TOPIC: The Ultimate Mediator

Saturday, January 31, 2015

TEXT: HEBREWS 8:1-6

Key Verse: “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (Hebrews 8:1).

Each time a regional crisis erupts that threatens to degenerate into a global conflict, the United Nations raises a team of mediators to broker peace between the warring parties. Those engaged in the struggle would not sit to discuss and work out a situation at the same table unless brought together by a go-between who is trusted and respected by both groups. The strategy has often worked to bring peace to our turbulent world.

This reveals the wisdom God has given man to save him from destroying himself. For the Creator Himself has used the process of mediation to redeem fallen man. Alienated from our Maker as a result of our sin, we had been at loggerheads with Him; our fate is decidedly His wrath, judgment and perdition in hell. To halt the process, a mediator must step in. Jesus Christ is that Mediator.

He is infinitely fit for the great mission to resolve the problem of sin, because he is “set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.” The Bible says Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry as “a mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises”.

Supplications, worship, service, confession of our sins, request for grace to be empowered to live righteously made to God through Him are assured of answers from the throne of Majesty in the heavens because “He (Jesus) ever liveth to make intercession...“ for those who seek God through Him.

All that sinners and backsliders need to do to be reconciled with the offended God is to drop their old sinful ways, repent and accept the mediation Christ made on behalf of everyone the world over. God will not reject the penitent who seeks pardon through Jesus, the Mediator and Saviour of the world.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: ROMANS 13 - 16

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Jesus is the ultimate Mediator.

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TOPIC: His implanted Image

"Sunday, February 01, 2015"

*TEXT: GENESIS 1:26-31*

*"Key Verse: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27)."*
Man is the crown of God’s creation. Whereas other creatures came into being by God’s word, man was created as God’s workmanship according to the divine purpose. The Godhead declared, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...” Man was created in the mold of God’s own nature with the image of holiness and righteousness.
He was created with a neverdying soul (Genesis 2:7); a moral and an intellectual being with capacity to reason, plan and organize; and a free moral agent. He was created to know, to love, to glorify God in this life and dwell with Him throughout eternity. God, in His divine purpose and plan, made adequate provisions for man’s welfare, care and comfort before his creation. In addition, God gave man dominion over all other creatures to bear rule over them. It is evident that man has spiritual distinctiveness, which places him above all animals (Psalm 8:4- 6). Besides, He blessed and charged him with the responsibility of procreation.
Unfortunately, man lost the state of perfection and fellowship with God through Adam’s disobedience. However, man can regain his lost glory through Christ’s death and resurrection. Now, there is redemption for those who exercise faith in His atoning blood. It is this redemption that restores man to God’s original plan and purpose before his fall (2 Peter 1:4).
As blessed creatures and children of God, we should continually show appreciation to Him for this special privilege (1 John 3:1). We should also live for His glory in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives on earth (Luke 1:70-75).
*BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: DEUTERONOMY 1 - 3*
*"THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: God’s love for mankind is unparalleled."*
*Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/
*
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TOPIC: Proving His Promises

Monday, February 02, 2015

TEXT: JOSHUA 12:1-6

Key Verse: “Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east” (Joshua 12:1).

Many people have had the sad and disappointing experience of unfulfilled promises and unrealized dreams. They had received the promise with enthusiasm, great joy and high hopes. Unfortunately, days become months; years passed and the promise is far from being fulfilled. While many have died unfulfilled, some still living, have lost hope that the promise would be fulfilled. It has now become a hurting illusion. A few however, know the satisfying joy of having their dreams come true.

The text today reveals the faithfulness of God in fulfilling an age-long promise to the Israelites. He had, many years ago, promised the children of Israel that He would take them to the Land of Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey. While in the Egyptian bondage, they had looked forward to this promise. After many years of pilgrimage, they arrived the land of Canaan as the record of the land they have possessed shows in today’s passage.

One solemn truth we cannot afford to gloss over is the fact that it was not all of them that got the promise at the beginning that eventually possessed the land. All those who were unbelieving, stubborn and rebellious on the way could not get there aside those who live right till old age and died. The Israelites who eventually possessed it did not get there on the basis of their strength, military prowess or experience at war. In fact, the nations whose lands they possessed were stronger, more experienced and organized than they were; God fought for them and gave them the land. Their only simple role was faith and obedience.

God’s promise will never fail. It may appear delayed but it will eventually be fulfilled. To have the fulfillment of His promises in your life, family and endeavor, you need faith, obedience and patience.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: DEUTERONOMY 4 - 6

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: He that shall come, will come, and will not tarry.

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TOPIC: Fruit Of Obedience

Tuesday, February 03, 2015

TEXT: MATTHEW 2:13-23

Key Verse: “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him” (Matthew 2:13).

There was danger that the family of Joseph did not know about. In keeping with His promise of protection and preservation, God told him to flee to Egypt with his wife Mary and baby Jesus “for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him”. Disregard of this advice on the pretext that God would protect His own irrespective of where they are would have brought avoidable disaster.

God knows the strength of the enemy and knows how best to preserve His people in His own way. So, He does not entertain argument of the disobedient and perishing. God has a thousand and one ways of guiding and protecting and fulfilling divine promises for His people. In this case, God sought Joseph’s obedience to His guidance, which involved the family fleeing the country.

Joseph cooperated with God, by not staying behind to pray for the instant destruction of Herod. Of course, this would have made the trip to Egypt, with all its hazards, unnecessary. He leftfor Egypt in compliance with divine instruction, and the Child was saved.

So, even where God has promised protection or provision, there are conditions to be met to have the fulfilment of it. God’s promise of long life, for instance, was predicated on obedience. “And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments... then I will lengthen thy days.” Joseph fully obeyed God’s method of protecting his family from the wicked scheme of Herod; he enjoyed the complete coverage of the Almighty. He neither questioned nor dictated to God how He should deliver and protect them.

The Christian must be submissive to the plans of God even while claiming His promises in times of trials and challenges. That is when he will enjoy the fruits of obedience which include divine protection, unlimited supplies, prosperity and divine presence.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: DEUTERONOMY 7 - 9

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Obedience is key to receiving from God.

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TOPIC: For His Glory Alone

"Wednesday, February 04, 2015"

*TEXT: NEHEMIAH 3:1-5*

*"Key Verse: “Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel” (Nehemiah 3:1)."*
“N adversity, but if you wantearly all men can stand to test a man’s character give him power” - Abraham Lincoln. It is either such power intoxicates and does more harm than good, or it is wisely used for the greatest good of the greatest number.
Nehemiah worked in Shushan as a personal assistant to the king of the vast Medo-Persian Empire. When he heard about the dilapidated state of walls and gates of Jerusalem, he obtained permission from the king and proceeded to Jerusalem to be personally involved in the work. Jerusalem was a large city with a network of roads and many gates that allowed easy flow of traffic. In times of peace, the city gates were a beehive of activities and commerce.
The volume of work required everyone to be involved. However, the Tekoites, lazy as they were, could be of no help. They watched their brethren work tirelessly to rebuild the walls while they preferred to loaf around aimlessly. Are there not such people in the nation, church or family who prefer to do nothing while others are at their duty posts?
The Scripture enjoins that “whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might”. There is work for everyone in the church or even in the nation. Idle hands will definitely discover that they were not wise after all. Our service for the Lord will be rewarded in due time (1 Corinthians 15:58).
*BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: DEUTERONOMY 10 - 12*
*"THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Many hands make the work light."*
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*
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TOPIC: It Is Your Choice!

Thursday, February 05, 2015

TEXT: PROVERBS 13:18-25

Key Verse: “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured” (Proverbs 13:18).

People miss their best in life because they deliberately choose to turn deaf ears to instructions. The text says it all; that God has not destined anyone to be rich or poor. He has set out clear principles in His word to guide us to get the best in life. If we choose to obey these instructions, then we will enjoy life. But if we ignore them and choose to go our own way, we are responsible for whatever we get.

It is however not uncommon to hear some people complain that life has been unfair to them. They blame their unfortunate lot in life on fate and unjust treatment of others to them. They are not able to explain why they cannot make ends meet and tend to become bitter that nobody is helping out. The truth however is, our lot in life, whether we are poor or rich, is our choice. It is not what fate or anybody else has forced on us.

The passage sets out principles for us. If we associate with the wise and take wise decisions, we too will be wise. But destruction will come to those who keep company with the fools. Those who live in sin will only be hunted by evil whether the sin is secret or open.

How are you obeying the instructions of the Lord? Are you diligent and hardworking or do you loaf around in idleness and laziness? Are you wise in your spending, making plans for your future and those of your children or squander all that you have for the moment? Do you take time to give your children godly training and necessary preparations for the future, or leave them to do whatever they like? Are you faithful to God in following His instructions on tithing and giving to others or you are tight-fisted, gathering much but tending to poverty?

Invariably, what you choose to do determines what you choose to have. Begin to do the right things today. Seek and follow good instructions and your life will be the best for it.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: DEUTERONOMY 13 - 16

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: What we choose is what makes or mars us.

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TOPIC: Path Finder

Friday, February 06, 2015

TEXT: JOHN 1:35-45

Key Verse: “He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone” (John 1:41,42).

We are often eager to introduceour friends and relations to individuals whose company we have enjoyed. This is common in normal life; it ought to be in the spiritual.

In our text, Andrew, having found Jesus and heard Him speak, followed Him. Afterwards, he took the good news to his brother, Simon Peter. Likewise, Philip on finding Christ, invited Nathaniel to meet Him. He was not discouraged by Nathaniel’s cynicism and skepticism.

Our sphere of influence includes our relatives, friends and neighbours. The Lord expects us to reach out to them with the message of love and deliverance. To be able to effectively convince them to come to Christ, we must show, through our lives, that we have flourishing relationship with Him. Our message and manner of presentation should be simple. Christ is ever ready to deliver and save as many as are willing to turn from sin and Satan to Him.

If you have turned from your sinful ways to Christ, you must tell others about His love and saving power. You need to handle the task with utmost urgency, dogged persistence and firm conviction. No price should be considered too high to pay, no sacrifice too great to make, and no problem too big to confront for the salvation of the lost. Have you found Jesus? Then, tell the good news to others. They need Him too!

Telling others about Christ is the sacred duty we owe our friends, neighbours, relatives and peers. If you speak to the one next to you and I relate to the one next to me, in no time at all, we will reach the world for the Saviour through the gospel.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: DEUTERONOMY 17 - 20

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: He who wins souls is wise.

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TOPIC: A Plea For Others

Saturday, February 07, 2015

TEXT: DANIEL 9:11-19

Key Verse: “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name” (Daniel 9:19).

John Knox, the founder of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, of whom Queen Mary had said, “I fear his prayers more than I do the armies of my enemies,” ministered through prayer until the moment of his death. When he was very ill, he called to his wife and said, “Read me that Scripture where I first cast my anchor.” After he listened to that beautiful prayer of Jesus recorded in John 17, he forgot his weakness and started interceding for the ungodly who had rejected the gospel, for people who recently got converted and for God’s servants who were facing persecution. As Knox prayed, his spirit went home to be with the Lord.

Our text reveals Daniel’s heart-rent prayer to God. While pleading for God’s forgiveness of Israel’s sins, Daniel was particularly sorry because the Israelites had not obeyed God. He knew that God had sent prophets to warn them and yet, they did not listen to those prophets, neither did they obey the laws which God had given to them. Consequently, God allowed their enemy to take them away from Jerusalem, just to keep His promise that He would punish them.

Among other request, the prophet pleaded with God to forgive His people. Acknowledging that the Jews did not deserve His love for their disobedience, he gave reasons why God should forgive them. First, God brought them out of Egypt. Second, God had always been kind and loved to forgive. Third, Jerusalem was God’s city, which other people hated.

Daniel stood in the gap between God and the Israelites so that God would not destroy them. He remarked that he was culpable with them. God is looking for many Daniels today; those who will not excuse the sin of the people but will incessantly plead with God to grant mercy and forgiveness to the undeserving. May God find in you a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet for His use.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: DEUTERONOMY 21 - 24

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Be a burden-bearer, not a talebearer.

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TOPIC: Where Do You Belong?

Sunday, February 08, 2015

TEXT: PSALMS 2:1-3

Key Verse: “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us” (Psalms 2:2,3).

Tomes of heavyweight intellectual research in the arts and sciences, coupled with thousands of kilometers of manned and unmanned trips into outer space resulting in countless planetary probes over the decades have not led man to a better knowledge of God outside what the Bible teaches. As long as the motive is to challenge God and undermine the doctrine of creation, man’s scientific feats would come to naught.

All these efforts, rather than secure for man a dignifying view of God and the works of His hands, are pushing him farther away from the joys of a stable relationship with his Creator. It is the reason man, relying on his science and technology, has now succeeded in erecting a false religion characterized by wanton pleasure, demonic marital conduct (gay marriages), worship of wealth, crime, corruption in private and public lifestyles and other corrosive pursuits.

These traits show an open rebellion to the Creator: “The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us” (Psalm 2:2,3). Being enmeshed in the craze for worldly pursuits as against the desire for things above is pitching with the god of this world and therefore declaring opposition to God Almighty.

Swift judgment will come upon such persons unless they repent and turn to Jesus for help. It is He that God has appointed as Judge of all. And if the sinner does not make peace with Him, eternal wrath from which no one can deliver after death will be his lot.

“Kiss the Son (embrace Him in holiness, love Him in honour and humility), lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed (happy) are they that put their trust in him” (Psalm 2:12).

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: DEUTERONOMY 25 - 27

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Worldliness is war against God.

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TOPIC: The Final Covenant

Monday, February 09, 2015

TEXT: HEBREWS 8:7-9

Key Verse: “For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second” (Hebrews 8:7).

I n Jeremiah 31:31-34, God promises that He would establish a new and better covenant with His people: “Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the House of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with your fathers in the day that I took them by the hand, to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was husband to them …”

If the old regime of a relationship with God centered on a sacrificial system involving the blood of animals, the envisaged one would also entail sacrifice. According to God, the new covenant would have two unique features. Jesus Christ, the all-time Sacrifice, would offer Himself for substitutionary atonement only once, to shed His blood and redeem man back to God. This is unlike the former order that saw the repeated killing of animals to atone for the sin of the people and the officiating priests.

The second fundamental difference is that whereas Moses the lawgiver sat in judgment to teach the children of Israel in the wilderness during the 40-year journey to Canaan, God will, under the new dispensation, “put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people…”. It is the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus that will teach as well as inscribe the words of God in our hearts.

Jesus, our High Priest, has made direct access to God possible through His blood. He leads us into the most Holy presence of God. He bestows lasting grace and blessing on those who through faith accept Christ as God’s Son. His blood blots out our sin and they are forgotten, unlike that of bulls and goats that only cover sin but does not remove it or change the character of the sinner.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: DEUTERONOMY 28 - 30

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Christ’s blood encapsulates the blessings of the New Covenant.

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TOPIC: Gain Through Pain

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

TEXT: EXODUS 1:1-14

Key Verse: “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel” (Exodus 1:12).

I the sharper their survival instincts,t is said that the more people suffer, and the greater their resolve to triumph. Only few people cave in easily under pressure. For the greater majority, adversity makes them seek refuge in a stronger object, and gets the best out of them.

For the children of Israel, expansion, growth and prosperity came with the troubles they faced in Egypt. In about 200 years, from Abraham to Jacob, the largest number the children of Israel could muster was 70. This was all that came into Egypt. By the time they stayed in Egypt for 200 more years, they grew exponentially. They multiplied, waxed exceedingly mighty and filled the land. The striking thing was that much of this growth came when they faced intense suffering and slavery. Though it was the will of God for them to go to Egypt to avoid famine, they ended up in grave affliction. They were made to serve under rigour by merciless taskmasters and used as slave labour to build treasure cities for the king of Egypt.

Quite remarkably, they did not suffer for any wrong they had done but for what their enemies feared they could do. But the more they suffered, the more they spread out wide; the more they were afflicted, the more affluent they became. God decided that the time to fulfill His age-old promise to Abraham had come. You can grow and become great in the midst of trials and hardship.

The devil will inspire men to persecute and mistreat you probably because you have become successful and prosperous in life, and not for any evil that you have done. His goal is to break you and cut your ties to God. Rather than sulk in self-pity and defeat, you must ensure that your faith grows stronger. Let the pains you are suffering bring out in you great qualities that will prepare you to face and overcome future challenges. Let the harsh situations you face today refine you into a better person.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: DEUTERONOMY 31 - 34

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Great test is stepping stone to great testimonies.

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TOPIC: Due Process Please

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

TEXT: RUTH 4:1-12

Key Verse: “And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi” (Ruth 4:9).


There are people who will want to justify their deeds of dishonesty or their breach of protocol and due process on the ground that they had good intentions. But we know that good and charitable intentions do not in any way justify dishonesty or failure to follow due process. Noble men are distinguished by their desire to keep a clean record in all their actions. Boaz was such a man.

Though he had taken personal interest in Ruth and wished to help her have a new lease of life, he determined to do things in the right way. Though he had the right to redeem what belonged to Elimelech and marry Ruth as a near kinsman, he knew there was someone who was more entitled to it than himself; he was prepared to allow the man exercise his right. Boaz did not try in any way to use his influence and wealth to lobby the elder over. He allowed a level playing ground for the two of them.

Many people with the position and influence of Boaz would have done otherwise today. They would stop at nothing to eliminate an obvious rival. They will blackmail, threaten, bribe, lobby and even intimidate their opponents to have their way. But Boaz manifested wisdom and patience in handling the matter. Had he gone ahead to marry Ruth without following due process, he would have attracted huge criticism and curse upon himself.

How do you handle matters of personal interest to you? Do you try to manipulate others in order to have your way? Are you very honest and plain in all your dealings? In your place of work, do you follow due process in every transactions even with those you have vested interest? Do you take advantage of a loophole in a system to cheat your organization or others? Impatience, refusal to apply wisdom in sensitive matters and follow due process either in the family, church or workplace can result in serious problems. Honest intentions do not dread public scrutiny.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JOSHUA 1 - 4

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Good intentions do not justify dishonesty.

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TOPIC: Nothing But Repentance

Thursday, February 12, 2015

TEXT: MATTHEW 3:1-5

Key Verse: “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:1,2).

John the Baptist was a fiery preacher of repentance and righteous living. The gospels also record that when our Lord started His ministry, He preached that people should repent of their sins and become citizens of the kingdom of God which was near (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15; Luke 4:8; John 1:43).

Repentance on the part of every sinner is crucial to obtaining the forgiveness of God. It is the basic message every child of God must preach to friends, relations and neighbours. Repentance, the condition for salvation, is a radical break with sin which separates man from his Creator.

On sighting the Pharisees and Sadducees who trooped to him at Jordan where he was conducting water baptism exercise for converts, John pointedly told them that the requirement for entry into the Kingdom was repentance from all sin. He did not feel intimidated or shy to soft-pedal on the truth he was commissioned to preach.

The two groups that came to John hold different opinions contrary to Scriptures. The Pharisees believed salvation would come only from obeying the law of Moses, and not by the grace of God through Jesus. The Sadducees were theological liberals who did not believe in resurrection, miracles, angels or end-time judgment. Both persecuted our Lord and contemned His doctrine. But John was undeterred; he warned them of “the wrath to come.” He told them they would be “cast into the fire” if they didn’t repent.

The attitude of John the Baptist challenges us as believers to be courageous in preaching the truth of the gospel, even in the face of opposition from erroneous teachers of our generation.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JOSHUA 5 - 7

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The Kingdom is the centre-piece of the good news.

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TOPIC: Unchangeable Son of God

Friday, February 13, 2015

TEXT: PSALM 2:4-12

Key Verse: “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” (Psalm 2:8 ).

The salvation of God is for all people of all nations of the world. This is clear from Revelation 7:9,10 where “a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred, and peoples, and tongues stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes and palms in their hands. And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lord.” God the Father will definitely fulfil His promise to harvest hundreds of millions of souls for His Son as His rightful inheritance.

Christ, the Son of God, is the Lord of all (Acts 10:36). His glory and dominion was revealed to Daniel in a vision. “I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and come to the Ancient of Days and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and his Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13,14).

Christ has an indestructible kingdom. Kings and their followers on earth need to be wise and stop their contempt for Him to avoid divine judgment. “A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself: but the simple pass on and are punished.” If they persist, Christ will “break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel”.

God’s warnings about the wrath to come are all over the pages of the Bible. So, everyone should take heed, repent of sin and receive Jesus to be part of the redeemed of all nations that will enter heaven.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JOSHUA 8 - 10

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Hide in Christ to escape the wrath to come.

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TOPIC: Telling It As It Is

Saturday, February 14, 2015

TEXT: ISAIAH 1:1-15

Key Verse: “And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah 1:15).

In allowing prophet Isaiah to preface his messianic book of hope within the grim details of Israel’s sin along with the promise of judgment and mercy, God is passing on an instructive method of reaching out to lost souls. The Lord looked upon the action of Israel and concluded that they were “a people laden with iniquity ... who had forsaken the Lord … they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they have gone away backward.”

The result? “From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds and bruises and putrefying sores … your country is desolate.”

In spite of this spiritual filth, the people of Israel still offered a semblance of service to God! They sacrificed “burnt offerings” of animals. These gifts were unacceptable, according to God, because the bearers had not first cleansed themselves from sin. A person’s sins would stain his sacrifice.

A sinner needs to avail himself of cleansing by the precious blood of Jesus and receive pardon. Thereafter, he can serve God acceptably and enjoy additional blessings as he continues to abide in the Lord.

This is precisely what Isaiah did. He preached the priceless message of the coming Messiah who would be born of a virgin, One who would be the everlasting Father (Isaiah 9) and who would die for our sin (Isaiah 53). But the sinner must first be told the great implication of his lost state for him to be able to appreciate the price paid to redeem him.

The import of today’s exposition is, the sinner will not be on God’s radar of mercies for true worshipers until he forsakes his iniquity and becomes clean through salvation.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JOSHUA 11 - 14

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Without Jesus, you are lost.

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TOPIC: You Must Continue

Sunday, February 15, 2015

TEXT: ROMANS 11:11-24

Key Verse: “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off” (Roman 11:22).

A was running a 300 meters race story was told of an athlete who with a strong determination to win. He was leading the race until he suddenly and inexplicably began to slow down. The spectators at the amphitheater began to shout “Continue! Continue!! Continue!!! Spurred on by this, he made it to the end and won. The foregoing, illustrates the words of our Lord Jesus to the Jews who believed in Him. “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31,32).

Paul, in the text, was talking to Gentile believers to be careful lest they become puffed-up and hardened against the Jews. The spiritual blindness of the Jews had given light to the Gentiles. Yet, it was not the will of God for the hardened Jews to be lost; neither did He predestine them to be hardened. Curiously, the hardness of heart through unbelief by the Jews led to the speedy expansion of the gospel to the idolatrous Gentiles, who became partakers of the gospel of peace. The Jews were cast off momentarily because they rejected the gospel while the Gentiles were grafted in to provoke the Jews to godly living. Paul admonished that the Gentiles must continue in the grace of God and not boast, lest they also should be cut off.

The security of a believer, whether Jew or Gentile, is conditional. The final salvation of believers who are heaven-bound is conditioned on his continuous obedience to the word of God. It was unbelief that cut short the relationship between God and Israel. Christians must be careful not to allow unbelief and hardness of heart to sever them from God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JOSHUA 15 - 18

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Dear believer, continue in His word.

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TOPIC: A Better Atonement

Monday, February 16, 2015

TEXT: LEVITICUS 9:1-14

Key Verse: “And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded” (Leviticus 9:7).

In the Mosaic ordinances, it was the exclusive responsibility of the high priest to make atonement for the sins of the people. Aaron and his sons occupied the offices of the priesthood and therefore were charged with the responsibility of offering the different sacrifices for the sins of Israel. Having just been through a seven-day consecration, they were to start their ministration on the 8th day. Moses, as directed by God, instructed them as to what offerings to be observed – sin offering, burnt offering, peace offering and meat offering – with their respective sacrifices.

One important aspect of this ordinance was that the high priest had to first make atonement for himself before making for the people. This was an acknowledgment of his personal imperfection. Indeed, the whole process was imperfect and only served as a pointer to the ultimate atonement.

The ultimate atonement was accomplished by Jesus, the perfect High Priest. Unlike Aaron, Christ was sinless and did not have to atone for Himself. Previously, the blood of animal was used for atonement. But Christ shed His blood when He died a vicarious death at Calvary. The Mosaic atonement needed to be done every year though it could not really cleanse sins; Christ’s atonement was once and for all and has universal application for removal of all sins.

The implication of this is that, if you appropriate the atonement effected by Christ through repentance from sin and faith in Christ Jesus, your sins will be cleansed. No matter how terrible your sins are, no other sacrifice is necessary for your cleansing and reconciliation with God. Being thus reconciled with God, you will become a child of God and have access to the unsearchable riches of Christ in this world and beyond.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JOSHUA 19 - 21

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Christ’s death and blood is sufficient for your salvation.

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TOPIC: Ungodly Ambition

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

TEXT: 1 KINGS 1:1-13

Key Verse: “Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him” (1 Kings 1:5).

Dwight Lyman Moody, an American evangelist, in one of his sermons, stated: “Satan rules all men that are in his kingdom. Some he rules through lust. Some he rules through covetousness. Some he rules through appetite. Some he rules by their temper, but he rules them. And none will ever seek to be delivered until they get their eyes open and see that they have been taken captive.”

From our text, Adonijah, the fourth son of David, after Amnon, Chileab and Absalom, was caught in the web of ungodly ambition. Amnon, the first son, who had an unholy affair with his sister, Tamar, had already been killed, while Absalom, the third son, who staged a coup against his father, was also killed. Nothing was known of Chileab, David’s second son, born to him by Abigail, widow of Nabal the Carmelite. Adonijah who wanted to become king instead of Solomon was the oldest son still alive.

Therefore, Adonijah thought he would be the next king, after his father, David, who was very old. He made plans towards achieving his course. He knew his father would soon die and he got the support of Joab, David’s military commander, and Abiathar the priest to make him king. But Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah and David’s bodyguards refused to support him. Adonijah still went ahead with his selfish ambition, planning a ceremony where he would declare himself the new king.

Nobody can run faster than God. Adonijah’s inordinate ambition led to his premature death. Solomon did not even fight for the fulfilment of God’s promise that he would succeed his father. Whatever God has ordained for you must come to pass, the machinations of enemies notwithstanding. He knows how to thwart the conspiracy of darkness against your job, business, promotion and family. Pray and trust God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JOSHUA 22 - 24

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Ungodly ambition is a gilded misery.

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TOPIC: Wanted: A Pure Heart

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

TEXT: MARK 7:14-23

Key Verse: “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders” (Mark 7:21).

In many ways, the heart serves as the engine room of the human body. From biological perspective, it is the organ that pumps oxygen and blood to different parts of the body. It is this activity of the heart that sustains life. On the other hand, the heart is the stream out of which flow “the issues of life.” It is the chamber where thoughts are incubated before they transform into action. Your heart’s condition is a most critical determinant of the quality of life you live.

This is the truth Christ teaches in the text. The teaching came as part of His response to the hypocritical posture of the Pharisees who faulted His disciples for eating with unwashed hands. The Pharisees practised a religion of forms and rituals with little or no morality. In their pretence to adhere strictly to the Mosaic laws, they added traditions that made them to neglect the weightier matters of the law. Soon, “the tradition of the elders” became their cardinal doctrine and standard. Ceremonial hand-washing before meal was one of such traditions. Their faultfinding penchant could not bear to see Christ’s disciples flout this tradition.

Christ’s message here is clear: defilement does not come from eating with unwashed hands or from what we eat. This does not excuse the evil of consuming hurtful substances. It simply implies that defilement and wickedness come “from within, out of the heart of man.” The list of sins mentioned in verses 21 and 22 are just a fraction of the soul-damning evils that man’s depraved heart can produce.

Your natural heart needs regeneration or spiritual rebirth. This happens when you approach God penitently, acknowledging, confessing and forsaking your sins with faith in Christ as your Saviour and Lord. After this experience, you must keep your heart with all diligence to avoid polluting that precious fountain.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JUDGES 1 - 4

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Is your heart right with God?

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TOPIC: God Is Ever Present

"Thursday, February 19, 2015"

*TEXT: PSALM 3:1-8*

*"Key Verse: “I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah” (Psalm 3:4)."*
One of the most moving  testimonies about the unfailing help of God in time of need for a believer is that of the widow whose home was invaded by enemy soldiers.
The troops had overrun the territory where she lived. They stormed her residence and, in military fashion, demanded food. Being an unwavering believer in Christ’s promise (I am with you always Matthew 28:20) she did not panic, but went ahead to prepare what the soldiers wanted and set the table.
Inviting them to feast, she told the military men that it was her tradition to pray and read the Bible before meals. She read from Psalm 27 and closed her eyes for prayer. While she communicated with God, she heard footsteps of heavy boots. Opening her eyes after praying, the woman found herself alone in the hall. The threatening soldiers had left!
It is obvious the word of God in 1 Corinthians 1:27,28 that “...God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty and base things of the world and things which are despised hath God chosen, yea and things which are not; to bring to nought things that are” have been perfectly fulfilled.
When King David found himself in a big trouble following Absalom’s rebellion, he cried to God for deliverance. The Lord did not fail him in order to prove He answers the prayer of faith of believers who trust in Him.
God wants His children to call upon Him in times of trouble so that He can destabilize the enemy by His mighty power and fulfil His promises in our lives. It is the demonstration of such divine authority that will cause the unbeliever to know that we serve a God who can be trusted unlike idols that cannot save.
*BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JUDGES 5 - 7*
*"THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The flesh is helpless in times of grave challenges."*
*Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/
*
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TOPIC: When God Marvels

Friday, February 20, 2015

TEXT: JEREMIAH 8:1-12

Key Verse: “Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return” (Jeremiah 8:5).

How would a world where nobody gives or takes instructions look like? Will it be peaceful or chaotic? God is amazed by the attitude of the Israelites who have chosen to act contrary to the knowledge and instructions they have received. He is surprised that they want to continue to pursue a lifestyle that they knew had ruined other people.

In the text today, God expressed wonder at the people of Jerusalem. In spite of the much they knew about God; the love and mercies He had showered on them; the teachings and warnings He had given to them through His holy prophets; the punishments and ruins they had seen Him bring upon others who had lived such sinful and rebellious life; they continued in the act of deliberate rebellion and rejection of His word. It baffled God that lesser creatures like the stork, turtle, crane and swallow are able to observe their time but His people whom He made with higher level of intelligence are not able to read the signs! The people of God, together with their leaders and priests, have deliberately turned their backs on God and have chosen to live an unashamed life of uncontrolled sinfulness. Since they chose to deliberately ignore God, spurn His love and reject His entreaties, God had no option left other than to visit them with judgment.

Is it not a wonder today that there are still many who in spite of what they know about God and His love still walk deliberately away from Him? They go to church, hear God’s word but walk away to continue in their sin. If you choose to take God’s love and grace for granted and continue with a life of deliberate rebellion and rejection of God’s word, you need to be reminded that you will not be spared of God’s judgment.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JUDGES 8 - 10

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Let your life please God and not baffle Him!

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TOPIC: Choose Your Influence

"Saturday, February 21, 2015"

*TEXT: GALATIANS 4:8-23*

*"Key Verse: “But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you” (Galatians 4:18)."*
God has created us to interact with other people and not to live in isolation. As a result, we are greatly influenced by the people we interact and relate with. In the formative stages of our lives, we hardly had any choice about the kind of influence we should have. But as we grew older, we accepted responsibility for whatever and whoever we allowed to exert influence on us.
The Apostle Paul in our text was worried about the kind of influence the Galatian believers were allowing in their lives, particularly as it affected their faith in the gospel. He wondered why they allowed the influence of the Judaizers to make them to mix-up their faith in Christ with the observance of the mosaic laws as necessary for salvation. These teachings were weakening the faith of believers whom Paul had laboured so much to bring to the gospel. They were being brought again into the bondage of the law which they had not been able to keep in all their generations. Paul blamed these believers for opening up themselves to such negative influences.
Our spiritual growth and health will be largely affected by the types of influences we allow in our lives. Many people have had unstable and stagnant Christian lives because of who they interact and relate with. If you care about your spiritual life, then you will be careful as to the kind of people you associate with. To live a victorious life and grow consistently, be sure you have the right kind of influence.
Once we have been brought into the faith like new born babes, our personal growth and spiritual welfare become our sacred responsibilities. If we fail to do the right things about this, it is certain that we can lose our liberty and slip back into Satan’s captivity. So, we must guard against being lured back into bondage by those who seek to influence us.
*BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JUDGES 11 - 13*
*"THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Be on the lookout for poachers on your soul."*
*Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/
*
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TOPIC: Time To Rest

"Sunday, February 22, 2015"

*TEXT: GENESIS 2:1-5*

*"Key Verse: “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made” (Genesis 2:2)."*
When the Bible says God “rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made” (Genesis 2:2), it must not be construed in the human sense of someone resting from fatigue. This cannot be because “the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth fainteth not, neither is weary” (Isaiah 40:28). We know also that He will not “slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4).
The term “rested” simply means God ceased from His work on that day. That day assumed a special importance, hence the Bible says God “sanctified” the seventh day. He set it aside for rest, worship and service to the Lord.
If God did not rest on account of exhaustion from work, it follows that He modelled the seventh day as a Sabbath rest day for His people. It is a principle to enable us renew our spiritual, physical, mental and emotional faculties. If we violate it, we risk spiritual, physical, mental and emotional breakdown. It is, in a word, sin and a breach of God’s law.
Like His Father, our Lord, Jesus Christ clearly understood the role of rest and renewal of strength in human beings. In Mark 6:31, he encourages His disciples to “come apart... into a desert place to rest a while”.
In the dispensation of grace, the first day of the week is the Lord’s day; it is our Sabbath, which New Testament believers set aside for special worship. It is a day of rest when we stay away from work. It is a day for solemn worship of God. On that day, He renews our physical strength as well as teaches us precious Kingdom lessons in preparation for the second coming of Jesus Christ as required of those called out to serve.
God put it as part of the.Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8 ) to emphasize its superlative importance and its inviolability. Consequently, we must observe the Lord’s day as the day of rest, even as.we set time apart each day for rest, meditation and introspection.
*BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JUDGES 14 - 17*
*"THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Keep the Lord’s day. "*
*Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/
*
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hisableplc:
TOPIC: Time To Rest

"Sunday, February 22, 2015"

*TEXT: GENESIS 2:1-5*

*"Key Verse: “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made” (Genesis 2:2)."*
When the Bible says God “rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made” (Genesis 2:2), it must not be construed in the human sense of someone resting from fatigue. This cannot be because “the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth fainteth not, neither is weary” (Isaiah 40:28). We know also that He will not “slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4).
The term “rested” simply means God ceased from His work on that day. That day assumed a special importance, hence the Bible says God “sanctified” the seventh day. He set it aside for rest, worship and service to the Lord.
If God did not rest on account of exhaustion from work, it follows that He modelled the seventh day as a Sabbath rest day for His people. It is a principle to enable us renew our spiritual, physical, mental and emotional faculties. If we violate it, we risk spiritual, physical, mental and emotional breakdown. It is, in a word, sin and a breach of God’s law.
Like His Father, our Lord, Jesus Christ clearly understood the role of rest and renewal of strength in human beings. In Mark 6:31, he encourages His disciples to “come apart... into a desert place to rest a while”.
In the dispensation of grace, the first day of the week is the Lord’s day; it is our Sabbath, which New Testament believers set aside for special worship. It is a day of rest when we stay away from work. It is a day for solemn worship of God. On that day, He renews our physical strength as well as teaches us precious Kingdom lessons in preparation for the second coming of Jesus Christ as required of those called out to serve.
God put it as part of the.Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8 ) to emphasize its superlative importance and its inviolability. Consequently, we must observe the Lord’s day as the day of rest, even as.we set time apart each day for rest, meditation and introspection.
*BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JUDGES 14 - 17*
*"THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Keep the Lord’s day. "*
*Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/
*
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The Sabbath is the 7th day of the week. God Himself sanctified the 7th day.
Nowhere in scripture did God authorize any human to alter the day he has set aside since creation.
Even secular history shows that the first century christians observed the Sabbath on the 7th day similar to the Jews. They also kept God's Holy Days as enumerated in Leviticus 23, but with new understanding.

Apart from a weekly day of sacred assembly, it is also a day of rest from physical work.

Sunday was chosen in an attempt from Rome to distance itself from the Jews.

You could do a research on Hebrews 4:9-10 where the Greek word 'sabbatismos' meaning 'sabbath-keeping' was used in verse 9.
Meanwhile verse 10 uses a different word for rest, and also was referring to ceasing from work just as God did.

In Christ's words, "The sabbath was made for man..." Mark 2:27

God bless you as you study His word.

TOPIC: Don’t Start Another War!

Monday, February 23, 2015
TEXT: JUDGES 12:1-6

Key Verse: “And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire” (Judges 12:1).

If we look at what causes most wars that have destroyed so many lives and properties, we will discover that they bothered on some personal and self motivated issues that would have been solved with much diplomacy, patience and care. But man has allowed personal grievances, pride, envy, jealousy, accusations and counter-accusations and so many other very trivial issues to bring about
so many countless and irreparable losses. Many of these were later regretted. If we can be more patient with one another, showing more restraint, forbearance and tolerance, there will not be need for wars and the wanton destruction that they bring.

In the text, we find the unnecessary argument between the men of Ephraim and Jephthah. They accused Jephthah for not having involved them in the battle against the Ammonites. Jephthah however countered that he invited them but they turned down his call for help. The argument later degenerated to ethnic issues resulting into war in which forty two thousand of the Ephraimites died. What a senseless loss!

Envy, jealousy, pride and the wrong use of the tongue have very devastating consequences. So many homes and families have been razed to the ground for these. God desires that we should cultivate the tongue of the learned, knowing how to use the right words in season. There is the need for us to be tolerant and patient with one another as well. Harsh comments and criticisms, judgmental utterances and dispositions which are spurred out of envy and jealousy must be avoided. We will save lives, property, marriages, relationships and careers if we learn to speak right words that will bring encouragement, succour, support and security.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JUDGES 18 - 21

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Consider the huge costs of reparation.

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TOPIC: Consequence Of Efforts

Tuesday, February 24, 2015
TEXT: NEHEMIAH 3:6-22

Key Verse: “And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters. And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain” (Nehemiah 3:12,22).

Commenting on leadership ability to understand the mood of people and be thus propelled to take appropriate and timely action, a Scottish philosopher, Francis Hutcheson said, ‘That action is best which procures the greatest happiness for the greatest numbers’.

Nehemiah which means ‘The Lord comforts’, was the personal cupbearer to the Persian King, Artaxerxes (464-424 BC). About 445 BC, Nehemiah received permission from the king to go to Judah to restore his people’s fortunes. This did not come on a platter of gold. After he had been informed that ‘the remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire’ (1:3); he began fasting and praying for God’s intervention.

Nehemiah mobilized the people in such a way that the rebuilding of Jerusalem walls became a matter, not only of civic responsibility but of national emergency. Everyone was involved. Even women, Shallum’s daughters, were physically involved. They defied cruel mockings and jesting of their detractors.

Today, many places of worship look more like poultry farms than God’s houses. Some are even without walls and gates. There is great need for leaders with vision and concern for the building of befitting places of worship for the Lord. These should be leaders who, like Nehemiah, will mobilize everyone for the attainment of such noble objective. Above all, every believer ought to participate in making God’s house, a beauty to behold.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 CORINTHIANS 1 - 4

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: It is virtuous to give of your best to the service of the Most High.

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TOPIC: Divine Anointment

Wednesday, February 25, 2015
TEXT: MATTHEW 3:13-17

Key Verse: “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

There are five lessons we learn from the comportment of our Lord Jesus Christ on His baptism by John the Baptist. To begin with, Jesus humbly submitted to the lesser who thought it strange to baptize his Master. We learn that all brethren should “submit one to another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:21).

Jesus did not give Himself up for water baptism by immersion because He repented of sin and must comply with the instructions that converts be baptized. He did it to associate with John’s ministry as His forerunner and to show us example to follow on the question of water baptism.

Besides, Jesus did it to “fulfil all righteousness”. In Kingdom work, the believer must leave no stone unturned to ensure that the will of God is done.

The Father also used the occasion to establish the fact of the existence of the Trinity. God the Father spoke (Matthew 3:17) to approve of God the Son (Jesus). God the Holy Ghost came upon Jesus “like a dove... lighting upon Him” (Matthew 3:16). The three Personalities in the Godhead were at work at the same time to teach that they are united in one Body for one work and ministry.

Moreover, if Jesus needed the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to succeed, how much more do serious believers need the Spirit’s all-conquering enablement to be victorious in evangelism and in daily Christian walk! That is the reason Jesus Christ baptizes us in the Holy Spirit so that we might have the Spirit’s powerful unction.

We need to be serious in seeking the Pentecostal power and anointing of the Holy Ghost. This will make us succeed the way Jesus did when guided by the Spirit the Father bestowed on Him. As we thirst and hunger for the experience, God is ever willing to pour His Spirit on us.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 CORINTHIANS 5 - 7

THOUGHT FOR TODAY: The believer can do nothing but by Spirit of God.

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TOPIC: Watch Over That White Linen

Thursday, February 26, 2015

TEXT: ECCLESIASTES 10:1-7

Key Verse: “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour” (Ecclesiastes 10:1).

I t is a common saying among a tribal people of the West African coast that “he that is arrayed in a white apparel should be careful to avoid walking in miry, dusty roads lest he has mud splashed upon him and his clothe be stained, and spoils his parade.” A little stain of sin could spoil and distort the testimony of good living established over many years.

Our text emphasizes how sin can destroy the testimony of the righteous. It is wisdom on the part of the believer to remain faithful and steadfast in his relationship with God. Backsliding brings reproach, shame and dishonour.

The believer has a great deal of reputation to lose. Therefore, those who follow the Lord need to walk carefully to abstain from all appearances of evil so that their testimonies will remain credible and untarnished. The sinner has no testimony which he may lose. Those in dark clothing are not so much liable to apparent stains and spots like those in white, sparkling clothing. The deeper we go in our relationship with God, the greater harm is done to our testimony and conscience by any act of sin or disposition to it. A little sin may cast so great a dark shadow over a previously great and upright living.

As we go out today, we must depend upon Him to help us attain unto the high moral standard which He has set for us in His word. We must be free from lust and never yield ourselves to evil. We must avoid situations that could lead to compromise. In the midst of extreme apathy to the gospel message and immorality that pervades our society today, we must still do our best to preach to every creature. “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment spoiled by the flesh (Jude 23).

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 CORINTHIANS 8 - 11

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Take heed to your life and Christian profession.

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TOPIC: Earnest Intercessions

Friday, February 27, 2015

TEXT: DANIEL 9:20-27

Key Verse: “At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision” (Daniel 9:23).

The text today reveals a man, Daniel, who had a real burden for his people. He was concerned about the Jews who were in exile serving punishment for their sinful lifestyle.

Usually, the Jews used evening to offer sacrifice in their homeland. Now in Babylon, a strange land, they could not offer sacrifices to God. Daniel would use the period to pray based on the promise of God through Jeremiah that the Jews would return to Jerusalem after 70 years. The time was almost over as the next king would allow the people to return to Jerusalem. While he was praying, angel Gabriel came with the answer.

However, Gabriel told Daniel that God had other plans, which would be for a period of 70 weeks, when the people and their holy city would suffer terrible devastation. A week was regarded as seven years. So, 70 weeks means 70 x 7, which is 490 years. In the first seven weeks, which is 49 years, someone would issue a command to build Jerusalem again. The people would build the city of Jerusalem again, though they would suffer trouble because of some resistance. Within the next 62 weeks, which is 434 years, God would appoint a special ruler, which is Jesus, whom the people would kill at the end of the period. In the last week, which is seven years, a foreign prince, Anti-Christ, would come with his army. Bible scholars believe that this last one week is the period of the great tribulation, which is yet to happen.

Daniel had all the disincentives that could make him not to pray. He was a prisoner, as it were, in a foreign land. He did not have the liberty to pray because of the constrictive laws of the land. Besides, he was a busy official. Yet, he dared the odds by praying to the point that deep revelations came to him. You can act like Daniel by consciously turning adversities to blessings through effectual, fervent praying.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 CORINTHIANS 12 - 14

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Prayer brings divine intervention.

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TOPIC: Not Your Background

Saturday, February 28, 2015

TEXT: JOHN 1:46-51

Key Verse: “And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see” (John 1:46).

Cynicism has always been the problem of many a man. People pass comments on the basis of experience, history, tradition or philosophy. Thomas Didymus, a disciple of Jesus Christ fell into this problem of cynicism when he felt it was not possible for Jesus, whom he watched crucified and buried, to be alive again. So, when he was told that the Lord, the Master, had not only resurrected, but appeared before the disciples, he thought it was a fairy tale. He did not believe until Jesus reappeared at a meeting where Thomas was present.

Nazareth had been a small city. It was unthinkable that something good could come out from the place, let alone a unique personality of Jesus’ status. So, when he was told that the much-awaited Jesus had been found as was said in the law of Moses and the prophets, Nathanael expressed doubts. But one interesting thing about Nathanael’s kind of doubt is that it was not expressed out of disrespect for prophesy. He spoke out of confusion or mixed feelings of joy and consternation.

As a believer, you must realize that the wrong perception of people about you cannot change the counsel of God concerning your life. If you are of inconsequential pedigree in the eyes of certain people or your self esteem is receding as a result of people’s perception of you, look up to the Maker of all flesh. Do not lose your head over what people think about you. And the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who carefully piloted His dear Son till the successful fulfilment of His ministry here on earth despite His lowly parentage, will also safely lead you to actualize your dreams.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 CORINTHIANS 15 - 16

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: What matters is not your origin but God’s counsel for your life.

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TOPIC: You Can’t Change God

Sunday, March 01, 2015
TEXT: GENESIS 2:16-25

Key Verse: “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17).

God created Adam and Eve perfect human beings. He provided everything man would need before making man in His own image and after His likeness. It was an act of love for God to reproduce Himself in man. Man was free to eat of every tree except one located in the midst of the garden.

Aside giving man freedom, God also gave him overwhelming control of his habitat; He delegated Adam with authority to name all His creatures. God approved the names Adam gave to other creatures and said in Genesis 9:2 that “the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered”.

Though man did not complain being alone among numerous animals and trees, God thought he would be happier having “an help meet”, for “it is not good that the man should be alone”. Without consulting man, “the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept: and he took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman and brought her unto the man.” God is good; He always does good.

From the foregoing, God instituted marriage to be monogamous, comprising one man and one wife. Polygamy and homosexuality are godless ideals and arrangements of the figment of man’s sinful imaginations. God will not swap position with man to take orders from any of His creatures on what marriage should be.

Abandoning God’s good order on marriage and other areas in life is a grievous act of ingratitude. Besides, confusion, sorrow and misfortune will always accompany man’s alternative arrangement that runs parallel to God’s. He will punish those who do not repent of contempt for His laws.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 CORINTHIANS 1 - 4

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: God will not swap position with man to take orders from His creatures.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/

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TOPIC: No Room For Enmity

Monday, March 02, 2015

TEXT: 2 SAMUEL 1:17-27

Key Verse: “And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son” (2 Samuel 1:17).

King David had his own shortcomings as a man. But none of them was ingratitude or disloyalty to friends. None still was a tendency to hate his enemy, as would the carnal man. Today’s reading reveals this beloved monarch of ancient Israel at his best, displaying in balanced measure, loyalty to his slain friend Jonathan and honour to the fallen King Saul who even sought to kill him for no just reason. The contextual presentation of today’s meditation has David mourning the death of Saul and Jonathan. Learning of the tragedy that had befallen Israel, David promptly executed an Amalekite who claimed responsibility for Saul’s death in expectation of a reward for killing David’s enemy. As it turned out, it was bad news for David that Saul who hated him and wanted to kill him was dead. It was not only the death of Jonathan, his great and tenderhearted friend which hurt him, that of Saul also did. David launches into a memorable dirge that describes Saul and Jonathan as “the beauty of Israel” (verse 19) and “weapons of war” (verse 27), who “were swifter than eagles, (and) stronger than the lions” (verse 23). Verse 24 is a solemn exhortation: “Ye daughters of Israel weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.” All these for an enemy? Yes, that is what our Lord commands: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:44,45). Do you want to be counted among the children of the Almighty in heaven? Then, heed the word of Jesus by loving your enemy as David did. Only a soul that has accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour can do so, however. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 CORINTHIANS 5 - 9 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: A virtuous soul is at peace with all men, foes and friends alike. Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/ ***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE