DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
OZF FRIDAY, NOVEMBER, 29, 2019

THEME: STANDING AGAINST EVERY EVIL
WORK

BIBLE TEXT:
2 TIMOTHY 4:1-18
1. I charge you therefore before God and the
Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and
the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
2. Preach the word! Be ready in season and out
of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all
longsuffering and teaching.
3. For the time will come when they will not
endure sound doctrine, but according to their
own desires, because they have itching ears,
they will heap up for themselves teachers;
4. and they will turn their ears away from the
truth, and be turned aside to fables.
5. But you be watchful in all things, endure
afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill
your ministry.
6. For I am already being poured out as a drink
offering, and the time of my departure is at
hand.
7. I have fought the good fight, I have finished
the race, I have kept the faith.
8. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to
me only but also to all who have loved His
appearing.
9. Be diligent to come to me quickly;
10. for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this
present world, and has departed for Thessalonica
—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.
11. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring
him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.
12. And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
13. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at
Troas when you come—and the books, especially
the parchments.
14. Alexander the coppersmith did me much
harm. May the Lord repay him according to his
works.
15. You also must beware of him, for he has
greatly resisted our words.
16. At my first defense no one stood with me,
but all forsook me. May it not be charged
against them.
17. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened
me, so that the message might be preached fully
through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear.
Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil
work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.
To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
II Timothy 4:1-18 NKJV

GUIDE TEXT
One of our hymns reminds us not to yet seek
repose. We are enjoined to listen to what our
guardian angels have to say, and it is this, ‘Thou
art in the midst of foes; watch and pray. The
Apostle Paul knew clearly that he was nearing
the end of his stay here on Earth.
He had fought the good fight and had kept the
faith. He was waiting for the crown of glory that
the Lord Jesus Christ would give him. Yet at this
point, he was not relaxing or relenting. He was
not ignorant of the devices of the evil one. He
was well aware that though he was close to the
end of his ministry, the host of darkness will
keep attacking. He would not let himself be
caught with the 'Last hour Peril' - the danger of
losing it when the race is almost done. So, he
kept seeking refuge from God, Who alone is able
to protect His own from the assaults of the
wicked.
Till we go to be with the Lord, the enemy of our
souls, bodies, household, career, children, and
endeavours will keep moving to and fro the earth,
roaring like a lion, seeking whom he may devour
(1 Peter 5:. He always seeks to attack that
which gives us peace, joy, comfort, happiness,
hope, aspirations and the like, from every angle,
but in Christ Jesus we have the assurance of
victory over him and his evil work. Our duty is to
never ever give up the fight against the powers
of hell that seek to destroy that which is ours;
but be on guard in fasting and in prayer.
It is written, ‘resist the devil and he will flee
from you (James 4: 7). Let us also keep seeking
refuge from God. We can be sure He will deliver
us.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, protect me from every
evil work and preserve me for your heavenly
kingdom, in Jesus Name. Amen.

Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF
NOVEMBER 30, 2019
(St. Andrew's Day)

THEME: YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR
YOUR DECISIONS

BIBLE TEXT
MATTHEW 4: 18-25
18. And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee,
saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and
Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea;
for they were fishermen.
19. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will
make you fishers of men.”
20. They immediately left their nets and followed
Him.
21. Going on from there, He saw two other
brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John
his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father,
mending their nets. He called them,
22. and immediately they left the boat and their
father, and followed Him.
23. And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in
their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the
kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all
kinds of disease among the people.
24. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and
they brought to Him all sick people who were
afflicted with various diseases and torments, and
those who were demon-possessed, epileptics,
and paralytics; and He healed them.
25. Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee,
and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and
beyond the Jordan.
MATTHEW 4:18-25 NKJV

GUIDE TEXT
Today is a Saint Day. Saint Days in the Church
are set aside to recall the exploits of heroes of
faith particularly the Apostles of Christ. Today,
we remember the life of Apostle Andrew.
According to our text, he was fishing with
brother, Simon Peter, when Jesus called out to
them saying, ‘Follow me and I will make you
fishers of men. They immediately answered the
call. This probably was not the first time He met
Jesus (John 1:40-42). He was a disciple of John
the Baptist, and his attention was brought to the
fact that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who
takes away the sin of the world. After
discovering this, he immediately told his own
brother Peter about what he had found. He said,
‘We have found the Messiah’ (John 1:29-41).
Both of them became followers of Jesus Christ,
and became fishers of men. There was nothing
too great, precious, and valuable for him to do
away with for the higher calling of Jesus Christ,
and for greater exploit.
Dear reader, what is that in your hands that
hindering you from completely yielding to Christ?
John was a good master/teacher but Andrew left
him all the same for Jesus Christ the Lord of all.
What do you regard as master in your life that
has so taken you and makes it appear impossible
for you to fully do the will of God? Today we
remember St. Andrew for his decision for Christ.
Eternal records will bring to remembrance your
decisions for Christ in this lifetime: your decision
for salvation, your decision for holy living, your
decision to make your life in Christ bless other
lives around you.

PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, help my
decisions on a daily basis to yield fully to the
call of your Son as my Master.

Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019 (ADVENT SUNDAY)

THEME: THE END TIME EVENTS

BIBLE TEXT: MATTHEW 24:36-44
36. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not
even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
37. But as the days of Noah were, so also will
the coming of the Son of Man be.
38. For as in the days before the flood, they
were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in
marriage, until the day that Noah entered the
ark,
39. and did not know until the flood came and
took them all away, so also will the coming of
the Son of Man be.
40. Then two men will be in the field: one will be
taken and the other left.
41. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one
will be taken and the other left.
42. Watch therefore, for you do not know what
hour your Lord is coming.
43. But know this, that if the master of the
house had known what hour the thief would
come, he would have watched and not allowed
his house to be broken into.
44. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of
Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
MATTHEW 24:36-44 NKJV

GUIDE TEXT
The End Time Events
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the
disciples came to him privately. Tell us”, they
said. When will this happen, and what will be the
sign of your coming and of the end of the
age?” (Matthew 24:3).
Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in responding
to the question about the end time and His
second coming, made it clear to His disciples
and by extension to us today, that the signs are
as stated in Matthew 24:4-30. But about the day
and hour, they are unknown but are only known
by God alone. The return of Christ is a real event
that is yet to happen. And so there is that day or
hour. There is a fixed day and hour when Christ
will return. It is an actual event and not a
moonlight story. The day and hour of His return
is secret in the sense that no one knows, but
only the Father.
The return of Christ will be the same way and
manner just as in Noahs day. They were eating
and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,
until the flood came and destroyed them.
Christians today should learn from the errors of
Noahs days so as not to be taken unawares.

PRAYER: Father I ask for your grace to
remain faithful to the end in Jesus name. Amen.

Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional

HAPPY NEW MONTH.... 24 DAY DAYS TO
CHRISTMAS..
ITS ADVENT SUNDAY...

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-Dec-02

TOPIC: CHRISTIAN VIRTUES FOR
GROWTH

TEXT: 2 PETER 1:1-11(NKJV)
36. " But of that day and hour no one knows, not
even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
37. "But as the days of Noah [were,] so also will
the coming of the Son of Man be.
38. "For as in the days before the flood, they
were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in
marriage, until the day that Noah entered the
ark,
39. "and did not know until the flood came and
took them all away, so also will the coming of
the Son of Man be.
40. "Then two [men] will be in the field: one will
be taken and the other left.
41. "Two [women will be] grinding at the mill:
one will be taken and the other left.
42. "Watch therefore, for you do not know what
hour your Lord is coming.
43. "But know this, that if the master of the
house had known what hour the thief would
come, he would have watched and not allowed
his house to be broken into.
44. "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of
Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

GUIDE STUDY
In our text today, Peter is advising Christians to
possess certain qualities that would help them to
mature spiritually. These include: knowledge,
self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness
and love (2Peter 1:5-7).
Possession of these virtues will make a Christian
fruitful. It is a charge to keep and meditate upon;
it is a charge for Christians to live their lives in
accordance with the set standard of God
Almighty. And so a Christian is charged to make
every effort never to live his or her life outside
God's ordained standard.
What this means is that present day Christians
should have faith, study the word of God and
obey Him. This will make them fruitful. This also
implies that Christians should show good
character in the way they conduct their daily
lives, whether in public or private. '

PRAYER: Righteous Father, I pray you to
equip me with these virtues to enable me remain
relevant in this race in Jesus name. Amen.


Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
DATE: 2019-Dec-03

TOPIC: VITAL THINGS A CHRISTIAN
SHOULD REMEMBER

BIBLE TEXT:
2 PETER 1:12-21(NKJV)
12. For this reason I will not be negligent to
remind you always of these things, though you
know and are established in the present truth.
13. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this
tent, to stir you up by reminding [you,]
14. knowing that shortly I [must] put off my tent,
just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.
15. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you
always have a reminder of these things after my
decease.
16. For we did not follow cunningly devised
fables when we made known to you the power
and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were
eyewitnesses of His majesty.
17. For He received from God the Father honor
and glory when such a voice came to Him from
the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased."
18. And we heard this voice which came from
heaven when we were with Him on the holy
mountain.
19. And so we have the prophetic word
confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light
that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns
and the morning star rises in your hearts;
20. knowing this first, that no prophecy of
Scripture is of any private interpretation,
21. for prophecy never came by the will of man,
but holy men of God spoke [as they were]
moved by the Holy Spirit.
GUIDE STUDY
At the point of Peter's departure, he reminded
believers of vital things they are to watch out
for. These include
(1) False teachings that deny the power and
second coming of Jesus Christ (2Peter 1: 16)
(2) The glorification of Jesus Christ which he
himself witnessed (2Peter 1: 17)
(3) That no scripture is of· private interpretation
(2Peter 1 :20)
(4) The fulfilment of the prophecy (2Peter 1: 19).
For a Christian to be steadfast in the faith he/
she must study the word of God, depend on the
Holy Spirit for understanding and put the word
into practice. Doing this will help such a believer
avoid false teachers and prophecies.

PRAYER: Righteous Father, grant us
knowledge and deep insight of your word in
Jesus name. Amen.

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DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-Dec-04

TOPIC: THE DESCRIPTION OF FALSE
TEACHERS

BIBLE TEXT:
2 PETER 2: 1-3(NKJV)
1. But there were also false prophets among the
people, even as there will be false teachers
among you, who will secretly bring in destructive
heresies, even denying the Lord who bought
them, [and] bring on themselves swift
destruction.
2. And many will follow their destructive ways,
because of whom the way of truth will be
blasphemed.
3. By covetousness they will exploit you with
deceptive words; for a long time their judgment
has not been idle, and their destruction does not
slumber.

GUIDE STUDY
In this scripture, Apostle Peter says that false
teachers would always secretly introduce or
bring in destructive heresies into the church.
However, they do not do this openly but
deceptively, quietly, secretly. Their strategy is to
quietly teach their false and destructive heresies
in the church and among believers.
Any teaching that is contrary to God's word is
heresy; it destroys both spiritual and physical
lives of the people and leads them to doom.
Christians must beware of false teachers and
their tactics in the church. If they give attention
to these false teachings, they run the risk of
losing their salvation.

PRAYER: Eternal Father, deliver your
church from the hands of false and destructive
teachers in Jesus name. Amen.

Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-Dec-05

TOPIC: GOD'S JUDGMENT AWAITS FALSE
TEACHERS

BIBLE TEXT:
2 PETER 2:4-11(NKJV)
4. For if God did not spare the angels who
sinned, but cast [them] down to hell and
delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be
reserved for judgment;
5. and did not spare the ancient world, but saved
Noah, [one of] eight [people,] a preacher of
righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world
of the ungodly;
6. and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah
into ashes, condemned [them] to destruction,
making [them] an example to those who
afterward would live ungodly;
7. and delivered righteous Lot, [who was]
oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked
8. (for that righteous man, dwelling among them,
tormented [his] righteous soul from day to day
by seeing and hearing [their] lawless deeds) --
9. [then] the Lord knows how to deliver the godly
out of temptations and to reserve the unjust
under punishment for the day of judgment,
10. and especially those who walk according to
the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise
authority. [They are] presumptuous, self-willed.
They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries,
11. whereas angels, who are greater in power
and might, do not bring a reviling accusation
against them before the Lord.

GUIDE STUDY
From yesterday's reading in 2 Peter 2:3, the bible
makes it clear that false teachers will be judged
and destroyed. Though it may seem that false
teaching goes on and on forever without being
corrected or handled by God, one thing is sure
no matter how successful or prosperous a false
teacher may seem to be, judgment must surely
come.
A day has been fixed by God where all false
teachers will face God's judgment and they must
surely pay for all destructive and misleading
doctrines they introduce into the church.
If the angels did not escape God's wrath when
they sinned against God (2Peter 2:4), the false
teachers have no escaping route from God's
judgment. And so if God judges fallen angels,
how much more will He judge men, especially if
they teach false doctrines and mislead people
(Jude 1:6, Isaiah 14: 12-15)?

PRAYER: Father Lord, help me not to fall
victim of false teachers in Jesus name. Amen.

Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-Dec-06

TOPIC: THE CHARACTER OF FALSE
TEACHERS

TEXT:
2 PETER 2:12-22(NKJV)
12. But these, like natural brute beasts made to
be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things
they do not understand, and will utterly perish in
their own corruption,
13. [and] will receive the wages of
unrighteousness, [as] those who count it
pleasure to carouse in the daytime. [They are]
spots and blemishes, carousing in their own
deceptions while they feast with you,
14. having eyes full of adultery and that cannot
cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. [They
have] a heart trained in covetous practices, [and
are] accursed children.
15. They have forsaken the right way and gone
astray, following the way of Balaam the [son] of
Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
16. but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb
donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained
the madness of the prophet.
17. These are wells without water, clouds carried
by a tempest, for whom is reserved the
blackness of darkness forever.
18. For when they speak great swelling [words]
of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the
flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have
actually escaped from those who live in error.
19. While they promise them liberty, they
themselves are slaves of corruption; for by
whom a person is overcome, by him also he is
brought into bondage.
20. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions
of the world through the knowledge of the Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again
entangled in them and overcome, the latter end
is worse for them than the beginning.
21. For it would have been better for them not to
have known the way of righteousness, than
having known [it,] to turn from the holy
commandment delivered to them.
22. But it has happened to them according to the
true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit,"
and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in
the mire."

GUIDE STUDY
The scripture says ‘by their fruits, we shall know
them.’ In the same vein, false teachers are also
known by their character.
The following are the conducts of false teachers:
(1) They are carl1aIly minded
(2) They make light of spiritual things
(3) They are deceivers
(4) They are adulterers
(5) They are covetous and hypocritical.
Christians should be firmly rooted in the word of
God, and possess the spirit of discernment in
order to know when false teachers are at work
because we have them within and around us. We
must be watchful.

PRAYER: Father Lord, expose and
expunge false teachers from among us in Jesus
name. Amen

Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-Dec-07

TOPIC: THE SCOFFER'S ANTICS

BIBLE TEXT:
2 PETER 3:1-7(NKJV)
1. Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle
(in [both of] which I stir up your pure minds by
way of reminder),
2. that you may be mindful of the words which
were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of
the commandment of us, the apostles of the
Lord and Savior,
3. knowing this first: that scoffers will come in
the last days, walking according to their own
lusts,
4. and saying, "Where is the promise of His
coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all
things continue as [they were] from the
beginning of creation."
5. For this they willfully forget: that by the word
of God the heavens were of old, and the earth
standing out of water and in the water,
6. by which the world [that] then existed
perished, being flooded with water.
7. But the heavens and the earth [which] are
now preserved by the same word, are reserved
for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of
ungodly men.

GUIDE STUDY
Apostle Peter in 2Peter 3:3 wants believers to
know that in the last days, scoffers would come.
Their main aim is to ridicule the return of Christ
(2Petcr 3:4).
For them, it has been thousands of years since
Jesus came to the earth the first time, and so
they ask in mockery, ‘Where is the promise of
Christ's second coming? What has happened to
his promise of coming back?’ For them, there has
never been a change in the way the world
operates; there has not been a change since
creation.
As a child of God, when you begin to hear these
questions from these scoffers, you should know
that the second coming of Christ is at hand.
You should never allow yourself to be deceived.
Watch out for their antics, and get ready! We will
soon be going home!

PRAYER: Righteous Father in heaven,
increase my faith and love for you. I refuse to be
influenced by scoffers in Jesus name. Amen.

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DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-Dec-08
ADVENT 2

TOPIC: THE GREATEST TESTIMONY

BIBLE TEXT:
JOHN 5:36-47(NKJV)
36. "But I have a greater witness than John's; for
the works which the Father has given Me to
finish -- the very works that I do -- bear witness
of Me, that the Father has sent Me.
37. "And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has
testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice
at any time, nor seen His form.
38. "But you do not have His word abiding in you,
because whom He sent, Him you do not believe.
39. "You search the Scriptures, for in them you
think you have eternal life; and these are they
which testify of Me.
40. "But you are not willing to come to Me that
you may have life.
41. "I do not receive honor from men.
42. "But I know you, that you do not have the
love of God in you.
43. "I have come in My Father's name, and you
do not receive Me; if another comes in his own
name, him you will receive.
44. "How can you believe, who receive honor
from one another, and do not seek the honor
that [comes] from the only God?
45. "Do not think that I shall accuse you to the
Father; there is [one] who accuses you -- Moses,
in whom you trust.
46. "For if you believed Moses, you would believe
Me; for he wrote about Me.
47. "But if you do not believe his writings, how
will you believe My words?"

GUIDE STUDY
The miraculous works of our Lord Jesus Christ
remain the authentic testimony above any other
testimonies that prove that Jesus is the Son of
God and that he was sent by God.
Jesus was appointed by God to carry out God's
work and these works testify that He is the true
Son of God. These works had never been or ever
would be done by any other. The works that
Jesus did were unusual and full of power and
wisdom, love and care, glory and honour to God.
Believers should not look anywhere else for any
other proof; the wonderful works of Jesus are
not hidden. And so we are without excuse if we
fail to see and believe.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to believe
your testimony. Amen.

Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-Dec-09

TOPIC: ONE THING WE SHOULD NOT
FORGET

BIBLE TEXT
2 PETER 3:8-10(NKJV)
8. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that
with the Lord one day [is] as a thousand years,
and a thousand years as one day.
9. The Lord is not slack concerning [His]
promise, as some count slackness, but is
longsuffering toward us, not willing that any
should perish but that all should come to
repentance.
10. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief
in the night, in which the heavens will pass away
with a great noise, and the elements will melt
with fervent heat; both the earth and the works
that are in it will be burned up.

GUIDE STUDY
Apostle Peter in this last chapter of his second
letter to the believers reminds them that God is
not slow in fulfilling what He said. Peter also
wanted the believers to know that God's
calendar is different from man's calendar. He
also told them that though God is patient with
us, it does not mean that He is weak in fulfilling
His word but only wants us to come back to our
senses and repent.
God's promises are real and must surely come
to pass; each one at God's own appointed time.
We should not take God's patience for granted.
We must repent of whatever it is that is making
us think that God is slow in fulfilling His
promises and turn to Him now. The day will
come when we least expect it when all the
things that have taken away our attention from
the reality of things will be destroyed.

PRAYER: Father, grant me grace to heed
to your word in Jesus name. Amen.

Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-Dec-10

TOPIC: AS WE WAIT FOR THE SECOND
COMING OF CHRIST

BIBLE TEXT:
2 PETER 3:11-18(NKJV)
11. Therefore, since all these things will be
dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought you to
be in holy conduct and godliness,
12. looking for and hastening the coming of the
day of God, because of which the heavens will
be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will
melt with fervent heat?
13. Nevertheless we, according to His promise,
look for new heavens and a new earth in which
righteousness dwells.
14. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these
things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace,
without spot and blameless;
15. and consider [that] the longsuffering of our
Lord [is] salvation -- as also our beloved brother
Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has
written to you,
16. as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of
these things, in which are some things hard to
understand, which untaught and unstable
[people] twist to their own destruction, as [they
do] also the rest of the Scriptures.
17. You therefore, beloved, since you know [this]
beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your
own steadfastness, being led away with the error
of the wicked;
18. but grow in the grace and knowledge of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him [be] the
glory both now and forever. Amen.

GUIDE STUDY
In concluding this second letter, Apostle Peter
asks a thought-provoking question in verse 11,
‘What kind of people ought you to be?’ He asked
this question because everything on earth which
occupy our attention now, will ultimately be
destroyed by fire. Apostle Peter reminds the
believer that the Day of the Lord will be a day of
destruction by fire. However, for the believer, the
Lord promises him/her a new heaven and a new
earth.
Since we already know these things, the
scripture urges us to' be on our guard so that
nobody will be carried away by the worldly
activities ithin and around us. Every one of us
must grow in the grace and knowledge of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and watch against
distraction.

PRAYER: Almighty God, help me to remain
watchful so that your day will not come upon me[right][/right]
unprepared in Jesus name. Amen.

Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-Dec-11

TOPIC: THE EYE WITNESS TESTIMONY

BIBLE TEXT
1 JOHN 1:1-10(NKJV)
1. That which was from the beginning, which we
have heard, which we have seen with our eyes,
which we have looked upon, and our hands have
handled, concerning the Word of life
2. the life was manifested, and we have seen,
and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal
life which was with the Father and was
manifested to us --
3. that which we have seen and heard we
declare to you, that you also may have fellowship
with us; and truly our fellowship [is] with the
Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
4. And these things we write to you that your joy
may be full.
5. This is the message which we have heard
from Him and declare to you, that God is light
and in Him is no darkness at all.
6. If we say that we have fellowship with Him,
and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice
the truth.
7. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another, and the
blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from
all sin.
8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just
to forgive us [our] sins and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness.
10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make
Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

GUIDE STUDY
The truth that our Lord Jesus Christ was really in
the flesh, that He was no phantom, no shadow
mocking the eyes that looked upon him, is
exceedingly important, hence John (whose style
in this Epistle, is precisely like the style which he
uses in his Gospel), begins by declaring that
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who in his eternity
was from the beginning, was really a substantial
man.
He says, ‘We have heard him.’ Of course, hearing
is good evidence! ‘Which we have seen with our
eyes’; again what we see clearly with our eyes is
good evidence.
We need have no doubt about the reality of
Christ's incarnation when we have these clear
evidence.
We should not behave like Thomas (John 20:27),
but endeavour to be among those that believe
without seeing, and Jesus said that such are
blessed (John 20:29).

PRAYER: Father Lord, help me not to
doubt your word in Jesus name. Amen.

Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-Dec-12

TOPIC: KNOWING GOD

BIBLE TEXT:
1 JOHN 2:1-11(NKJV)
1. My little children, these things I write to you,
so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we
have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ
the righteous.
2. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins,
and not for ours only but also for the whole
world.
3. Now by this we know that we know Him, if we
keep His commandments.
4. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep
His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not
in him.
5. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of
God is perfected in him. By this we know that
we are in Him.
6. He who says he abides in Him ought himself
also to walk just as He walked.
7. Brethren, I write no new commandment to
you, but an old commandment which you have
had from the beginning. The old commandment
is the word which you heard from the beginning.
8. Again, a new commandment I write to you,
which thing is true in Him and in you, because
the darkness is passing away, and the true light
is already shining.
9. He who says he is in the light, and hates his
brother, is in darkness until now.
10. He who loves his brother abides in the light,
and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
11. But he who hates his brother is in darkness
and walks in darkness, and does not know where
he is going, because the darkness has blinded
his eyes.

GUIDE STUDY
In our text today, Apostle John is anxious that
believers should not sin, though he knows they
do and that they would be liars if they say they
do not. Still the Christian's sole objective is
sinless perfection, and though he will never get it
till he gets to heaven, it still makes it better
because he will always be pressing forward, and
never reckoning that he has attained. Again,
Apostle John strives to let the believers know
that Jesus Christ not only died for Gentiles but
also for Jews and all nations and in his
atonement is hope for every creature.
As believers, we should live our lives in
obedience to God.
That Jesus Christ died for our sins is not a
license to live our lives carelessly and in a
carefree manner. We should not take the mercy
of God for granted. If we sin, the right thing to
do is to turn back to God in true repentance.

PRAYER: Eternal Father, grant me grace
to live above sin in Jesus name. Amen.

Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
DATE: 2019-Dec-13

TOPIC: DO GOD'S WILL AND LIVE

BIBLE TEXT
1 JOHN 2:12-17(NKJV)
12. I write to you, little children, Because your
sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.
13. I write to you, fathers, Because you have
known Him [who is] from the beginning. I write
to you, young men, Because you have overcome
the wicked one. I write to you, little children,
Because you have known the Father.
14. I have written to you, fathers, Because you
have known Him [who is] from the beginning. I
have written to you, young men, Because you are
strong, and the word of God abides in you, And
you have overcome the wicked one.
15. Do not love the world or the things in the
world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the
Father is not in him.
16. For all that [is] in the world -- the lust of the
flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life --
is not of the Father but is of the world.
17. And the world is passing away, and the lust
of it; but he who does the will of God abides
forever.

GUIDESTUDY
In our scriptural reading today, Apostle John
explains to the believers the reasons for his
writing.
He wrote because
(1) Their sins are forgiven.
(2) They know him from the beginning.
(3)They have overcome the wicked one.
(4) They are strong, and the ward of God abides
in them.
Lastly, he warned them not to love the world, for
doing so means that they do not have the love
of God in them. And so believers should know
that all that is in the world are not of the Father
in heaven, and more so the world and its lust will
pass away, but those who do the will of God will
live forever.
Believers have no option than to do the will of
God so that they can live with Christ forever. We
should not make nonsense of the mercy of God
by living a deceitful and hypocritical life.

PRAYER: Father I want to do your will;
please grant me enabling power and grace in
Jesus name. Amen.

Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-DEC-14

TOPIC: THE SPIRIT OF THE ANTICHRIST

BIBLE TEXT
1 JOHN 2:18-29(NKJV)
18. Little children, it is the last hour; and as you
have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even
now many antichrists have come, by which we
know that it is the last hour.
19. They went out from us, but they were not of
us; for if they had been of us, they would have
continued with us; but [they went out] that they
might be made manifest, that none of them were
of us.
20. But you have an anointing from the Holy One,
and you know all things.
21. I have not written to you because you do not
know the truth, but because you know it, and
that no lie is of the truth.
22. Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is
the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the
Father and the Son.
23. Whoever denies the Son does not have the
Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has
the Father also.
24. Therefore let that abide in you which you
heard from the beginning. If what you heard from
the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in
the Son and in the Father.
25. And this is the promise that He has promised
us -- eternal life.
26. These things I have written to you
concerning those who [try to] deceive you.
27. But the anointing which you have received
from Him abides in you, and you do not need that
anyone teach you; but as the same anointing
teaches you concerning all things, and is true,
and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you,
you will abide in Him.
28. And now, little children, abide in Him, that
when He appears, we may have confidence and
not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
29. If you know that He is righteous, you know
that everyone who practices righteousness is
born of Him.
GUIDE STUDY
Apostle John in our text today stated thus: (1)
That the issue of antichrists is no longer news;
there are many of them around us. (2) That
those who have left the church did so because
they are not part of us and so there is no way
they would have continued with us. (3) That
whoever denies Christ is a liar. He therefore
encouraged the believer to allow the word of
God to abide in him, so that the promise of
eternal life will be fulfilled in him.
Christians today must be extra careful with the
activities of the antichrists.
They must make every effort to distance
themselves from all that will make them to deny
Christ in whichever form. Instead, they should
allow the word of God to dwell richly in them so
that they will not sin against God (Colossians 3:
16, Psalm 119: 11)

PRAYER: Father; please deliver me from
the activities of the antichrists in Jesus name.
Amen.

Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-Dec-15
ADVENT 3

TOPIC: AN EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY

BIBLE TEXT:
JOHN 1:19-28(NKJV)
19. Now this is the testimony of John, when the
Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to
ask him, "Who are you?"
20. He confessed, and did not deny, but
confessed, "I am not the Christ."
21. And they asked him, "What then? Are you
Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the
Prophet?" And he answered, "No."
22. Then they said to him, "Who are you, that we
may give an answer to those who sent us? What
do you say about yourself?"
23. He said: "I [am] 'The voice of one crying in
the wilderness: "Make straight the way of the
LORD," ' as the prophet Isaiah said."
24. Now those who were sent were from the
Pharisees.
25. And they asked him, saying, "Why then do
you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah,
nor the Prophet?"
26. John answered them, saying, "I baptize with
water, but there stands One among you whom
you do not know.
27. "It is He who, coming after me, is preferred
before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy
to loose."
28. These things were done in Bethabara beyond
the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

GUIDE STUDY
In his day, John was questioned by religionists
who were suspicious of him. They were sent
from Jerusalem, the headquarters of the Jewish
religion, as fact-finding commission. In the eyes
of the authorities, all the sons of priests were
automatically priests by descent because John's
Father, Zechariah, was a priest. But John the
Baptist was not a priest and so who was he?
They wanted to know from him. With all the
questions they put to him, John the Baptist
simply and humbly said to them ‘I am the voice
of the one calling in the desert, 'Make straight
the way for the Lord.'‘
Believers and ministers of the gospel today
should learn from John the Baptist the act of
humility and not to take the glory of God simply
because God is using them to perform miracles.
Humility is key to this life's journey. No matter
how mighty God is using you, never you take the
glory of God.

PRAYER: Father please grant me the
spirit of humility in Jesus name. Amen.

Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-DEC-16

TOPIC: SIN AND THE CHILD OF GOD

TEXT: 1 JOHN 3:1-9(NKJV)
1. Behold what manner of love the Father has
bestowed on us, that we should be called
children of God! Therefore the world does not
know us, because it did not know Him.
2. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it
has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but
we know that when He is revealed, we shall be
like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
3. And everyone who has this hope in Him
purifies himself, just as He is pure.
4. Whoever commits sin also commits
lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
5. And you know that He was manifested to take
away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.
6. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever
sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.
7. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who
practices righteousness is righteous, just as He
is righteous.
8. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has
sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the
Son of God was manifested, that He might
destroy the works of the devil.
9. Whoever has been born of God does not sin,
for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin,
because he has been born of God.

GUIDE STUDY
Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4) or transgression
of God's will, either by omitting to do what God's
law requires or by doing what it forbids.
Transgression can occur in thought (I John 3:
15), in word (Matthew 5.22), or deed (Romans
1:32). Mankind was created without sin, morally
upright and inclined to do well (Ecclesiastes
7:29).
A child of God is someone who loves and fears
God. The original nature of man is void of sin,
but since after the fall of Adam, it has been a
struggle for man to live right with God.
The most painful aspect of it is that some so-
called pastors who are living in sin are deceiving
some ignorant people, with the word; 'it does not
matter' and 'God understands.' Child of God, you
must stay away from sin no matter how little, to
avoid staining that garment that has been
washed by the blood of the Lamb. No one can
avoid sin by his/her own power except through
the help of the Holy Spirit, and we can only have
this Spirit by accepting Jesus as our Lord and
Saviour.

PRAYER: Lord may I never see any sin as
small; rather give me the grace to live above sin
in Jesus Christ Name. Amen.

Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-DEC-17

TOPIC: LOVE IN ACTION

TEXT
1 JOHN 3:10-24(NKJV)
10. In this the children of God and the children
of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not
practice righteousness is not of God, nor [is] he
who does not love his brother.
11. For this is the message that you heard from
the beginning, that we should love one another,
12. not as Cain [who] was of the wicked one and
murdered his brother. And why did he murder
him? Because his works were evil and his
brother's righteous.
13. Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world
hates you.
14. We know that we have passed from death to
life, because we love the brethren. He who does
not love [his] brother abides in death.
15. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and
you know that no murderer has eternal life
abiding in him.
16. By this we know love, because He laid down
His life for us. And we also ought to lay down
[our] lives for the brethren.
17. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees
his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from
him, how does the love of God abide in him?
18. My little children, let us not love in word or in
tongue, but in deed and in truth.
19. And by this we know that we are of the
truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.
20. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater
than our heart, and knows all things.
21. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us,
we have confidence toward God.
22. And whatever we ask we receive from Him,
because we keep His commandments and do
those things that are pleasing in His sight.
23. And this is His commandment: that we
should believe on the name of His Son Jesus
Christ and love one another, as He gave us
commandment.
24. Now he who keeps His commandments
abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we
know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom
He has given us.

GUIDE STUDY
Brotherly love is so scarce in our generation
despite the multiplicity of churches and
ministries; unfortunately the so-called churches
and ministries are the major cause of problems
in so many families today.
However, in the face of this, we all still claim to
be Christians. Early Christians demonstrated
their love by selling their belongings to help
brothers in need. But these days, we claim
brotherhood without the willingness to make
sacrifices for our brothers. We have become so
selfish; only thinking about ourselves and
immediate family members, with no concern
about what happens to our next door neighbour.
Where is the love we confess? Let us not love in
word only, but in deed and in truth (I John 3: 18).
Love for our neighbour is a must, if indeed we
are to be' called disciples of Christ. And that
love must be backed up with the willingness to
make sacrifices if need be.
The level of atrocity - kidnapping, ritual killings,
fraud, child trafficking, etc., - we witness in our
society today is a clear evidence that there is no
love amongst us anymore. Love is the ultimate
(1 Corinthians 13: 13). Love compelled Jesus to
die on the cross. Love covers a multitude of sins
(1 Peter 4:. Where there is love, there is peace
and progress. Let us practise love, for God is
Love.

PRAYER: Lord teach us to love others as
You loved us in Jesus Christ Name. Amen.

Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-DEC-18

TOPIC: BE AT ALERT

BIBLE TEXT:
1 JOHN 4:1-11(NKJV)
1. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test
the spirits, whether they are of God; because
many false prophets have gone out into the
world.
2. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every
spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come
in the flesh is of God,
3. and every spirit that does not confess that
Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God.
And this is the [spirit] of the Antichrist, which
you have heard was coming, and is now already
in the world.
4. You are of God, little children, and have
overcome them, because He who is in you is
greater than he who is in the world.
5. They are of the world. Therefore they speak
[as] of the world, and the world hears them.
6. We are of God. He who knows God hears us;
he who is not of God does not hear us. By this
we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of
error.
7. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of
God; and everyone who loves is born of God and
knows God.
8. He who does not love does not know God, for
God is love.
9. In this the love of God was manifested toward
us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into
the world, that we might live through Him.
10. In this is love, not that we loved God, but
that He loved us and sent His Son [to be] the
propitiation for our sins.
11. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to
love one another.

GUIDE STUDY
Children of God are called to be watchful
because all that glitters is not gold.
This warning becomes more serious at this time
when false prophets abound, making it more
difficult to differentiate between the godly and
the ungodly. Yet despite the similarities, the
difference is clear: false prophets are after their
stomach and their pockets. The unfortunate
thing is that many started well, but along the
line, they were bought over by the devil. This
may be because they started emulating someone
they know nothing about his/her origin and
source of power and by so doing, they became
the devil's advocates, unknown to many. Their
character is to change their message') and call it
maturity.
Child of God, be steadfast in your faith.
Remember that God does not reward success,
but faithfulness.
Therefore keep on holding unto God; at an
appointed time He will manifest His glory in your
life. Do not be deceived with their magical acts;
rather watch out for the fruit of the Spirit and
their character, because charisma can never
replace character. Fight on and faint not, for the
Lord is at hand.

PRAYER: God open my eyes to see from
your point of view so that I will not be deceived
in Jesus Christ Name. Amen.

Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-DEC-19

TOPIC: VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL
LOVE

BIBLE TEXT:
1 JOHN 4:12-21(NKJV)
12. No one has seen God at any time. If we love
one another, God abides in us, and His love has
been perfected in us.
13. By this we know that we abide in Him, and
He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
14. And we have seen and testify that the Father
has sent the Son [as] Savior of the world.
15. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of
God, God abides in him, and he in God.
16. And we have known and believed the love
that God has for us. God is love, and he who
abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
17. Love has been perfected among us in this:
that we may have boldness in the day of
judgment; because as He is, so are we in this
world.
18. There is no fear in love; but perfect love
casts out fear, because fear involves torment.
But he who fears has not been made perfect in
love.
19. We love Him because He first loved us.
20. If someone says, "I love God," and hates his
brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his
brother whom he has seen, how can he love God
whom he has not seen?
21. And this commandment we have from Him:
that he who loves God [must] love his brother
also.

GUIDE STUDY
Love is the summary of the law; the law is
divided into two, love for God and love for our
neighbours. Whenever a child of God achieves
the above, he/she is perfected in law. In our
world today, almost everybody belongs to one
church or the other. We show much commitment
to church activities and claim to love God, yet
many of us in our families, are at war with one
another. It therefore becomes too difficult to
reconcile our claims with our behaviours.
Love is only perfect when we love God and that
love is manifested in our relationship with our
neighbour. No one can claim to love God when
he/she is in enmity with his/her brother. 'If
someone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother,
he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother
whom he has seen, how can he love God whom
he has not seen?' (I John 4:20). Show the love
of Christ to all!

PRAYER: Father of love, may your love for
us compel us to love one another to prove to
the world that we are your disciples in Jesus
Christ Name. Amen

Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-DEC-20

TOPIC: THE THREEFOLD WITNESS

BIBLE TEXT:
1 JOHN 5:1-13(NKJV)
1. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is
born of God, and everyone who loves Him who
begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
2. By this we know that we love the children of
God, when we love God and keep His
commandments.
3. For this is the love of God, that we keep His
commandments. And His commandments are not
burdensome.
4. For whatever is born of God overcomes the
world. And this is the victory that has overcome
the world -- our faith.
5. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he
who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
6. This is He who came by water and blood --
Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water
and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness,
because the Spirit is truth.
7. For there are three that bear witness in
heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy
Spirit; and these three are one.
8. And there are three that bear witness on
earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and
these three agree as one.
9. If we receive the witness of men, the witness
of God is greater; for this is the witness of God
which He has testified of His Son.
10. He who believes in the Son of God has the
witness in himself; he who does not believe God
has made Him a liar, because he has not
believed the testimony that God has given of His
Son.
11. And this is the testimony: that God has given
us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
12. He who has the Son has life; he who does
not have the Son of God does not have life.
13. These things I have written to you who
believe in the name of the Son of God, that you
may know that you have eternal life, and that you
may [continue to] believe in the name of the Son
of God.

GUIDE STUDY
A popular Christian hymn reads; ‘Courage
brother, do not stumble, though your path is dark
as night. There's a star to guide the humble;
Trust in God and do the right.’ As revealed in
today's text, whoever believes that Jesus is the
Christ is born of God and therefore overcomes
the world through faith (vs 1 and 4). The
scriptures say, ‘Looking unto Jesus, the Author
and Finisher of our faith ‘(Hebrews 12:2) and
‘without faith (Jesus), it is impossible to please
God’ (Hebrews 11:6).
How many today can really boast of this faith as
to overcome on earth?
As children of God, there are three realities that
bear witness in heaven as we express this faith
on earth: The Father, the Word [Jesus] and the
Holy Spirit; and the three are one (vs 7). On the
other hand, there are three realities that bear
witness on earth as we continue to express this
faith on earth: the Spirit (Comforter), the water
(Forgiver) and the blood (Redeemer); all also
agree as one (vs .
This threefold witness both in heaven and on
earth can only be made manifest in our lives
when we surrender all to Jesus. Let us run to
Him today and our lives will never remain the
same.
PRAYER: O Lord, strengthen my faith that I
may overcome always, Amen.

Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-DEC-21

TOPIC: THE BLESSEDNESS OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS

BIBLE TEXT:
LUKE 1:1-26(NKJV)
1. Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set
in order a narrative of those things which have
been fulfilled among us,
2. just as those who from the beginning were
eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered
them to us,
3. it seemed good to me also, having had perfect
understanding of all things from the very first, to
write to you an orderly account, most excellent
Theophilus,
4. that you may know the certainty of those
things in which you were instructed.
5. There was in the days of Herod, the king of
Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the
division of Abijah. His wife [was] of the
daughters of Aaron, and her name [was]
Elizabeth.
6. And they were both righteous before God,
walking in all the commandments and ordinances
of the Lord blameless.
7. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was
barren, and they were both well advanced in
years.
8. So it was, that while he was serving as priest
before God in the order of his division,
9. according to the custom of the priesthood, his
lot fell to burn incense when he went into the
temple of the Lord.
10. And the whole multitude of the people was
praying outside at the hour of incense.
11. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him,
standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12. And when Zacharias saw [him,] he was
troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid,
Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife
Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call
his name John.
14. "And you will have joy and gladness, and
many will rejoice at his birth.
15. "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord,
and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He
will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from
his mother's womb.
16. "And he will turn many of the children of
Israel to the Lord their God.
17. "He will also go before Him in the spirit and
power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers
to the children,' and the disobedient to the
wisdom of the just, to make ready a people
prepared for the Lord."
18. And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I
know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is
well advanced in years."
19. And the angel answered and said to him, "I
am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God,
and was sent to speak to you and bring you
these glad tidings.
20. "But behold, you will be mute and not able to
speak until the day these things take place,
because you did not believe my words which will
be fulfilled in their own time."
21. And the people waited for Zacharias, and
marveled that he lingered so long in the temple.
22. But when he came out, he could not speak
to them; and they perceived that he had seen a
vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them
and remained speechless.
23. And so it was, as soon as the days of his
service were completed, that he departed to his
own house.
24. Now after those days his wife Elizabeth
conceived; and she hid herself five months,
saying,
25. "Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days
when He looked on [me,] to take away my
reproach among people."
26. Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was
sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,

GUIDE STUDY
This Bible passage is the familiar story of a
priest named Zacharias and his wife, Elizabeth.
Both of them were advanced in age and were
without a child. Despite all odds, there is
something very remarkable and revealing about
them: they were both righteous before God,
walking in all the commandments and ordinances
of the Lord blamelessly (vs 6). In other words,
both of them were faithful in their walk with God
even in the midst of their difficult moments.
They would not give up on their services unto
God. And because of this, God was not finished
with them even though they were advanced in
age.
While serving before God in the temple, a divine
message was delivered to Zacharias through the
Angel Gabriel that he (Zacharias) would become
a father and that his wife, Elizabeth, who was
called 'barren' would bear a son who would be
called John. God indeed remembered them by
blessing them with the fruit of the womb. They
were blessed for their righteous living and for
walking faithfully with God.
Can we be found faithful in the sight of God to
the point of attracting His blessings? Do you
know that God can make dry bones in your life
and ministry live again? God can change that
mess into a message; that test into a testimony
and that gory into glory. Walk with God
henceforth and you will forever be blessed.
PRAYER: Lord grant me the grace to walk
righteously with and for You in Jesus Name.
Amen.

Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-DEC-22
ADVENT IV

TOPIC: BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG
WOMEN!

TEXT: LUKE 1 :26-38(NKJV)
26. Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was
sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27. to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name
was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's
name [was] Mary.
28. And having come in, the angel said to her,
"Rejoice, highly favored [one,] the Lord [is] with
you; blessed [are] you among women!"
29. But when she saw [him,] she was troubled at
his saying, and considered what manner of
greeting this was.
30. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid,
Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31. "And behold, you will conceive in your womb
and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name
JESUS.
32. "He will be great, and will be called the Son
of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him
the throne of His father David.
33. "And He will reign over the house of Jacob
forever, and of His kingdom there will be no
end."
34. Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this
be, since I do not know a man?"
35. And the angel answered and said to her,
"[The] Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the
power of the Highest will overshadow you;
therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born
will be called the Son of God.
36. "Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also
conceived a son in her old age; and this is now
the sixth month for her who was called barren.
37. "For with God nothing will be impossible."
38. Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of
the Lord! Let it be to me according to your
word." And the angel departed from her.
STUDY
Today's topic, as found in verse 28 of our text,
was beyond every expectation, an unprecedented
but glorious salutation of Angel Gabriel to a
maidservant whom God had granted favour. Mary
was just a virgin betrothed to a carpenter named
Joseph, of the house of David. At first, she was
confounded by the words and manner of greeting
by the Angel who came to deliver the Good
News of the Messiah to be born. Though she
was of a lowly status, yet God chose her to be
highly blessed among other women.
Mary was fortunate to be blessed among other
women as the mother of Jesus not because she
was the finest, or smartest or even holiest, but
because she availed herself by living a life of
humility and purity. Her humble heart and
background attracted the favour of God to her.
What can God find in us that will attract His
blessings to our lives? God is looking for a man
or woman He would bless and who would in turn
become a blessing to others. Have you any room
for Jesus that He may come in and announce to
you, 'Blessed are you among people'? Therefore,
let us humble ourselves under the mighty hand
of God that He may exalt us in due time (I Peter
5:6).

PRAYER: Hymn A&M 89: My Spirit longs
for thee within my troubled breast, though I
unworthy be of so divine a guest.

Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional.

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
DATE: 2019-DEC-23

TOPIC: THE SONG OF MARY
(MAGNIFICAT)

BIBLE TEXT: LUKE 1 :39-56(NKJV)
39. Now Mary arose in those days and went into
the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah,
40. and entered the house of Zacharias and
greeted Elizabeth.
41. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the
greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her
womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy
Spirit.
42. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and
said, "Blessed [are] you among women, and
blessed [is] the fruit of your womb!
43. "But why [is] this [granted] to me, that the
mother of my Lord should come to me?
44. "For indeed, as soon as the voice of your
greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in
my womb for joy.
45. "Blessed [is] she who believed, for there will
be a fulfillment of those things which were told
her from the Lord."
46. And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord,
47. And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48. For He has regarded the lowly state of His
maidservant; For behold, henceforth all
generations will call me blessed.
49. For He who is mighty has done great things
for me, And holy [is] His name.
50. And His mercy [is] on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
51. He has shown strength with His arm; He has
scattered [the] proud in the imagination of their
hearts.
52. He has put down the mighty from [their]
thrones, And exalted [the] lowly.
53. He has filled [the] hungry with good things,
And [the] rich He has sent away empty.
54. He has helped His servant Israel, In
remembrance of [His] mercy,
55. As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and
to his seed forever."
56. And Mary remained with her about three
months, and returned to her house.

STUDY
Having received the good news that Elizabeth
was heavy with a promised child, Mary wasted
no time to journey all the way from the city of
Nazareth to visit and share in the blessing of the
fruit of the womb in the life of Elizabeth and her
husband, Zacharias. Despite the fact that
doctors had certified the old couple medically
'unable' to conceive but God was saying, ‘I am
able, for with me all things are possible’ (Luke I:
3 7). How often do we share in people's joys and
sorrows?
The baby in Elizabeth's womb would bear
witness to the joy that filled the heart of Mary
when she came in and greeted. Verse 44 says,
‘For indeed, as soon as your voice of greeting
sounded in my ears, the baby (John) leaped in
the womb for joy.’
Consequently, Mary began to sihg to the glory of
God. Her song is known in the Christian world as
the Magnificat. She had every reason to magnify
God for regarding her lowly status and for the
fact that all generations would call her blessed.
The life we live today is not of our own making.
It is not by might or power but by the Spirit of
God at work in us (Zechariah 4:6). Sing to the
Lord a new song today and He will do more of
His words and works in your life.

PRAYER: I will praise Him, I will praise
Him, I will praise Him forever more.

Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-DEC-24
*CHRISTMAS EVE*

TOPIC: WHAT WILL THIS LITTLE CHILD
BE?

TEXT: LUKE 1:57-58(NKJV)
57. Now Elizabeth's full time came for her to be
delivered, and she brought forth a son.
58. When her neighbors and relatives heard how
the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they
rejoiced with her.

STUDY
John was a child of prophecy and was given birth
to, at the fulfilment of this prophecy. On the 8th,
the day for circumcision and naming, the
neighbours wanted to give him the name of his
father. They did not see in John anything beyond
his father, after all Zachariah was a priest. What
else could one ask for? But his mother (thank
God for the gift of a spiritual mother, Luke
1 :5-, chose the name given to them by the
Angel Gabriel.
At that instance, the neighbours gave the father
a slate to write his son's name. Zachariah wrote
and spoke for the first time in a year to confirm
this unique name for a unique son. It left
everyone wondering what this ‘little child’ would
become since it was obvious God was with him.
Zachariah prophesied at that hour by the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
He, in his prophecy, tied the destiny of his son to
the fulfilment of God's promise and covenant to
Israel: redemption, horn of salvation, mercy,
deliverance and service to the Lord. What would
have been our prophecy on our own unique
children if we were the one given the
opportunity? We could have prophesied, ‘Being
head and not the tail’; ‘money’; ‘death of the
enemy’; etc.
But Zachariah was thinking and seeing ‘25th
December.’ His son would have to usher in the
long-awaited Messiah. Abraham, David, and the
prophets had waited for this Messiah! ‘What can
we do to work God's work’ and to expand His
kingdom?

PRAYER: May the Lord show us mercy to
speak of the propagation of His kingdom and
salvation/or our generation, Amen.

Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Date: 2019-DEE-25
CHRISTMAS DAY

TOPIC: THE LORD'S GLORY SHONE
AROUND THEM

TEXT: LUKE 2:10-20(NKJV)
10. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be
afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of
great joy which will be to all people.
11. "For there is born to you this day in the city
of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12. "And this [will be] the sign to you: You will
find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in
a manger."
13. And suddenly there was with the angel a
multitude of the heavenly host praising God and
saying:
14. "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth
peace, goodwill toward men!"
15. So it was, when the angels had gone away
from them into heaven, that the shepherds said
to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem
and see this thing that has come to pass, which
the Lord has made known to us."
16. And they came with haste and found Mary
and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
17. Now when they had seen [Him,] they made
widely known the saying which was told them
concerning this Child.
18. And all those who heard [it] marveled at
those things which were told them by the
shepherds.
19. But Mary kept all these things and pondered
[them] in her heart.
20. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and
praising God for all the things that they had
heard and seen, as it was told them.

STUDY
Jesus was born at a time and on a day of great
national activity. A national Census was going on
throughout the empire.
There was a great movement of people to and
from their home city. The transport business was
on a boom. The hospitality and hotel industry
were a beehive of activity. People were
experiencing a boom in business, and the empire
was at its peak. God had blessed the emperor
and the empire. The core Jews, looking for a
release from Roman occupation and rule, were
downcast as it seemed the contrary was
happening: Rome was waxing stronger. Then the
Saviour was born!
No one took notice; there was no place for him
at the inn. He was inconsequential to the
movement ofthe time.
God was looking for whom to tell and to
celebrate with for this epoch- making birth.
There was no one found in the city. And as had
been from the days of Moses in the wilderness,
the angel went out of the 'city of activities' to
the shepherds in the field to announce the birth
of the Saviour. It was with these shepherds that
the Lord stood and His glory shone unto them.
The emperor, the governor and people, occupied
with the empire prosperity, saw none of God's
glory.
They had not the presence of God. As men are
occupied again today in celebration and feast, it
is important that we do not get carried away
(Hebrews 13:9-14), so that we do not miss the
most important thing - His presence, His
message, His joy, and His angelic celebration.

PRAYER: May the Lord find us separated
enough in order to grace us with His presence
and glory today and always, through Christ our
Lord. Amen.

Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-DEE-26
ST STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR AND DEACON

TOPIC: HE LOOKED INTENTLY INTO
HEAVEN

TEXT:
ACTS 7:54-60(NKJV)
54. When they heard these things they were cut
to the heart, and they gnashed at him with [their]
teeth.
55. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed
into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus
standing at the right hand of God,
56. and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened
and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of
God!"
57. Then they cried out with a loud voice,
stopped their ears, and ran at him with one
accord;
58. and they cast [him] out of the city and
stoned [him.] And the witnesses laid down their
clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling
on [God] and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my
spirit."
60. Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud
voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin."
And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

STUDY
The first Christian martyr, Stephen, was not one
of the apostles neither one of the early and
bigger disciples of Jesus. Stephen came to
limelight in an obscure manner, as one of the
seven deacons selected to 'serve table' (do
administration) while the apostles faced more
serious matters (of the word of God and
prayers). But on the day that Stephen was to be
martyred, it became clear what manner of man
he was and what measure of the Spirit of Christ
that was in him. Faced with an audience set on
murder and a biased jury, Stephen became filled
with the Holy Spirit and looked intently to
heaven.
He cast his eyes on heaven, gazing steadfastly
and not allowing the present circumstances to
discourage nor dissuade him. He was not crying
for mercy from an unbelieving crowd. He looked
to heaven from where help would come... ,
Psalm 121) and opened his mouth in prophecy
and glorifying God, much to the anger of his
traducers. That was the help God granted him.
God did not save him from death nor from the
blood-thirsty appetite of the killers rather He
gave him the spirit to prophesy to his would-be
murderers.
Even as they were killing him, Stephen's eyes
never left heaven. He saw God. He saw Jesus.
Pain, death, the angry crowd, pressure,
circumstances, false allegations, and hatred
could not take Stephen's eyes away from
heaven. No wonder he could summarize the
history of Israel's disobedience as Jesus stood
to welcome him. Where do you look to in the
days of trouble? On whom are your eyes fixed?

PRAYER: Lord may I cease from today
from looking at men, problems and difficulties,
but to turn my eyes and thoughts to you just like
Stephen did, in Jesus Name. Amen.

Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-DEC-27

TOPIC: FAIR PRICE FOR THE KINGDOM
MANDATE

TEXT: JOHN 21: 19-24(NKJV)
19. This He spoke, signifying by what death he
would glorify God. And when He had spoken this,
He said to him, "Follow Me."
20. Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple
whom Jesus loved following, who also had
leaned on His breast at the supper, and said,
"Lord, who is the one who betrays You?"
21. Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord,
what [about] this man?"
22. Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till
I come, what [is that] to you? You follow Me."
23. Then this saying went out among the
brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet
Jesus did not say to him that he would not die,
but, "If I will that he remain till I come, what [is
that] to you?"
24. This is the disciple who testifies of these
things, and wrote these things; and we know that
his testimony is true.

STUDY
Jesus had just tactfully exacted from Peter a
hearty pledge of love and loyalty, and now
proceeds to grant him an insight into what he
should expect in pursuance of the task ahead.
Peter should already know that the road to the
kingdom is strait and narrow (Matthew 7: 13).
But to hear again that the end would also be
turbulent - an unsurrendered soul would have
chickened out immediately as this same Peter
had done in the heat of the Master's passion.
In very plain terms, Peter was told that the
journey he was about to undertake wasn't going
to be a bed of roses. He still reserved the right
to choose to back out. But this time around, he
wisely chose the Lord, probably recalling Jesus'
words in Luke 9:62; ‘Anyone who puts his hands
to the plough and looks back is not fit for the
kingdom of God.‘ But he also had assurance
from Jesus that it would all culminate in glory
unto God.
Evidently satisfied with Peter's positive response,
the Lord extended this all-important invitation -
‘Follow Me.’ Peter had received this same
invitation three years earlier.
The Amplified Version renders this to mean ‘Walk
in the same path of life that I have walked.’ It
was heaven's second chance to Peter. And he
wasn't prepared to quash it again. Would you?
We also grasp from Jesus' reproving response to
Peter's expressed curiosity on what would
become of John his friend and colleague (vs
20-22), that in pursuance of the kingdom
mandate, one does not have the liberty of looking
back or prying into other people's business.
‘Focus on your own personal mandate and leave
whatever becomes of John to Me’, was the
Lord's tacit response to Peter and to whoever
else would heed to this call- ‘Follow Me.’

PRAYER: Dearest Lord, grant me the
grace to follow you through to the very end
irrespective of whatever storms that rear their
ugly heads on the way. Amen.

Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-DEC-28
HOLY INNOCENT DAY

TOPIC: DANGER LURKS: ESCAPE!

TEXT: MATTHEW 2:13-19(NKJV)
13. Now when they had departed, behold, an
angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream,
saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His
mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring
you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to
destroy Him."
14. When he arose, he took the young Child and
His mother by night and departed for Egypt,
15. and was there until the death of Herod, that
it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the
Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I
called My Son."
16. Then Herod, when he saw that he was
deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly
angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the
male children who were in Bethlehem and in all
its districts, from two years old and under,
according to the time which he had determined
from the wise men.
17. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by
Jeremiah the prophet, saying:
18. "A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation,
weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping
[for] her children, Refusing to be comforted,
Because they are no more."
19. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel
of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in
Egypt,

STUDY
Today we remember the cruel slaughtering of
the little boys of Bethlehem by Herod The Great
which manifested his reputation as a cruel and
unscrupulous despot. Because of hatred and
ambition for power among families, and because
of Herod's consuming suspicion that someone
might usurp his throne, he even executed one of
his wives and his three oldest sons.
Thus, the act of murdering all of the young male
children in the region of Bethlehem in an effort
to eliminate the one whom the Magi had called
King of the Jews, fits Herod's character
(vs.I-16). The commemoration of that event is
called the Holy Innocent Day because of the fact
of these little children did not commit anything
warranting death. However, God had beforehand
revealed this impending wicked act of Herod to
Joseph in a dream and instructed him to take the
Child (Jesus) and His mother (Mary) and escape
to Egypt so as to save the child from being
destroyed by the wickedness of man (Herod).
We live in a cruel and wicked world, a world that
desires the destruction of the godly; a world
where evil men desire to lure godly people in a
most unsuspecting manner so that they will be
destroyed; a world of sin where immoral living
thrives. In the face of all these, the word of God
enjoins us to flee for our safety. We are charged
to escape from blood-thirsty and power-hungry
men like Herod and seek the face of the Lord,
who alone has enduring powers to save. God is
constantly calling us to reject the ways and
patterns of this world (Romans 12:1) to avoid
being destroyed by His anger. Brethren, as
Joseph heeded the instructions of God, let us be
diligent in obeying God's instructions.

PRAYER: Lord God, grant me the heart to
obey your word and stay saved always in Jesus
Name, Amen.

Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-DEC-29.
CHRISTMAS I

TOPIC: CHRISTMAS - GOD'S CURE

TEXT: JOHN 1: 14-18(NKJV)
14. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among
us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the
only begotten of the Father, full of grace and
truth.
15. John bore witness of Him and cried out,
saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who
comes after me is preferred before me, for He
was before me.' "
16. And of His fullness we have all received, and
grace for grace.
17. For the law was given through Moses, [but]
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18. No one has seen God at any time. The only
begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father,
He has declared [Him.]

STUDY
Should you receive this message from your
doctor in a very serious voice, ‘please come in as
soon as you can. I have something to discuss
with you’, you would know there is bad news! Till
you get hold of the diagnosis, your world would
seemingly stand still. God, our great physician,
also has some bad news about man's spiritual
condition. When against God's express warning,
Adam and Eve ate the forbidden -fruit, God told
Adam that all mankind would die spiritually and
physically. That's the bad news!
God also gave a solution. He promised a Saviour
(Genesis 3: 15). The Apostle John tells us ‘Grace
and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:
17). But how does that help? Jesus came that
first Christmas to bring God's grace, something
that none of us deserved because like Adam, we
have all sinned. But Jesus also came to reverse
what sin brought. He came to be the truth (John
14:6) that would bring us back to God. He came
to save his people from their sins (Matthew
1:21).
In the words of an unknown writer, ‘Life is
uncertain, death is sure; Sin the cause, Christ
the cure.’ Listen to what the Great physician has
to say in the Bible about your spiritual condition.
Then accept the cure he has provided- the gift of
salvation through Christ
.
PRAYER: Lord I ask that by your grace I
will be cured of my sinful attitude and life
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2019-DEC-30

TOPIC: DO NOT JUDGE BY HUMAN
APPEARANCE

TEXT:
JOHN 7: 1-36(NKJV)
1. After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for
He did not want to walk in Judea, because the
Jews sought to kill Him.
2. Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at
hand.
3. His brothers therefore said to Him, "Depart
from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples
also may see the works that You are doing.
4. "For no one does anything in secret while he
himself seeks to be known openly. If You do
these things, show Yourself to the world."
5. For even His brothers did not believe in Him.
6. Then Jesus said to them, "My time has not
yet come, but your time is always ready.
7. "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me
because I testify of it that its works are evil.
8. "You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up
to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come."
9. When He had said these things to them, He
remained in Galilee.
10. But when His brothers had gone up, then He
also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it
were in secret.
11. Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and
said, "Where is He?"
12. And there was much complaining among the
people concerning Him. Some said, "He is good";
others said, "No, on the contrary, He deceives
the people."
13. However, no one spoke openly of Him for
fear of the Jews.
14. Now about the middle of the feast Jesus
went up into the temple and taught.
15. And the Jews marveled, saying, "How does
this Man know letters, having never studied?"
16. Jesus answered them and said, "My doctrine
is not Mine, but His who sent Me.
17. "If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know
concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God
or [whether] I speak on My own [authority.]
18. "He who speaks from himself seeks his own
glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One
who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is
in Him.
19. "Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of
you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?"
20. The people answered and said, "You have a
demon. Who is seeking to kill You?"
21. Jesus answered and said to them, "I did one
work, and you all marvel.
22. "Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not
that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and
you circumcise a man on the Sabbath.
23. "If a man receives circumcision on the
Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be
broken, are you angry with Me because I made a
man completely well on the Sabbath?
24. "Do not judge according to appearance, but
judge with righteous judgment."
25. Now some of them from Jerusalem said, "Is
this not He whom they seek to kill?
26. "But look! He speaks boldly, and they say
nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that
this is truly the Christ?
27. "However, we know where this Man is from;
but when the Christ comes, no one knows where
He is from."
28. Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the
temple, saying, "You both know Me, and you
know where I am from; and I have not come of
Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you
do not know.
29. "But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He
sent Me."
30. Therefore they sought to take Him; but no
one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had
not yet come.
31. And many of the people believed in Him, and
said, "When the Christ comes, will He do more
signs than these which this [Man] has done?"
32. The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring
these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees
and the chief priests sent officers to take Him.
33. Then Jesus said to them, "I shall be with you
a little while longer, and [then] I go to Him who
sent Me.
34. "You will seek Me and not find [Me,] and
where I am you cannot come."
35. Then the Jews said among themselves,
"Where does He intend to go that we shall not
find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion
among the Greeks and teach the Greeks?
36. "What is this thing that He said, 'You will
seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you
cannot come'?"

STUDY
Our passage focuses on Jesus' encounter with
His brothers and the Jews during the Jewish
Feast of Tabernacles. His brothers challenged
Him to go to Jerusalem for the feast. Their
message was, in essence, You must not miss
this great opportunity to showcase yourself.
There will be huge crowds there to see your
miracles. Sadly, their real motive was to expose
Him to the scrutiny of the renowned Jewish
scholars. The Bible recorded that even His own
brothers did not believe in Him (v.5).
Jesus eventually showed up at the Feast when
His time had fully come (vs.8-10) and
immediately began to teach at the Feast. It was
in the course of His teaching that He told the
Jews, Do not judge according to appearance, but
judge with righteous judgement (v.24). This is
because the Jews appear righteous in all
ramifications, but yet are not righteous. Moses
gave them the Law, yet none of them kept the
Law (v.19). If they were righteous as they
claimed, they wouldnt have sought to kill Jesus
(v.30).
It is said that not all that glitters is gold, that is
why the LORD looks on the heart (1 Samuel
16:7). In a world full of deception - including
those deceiving with the name of the Lord, we
need to be careful not to judge by appearances,
as Jesus warned. Let us not be in a haste to
trust even those who praise us; their motives
could be different. Jesus approach to issues of
life and ministry should be a guide for us to
follow.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You alone know the
heart and search the mind; help me not to be
deceived by praise-singers but to always be
wholly committed to you all the days of my life.
Amen.


Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional