The Word

Theme: The Act of Love Text: 1 John 3:16&17 16 By this we know love because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? The text for today aims at explaining or defining what love is to us. Most often people try to equate love to some sort of feeling but love is not really that. Love is demonstrated in deeds and the perfect example is when Christ laid down His life for us; the innocent condemned that we the guilty ones will be granted liberty. We ought to also lay down our lives for the brethren not necessarily dying for them. What we can do is to be generous to people and support one another. Dear beloved in the Lord, the mark of love is compassion. Being compassionate towards others drives us to seek their interest and strive to live peaceably with them. A person who is not compassionate is mean ...

Theme: Passed From Death to Life Text: 1 John 3:14&15 14 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. Being in Christ is an amazing thing because our lives see no corruption or decay but rather a full manifestation of life. Love defines us and love is shown by the living not the dead. We have passed from death which is the stage of sin where we burn with anger, rage, revenge, and unforgiveness towards people who have offended us. The seed of hatred produces murder which is why Cain killed Abel despite being cautioned by God beforehand. So if you harbor hatred, bitterness, unforgiveness, and all forms of malice in your heart towards others, then you are a product of damnation in simple terms a murderer. Be informed no murderer has eternal life abiding in him because he does not have the fruit of...

Blessings from the anointed of the Lord speak powerfully into the lives and generations that it concerns. Before the death of Moses, he blessed all the tribes of Israel. Our focus today will be the blessing on the tribe of Reuben which can be found in Deuteronomy 33:6 “Let Reuben live, and not die, n or let his men be few.” There is a blessing for longevity and to populate. You can confess this blessing over your life and family and speak prophetically into generations unborn rebuking the spirit of untimely death and barrenness.  Declare, "In the Name of Jesus Christ, every yoke of premature death and barrenness in my life and family is broken. My family and I shall live and not die by the efficacy of the Blood of the Lamb of God that has ransomed us. The schemes of the wicked against our lives shall be brought to naught. We receive the grace to multiply and to take dominion in all spheres of our lives. This week and beyond, we shall celebrate good news in our health, marriage...

The name, Zipporah is a Hebrew name meaning "Bird". She was an Ethiopian. She was the wife of Moses and the daughter of Jethro. She was a shepherd. Some Characteristics of Zipporah: ✔ She was a shepherd. It was while she was keeping her father's flock she met Moses. We ought to get ourselves busy with work for doors of opportunity to open unto us.  ✔ She saved her husband and son by circumcising the foreskin of her son and touching the feet of her husband with it so the Lord could not kill Moses. We ought to gain insight into the things of God so that we do not become ignorant of what is required of us to do.   ✔ She bore two sons for Moses. They are Gershom and Eliezer.  ✔ She was an understanding wife who permitted her husband to embark on missions for God while she stayed with her father. Later her father reunited her with her husband. Couples should be supportive of their partners and encourage them to accomplish every mandate God has assigned the other. ...

Theme: Does the World Hates You? Text: 1 John 3:13 13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.  Do you feel the people around you seem not to care about you? Do you feel different from the rest? If your response is a yes and the cause is linked to your relationship with Christ, then do not marvel. The text for today encourages us not to marvel when the world (those not in the Lord) hates us. Accepting to walk with Christ is a choice to walk in light where evil deeds cannot reside. Therefore those who love evil cannot associate with you nor love you since your light may bring their deeds to the known. Count it all joy when the world hates you while faithfully abiding in God. Let nothing surprise you any longer when it has to do with the actions of those in the world. In so doing, you will have a comfortable lead.  Let us Pray: Lord let me only marvel at Your glorious deeds in my life but never let me for once be surprised by the actions of the people of the world. S...

Theme: Your Works  Text: 1 John 3:11&12 11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. We leave footprints wherever we have trodden upon and usually, they are either positive or negative in the heart of those we walked with. Sometimes those from afar judge us by our works and do not necessarily need to draw close to us. Cain had a record of murder the first of its kind in human history. It tainted his image and he felt miserable about it. His descendant Lamech committed the same act simply because he was wounded. The root of unrighteousness is bitterness, hatred, and envy. It is in this vein we are admonished to love that the root of righteousness shall sprout from us. Our works of righteousness are evident just as those of evil, therefore, let us guide every action taken by love ...

Theme: Love & Righteousness Text: 1 John 3:10 10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.   Usually, we use ascents to determine where an individual is from. Amazingly in my part of the world specifically Ghana, it is easy to tell where a person hails from by their ascent either while speaking his native dialect or another dialect. It is a natural manifestation of our true identity so it is with our manifestation either as children of God or the devil.  In the previous devotion, we learned whoever yields to sin is of the devil and does not walk in the will of God. To be identified as a child of God, the love and righteousness of Christ must manifest in us. It is when His love manifests in us that men will know who we are. Love urges us to keep walking in righteousness and to strive to do the will of God. How well do you relate with your broth...

Theme: Born of God Text: 1 John 3:9 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. To be born of God is to confess Jesus as Lord and personal Savior and to accept His will for your life. Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Therefore, if we become born of God, sin has no hold on us for we possess the righteousness of Christ not of works but of grace. The seed of righteousness in Christ automatically sprouts in us and guides us to the path of truth and holiness because we have surrendered our will to His. Evaluate your ways and assess whether it conforms to the will of God or the flesh.  Let us Pray: Almighty God, I am grateful through Christ I am born of God. I commit my ways to You and seek that I shall abide in the righteousness of Christ so that I may never walk in...

Theme: Destroy the Works of the Devil Text: 1 John 3:8 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.  In previous devotion, we have been admonished to be careful of the antics of the devil so we are not deceived. The text for today's devotion is focused on Christ destroying the works of the devil. The origin of sin takes its root from the deeds of the devil and his agents. Therefore, he who sins is of the devil and is subject to the manipulation of the devil. However, there is hope in Christ Jesus to liberate such a soul from the dictates of the devil. Christ the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Dear beloved in the Lord, in Christ, you can also overpower the works of darkness in your family, health, workplace, community, church, and anywhere you find yourself. What works of darkness are tormenting the spheres of your life? Beloved, declare t...

Understanding the source of our victories in life gives us more reason to be grateful. The psalmist knows his victories are not of his own doing but by the Hand of God. Psalm 44:6&7 states, " For I will not trust in my bow, n or shall my sword save me.  But You have saved us from our enemies, a nd have put to shame those who hated us". Many a time we are quick to claim the glory for passing the exams, promotion, healing, winning the contract, and marrying a dream partner amongst others without appreciating the Hand of God. God does not just give the victory but also puts your enemies to shame. Those enemies of your destiny that wished you nothing but evil will be put to shame and they will see the glorious end of God in your life.  Declare, "In the Name of Jesus Christ, I declare I trust not my bow nor sword in any warfare but rather, I take a stance in the Name of the LORD. The LORD has delivered me from the plots of the wicked and has given me the garment of victor...

Nicodemus is a Greek masculine name that means 'victory of the people'. He was a secret follower of Jesus Christ and sought Him to explain how he could attain eternal life. Some Characteristics of Nicodemus: ✔ He was a Pharisee a ruler of the Jews. The title Pharisee means the separate one usually given to a group of people who have separated themselves from society to study and teach the law, but they also separated themselves from the common people because they considered them religiously unclean. Although most of the Pharisees were against Jesus and His teaching, Nicodemus availed himself of the teaching of Jesus Christ.     ✔ Nicodemus understood the source of Jesus' ministry. He stated, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”   If we have a closed walk with Christ we need to know much about how He operates and accord Him respect in that regard.  ✔ Nicodemus displayed ...

Theme: Do Not be Deceived Text: 1 John 3:7 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.  In yesterday's devotion we learned that if we abide in Christ, we will be able to break away from sin and be spiritually nourished. Today's text is focused on revealing our true nature as children of God. We are admonished not to give room for anyone to deceive us. In a world where people try to sanitize sin and build great arguments that God is so loving to punish, be careful not to fall prey to this ungodly teaching. Dear beloved in the Lord, sin is sin and it is detestable before God. Just as the seed of a good fruit cannot produce bad fruit, so we cannot be of Christ and continue to embrace sin and give excuses for not living a righteous life. Beware, he who practices righteousness is righteous because he possesses the nature of Christ our Good Vine who is righteous. The reverse is true of anyone who practices unrighte...

Theme: Abide in Him  Text: 1 John 3:5&6  5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him, there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. In yesterday's devotion, we learned that lawlessness is a sin. The text for today talks about Jesus who takes away our sins. He did not come to condemn the world but that through Him there will be forgiveness of sin and a divine reconciliation with God Almighty. There is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood. Jesus offered Himself as the Lamb of God without blemish to take away the sins of the world. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and personal Savior, we abide in Him and take divine nourishment from Him to bear the fruit of the Spirit. Therefore, sin has no place in us for we have the life of the Vine in us. However, whoever remains in sin neither knows nor sees Him because he is not a part of the Vine. Abiding in Christ is the only way to break aw...

Theme: Lawlessness  Text: 1 John 3:4 4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. The rate of crime is on the ascendancy and most people do not even have any shame in committing crime because it is the new normal. The text for today states whoever sins also commits lawlessness and sin is lawlessness. Indeed the lawlessness in our society is a result of sin. As a child of God let the Word of God be a guide to you in whatsoever you do. Whatever is unlawful in the Word is sin so do not let the desires of the flesh entice you to engage in them. We need to rise up to curb the menace of lawlessness in our society by first turning to God in true repentance. We must also rebuke those who encourage lawlessness so that we may direct them to the saving grace of God. Never promote lawlessness in the enacting of laws that do not conform to the purpose of God.    Let us Pray: Almighty God, have mercy on me for my acts of lawlessness in my speech, actions, th...

Theme: Like Him Text: 1 John 3:2&3   2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Growing up, I was scared to be friends with identical twins because it is difficult to know who you are with, in the absence of the other. They look so much alike that it's difficult to spot the difference. This is the kind of image we are called to have in Christ Jesus. The apostle John in his epistle tells us we know not how we will look when Christ appears despite we are much aware we are children of God. However, the confidence is that we shall be like Him in our appearance, speech, actions and what have you. The image of Christ shall not have any counterfeit rather only the original  for we shall see Him as He is.  If we hope to be with the Lord, then we ought to keep a ...

Theme: You Are a Child of God Text: 1 John 3:1 3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Self-identity is essential to guide us to know who exactly we are. If you were asked to introduce yourself, what would be your response?  I guess you would mention your name and probably give a little detail about your family. Awesome! But does that really give your true identity? Your true identity is in Christ Jesus. You are a child of God. We are called children of God out of love. Do you realize how much God loves you? The text for today tells us how much God loves us;  See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! Oh! Mine, we are children of God and we ought to let this define who we are. Unfortunately, those not in Christ have no idea of our identity because they do not know Him. Whoever is not of your househo...

Christian warfare is not carnal but spiritual. This implies any strategy adopted to fight cannot materialize in victory outside the help of God. It means victory can solely be achieved if we rely on the potent power of God through the Holy Spirit. The psalmist in Psalm 44:5 declared, " Through You, we will push down our enemies; Through Your name, we will trample those who rise up against us". Note that the enemies of your destiny can attack your marriage, health, finances, career, business, projects, or any precious thing in your life.  Declare, "In the Name of Jesus Christ, I push down the enemies of my health, marriage, conception, nurturing of children, finances, career promotion, business, completion of projects, education, and every sphere of my life through the power of God. It is written, the Name of the LORD is a strong tower the righteous run into it and are safe - Proverbs 18:10. Therefore, as I take refuge in the Name of the LORD, I trample those who rise up ...

The name Johnathan is a male Hebrew name which means God has given or Gift of God. There are quite several people named Jonathan in the Bible but our focus today will be on the son of Saul. He was a faithful companion of David. Some Characteristics of Jonathan: ✔ Jonathan comes from the tribe of Benjamin. By his father's lineage, he is a Benjaminite. Each of us belongs to a tribe, clan, or nation and our ancestry can be traced back to where they come from.    ✔ He was a warrior in Israel and he fought and won lots of battles for the nation Israel. He often acknowledges success in battle with God and goes out in faith to fight the enemies of Israel. If you trust God can give you victory in battles of life you shall triumph gloriously.     ✔ He accidentally violated his father's instruction that none of the warriors should eat. While the warriors were weak, he gained strength by the taste of the honey. When he got to know of his father's command he felt his f...

Theme: God is With You Text: Matthew 28:18-20 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.  As the Lord brings the curtain down with His disciples, three things could be noted in His conversation with them. These include: ✔ His empowerment ✔ Commissioning of the disciples, and   ✔ Assurance Jesus has been given all not some but all authority in heaven and on earth. This means that everything in heaven and on earth is subjected to Him. There is nothing greater than Him and none can ever be compared to Him. We can confidently say, our Lord is the LORD of lords.  Having obtained the authority, He then commissions the disciples to go in the Name of...

Theme: Worship Without Doubts  text: Matthew 28:16&17 16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. In previous devotion, we learned that the women who came to the tomb were instructed to tell the disciples of Jesus to meet Him at Galilee. Today's text talks about their journey to Galilee to meet Him. On seeing the Lord, they worshipped Him but some had doubts. Doubt is a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction. As children of faith, the tool that can easily pull us down is doubt. Doubt is the opposite of faith and it does not assure us to hope in the possibilities of God's mighty act of miracles. Faith ceases to work when a pinch of doubt is in motion. Fear is a product of doubts and a perfect example is Simon Peter in Matthew 14 verses 27 to 30 said confidently “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”  The Lord granted h...

Theme: Brides Can Choke Text: Matthew 28:14&15 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” 15 So they took the money and  did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.  In yesterday's devotion, we learned that the chief priests bribed the guards to tell people the disciples came for the body of Jesus while they slept. The text for today is the likely consequence if such an evil report reaches the governor. If you take a bribe to cover the truth, note that just like these guards who now fear for their livelihood and lives if the governor hears they were sleeping at the post, the bribe will suffocate you to death. You can never take a bribe and have a peaceful life but rather it will choke every sphere of your life. Dear beloved in the Lord, if you take a bribe to cover the truth, beware the truth will prevail someday. For over thousands of years, these guards were not remembered ...

Theme: Evil Counsels Shall not Stand Text: Matthew 28:11-13 11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. 12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ In previous devotion, we learned that when the angel appeared his presence frightened the guards. The text for today elaborates on what the guards did. They took to their heels to report to those who wanted the tomb guarded that what they feared had happened - the Christ is risen. The chief priest took counsel to give an evil report about the resurrection. The guards were bribed to tell the world that the disciples came at night and stole Him away while they slept. How can fishermen overpower guards Roman guards for that matter to take a dead body from the tomb? Dear beloved in the L...

Theme: Rejoice! Fear Not Text: Matthew 28:9&10 9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.” In the previous devotion, we learned that an angel announced to the women at the tomb that Jesus had risen and had gone ahead of them to Galilee. In the text for today, the women encountered the risen Christ. His first word to them is to rejoice! No one encounters the Lord and lacks joy. To rejoice is to be delightful devoid of fear. For sure the women were afraid and confused but the sight of the Saviour gave them hope. At least what the angel told them has been confirmed by the Lord that they will see Him at Galilee. Dear beloved in the Lord, rejoice always and let go of your fears. If you walk under the direction of God, you will never be misled. He does not confuse His child...

   Life is a battle day in and out where we fight one battle or the other. Just like the Israelites we can hand over our battles to God and watch Him crown us with victories. The psalmist in Psalm 44 verses 3 and 4 states; "For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, n or did their own arm save them;  But it was Your Right Hand, Your Arm, and the Light of Your countenance, b ecause You favored them.  You are my King, O God;  Command victories for Jacob".  Yes, their sword and arms did not help them to gain possession of the land but the Lord worked it out for their good. Your story can be well written in this order if you hand over your battles to God. Declare, "In the Name of Jesus Christ, I no longer struggle with my sword or arms to possess my possessions. The Right Hand and Arm of God fight my battles and command victories for me in my health, marriage, nurturing of children, education, career, finances, businesses, projects, minist...

The name Anna is Hebrew name for females meaning God has favored me. She was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was married a virgin and after seven years, her husband passed away. Some Characteristics of Anna: ✔ She was a descendant of Asher the eighth son of Jacob and Zilpah. It is good for us to keep record of our family tree and to recall on the deeds of ancestors. ✔ She was married as a virgin. Sexual purity is essential in spiritual walk with God. It also helps us to build lasting relationship. Being sexually pure enhanced Anna to devote the rest of her life to the service of God without remarrying after the death of her husband.   ✔ She served in the house of God with fasting and prayers. Indeed she demonstrated that our body (the temple of the Holy Spirit) shall be a house of prayer not a den of evil. When we are carnal in serving God, we could miss the mark to encounter the Redeemer of the world.  ✔ She never allowed age to limit her in disc...

Theme: You Will See Him Text: Matthew 28:7&8 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” 8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples' word. In yesterday's devotion, we learned the angel declared to the women that the Saviour had resurrected. In the text for today, the angel gives details of where they will find the risen Christ. The Lord relocated to Galilee ahead of His disciples. The angel tasked the women to make haste to inform the disciples so that they could meet Him there. The Lord in this dispensation is not at Galilee but everywhere and if hearken to the promptings of the Holy Spirit we shall see Him. Obedience and trusting the Holy Spirit to instruct us in the way of the Lord plays a vital role in our encounter with the risen Christ. If you desire to see the Lord, avail to the will and ...

Theme: Your Address Shall Change Text: Matthew 28:5&6 5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. In the past few days, our focus has been on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The text for today is on an angel communicating to the women who came to the tomb what had happened to the Messiah. Yesterday's devotion highlights that the appearance of the angel scared even the guard so it will not be surprising the women could have also felt the same but were encouraged by the angel not to be afraid. They were told Jesus had risen and was not where He was lay which is proof of His resurrection. Dear beloved in the Lord, understanding the power of the resurrection aids us in employing it in our own circumstances when it seems the circumstance is beyond human reach. Whatever your challenge is, understand that when God sends you...

Theme: Your Guardian Angel Shall Show Forth Text: Matthew 28:3&4   3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. In yesterday's devotion, we learned that an angel of the Lord rolled away the stone to the entrance of the tomb of the Messiah and sat on it. The text for today gives a vivid description of his appearance. The countenance of the angel was like lightning and his clothing as white as snow. The presence of the angel was not a usual sight that the guards had ever seen. Fear overtook them and they became like dead men. God will send your guardian angel to deliver you from any form of attack of the wicked. Your adversaries shall shake for fear at the presence of your guardian angel. Commit to the will of God for your life and you shall experience the power of His protection on all sides.  Let us Pray: Dear God, thank You for sending an angel to the tomb where my Saviour lay. ...

Theme: Rolled Back Text: Matthew 28:2 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.  The entrance to the tomb of the Saviour was heavily guarded by soldiers and a big stone was used to close it to prevent the disciples from having access to the body. What the religious leaders did not know is that nothing can prevent the power of God from manifesting. When the time came for the Messiah to resurrect, there was a great earthquake for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came to roll back the stone from the entrance to the tomb and sat on it. If the presence of just an angel caused an earthquake, what will happen when the Holy Spirit appears? Dear beloved in the Lord, the resurrection of Christ should stir up your faith to speak to every barrier or limitation in your life to roll back. The big stone (your challenges or limitations in life) cannot continue to hold y...

Theme: Women of Influence Text: Matthew 28:1 28 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. Love is more of an action than just a mere word. The women who followed Jesus throughout His trial, crucifixion, and burial demonstrated much more love than the disciples. On the first day of the week, at dawn, they decided to visit the tomb of the Saviour to apply sweet-scented spices on the body. They can be said to be women of influence. Most often usually in the African setting after burial, most people no longer share tears but celebrate the dead with music and dancing. It is as though a party was ignited just after burial. However, in the case of these women, though in grief yet they were bold to step out to apply spices to the dead body of Christ. Their act of love and kindness made them the first to hear the news of the resurrected Christ. Wherever the gospel is preached about the resurrection of Christ the r...