The Word

Theme: Eating the Showbread Text: Mark 2:25&26 25 But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: 26 how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?” In yesterday's devotion, we learned that the Sabbath was intended to draw people closer to God than to satisfy human legalities. Today's text gave a true example of what is required of us in obedience to God's law. Jesus made reference to David eating the showbread meant for the priest and giving some to his companions. The showbread also known to be called the bread of the Tabernacle or hallowed bread, is a bread with specific instructions dedicated purposely for the Levite priests in Leviticus twenty-four verses five to nine. However, the priest served it to David and his companions when they were hungry because...

Theme: The Unlawful  Text: Mark 2:23&24 23 Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” The Israelites were given laws that guided every action of theirs when the Lord God brought them out of bondage in Egypt. One of the laws is on the Sabbath; “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy" (Exodus 20:8). The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week and it has been designated for rest as the creation work of God ended on the sixth day and He rested on the seventh day. The essence of this law was to draw all Israelites to God and to reflect on their relationship with God that day. Not working on the day, paves the way for rest and solitude. As time passed by, human legalities began to find their way into the law by disarming the intent of the law to suit their personal gain. For instance, it is u...

Theme: New Life  Text: Mark 2:21&22 21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.” Jesus made illustrations of patching old cloth to new cloth and pouring new wine in an old wineskin to explain the new life He is offering compared to being under the law. Sewing an old cloth on a new one will not look pleasing to anyone who wears it and likely, it will wear out easily. A wineskin expands under the pressure of fermentation therefore, if new and unfermented wine is put in an old and brittle wineskin, it is sure to burst. As a child of God, desire to walk with Christ under grace than to walk the path of legality where a breach of a law is a violation of all the laws. We are to do away with our old lifest...

Theme: The Bridegroom Text: Mark 2:19&20 19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days. In the previous devotion, we learned about why we fast taking lessons from the disciples of John the Baptist and the disciples of the Pharisees questioning Jesus why His disciples do not fast. The illustration of the bridegroom and his friends was used to ascertain the reason why the disciples of Jesus were not fasting. Jesus is the Bridegroom and the church is His bride. While with the disciples, there is feasting and therefore, no need to deny themselves of anything. However, when Jesus was put to death, raised to life, and ascended to heaven, His disciples had to fast and pray because He was no longer with them physically.  Our dispensation is the moment th...

To know who you are and who stands with you is very important and encouraging. It shakes off your fears and limitations in life because you know definitely, you've got backing. The psalmist in Psalm 68 understood what really his relationship with the Lord is and what He can do for him. Psalm 68:1&2 states "Let God arise, l et His enemies be scattered;  Let those also who hate Him flee before Him.  As smoke is driven away, s o drive them away;  As wax melts before the fire, s o let the wicked perish at the presence of God". Verse thirty states " Rebuke the beasts of the reeds, t he herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples, t ill everyone submits himself with pieces of silver.  Scatter the peoples who delight in war". Whatever battle you are facing now, God can give you victory and cause your enemies to submit to you.  Declare, "In the Name of Jesus Christ, every adversary in any sphere of my life melts away like wax before the consuming fire of the...

Today's character study is on King Azariah son of Amaziah  whose name is also written as Uzziah . The name Azariah is a Hebrew name for boys which means "helped by God". He became King of Judah at the age of sixteen and reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. During his reign, he did what was right in the sight of the Lord. Some Characteristics of Azariah: ✔ He reigned righteously. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. When we attain higher positions in life we must use it to glorify God. We must seek the advancement of God's Kingdom rather than our self-gratification.   ✔ He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had an understanding of the visions of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper. God never disappoints anyone who seeks Him wholeheartedly.    ✔ He was victorious in battle. He went out and made war against the Philistines...

Theme: Why Do You Fast?  Text: Mark 2:18 18 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” Do you fast alone or join a corporate fast? What is your reason for fasting and what is your reaction when others fail to fast? The disciples of John the Baptist did not understand why the disciples of Jesus never fasted like how they did with the Pharisees. To clear the air they decided to ask Jesus. Fast is an essential tool in the Christian walk with the Lord because the spiritual strength of the believer is empowered when he denies himself to have communion with God. Self-denial ranges from reducing or not watching television, fidgeting with phones, playing games, and giving up coffee, amongst other habits that consume our time and we are unable to have fellowship with God.  The aim is not just to show how genuine we can be in denying ourselves these pl...

Theme: The Best Physician Text: Mark 2:17 17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”  In yesterday's devotion, the Scribes and Pharisees were not pleased the Lord was dining with tax collectors and sinners so questioned the disciples why He was doing so. The text for today is Jesus' response to their question. His response enlightens us more on His presence in Levi's house. He is a Physician who has identified the spiritual health of the tax collectors and sinners ready to give them the best of prescriptions. His statement depicts that until one realizes that he needs a physician, he cannot be examined by the physician. Dear beloved in the Lord, Jesus did not come to call the healthy (the righteous) but the sick (sinners) to repentance. A man who fails to visit the health facility feels much healthier until he takes up a medical examinat...

Theme: The Dining Table Text: Mark 2:16 16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” In yesterday's devotion, we learned that Levi had dinner with Christ inviting his friends. Today's text is about the reactions of the Scribes and Pharisees seeing Jesus dine with tax collectors and sinners. Tax collectors worked for the Roman government to collect taxes from their fellow Jews. They are often tagged as traitors because the Jews were not pleased paying taxes to the Romans. Moreover, these tax collectors raise the tax rates to their advantage. They are usually referred to as sinners. The Scribes and Pharisees on the other hand are viewed to be highly religious. Therefore, for Jesus to be dining with sinners, they see it as unreligious on His part. Developing the perspective of the Scribes and Pharisees is not worth it as at the dining table...

Theme: Dining With the Lord Text: Mark 2:15 15 Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him.  In yesterday's devotion, we learned that an invitation was thrown to Levi to follow the Messiah. He accepted it and the text for today talks about Jesus dining in Levi's house. Accepting to follow Jesus should not just be lip service but rather it must be demonstrated openly for all to know you have become a follower of Christ. Levi did not hide his decision to follow Jesus and this made his friends and colleagues also encounter Jesus and follow Him.  If you open the door to your heart for Jesus to come in, He will enter and dine with you as He did in Levi's house. You cannot follow Jesus secretly, because you need to share with others who He is and the power of His saving grace. Do not dine with the Lord alone, but rather dine with Him inviting you...

Theme: Follow Me Text: Mark 2:13&14 13 Then He went out again by the sea, and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them. 14 As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him. In this technological age, lots of people make use of social media handles and are either following or being followed. Amazingly, Jesus also had followers in His dispensation as He went about teaching. There isn't much difference despite the age gap: In our days, we invite people to follow us likewise Jesus invited Levi the son of Alphaeus to follow Him. The choice to accept or not depends on the individual receiving the invitation. Levi accepted the invitation to follow Jesus Christ. Dear beloved in the Lord, how are you responding to the invitation to follow the Messiah? Do not be sluggish in accepting to follow the Messiah but rather rise up like Levi and follow Him.  PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for invitin...

God has assured us He will never abound us no matter what we encounter in life. In a dispensation where the Christian faith is challenged either by violence or legal means, we need to be mindful of how we respond to our persecutors. Christ has given us hope in Luke 21:14&15 " Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist". We shall be given a mouth to utter words that all our adversaries not some but all would not be able to contradict.  Declare, "In the Name of Jesus Christ, I receive divine utterance to know what to say at any given time. By the power of the Holy Spirit, my adversaries shall never contradict my words and their evil decrees against my life and family shall not stand. I shall not be entrapped by my words and all conspiracy of Jezebel (my adversaries) to entangle me in the webs of scoundrels shall not stan...

Our character study for today is about three Hebrew young men who were taken into captivity in Babylon during the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah. They are Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. However, at Babylon, they were renamed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego respectively.  Some Characteristics of  Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: ✔ They resolved with Daniel never to defile themselves with the royal food by taking vegetables and water. We must learn from them to control our appetite for food as it is written man must not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from God.  ✔ Their spiritual inbuilt manifested in the physical such that they appear much  better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. Inner beauty has positive control over outer beauty.  ✔ They passed the King's interview and were offered jobs to serve before the King. We must dedicate time to study and be educated. These young me...

Theme: Instant Miracle Text: Mark 2:12   12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”  Jesus has power over everything and He can do all things for those who trust Him. The paralytic immediately received his healing when Jesus commanded him to arise, pick up his bed, and go home. Those around marveled at the instant miracle Jesus had performed. Dear beloved in the Lord, what are you looking up to God to do for you? It is possible to receive healing, win that court case, acquire that property, build a home, advance in ministry, attain educational success, etc if you learn to trust everything in God's Hands. When God decides to perform His miracles in your life, it will be what the e ye has not seen, nor the ear heard, n or has entered into the heart of man t he things which God has prepared for those who love Him.  PRAYER: Almighty God, as I hearken...

Theme: Take Up Your Bed Text: Mark 2:10&11   10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, 11 “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” In previous devotion, we learned the Scribes were not pleased with Jesus' word of forgiveness of sin over the paralytic. Today, Jesus explains the Son of Man has the power on earth to forgive sins. You cannot beg God to pardon you after death but while alive you have every opportunity to ask for His forgiveness. Anyone who conceals his guilt shall not prosper, b ut whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. Jesus showed mercy to the paralytic saying,    “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” When mercy speaks, the bed (struggle) that has kept you down for a long time must give way. The paralytic was empowered to rise, take up his bed, and return home. Likewise, will the Lord empower you when you seek His mercy to overc...

Theme: Valentine Like No Other Text: John 3:16-17 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  Guess you celebrated Valentine's Day for several years and still feel empty after February 14 this is because you might have been missing the right place to find true love and valentine. In Ravi Zacharias' "I Isaac take thee, Rebekah" his brother made a profound statement about love; “Love is as much a question of the will as it is of the emotion. And if you will to love somebody, you can”. Jesus willed to love us unconditionally and so offered Himself for our restoration with God. We do not need to offer any sacrifice. All that we need to do is to believe in Jesus as the Son of God. If we do so, then we shall escape the judgment of God. Christ did not come to the...

Theme: Which is Easier? Text: Mark 2:8&9 8 But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? In yesterday's devotion, we learned that the Scribes reasoned in their on Jesus' word to the paralytic as blasphemy. Jesus perceived their thought and asked, " Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?" Some Christians today behave like Scribes for they are unable to accept into the church people with previous bad records that have come to penitent. Jesus further asked, " Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’?" Dear beloved in the Lord which is easier: forgiveness or miracle? As we pilgrim on this land, we should understand we shall accoun...

Theme: Is it Blasphemy? Text: Mark 2:6&7 6 And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” In the previous devotion, we learned a paralytic man was brought to Jesus for healing. Upon seeing the faith displayed He told the paralytics your sins are forgiven. Unfortunately, the Scribes saw it as absurd for a man to forgive sin. Therefore began to reason in their hearts what Jesus said to the paralytic man was blasphemy. What then is blasphemy? Blasphemy means  the action or offense of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things (in simple terms profane talk). They continued to reason in their hearts to ask who could forgive sins but God alone. The question is, were the words of Jesus blasphemies? No! He can forgive sin for He is the Son of God. Amazingly after the resurrection, we understand better the empowerment of the disciples to forgive their persecutors. ...

Some people believe a life coach is all they need to navigate the journey of life. To such individuals, e very stage of life requires some level of coaching and often, they entrust the stages of their lives to these coaches to guide them. However, the psalmist stated in  Psalm 37:5 "Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass". This implies if we entrust our ambitions to God He shall bring it to pass. Declare, "In the Name of Jesus Christ, I commit every sphere of my life (marriage, children, career, education, etc..) to God. I decree everything I have committed to God shall not fail but rather see fruition. My today is better than yesterday, and my tomorrow shall exceed my today to the glory of God's Name because He directs and coaches my life perfectly. My week is evidence of God's directions every step of the way. My week is peaceful in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!    

Our study today will be on Mephibosheth's nanny whose name was not even given in the Bible. Although her name was not given, a few things are there to learn about her. Some Characteristics of Mephibosheth's nurse: ✔ She was a servant in the palace. She served as a nanny to the royal grandson of Saul. She loved and understood her role as a nurse in the palace.  ✔ Although Mephibosheth's mother was not mentioned, for a nurse to want to protect a child when news of the death reached the palace means she was attached to the child. Some people nursing either the young or old feel they are indebted to them. In the process of discharging their duty, they molest these vulnerable individuals instead of protecting them.      ✔ She hastened to leave to save the child's life unfortunately, the child fell and became lame. She did not leave him there but continued to Lo Debar. If she had left him there, the child would have been killed because people sought to wipe out the lineage...

Theme: Faith Speaks Text: Mark 2:5  5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” In yesterday's devotion, we learned the companions of the paralytic man let him down through the rooftop to where Jesus was preaching because there was no chance to get to Him. The text for focus today is the reaction of Jesus when he saw action. The first thing Jesus noticed was faith in action. Faith without works is dead so until you put faith to work it is impossible for it to speak in your life. The sin of the paralytic man was pardoned and his healing manifested speedily. Faith is capable to speak in breaking barriers and limitations in your life because Jesus sees faith in action and He responds to it without delay. How are you responding to unpleasant circumstances in your life? Instead of murmuring, channel the energy to activate your faith for faith can speak on your behalf.  PRAYER: Almighty God, forgive my unbelieve and have mercy upon me....

Theme: True Companions Text: Mark 2:3&4 3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. No one is an island therefore we need to connect to people however, if you fail to connect to the right people, you will have companions of no value. The paralytic brought to Jesus cannot do anything for himself. His life is limited to his mat and only gets to know about trending news through companions who come to him. How often do you promote others or push them to be better than you met them? How many of your companions think well for you or are always looking out for the best for you? If you are thinking of getting true companions, you must yourself be one.  The love the companions of the paralytic man show is an awe one. Having no access for him to meet Jesus because of th...

Theme: Many Gathered  Text: Mark 2:1&2 1  And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2 Immediately many gathered together so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. In a dispensation when the pressures of life seem to weigh the human race down, there is one thing needed to bring relief which is the Word of God. Unfortunately, many have become cold to the study of the Word of God. When Jesus was about His Ministry, many souls surrounded Him just to listen to Him teach. The people gathered because they had heard Jesus was around. Dear beloved in the Lord, how do you respond to the Gospel? Do you avail yourself to hear the Word being preached or do you use it as a water dispenser? Most Christians only dispense the Word of God when they need it rather than to daily use it as fuel in their spiritual journey. If you dispense the Word of God only when you need it...

Theme: Lord, Prosper Us Text: Nehemiah 1:11   11 O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”  For I was the king’s cupbearer. Nehemiah's prayer comes to an end with hope. He humbly requested God to be attentive to his plea and that of his people. The prayer offered is not for self-gratification but that God should prosper those who fear His Name. To fear the Name of God is to be obedient to His instructions. Dear beloved in the Lord, if we surrender to God and desire to be obedient to His instruction, we shall prosper in whatever we aim to achieve. Nehemiah prayed he would be granted favor before the king. In our dispensation, there might be different things or channels we wish to obtain favor, it can only be made possible if we honor God. Pray that the Lord shall prosper all your desi...

Theme: Redeemed by God's Hand Text: Nehemiah 1:10 10 Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand.  Nehemiah's prayer is drawing to a close and he keeps his request politely and constantly reminding God what He has said concerning Jerusalem and its inhabitants. Dear beloved in the Lord, Nehemiah keeps a record of the redemption from the bondage of Egypt however, our redemption is in the great work of Christ on Golgotha. When we approach God to pray, we must understand we are His servants (sent out to proclaim the Gospel) and His people (coheirs with Christ). Therefore, we must pray to receive the power to proclaim His glory and ask that we be preserved in the strong Hands of God. The Blood of Jesus is speaking life over our destinies because we have been redeemed by the great power that raised Christ from the grave and the strong hand of God that lifted Him up to heaven. Fear not for you are the redeemed of th...

Trusting God in life goes beyond mere words "I trust God will do it". Our words must be backed by actions: we must do good and nurture ourselves in His faithfulness. The psalmist stated in  Psalm 37:3&4 "Trust in the Lord, and do good;  Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.  Delight yourself also in the Lord, a nd He shall give you the desires of your heart". Declare, "In the Name of Jesus Christ, I put my trust in the Lord therefore I will daily feed on His faithfulness. I am anointed to do good and to produce multiple harvests to the glory of God's divine Name. My expectations see the light of testimonies because the Lord shall give me the desire of my heart. This week and beyond my heart takes delight in the Lord and His Handwriting is speaking loudly in all spheres of my life. I am blessed and I shall remain blessed in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!  

Japheth is one of the sons of Noah and was also saved from the destruction of the flood. The name, Japheth means, "may he extend or beautiful".  Some Characteristics of Japheth: ✔ He was in the ark with his family. If he were not submissive to his father, he is likely to join the rest who never believed Noah. He would have perished. ✔ He respected his father even when he was unconscious. In his father's drunken state, he did not look at his father's nakedness but rather covered him. This teaches us to give honor to the aged/elderly in our homes, community, and nation. It is unwise to desire to mock the nakedness of the elderly. ✔ For the act of covering his father's nakedness he can also be said to be prudent. The wise contemplate their action and the aftermath. He knew it wouldn't go well if his father found out he had mocked his nudity. ✔ This was his father's blessing for him and his descendants: May God enlarge Japheth, a nd may he dwell in the tents o...

Theme: Remember O, Lord! Text: Nehemiah 1:8&9 8 Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; 9 but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.’  In yesterday's devotion, we learned Nehemiah petitioned God politely and sought mercy for the forgiveness of their sins. Today's text is a continuation of his prayer where he prayed God's Word back to Him. God had said in His Word to Moses punishment is sure to come on those who disobey but the penitent will enjoy the full mercy of God. If we do not read the Word of God and meditate upon it, it will be difficult for us to petition God with His very Word. Dear beloved in the Lord, how conversant are you with the Word of God?  Nehemiah prayed God...

Theme: Humble Prayer Text: Nehemiah 1:6&7   6 please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. Nehemiah's prayer for consideration today is a prayer of confession and seeking mercy from God. Note that he started the prayer with "Please" to politely request God's attention to his prayer. Unfortunately, most Christians fail to approach God politely and tend to rather command Him to do their bidding. An arrogant request is difficult to be granted but one done in humility attracts empathy. Therefore, in presenting your request to God, give it a touch of humility....