The Word

The name Doeg means "fearful, anxious, and timid". He has embodied the meaning of his name through his service to  King Saul. He easily gives people up to win favour from King Saul. He was a servant of King Saul, although not an Israelite, but an Edomite.  Some Characteristics of Doeg: √ Doeg was the chief of Saul's herdsmen. He was in charge of all the herdsmen of Saul, which he might have earned through hard work or through some dubious means. Work hard to secure a position rather than resort to dubious means.  √ Doeg was an Edomite but worshipped in the temple of God. It is recorded that he was first mentioned to have been in the temple of Nob when David came to Ahimelech the priest for food. Doeg might be there to worship or sacrifice. One key thing to learn from him is to constantly be in the house of God.  √ Doeg reported to King Saul that he saw David at Nob with Ahimelech. His narration of events contradicted what actually happened. We must be mindful of how ...

Theme: Bear Good Fruits Text: Matthew 7:19-20 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. Yesterday's devotion taught us that a tree can either bear good or bad fruit. Human traits were synonymously compared to trees. The text for today highlights the fate of those who fail to bear good fruit. It is not only in this life that those who fail to bear good fruit will suffer, but rather there is an everlasting punishment. Beloved, you are identified by your actions. It is said that actions speak louder than words. Merely saying you're a good person does not justify what you assert, but rather your actions or how you relate with others. Let us learn to live not just for today but for tomorrow as well.  Let us Pray: Almighty God, I desire to bear good fruits. Be merciful unto me and do not cut me off or throw me into the fire. May I be a...

Theme: Good Tree Text: Matthew 7:17-18 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. Trees that fruit either produce good or bad fruit. A bitter tree has no sweetness to offer anyone who eats its fruit. But this cannot be said of a tree that produced sweet fruits. Many love to pluck its fruits and enjoy them because they are good to eat. Synonymously, anyone who is bitter hardly has company, whereas the cheerful soul attracts many to himself with ease. If you're bitter, request the presence of the Holy Spirit to deliver you from it. Invite the love of Christ into your heart, and you shall become a good tree useful in all aspects.  Let us Pray: Almighty God, purge every bitterness in me with the previous Blood of Christ and create in me a cheerful spirit that bears good fruit. This I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN! 

Theme: Wolves in Sheep's Clothing  Text: Matthew 7:15-16 15 Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Yesterday's devotion taught us that the path of destruction is broad and many walk on it, but the life path is uneasy to walk on. In this regard, Jesus continues to educate us to be mindful of false prophets and their teachings. They use their title to twist the truth and to mislead their followers with false teaching. For us to distinguish between the good and bad prophets, we shall know them by their fruits. Just as we can't pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles, so a false prophet can easily be identified by their lifestyle and teaching. If a prophet fails to display the fruit of the Spirit and his teaching is misleading or contrary to our Lord's, then he is a false proph...

Theme: The Narrow Gate Text: Matthew 7:13-14 13 You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. The life path is not a general one but rather one to be walked individually with the aid of the Holy Spirit. This path could be slippery and uncomfortable, but its destination is pleasant and fulfilling. However, the path that seems general and without limitations has a dead-end destination. Dear beloved in the Lord, the highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. When people begin to see ungodly habits as the new normal, resist the urge to affirm such utterances because that's the highway to hell. The fact that everybody is doing it does not endorse it as right before God. Jesus calls us to enter by the narrow gate, for it leads to God's Kingdom. Be conte...

Theme: The Golden Rule Text: Matthew 7:12 12  Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. Today's text highlights the ancient rule about what we desire from others. It is a golden rule of existence and relationship which states, "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you." It points to our way of life with others. It teaches us to be mindful of how we treat others. It's funny that those who hurt others do not want to be hurt by others. No mocker wants to be mocked. Likewise, no bully wants to be bullied. The cheats or unfaithful in relationships do not want their partners to cheat, but they do the worst. We are called to reposition ourselves well when we are dealing with others. Whatever we do not wish for ourselves, let us not do the same or even worse to others. Christ is the solution to us living right with others. If His love encompasses us, we shall live in harmony. In...

There are times we feel intimidated by our troubles and adversaries. We shall surmount them all if we learn to ask God to intervene . Sisera was an army general who troubled Israel until Deborah judged Israel. God used her, Barak and Jael to humble the proud Sisera to death. Sisera was not killed by a man of war but rather by a housewife, Jael. In the song of Deborah, she ended with a powerful prayer as recorded in Judges 5:31, “Lord, may all your enemies die like Sisera! But may those who love you rise like the sun in all its power!” Then there was peace in the land for forty years. Make use of this prayer to command your week.  Declare, Lord, may all my enemies die like Sisera! But may my loved ones and I rise like the sun in all its power!” May there be peace in every field of our lives forever. AMEN!

Our study shall focus on Sarah , Abraham's wife. She was originally known as Sarai, which means "Palace, Master, Princess, and Releaser." The Lord changed her name and that of her husband. The new name became Sarah, which means "Princess."   Some Characteristics of Sarah: √ Sarah was a humble wife. She followed her husband everywhere the Lord directed them to go. Submissiveness and obedience build a home.  √ Sarah was a good cook and hospitable. When the angels visited her husband, Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.” √ Sara was her husband's half-sister. Abraham introduced Sarah as his sister to King Abimelech of Gerar, for fear of being killed. However, the Lord warned Abimelech in a dream, and he returned Sarah to Abraham as his wife with compensation.  √ The Lord chose Sarah to be the mother of Abraham's promised child. The Lord said unto Abraham, "But m...

Theme: Good Gifts  Text: Matthew 7:9-11 9  You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. Yesterday's devotion taught us that we must be persistent in prayer by asking, seeking, and knocking. In today's text, we are enlightened about how parents give good gifts to their children, which can be illustrated by how God gives to us. There's no normal person who would give his/her child any harmful thing. Rather, each parent wants to give adorable gifts to his/her child. If we, in all our flaws, think of good gifts for our loved ones, how much more the infallible God not gift us with lasting gifts. Our task is to ask the Lord, and He shall grant our request. Oftentimes, doubts and fear deny us the answer to our request:...

Theme: Persistent in Prayer Text: Matthew 7:7&8 7  Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.   The virtue of patience, coupled with persistence in prayer, is required of us as children of God. We are admonished in today's text to ask, seek, and knock. This should be done persistently. In this fast-moving era, we often want the easy way out rather than the correct and pure process. No wonder our fast food is giving us trouble with our health. To keep asking in prayer implies never getting weary with prayer or on a specific prayer topic. Your request will be granted when you least expect it, and that's how God shall surprise you. As we ask, we ought to put faith in action by seeking. If we pray for wisdom to excel academically, we ought to seek wisdom by study...

Theme: Don't Waste Your Valuables Text: Matthew 7:6 6  Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you. A clear distinction exists between what is holy and not. Holy things are sanctified or set apart by God for divine use. We have been sanctified in Christ, therefore made holy. To be admonished not to waste what is holy on unholy people implies not sponsoring ungodly things. Have nothing to do with ungodly programs or events. Let not your resources be used to promote ungodly things or advance them in any way, for example, gambling, drug addiction, child trafficking, pornography, and the kinds which are of a sinful nature. It is personified as throwing your pearls to a pig. Naturally, pigs do not keep clean and easily trample whatever comes into their pen. Just as the pig sees no value in anything given to it, so will the ungodly not value resources given to them. Instead, they will turn to a...

Theme: Clear the Log  Text: Matthew 7:3-5 3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First, get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Yesterday's devotion taught us that we shall be judged by the same standard we apply to others. The text for today calls us to be attentive to things happening around us as we try to pinpoint the faults of others. It is easy for us to rebuke people, but we cannot correct ourselves. Dear beloved in the Lord, what you call a big sin is just a speck, but your hidden sin is a log that needs to be cleared. Our self-righteousness has blinded us such that we no longer adhere to the prompting of the Holy Spirit; we have fallen far from grace. How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘L...

T heme: Your Standard Text: Matthew 7:1-2 7 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Many of us have set standards for our lives: I don't eat this, wear that, associate with people not in my tentacles, and so on. Due to that, we are quick to judge those who don't meet our standards. Dear beloved in the Lord, we are admonished in today's text not to judge others. We shall be treated according to the standard we use on others. Are you pleased with the standard you are using to judge your spouse, parents, siblings, niblings, friends, neighbours, or those around you? How would you feel if the same standards were applied to you? May the Holy Spirit awaken us to this truth so we can realign our ways on the path of truth.  Let us Pray: Almighty God, thank You for enlightening me on the standard of judgment I use on others. Please, by Your Holy Spir...

We need to know that God gives to us for His glory. If we learn to give back to God, we are assured the gift shall be established and settled. Hannah, in the quest for a child, prayed in 1 Samuel 1:11; "And she made this vow: 'O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut." Dear beloved in the Lord, whatever is your desire, petition it to glorify God and He will work it out for you.  Declare, "In the Name of Jesus Christ, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if You will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, marriage, educational success, job, promotion, finances, and good health (MENTION YOUR REQUEST), then I will give them back to You. They will be Yours for their entire lifetime, and as a sign that they have been dedicated to the Lord, their natur...

Jael is a Hebrew girl's name meaning "mountain goat" or "Climber". She was the wife of Heber the Kenite. She killed Sisera, a commander of the army of King Jabin of Hazor.  Some Characteristics of Jael: √ Jael acted wisely when she had the opportunity with Sisera. She cheerfully welcomed him into her tent. If she had acted or shown any sign of attacking Sisera, she would have been killed. Let us learn to apply wisdom in all circumstances.  √ Jael was hospitable to her guest. She gave him milk instead of water. Her generous act made Sisera trust her. She showed, without any reason to doubt, that she was protecting Sisera.  √ Jael killed an army commander with a hammer and a tent peg. Having lured her victim to sleep, she struck him dead. Although her reason for killing Sisera was not given, it is likely that his abuse of women after the war might have influenced her act (Refer to Judges 5:28-30).  √ Jael avail herself of God's use of her to bring an end to Si...

Theme: Executing Vengeance Text: Psalms 149:6b-9 And a two-edged sword in their hand, 7 To execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples; 8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute on them the written judgment— This honour have all His saints. Praise the Lord! Yesterday's devotion taught us that if we humble ourselves, God will beautify us with salvation, and we shall escape damnation. The text for today tells the fate of those who fail to accept Jesus as their personal Saviour. Anyone who takes his life into his own hands and does what he pleases will account for everything he has done. Irrespective of your status in life, whether as a leader or not, rich or poor, if you contradict the teaching of Jesus Christ, which is the Word of God, be sure to face the wrath of God. For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of th...

Theme: Beautify  Text: Psalms 149:4-6a 4 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth Yesterday's devotion taught us to make joyful noise to the Name of our God. The psalmist in today's text mentions why we ought to praise God. We need to acknowledge God through praise because He takes pleasure in us. He has never abandoned us, even though we were sinners; Christ died for us. When we come under the Lordship of Jesus, we submit to God in humility. The Almighty God will beautify us with salvation, thereby escaping damnation. Attaining salvation implies being freed from the second death or hell. Therefore, the psalmist reiterated that we should sing aloud on our beds and let God's high praises out of our mouths. Dear beloved in the Lord, you have been beautified on the very day you got born again. Do not allow anyt...

Theme: Make a Joyful Noise Text: Psalms 149:1-3 149   Praise the  Lord !  Sing to the  Lord  a new song,  and His praise in the assembly of saints.  2  Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.  3  Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. It is good and awesome to sing the praise of the Lord daily. Consider the things the Lord has done in your life, even if for nothing, the fact that His breath still lives in you. Being grateful for the little things God has done for us opens the door to our greater breakthrough. As we unite for fellowship, let us share testimonies of what God has done. As we make joyful noise to the Lord, we stir up faith and hope in others, encouraging them not to give up. The psalmist suggested we dance, play instruments like the timbrel and harp as we praise the Lord. May we be encouraged by this Psalm to inv...

Theme: Save a Soul Text: James 5:19&20 19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. Our ultimate goal as children of God is to save souls rather than watch them be destroyed. In today's text, we're called to order to help save those who have backslidden. Sometimes, desires or influence from others can make a brethren wander away from the truth. We must not give up on such a person but rather strive to redeem him from the path of destruction. Remember that God never gave up on us in our sins but sent Jesus to save us. Dear beloved in the Lord, what steps have you taken to lead back a brethren who has wandered from the truth? If you feel he should be left to perish, today's text is a wake-up call to persist until he is saved. Let us be each other's keepers to correct each other in love.  Let us Pray: ...

Theme: Elijah's Prayer  Text: James 5:17&18 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.  Having a firm and established relationship with God empowers us to command, and it is established. Elijah had an unwavering relationship with God and so could perform mighty miracles in his dispensation. Thanks be to Christ's gift of the Holy Spirit, we also have the grace to pray and transform the world around us. We don't necessarily have to pray for it not to rain, but rather pray for the evil not to prevail. Our prayers can also transform society into a better one and ensure we live peaceably with one another. As we learned from previous devotion, the effective fervent prayer of the righteous avails much, so we must not give up committing the ills of our communities into God's ha...

Happy Mother's Day to the wonderful and amazing women out there. You've touched lives in and out of your homes. You feel exhausted, yet you never gave up. Your sacrifices for the family are overwhelming. May the Good Lord bless you abundantly. Let's all join in this prophetic declaration over our mothers and ourselves from Isaiah 58:11 "The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. AMEN!"

Salome is a female's name that originates from the Hebrew word Shalom, meaning "Peace". She was the wife of Zebedee and a follower of Jesus Christ.  Some Characteristics of Salome: √ Salome was the wife of Zebedee and a mother to John and James, disciples of Jesus Christ. This shows she had a strong, believing family that we must emulate.  √ Salome followed Jesus and often accompanied him on His journeys. A closer walk with the Lord keeps us from evil as we learn the truth daily.  √ Salome came to Jesus to request that her sons be made to sit at the right and left side of Jesus in the Kingdom. She displayed her flaw of possessiveness and desire for power through her request for her sons to sit in places of honour. We should learn to serve rather than be served and to be careful what we wish for, as it often comes with dire consequences. Unfortunately, Jesus did not grant her request.  √ Salome was amongst the women who looked from afar as Jesus was being crucified. S...

Theme: The Effective Fervent Prayer Text: James 5:16 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Yesterday's devotion taught us that we ought to pray during difficulties. The text for today calls us to confession and prayer. We must open up or confess the wrongs we've done secretly, willfully, and presumptuously, so we don't get drowned in a guilty conscience. If we openly make known to those we share the same faith with, it opens the door for spiritual oneness. This spiritual oneness is built on righteousness in Christ Jesus that stirs up the effective fervent prayer atmosphere ablaze when we come together to pray as Christian believers. Our prayer brings healing and restoration because we have no skeletons in the cupboard that will put fear and panic in us. Fear and doubts weaken a fervent prayer, and so do not make it effective. Dear beloved in the Lord, shake ...

Theme: Prayer of Faith Text: James 5:14&15 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.  Yesterday's devotion taught us that we ought to pray when faced with difficulties and when cheerful, we should sing. Today's text points to a prayer of faith for the sick. Apart from the normal physical sickness in our health, we can also be sick in other areas of our lives, such as our marriages, finances, career, business, education, and other areas of our lives that need to be saved. Let us cultivate the habit of praying over all our sicknesses in life. We can be prayed for by the elders of the church, an intercessory prayer group, or personally in the Name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save us, and the Lord will raise us up. Sin can also bring...

Theme: Pray & Sing  Text: James 5:13 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Knowing just what to do at a point in time helps keep us moving forward. The perspective given in today's text is basically to know when to pray and sing. In moments of distress, it is quite difficult to pray, but that is what we are admonished to do. Whatever our suffering in life, we are called to pray. Pray for our health, marriages, children, finances, career, businesses, projects, education, and all areas of our lives that we are challenged with. Prayer is communicating or pouring out our hearts to God. He listens and answers us. When our prayers are answered and we are cheerful, we ought to sing and glorify God. Singing psalms gladdens the heart and also encourages us to depend on God. It ignites the spirit of a worshipper in us to break the chain of murmuring. Let us balance our lives with prayer and singing of psalms.   Let us Pray: Al...

Theme: Be Decisive Text: James 5:12 12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment. Most of us tend to not know what to really stand for, especially when distinguishing between good and evil. We can't follow Christ with an indecisive heart. If we are for Him, let us show it in words and deeds. It's amazing how people swear falsely with the Name of the Lord. Growing up, the most common word amongst us children to clear doubts is to say "True for God". Sometimes, we say it and later confess the wrong we have done. We are admonished in today's text to let our "Yes" be "Yes" and "No" be "No". We must not be afraid to speak the truth and stand by it. Embrace the gift of truth and let it guide your journey of life.  Let us Pray: Almighty God, forgive me for swearing falsely. I invite Your Holy Spirit to...

Theme: God's Divine Intention Text: James 5:10&11   10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. In a world where things seem to contradict our Christian beliefs, we ought to be careful and trust God's guidance in all things. As we walk the talk of faith, we shall suffer many things, including persecution. If our suffering is for the Lord, then a great reward awaits us. The prophets suffered greatly at the hands of the people, but the Lord was their comfort. Job, a figure well known in the Bible for suffering unjustly, was restored two times better than his previous wealth. God's intention for us may seem unwise with circular knowledge, but if we trust Him to the end, we shall wear the crown of glory. Always seek the Lord's inte...

It is the fifth month of the year. Five stands for grace. Grace comes from God and He gives it to His beloved children.  Declare, "The supernatural grace of God shall go ahead of you this month and perfect undeniable testimonies and miracles in your life. AMEN!"

The name James has diverse meanings, including "Supplanter/Assailant" and "May God protect". There were three people named James: James the son of Zebedee, James the son of Alphaeus, and James the brother of Jesus Christ. James, the son of Alphaeus, is also known as James the Less/Younger. His mother is said to be called Mary, and he was also a disciple. Much hasn't been said of him and the brother of Jesus. Our study shall dwell on the son of Zebedee.  Some characteristics of James: √ James, the son of Zebedee, was also known as "Son of Thunder". A name given to him and his brother by Jesus. It is likely because of their zealous nature. It is written that they requested Christ to permit them to call fire from heaven on a village for rejecting the Lord, but they were rebuked.  √ James was a fisherman until called to be a disciple of Christ. His brother was John. We ought to have livelihood skills.  √ James was among the core or inner cycle disciples of...

Theme: The Judge  Text: James 5:9 9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! In the court of law, the verdict of the judge stands, not what we desire. No one goes to the courtroom to pick a fight or challenge the judge, but rather to plead for mercy. In our Christian walk, we must be mindful of how we live. If we complain too much or about virtually everything, we tend to criticise or condemn others. Pride often sets in and we feel important than others. Dear beloved in the Lord, beware, the Judge is standing at the door. God is this Righteous Judge who knows everything done in secret. Let us show love to all and bear with each other.  Let us Pray: Almighty God, have mercy upon me and forgive me for the many times I have judged others wrongly. Lord, grant me a loving heart to dwell peaceably with all. This I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Theme: Wait Patiently Text: James 5:7&8 7 Therefore, be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. In a world where everything seems to move faster, i.e. fast food, fast access to information, fast means to reach out to people amongst others, people tend to lack the virtue of waiting patiently. This has led many youth, even some adults, astray from the path of truth. James admonishes us to be patient until the coming of the Lord. Although the Day of the Lord tarries, we ought not to give up in waiting for Him. Keep up the good work, and you shall receive the crown of glory.  The farmer is used to illustrate how patiently we ought to be while we await the best in life, whether spiritual or material things. The farmer knows when to plant to receive the early ...