?  Abraham as we learned in yesterday's devotion, obeyed God and was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac as God instructed him. On the way to Moriah, when his son asked where the lamb for sacrifice was, Abraham gave a remarkable response of faith: “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”  Abraham answered, “God H imself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son” (Genesis 22:6-8). His faith was made perfect through his works and that is what God looks up to us to do. We do not just say we are Christians, let our deeds evangelize for us as such. A lot of us feel works are not necessary but they are. Our works build and perfect our faith. PRAYER: Dear God, help me to put my faith to work as I discharge my duties. Give me the courage and faith of Abraham that I may...

Theme: Abraham Justified by Works Text: James 2:20&21 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? In previous devotions, we have been looking at faith without works and established that faith without works is dead. Today's text mentions one of the fathers of faith Abraham.  It took Abraham twenty-five years to have Isaac as his son with Sarah but when God required him to sacrifice Isaac, he never questioned God but carried out God's instruction. However, he did not sacrifice Isaac because God made a provision. Abraham's act of obedience justified his faith in the Lord. Dear beloved in the Lord, your Isaac could be your diligence in the house of God, family, and community; it could be any work or duty you must carry out to ensure you are doing the Lord's will. Thanks be to Jesus, we can be justified by believing in Him and keeping His comman...

God's protection is unquestionable and secured. This the psalmist knows and so he declares in Psalm 59:17 “O my Strength, I will sing praises to You, for You, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.”  Declare in the Name of Jesus Christ; "Thank You Lord for being my fortress and for renewing Your steadfast love in my life and family daily. My family and I are highly protected and secure in every sphere of our lives. This week displays the Hand of God's protection in our going out and coming in, our lying down and rising up in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

The Ethiopian Eunuch worked under Candace the Queen of Ethiopians with great authority and was in charge of all her treasury. Despite this great authority, he made time to go to Jerusalem to worship God. The Holy Spirit sent Philip to him to explain the scripture he was reading to him along the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. Some Characteristics of the Ethiopian Eunuch: ✔ He devoted himself to the worship of the true God. He went to Jerusalem to worship God and while returning decided to read the scripture. Our worship of God must be characterized by having quiet time with God and/or Bible study.  ✔ He did not read the scripture because he understood it but was looking for understanding. If we avail ourselves to know more about God, He will grant us deeper understanding by sending a Philip our way.  ✔ He was sincere when asked if he had an understanding of what he was reading. His response was;  “How can I, unless someone guides me?”  This made Phil...

Theme: Good for You! Text: James 2:19 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! Our faith stirs us up to believe in God not to terrify us but to give us the courage to approach the Throne Room of Grace to obtain mercy but this cannot be the same with those without faith. The demons believe God exists but tremble at His presence: This is because evil cannot stand in the presence of a Holy God. Thanks be to our Lord Jesus Christ we find peace and joy unspeakable when we appear in the presence of God because we find grace to help in time of need. So it is good for us to have faith in God: We have done well by having faith in God.  PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for helping us to make the right choice to believe in You. Grant us the courage to approach Your Throne always and may any demon that wants to harm us tremble, fall, and fail in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: Faith  Displayed through  Works   Text: James 2:18 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.  In the previous devotion, we established that faith without works is dead. In the text for consideration, we will look at how our works display our faith. If we cannot show forth anything for our faith it simply means our works are not geared towards what we hope for. If you have faith to be a pilot and fail to work at it, but instead you have enrolled to learn how to drive a vehicle or a yacht with the hope it can help you then you have no works to show forth. The time and energy should have been vested into training as a pilot. Dear beloved in the Lord, our faith and works must go hand-in-hand: The works will display our faith without us doing any explanation. Whatever you are trusting God for, begin to work at it and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that you ...

Theme: Faith Without Works Text: James 2:17 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.  In yesterday's devotion, we learned that we need to demonstrate our faith by assisting those in need. Today's text is about the outcome of faith without works. Faith without works is dead. Our faith can only come alive if we attach some work to it. Just having faith is not enough because we are prepared for what we hope for if we put faith into action. Citing examples from our everyday lives; if we pray for job opportunities, we need to apply for them;  if we want good grades we must learn; if we want to build a godly home, we must nurture the family by God's standard; if we want to be healed, we must take our medications; the list is endless. Dear beloved in the Lord, it is not profitable to have faith without works.  PRAYER: Thank You Lord for the enlightenment that faith without works is dead. Help me by the Holy Spirit to put my faith into action in all area...

Theme: Demonstration of Faith  Text: James 2:15&16 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? In yesterday's devotion, we learned that we need to put our faith into action. What we learned basically suggested what we need to do for ourselves while we apply faith to our situations. However, today's text enlightened us on how to demonstrate faith towards others us we encourage them. If we look around us, the poor are still with us, some have lost wives/husbands, children, jobs, homes, health, or peace of mind and are emotionally and psychologically wrecked.  Our words of encouragement are needed but the most important thing is supporting them financially or providing them with basic necessities (shelter, food, clothing). If we just ask them to depart in peace, be warmed and filled, how do they f...

Theme: Faith in Action Text: James 2:14 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. While we wait for our miracles to manifest, we must not be idle. We need to get busy so that we don't become lazy or unfit for it. If we want to be gifted a car and we do not have a license it means we will incur the extra cost of a chauffeur and if we are unfortunate to do so, we end up not enjoying the miracle. So what will it profit us if we say we have faith but have no works to show we are hopeful God is able. Let us set our faith in action for it will end in praise if we do so.  PRAYER: Dear God, grant me an understanding of how to apply my faith. May I not miss the mark of glory because I could not put my faith in action. This I pray in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!    

Is your soul wearied by circumstances of life and does it seem like you are at the wit end of your life? The power of God can revive you and put your adversaries to shame. The psalmist in Psalm 138:7&8 posits that; " Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;  You will stretch out Your hand  against the wrath of my enemies,  and Your right hand will save me.  The   Lord   will   perfect   that which   concerns me;  Your mercy, O   Lord ,   endures   forever;  Do not forsake the works of Your hands". Affirm these words of the psalmist over your life wholeheartedly and God will revive all spheres of your life. Declare "I surrender to Christ and the power of His deliverance. I receive His undiluted revival in my spirit, body, mind, soul, heart, and all areas of my life. The Hand of God delivers me from the wickedness of the wicked. God perfects my ministry, health, marriage, children, family, career, ...

Nabal means a fool. He was described as such by his wife Abigail when she went up to meet David to plead for her household. He is from the tribe of Caleb and so is a Calebite. He lived in Maon and transacted business there.    Some Characteristics of Nabal: ✔ He was married to Abigail a woman said to be intelligent. We need to associate with intelligent people so that they can help us overcome our foolishness. Whether as married partners, business associates, or even mere friends we need to choose wisely.   ✔ He is said to be a Calebite. Though his ancestor Caleb was devoted and wise, he was otherwise. This means it is not automatic to gain insight because you belong to a family or group. You need to work on yourself through quality education and great exposure to be recognized.  ✔ Nabal was rich through the livestock business. We need to learn from Nabal to work hard if we desire to make it in life and the blessings of God shall fall upon our toil and prosper u...

Theme: Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment  Text: James 2:13 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. In yesterday's devotion, we learned that we ought to speak and act mercifully towards others for we are judged by the law of liberty. Today's text expounds that mercy triumphs over judgment. As we stated yesterday, if we fail to be merciful then we don't deserve it either. When mercy speaks, no damnation or condemnation holds this implies, that the rule of judgment shall not stand. If we pardon others, there will be no need to seek justice or better say vengeance. Judgment comes as a result of vengeance: We want others to taste a bit of the bitter pill they gave us.  This should not be so but rather, we need to allow mercy that says "I was hurt badly but I will let go not that I don't feel the pain but because I want you to experience the love and mercy Christ has shown me too". Mercy will break the head of th...

 Theme: Judged by the Law of Liberty Text: James 2:12   12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.  Dear beloved in Christ our lives will be accounted for and so we ought to live with integrity. If we fail to understand we are accountable to the Lord for what we have said, and done here on this earth, we are miserable. The good news for us however is that the law that condemns will not be used to judge us but rather the law of liberty. The law of liberty is in Christ Jesus and from His lens will we be judged. This law of liberty shows mercy and forgives this is what we are admonished to speak and do. If you are not merciful or unforgiving then note that you do not deserve it either. Let us live peaceably with all not holding on to grudges.  PRAYER: Dear God, grant me grace to show mercy and to forgive my debtors of their sins as You have shown me. May I speak and act in love with all people always. This I pray in the Name of Jesus Chris...

Theme: Transgressor of the Law Text: James 2:11 11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. In yesterday's devotion, we learned that we commit sin if we are partial to others, are selective in the laws of God, and do not have a balanced life. The text for today enlightens us that if we breach a law we have transgressed the entire law. This aligns with us being selective with God's laws.  It is God who instructs us on what is acceptable or not so if we fail to align our thoughts with His, we end up transgressing the whole law. No sin is small or big, sin is sin and should be treated as such. Never compare your sin with another and assume your sin is minute whereas others are great. Whatever we do contrary to the instruction of God is a sin and so we must strive to resist sin and live a spirit-led life. PRAYER: Deliver me O God from the grip of sin and g...