The Word

We can be overwhelmed by issues in our lives, and sometimes it seems God isn't near. Dear beloved in the Lord, He is very near and listens to every prayer. The psalmist declared in Psalms 102:17 that "He will listen to the prayers of the destitute. He will reject their pleas". We must stand on this scripture to call on the Lord whenever we are in trouble.  Declare, "In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Almighty God shall listen to my prayers and He will never reject my pleas. I walk under the supernatural realm of priceless grace. AMEN!"

The name Zophar means chirping, moving swiftly, or a small bird. He was the last mentioned among Job's friends and may have been the youngest of the three . He was a Naamathite. He levelled a couple of allegations against Job,  and the Lord was displeased with him.  Some Characteristics of Zophar: √ Zophar began by warning Job that he could no longer hold back the anger that he felt after listening to Job. Confronting a sinner, however, should be done with restraint. Speaking out of anger only serves to injure the other person.  √ Zophar relied upon tradition and worldly wisdom to make his case that Job must be a sinner. He should have instead prayed before opening his mouth. Confronting a sinner should also never be done without prayer. √ Zophar alleged that the joy of the wicked was quickly fleeting. Thus, he argued that Job’s lack of joy was proof of his wickedness. But his claim was not consistent with God’s Word. Jesus warns that believers will experience turbul...

Theme: Wisdom is a Defence  Text: Ecclesiastes 7:11-12 11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance, and profitable to those who see the sun. 12 For wisdom is a defence as money is a defence, but the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it. Making good decisions in life requires wisdom. A lack of it can lead to dire consequences. So long as we have life, we must desire and embrace wisdom, for it is a weapon of defence just as money is a defence. Acquiring an inheritance isn't enough; we need to seek wisdom on how to use it. Careless spending will ruin us and frustrate our lives. However, if we are led by the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus, we receive divine wisdom to make useful and meaningful decisions in life. The best firm of inheritance is in Christ, and having Him leads to a desirable life of peace within.   Let us Pray: Almighty God, I ask wisdom from You today. Please, bless me with the riches of Your glory and grant me wisdom to make good ...

Theme: Inquire Wisely  Text: Ecclesiastes 7:10 10 Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this. Dwelling on the past, especially its good moments, denies you the opportunity of forging forward. Embracing change requires letting go of the pleasure and comfort of yesterday and tackling the present to build a better tomorrow. The preacher enlightens us that we should not long for the good old days, for it is unwise. What lies ahead is far better than what we left behind. Therefore, we must embrace the challenges of today to attain greater heights tomorrow. May the Lord open the eyes of your understanding to see how glorious the future will be, so you do not give up.  Let us Pray: Almighty God, save me from dwelling on the glories of the past. Guide me to hope in the glorious future You have prepared for me. This I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN! 

Theme: Anger Text: Ecclesiastes 7:9 9 Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools. In today's text, the preacher admonishes us not to hasten to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of a fool. Dear beloved in the Lord, anger does not give room for sound reasoning but rather intensifies hatred and malicious acts. Therefore, the preacher is right to state emphatically that anger resides in the bosom of fools. Let us learn to control our rage and discipline ourselves, as stated in James 1:19-20, "Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." Let us Pray: Almighty God, tame my heart not to hasten to be angry and may the spirit of acting before reasoning be far from me. This I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN! 

Theme: The End Matters Text: Ecclesiastes 7:8 8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. In our life's journey, we always set into motion ideas and concepts to try new things. It's not enough to just start; we must strive to complete it. The preacher tells us that the end of a thing is better than its beginning. If athletes start well in a competition and decide to relax because they are in a comfortable lead (the spirit of pride at work in them), there's likely to be a disaster at the end because their competitors will persist to overtake them. Whatever we begin, whether a family, education, career, business, or all we can think about in life, we must persist to the end. Even if it isn't showing any sign of fruition, we must be patient in spirit. Patient is a virtue that takes us to higher grounds, whereas pride brings us to our downfall. The end of hard work and dedication reveals the beauty in staying...

Theme: The Consequences of Oppression and Bribes Text: Ecclesiastes 7:7 7 Surely oppression destroys a wise man’s reason, and a bribe debases the heart. Circumstances in life can sometimes affect our ability to reason and create an unhealthy atmosphere for us. If a wise man is oppressed or extorted for long, he would see no reason in acting with dignity or wisely. His sense of judgment will be damaged if he feels he is all alone in the battle. As his attention to key issues begins to fail, his heart is also susceptible to being corrupted by bribes. Dear beloved in the Lord, we cannot function well without Christ. That's all the more reason we must develop a personal relationship with God. You cannot carry your burden alone. You need Jesus to help you offload the oppressive weight of satanic enticement. Indeed, our spirits may be willing, but if the body is weak, we may fall away from the path of godliness.  Let us Pray: Almighty God, cleanse my mind and heart from ungodliness...

In a world where things seem overwhelming and a lot of people want to give up, there's a need to encourage them not to. The right word uttered at the right time saves lives. This is what the apostle Paul mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5:11: "So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing". Since we all need encouragement, we must also encourage those around us.  Declare, "In the Name of Jesus Christ, I receive the spirit of encouragement to speak encouraging words to others. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I shall build up the discouraged and guide them to self-actualisation. I am a vessel of hope to the discouraged, and my light shines in helpless situations to bring uplifting. AMEN!" 

Bildad means "Love by the master". He was one of the three friends of Job. Bildad is addressed as a Shuhite. The Shuhites are descendants of Abraham's son Shuah, begotten to him by Keturah.  Some Characteristics of Bildad: √ Bildad is known for three distinct speeches he made in the story of Job. Beloved in the Lord, be mindful of your utterance because people get to know you better by your words.  √ Bildad defends God's justice and believes the wicked cannot escape God's punishment. His assertion was based on the experience of their fathers, who faced the wrath of God due to disobedience. God is a just God, and His judgment is unquestionable.  √ Bildad's second speech details the fate of the wicked. He stated, "Indeed, the light of the wicked is extinguished: The flame of his fire does not glow." He emphasised that Job's predicament was a result of his unrighteousness. Although God punishes sin, it does not imply that every suffering is a result...

Theme: Vanity Text: Ecclesiastes 7:6 6 For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This is also vanity.  Yesterday's devotion taught us that it is better to be rebuked by a wise person than to receive praise from a fool. The preacher continues in today's text, comparing the laughter of a fool to thorns in fire. Indeed, thorns in fire often make a crackling noise and fire flying sparks. Likewise, the laughter of a fool quickly fades. What excited him will soon be irrelevant to him and leave him empty. Just as thorns in fire produce sparks that could hurt, so the laughter of fools distorts emotions, creates tension and provocative arguments. This is vanity. May God order our steps to become wiser each passing day.  Let us Pray: Almighty God, deliver me from folly and fill me with divine wisdom in all that I do. This I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN! 

Theme: The Wise and Fools Text: Ecclesiastes 7:5 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools. Rebuke is a means to point out flaws and suggest the best way to mitigate them. When the wise rebuke or criticise, it brings divine direction. It saves souls from destructive paths. Better to be criticised by a wise person than to be praised by a fool. The praises of a fool don't make a difference to the one praised, as they leave nothing substantial behind. A fool's praise is but for fun. May the Lord guide our hearts to embrace rebuke rather than praise from a fool.  Let us Pray: Almighty God, teach my heart to embrace rebuke from the wise and never to be enticed by the praises of a fool. This I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN! 

Theme: How to Make the Heart Better  Text: Ecclesiastes 7:3-4 3 Sorrow is better than laughter, for by a sad countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. Yesterday's devotion taught us that we must take to heart the truth that it is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting. Today's text also directs us on how to gladden the heart. The preacher reiterates the essence of mourning. He states that sorrow is better than laughter, for by a sad countenance the heart is made better. By natural instinct, we tend to be more cautious in life when sorrowful than when filled with laughter. Awareness of our surroundings and what to look out for often sprang up during our darkest moments than when we are overjoyed. The patriarch of old, like Joseph, learned to be mindful of how to reveal things through sorrow. His youthful exuberance made him quick to narrate his d...

Theme: Take it to Heart Text: Ecclesiastes 7:2 2 Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart.  Today's text gives us insight into choosing where to be in life. The option of selecting between mourning and feasting. It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting. Death is inevitable, and we shall all experience it someday. Therefore, we should take it to heart that one day we shall also exit the earth. The eulogies of the dead help us to evaluate our own lives to apply wisdom on how to live.  The house of feasting is characterised by pleasure, gluttony, drunkenness, and sin. Even as we feast, the thoughts of envy, covetousness, and all manner of evil spring within our hearts, rather than the joy in feasting. Dear beloved in the Lord, let us weigh these two options critically and agree with the preacher that it is better to go to the house of mour...

Theme: Life's Contrast  Text: Ecclesiastes 7:1 7 A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one’s birth The book of Ecclesiastes is ascribed to King Solomon, whom the book addresses as the preacher. With all his wisdom, he has seen how life can be so contrasting. In today's text, the preacher made two profound statements. One, he states that a good name is better than precious ointments. The value of ointment is priceless when one is injured. It provides brief relief and soothes. This precious ointment could also be referred to as costly perfume. The sweet-scented perfume gives an aura, but that's also temporal. However, a good name is a lasting honour. We must strive to obtain a good name rather than temporal recognition.  The second statement stated that the day of death is better than the day of one's birth. Birth brings joy; however, the infant is sure to suffer the injustice of society with time. On the other hand, death  cu...

Solomon's dedication of the temple is characterised by a sincere prayer of faith. One of such prayers is found in 2 Chronicles 6:20-21, "May you watch over this Temple day and night, this place where you have said you would put your name. May you always hear the prayers I make toward this place. May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive." His temple was made by human hands, but there's a far greater Temple of which his prayer points us, and that is Jesus Christ. Jesus said, 'If you ask anything in my Name, it shall be given you.' Dear beloved in the Lord, make your request known to God in the Name of Jesus.  Declare, "In the Name of Jesus Christ, I am the temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Lord shall watch over me and my family day and night for His Name is upon us. Lord, answer my humble and earnest request concerni...

Eliphaz means "God shines in strength", "God is fine gold" or "The endeavour of God". Two individuals were known by the name Eliphaz: one was the son of Esau by Adah, and the other a friend of  Job. We shall focus on Job's friend.  Eliphaz is a Temanite of Edom.  Some Characteristics of Eliphaz: √ Eliphaz and two other friends, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, came to visit their friend Job when they learn of his devastating predicament. It is good to console with others and be empathetic.  √ Eliphaz was the first to break the silence during the visit and initiated a conversation amongst the four friends. He combined traditional wisdom and personal experience to question Job's integrity. His notion was that Job's situation might be a result of sin, for the righteous do not suffer without cause. Therefore, he suggested that Job repent so God can restore him. A lesson from Eliphaz's statement has a blend of truth and lies: It is...

Theme: Astonished Beyond Measure  Text: Mark 7:35-37 35 Immediately, his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. 36 Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. 37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.” As the curtain draws down on the seventh chapter of Mark, we see how wonderful it is to petition God. The man we learned about in yesterday's devotion received his healing immediately after Jesus prayed for him. This was astonishing to those who were present. Yet instead of allowing the people to spread the good news, Jesus charged them not to; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. Dear beloved in the Lord, the crowd mentioned that Jesus has done all things well. This implies He can do the same in our lives, too. If the deaf could hear an...

Theme: Ephphatha ~ Be Opened  Text: Mark 7:32-34 32 Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. 33 And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. 34 Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” Day in and out, we are constantly seeking medical assistance for our loved ones who are challenged by their health. This has existed since time immemorial. A group of people brought a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech to Jesus for healing. Amazingly, Jesus didn't create a spectacular scenery but rather took the man aside to heal him. Many have failed to give God the credit in the healing process and have credited the healing to their own potency. Dear beloved in the Lord, Jesus looked up to heaven, that's to God and sighed to show His empathy towards the man before declaring ...

Theme: A Journey Beyond Boundaries Text: Mark 7:31 31 Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. In this chapter, we've seen Jesus travel from a Jewish kingdom to a Gentile kingdom. In today's text, He travelled from Tyre and Sidon to Galilee. Naturally, the Jews do not have any association with the Gentiles. A Jew can't travel through a Gentile kingdom and not defile himself. He is expected to remain unclean until evening and will have to wash himself and all that he used for such a journey. However, Jesus mentions in the early verses that one is defiled by what comes out of them, not what goes in. It is possible that he was trying to establish the ground that Gentiles also have equal access to God, as evidenced by his healing of the Syro-Phoenician woman's daughter, his stay among the Gentiles, and his subsequent journey to Galilee. Dear beloved, let us put an end to racism and abide...

Theme: Defying the Odds Text: Mark 7:27-30 27 But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” 28 And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” 30 And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.  Yesterday's devotion taught us that a Greek woman came to Jesus asking Him to cast out a demon in her daughter. Today's text is an account of what transpired afterwards. The faith of this desperate mother was tested, and she didn't allow ego to take the best part of her. Instead, she gave a reply that mesmerised the Lord. Knowing too well that the Greeks are never regarded by the Jews, she was ready to face the challenge. Let's cast our minds to David and Goliath: T...

Theme: A Motherly Request  Text: Mark 7:25-26 25 For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. Previous devotion taught us that Jesus entered a Greek home secretly, but not long before people heard about it. In today's text, a Syro-Phoenician woman placed a request before Jesus. Her request is for the Lord to cast out a demon in her daughter. Dear beloved in the Lord, no mother will allow her child to suffer torments from unclean spirits. Mothers will go to any length to ensure their children are in good health and safety. Despite the relational gap between the Greeks and the Jews, she didn't give attention or concern to that, but was determined to seek solace for her child. This motherly affection is what the Lord Jesus requests for those who accept Him as Lord and personal Saviour, and for those who...

What inhibits you determines what comes out of you. The two elements are light and darkness. The light within produces good, whereas darkness is evil. It is recorded in  Ephesians 5:8-9 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good, right, and true.  Declare, "In the Name of Jesus Christ, I no longer walk in darkness but rather in light. Therefore, every product of darkness within and around me is extinct. I decree that my family and I live in light, and we enjoy what the light produces in fullness. Our deeds are good, right, and true. AMEN!" 

Apollos means "one who destroys or a destroyer". He was a New Testament figure who steadily grew to become a servant of Jesus through ministry. He was a staunch Jew.  Some Characteristics of Apollos: √ Apollos was endowed with great knowledge and was very outspoken. In his line of ministry, he exhibited understanding of the old canon and delivered its message boldly.  √ Despite Apollos's eloquence and knowledge, he was only vexed in the baptism of John without the knowledge that the prophecy about the Messiah had already been fulfilled. John’s baptism was the baptism unto repentance: An act of confession and turning from sin which anticipated the coming of the Messiah. Let us be informed that Christ's second return is for judgment.  √ Apollos was instructed in the way of Christ by Priscilla and Aquila, two faithful couples in Christ. After one of his public teachings, he was called aside by the couple who explained the scripture to him. His submissiveness to adhere to...

Theme: Unhidden  Text: Mark 7:24 24 From there, He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden.  Previous devotion taught us that Jesus schooled the Pharisees and Scribes on what defiled a person. After that, He set out to a Gentile territory secretly. He did not want to make a spectacular show, yet people soon came to know where He was. Jews were forbidden from entering a Gentle home. It is unclear why the Lord will choose to settle with Gentiles after confirming that food does not defile a person. He might also be indirectly foretelling the hope for the Gentiles to be grafted into God's promises. In our subsequent devotion, we will look further at what transpired in the house where Jesus lodged. Dear beloved in the Lord, Jesus isn't hidden from us. Whether we are Jews or not, His ever-present abides with us. The glorious presence of Jesus Christ cannot be hidden, for it radiates. Jesus is ri...

  Theme: Guard Your Heart and Mind Text: Mark 7:20-23 20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” Yesterday's devotion taught us that what we eat does not defile us. In today's text, we shall look at things that come from within us that defile us. All our decisions and actions are planned within our hearts and minds. Therefore, we must guard our hearts and minds from pondering over evil deeds. If we feed our hearts and minds with ungodly things, we will soon be pushed to satisfy the desire. The habits of adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness and the like were brooded over time. The sure way to guard our heart...

Theme: Are You Without Understanding?  Text: Mark 7:17-19 17 When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18 So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” It is normal to sometimes get confused or lost when someone speaks to us in parables. This was the predicament of the disciples. Having left the crowd and alone with the Lord, they ask Him about the parable. Dear beloved in the Lord, God has purified all foods for consumption. Therefore, we must not accept false notions that by eating a particular food we have defiled ourselves or reduced our spiritual strength. The food is digested and eliminated as faeces. The heart is not in any way affected. However, remember, man must not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from...

Theme: Defiled From Within Text: Mark 7:14-16 14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: 15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. 16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” In today's devotion, Jesus highlights what truly defiles a person. His point is, there's nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. Christ is correcting the religious leaders not to presume because the disciples did not wash their hands before eating, that they have defiled themselves. In subsequent devotion, we shall see in detail the things that defile us from within. Although we are defiled by things from within, we also need to take our health seriously and be mindful not to eat with unclean hands, as well as unhealthy foods (junk).  L...

Theme: Corban ~ A Gift to God Text: Mark 7:10-13 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11 But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), 12 then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” Previous devotion has taught us that the religious leaders were more concerned with observing the traditions of men instead of obedience to God's laws. In today's text, Jesus gave an example of how they twist the law of God to pave the way for their tradition. Dear beloved in the Lord, most people have neglected their aged ones to their fate, all in the name of Corban, which is a gift to God. Your generosity towards the aged attracts many blessings than fulfilling Corban. Jesus ...

The number 8 symbolises new beginnings, circumcision, and divine completeness. These themes highlight the transformative power of faith, the promise of renewal, and the hope found in the Bible. In this new month of August, let us draw closer to God and believe the month shall manifest great and marvellous things in our favour.  Declare, "In the Name of Jesus Christ, the eighth month of the year shall mark the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I decree just as eight souls were saved during Noah's time, the month of August shall display God's protective shield over me and my loved ones. The divine covenant in Christ Jesus is established in our favour, and it speaks to our defence in all things. Therefore, no evil shall befall us, for we are hidden in Christ. I decree we experience spiritual renewal in all areas of our lives for divine completeness in our health, marriages, education, careers, finances, projects, and in all that concerns us. Our month is powerfully load...

Sheerah means to remain, be a remnant, to be a small but perpetually surviving portion of a family. She was a descendant of Joseph, Jacob's beloved son. Her father was Ephraim. The meaning of her name might be associated with the events that happened to her elderly siblings, who were killed at Gath for attempting to steal livestock.  Not much is given about Sheerah in the Bible. She was only mentioned briefly in the listing of Ephraim's descendants. However, she was remarkably praised.  Sheerah is said to have built three fortified cities: Lower and Upper Beth-Horon, and Uzzen-Sheerah. This shows she had vision and was a strategic executor. Let us learn to break loose from our limitations and see opportunities in what challenges us. Sheerah saw opportunities in what befell her brothers to build fortified cities.  One of the cities she built was named after her, Uzzen-Sheerah. If we work hard, we shall leave behind legacies that we shall be remembered for.  Sheerah's ...

Theme: Rejecting God's Command Text: Mark 7:9 9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.  Our devotion over the week has been on how religious leaders made use of the traditions of men to the laws of God. In today's devotion, Jesus points out to the Pharisees and Scribes that the prophecy of Isaiah is exactly what they are doing. Dear beloved in the Lord, if we fail to please God because we have made rules for ourselves that we think are easy, then we are rejecting God's command. Do not add or subtract from the laws of God; rather, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to fulfil the will of God daily.   Let us Pray: Almighty God, forgive me for rejecting Your commandment to keep rules that please me. Lord, may the Holy Spirit transform my lifestyle to adhere to Your commandments. This I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!