A SMALL NEW BEGINNING

SUNDAY 1st MARCH 2015

A SMALL NEW BEGINNING

Memorise:

Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase. Job 8:7

Read : Zechariah 4:8-10

8 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.

10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : EZEKIEL 24:15-26:21 and REVELATION 9:20-10:11

Message 

The beginning of a thing is very important because it serves as the foundation upon which everything else stands. The way you begin a thing can determine the speed, attitude and the degree of success or failure you will experience in it. I have good news for you: with Jesus on your side, you can always have a new beginning, even in a hopeless situation. There is no hopeless situation with God. He is the power behind and the source of everything you want to achieve in life (Colossians 1:17). In any situation where you may have lost hope or experienced failure, with the involvement of Jesus, you can have a new beginning. Peter was already washing his net to pack up and go when Jesus came into the picture (Luke 5:2-6). Humanly speaking Peter had done all that was expected. He got to the river very early in the morning, had the right tools to work with and went with the right team, yet he had no result until the Alpha and Omega stepped in. Jesus will step into every area of your toiling in Jesus’ Name.

One challenges most believers face is the inability to reconcile God’s timing with theirs. We find it difficult to link our present to our future. One thing we need to know is that God specialises in calling those things that be not as if they were. God can call you a manager when you are presently serving as a messenger. He can call you a billionaire while you don’t even know where your next meal will come from. Do you know that the problem with many Christians is that of unbelief and fear of what God is calling them into? Many have remained on the same spot for so long because they are afraid to launch out. Many have wasted great opportunities because they don’t want to leave their comfort zone. Many great doors have been shut because those to whom they were opened did not have enough courage to step in. Because you have done all you can and nothing changed is not enough reason to give up. All you need is to call upon the Alpha which is Jesus. He will give you a brand new beginning and He will guide you until your small beginning becomes very great. You must never despise the days of your small beginnings. There can never be glory without a story. You must cultivate the habit of always praising God for every phase of your life. Some people are so preoccupied with what God is doing in other people’s lives that they have refused to celebrate the faithfulness of God in their own small beginning. Never despise that business that is starting small. Never despise that position that looks inconsequential. Never despite that location that looks unpromising. Never despite that marriage that is starting small. That level you are on now is not your destination; you are on a mission and you can never be through until the whole world has seen the glory of God in your life. 

Action Point:

Thank God for the current phase for your life, and ask him for a new beginning wherever you have experience failure.

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE

GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS

SATURDAY 28th FEBRUARY 2015

GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS 

Memorise:

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Matthew 7:7

Read: Psalm 5:1-3

1 GIVE ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.

2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.

3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : EZEKIEL 23:1-24:14 and REVELATION 8:13-9:19

Message:

Prayer is ordained by God as a means of communication between God and man. Christians are commanded to depends on God completely for all their needs, hopes and aspirations by bringing all their requests to Him in prayer (Philippians 4:6). In today’s memory verse, God challenges anyone who believes in Him to ask and they shall receive, to seek and they shall find, to knock and it shall be opened to them. He went further in John 16:24 where He said;

“Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

This means that prayer is the means God has provided for Christians to have all of their needs satisfied. For this reason, God did not place any limitation on prayer; He tells us to pray without ceasing (1st Thessalonians 5:17). So, you can continuously approach heaven without any fear of disturbing God.

Prayer symbolises trust and total dependence on God. Dependence on God for help with spiritual and physical needs arises out of an awareness of human helplessness (Psalm 18:6, Mark 4:38). The word of the Lord to those who would not pray because they have alternative means of getting things done is found in Jeremiah 17:5:

“ Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

But for those who trust in Him, He sends this word in Hebrew 4:16:

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

God answer prayers because He is the one who commanded that we should pray and He cannot deny Himself. Because we have access to God through Jesus (Ephesians 3:12), and because Jesus Himself gave us the assurance that He will do whatsoever we ask the Father in His Name (John 15:16), you can therefore go ahead and ask so that your joy may be full. All power in heaven and on earth belongs to God; He is the owner of all things visible and invisible. He is a loving Father, and He is only waiting to hear from you. 

Action Point:

Ask God for 5 things you need Him to do for you, and trust Him to answer.

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE

WEARING A MASK?

FRIDAY 27th FEBRUARY 2015

WEARING A MASK? 

Memorise: 

Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Psalm 86:3

Read: psalm 88:1-9

1 O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:

2 Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;

3 For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.

4 I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength:

5 Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.

6 Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.

7 Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah.

8 Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.

9 Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : EZEKIEL 21-22 and REVELATION 8:1-12

Message

A mask is a full or partial cover for the face. It is used for disguise; to hide a person’s true identity, character or intentions away from being known or noticed. Also, the word “mask” could refer to a lifestyle that hides the real personality and emotions of a person. Putting on a mask portrays a hidden agenda, falsehood, hypocrisy, pretence, deception and double-mindedness. These are terms that should never be used to qualify a Christian or any action taken by a person who professes to be born-again.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Philippians 4:8

God expects His children to be truthful and honest in all things. Our utterances, outward appearance and the testimony about us should be a reflection of the inward person in us. Our “yes” should be yes and our “no” should be no. Children of God should know how to speak the truth without hypocrisy (1 Timothy 4:2). Living a life of pretence is bad for many reasons, but the effect is more pronounced in prayers. When a person outwardly pretends to be born-again, holy, righteous, rich, happy and fulfilled, the inward man remains fully aware of the real situation and will find it very difficult to pray. Most importantly, James 1:6-8 confirms that God will never answer such prayers.

“For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”

James 1:7

The fathers and mothers of faith recorded in the Bible succeeded because they lived honest lives. From Bible accounts, Abraham, Moses, Elijah and David were very open and honest even in their mistakes. King David confessed his sins and cried to God for help and assistance. It is time to remove every mask and be sincere with God. Approach the throne of grace with genuine repentance and make your request known to God with all honesty. I prophecy that every request you make today will surely turn to a testimony in the Name of Jesus.

Prayer Point:

Father, please destroy the root of hypocrisy, pretence and deception in my life in Jesus’ Name.

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE

LAMENTATION AS PRAISE!

THURSDAY 26th FEBRUARY 2015

LAMENTATION AS PRAISE! 

Memorise:

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5

Read: Psalm 30:7-12

7 LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.

8 I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.

9 What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?

10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.

11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : EZEKIEL 19-20 and REVELATION 7

Message

A lamentation is a song mourning or sorrow. In the Bible, lamentations were usually motivated by national disasters (2 Chronicles 35:25), by bereavement (2Samuel 3:33-34), personal suffering (Psalm 102:1-11) or by the judgment of God (Amos 5:1-2). Lamentations could also be inspired by repentance as shown in Daniel 9:4-20.

A lamentation can contain praise of express thanksgiving and gratitude to the Almighty God. Such was the lamentation of Daniel in Daniel 9. It was laced with praises to God even though He was mourning the captivity of the children of Israel. No wonder the Lord heard his lamentation and quickly dispatched an archangel to conform him. Jesus in Matthew 5:4 said:

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

This reveals that there is blessedness even in mourning. There is still a reason to glorify God for His goodness and His mercy even in morning. It shows that though there is lamentation, there will be clear reasons to praise God at the end. Singing songs of sorrow can therefore lead to comfort.

An example of sorrow leading to comfort is seen when we lament for our sins, mistakes and errors in such a way that leads to genuine repentance. Such repentance leads to righteousness.

“Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

2nd Corinthians 7:9-10

In the above passage, the lamentation and sorrow of the Corinthians led to repentance. Paul rejoiced to see this genuine repentance take place in the life of the people. Godly sorrow brings repentance unto salvation. What started as lamentation or a song of sorrow, produced reasons to praise God at the end. Lamentation becomes a source of praise when godly sorrow produces genuine repentance. Such repentance leads to the joy of salvation, divine approval and blessing.  

Prayer point:

Father, let your Church experience godly sorrow that leads to genuine repentance in Jesus’ Name.

AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

THE BLESSING OF THANKSGIVING

WEDNESDAY 25th FEBRUARY 2015

THE BLESSING OF THANKSGIVING

Memorise:

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: Psalm 92:1

Read: Luke 17:11-19

11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : EZEKIEL 17-18 and REVELATION 6:3-17

Message

Thanksgiving to God, especially for gifts and blessings received, is required and expected. God abhors ungrateful people. God expects Christians to give thanks in all circumstances they are confronted with. In 1st Thessalonians 5:18, Apostle Paul wrote that:

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ also demonstrated to us the essence of thanksgiving. Several times, He gave thanks to the Father (John 11:41, Matthew 15:36, Luke 22:17).

God wants His children to thank Him and show gratitude for everything that happens in their lives. We are to thank God when we are full and when we are empty. We are to continuously show appreciation for the many things we normally take for granted. Our willingness to thank God should not be based on our mood, i.e. whether we are happy or not. It should not be based only on the things we receive and recognise as gifts and blessings; we should also thank God for the miracle of sleeping and waking up, for the gift of life, for the salvation of our souls and for divine health. Thank God for the ability to use every part of your body; that you can eat, drink, see, walk, speak, learn and interact with people. Thank God because no matter what you are going through, you are still better off in certain areas compared to some other people on the face of the earth.

Thanksgiving to God can be expressed in several different ways. However, offering thanksgiving to God in an acceptable manner guarantees an immediate response from God. Solomon chose to give a thousand burnt offerings (2nd Chronicles 1:6), one of the lepers in our Bible text fell down and glorified God with a loud voice (Luke 17:15-16), while David showed gratitude in song and with dancing (2nd Samuel 6:14). God responded to Solomon by giving him a blank cheque to ask for anything he wanted. The leper had a partial healing at first, but Jesus made him completely whole after he offered thanks. God was pleased with David and He established his throne forever. Each of these three received a blessing from God that was irreversible. I pray therefore that as you praise and thank the Lord for His goodness and mercy over you over your life, you will receive irreversible blessing from Him in Jesus’ Name.  

Prayer Point:

Father, please give me a heart of gratitude and put on me the garment of thanksgiving.

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE

POWER IN HIS NAME

TUESDAY 24th FEBRUARY 2015

POWER IN HIS NAME

Memorise:
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Psalm 29:2
Read: Philippians 2:9-11,
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : EZEKIEL 16 and REVELATION 5:1-6:2

Message
One of the first things that a genuinely born-again Christian will quickly recognise about the Christian experience is the fact that there is power in the Name of Jesus. Immediately a fellow accepts Jesus as Lord and Saviour, the powers that used to manipulate and controls things in the person’s life become paralysed as he or she begins to call upon the Name of the Lord. This is simply because all power belongs to Jesus (Matthew 28:18), and He has deposited so much of his power in His Name. Seldom do you have the Lord making the same statement twice at one instance, but He did this with regard to His Name in John 14:13-14, saying: “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

At the mention of the Name of Jesus, irrespective of the environment or circumstance, every knee shall bow in heaven, on earth and under the earth (Philippians 2:10-11). The power in the Name of Jesus is so potent and active that there is no limitation whatsoever to what you can achieve through the application of the Name. The dead has come alive by the Name, sorrow has been turned to joy in many lives by the Name, and the Name has brought salvation to billions of souls.

The Name of Jesus carries supreme authority and unlimited power. Having understood this truth, you ought to praise His Name at all times and deploy the power in His Name against all challenges and circumstances you are confronted with. A certain man caught the revelation of the power in the Name of Jesus even before His death and resurrection, and he deployed it. He was not even one of the disciples who were with Jesus or among those who followed Jesus at all times. Yet, he understood the power in the Name of Jesus and he took advantage of it. Mark 9:38-39 says: “And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.”

The power in the Name of Jesus will do you no good if you do not apply it. As you call upon the Name of Jesus today, may the potent power in His Name work for you in Jesus’ Name.

Action Point
Praise the power in the Name of Jesus and then hold Him to His word by asking for your heart’s desire in His Name.

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE

WORSHIPPING THE UNKNOWN GOD?

MONDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 2015

WORSHIPPING THE UNKNOWN GOD?

Memorise:

Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. John 4:22

Read : Acts 17:16-23

16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : EZEKIEL 13-15 and REVELATION 4

Message

Apostle Paul was taking a walk through the old city of Athens as a visitor when he noticed an altar with this inscription: ' TO THE UNKNOWN GOD'. Paul was aware that Athens at that particular period was filled with philosophers of either epicurean beliefs or those of stoic principles. Epicureans were devoted to sensual pleasure. They have sensitive tastes, expecially in food and wine, and they loved to enjoy the good things of life. On the other hand, Stoics were professedly indifferent to pleasure or pain, free from passion,unmoved by Joy or grief and submissive to the natural law. These philosophers prided themselves as custodians of exceptional of wisdom and knowledge in all areas of life including issues about God and religion. When they met Apostle Paul, being persuaded of their superior wisdom, they were quick to ask "What will this babbler say?" However, their folly was already evident in this inscription. This story still rings true today. Because knowledge has greatly increased all over the world, scientists and philosophers proudly try to impose their limited mortal theories as superior to the knowledge of the Almighty God.

However, like the Athenians of Paul's days, these are genuine seekers among today's scientists and philosophers,who Will readily accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour and submit to the authority of the Scriptures if the right opportunity is made available to them. The truth is : God is spiritual being. His existence cannot be investigated or proved scientifically; neither can He be searched out through philosophical investigations. Therefore, God can only be known by faith, through the revelation knowledge made available by the gospel of Jesus Christ ( LUKE 10:22 ). And more importantly, the whole Bible provides extremely convincing factual evidence that God exists and that Jesus Christ Is the son of the Living God ( Colossians 1:15-17 )

It is therefore time to expose the error of the unknown God and begin to propagate a more perfect knowledge of the Living God. We must use every available opportunity to reach the world with the message of gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the power of God unto salvation. It is the sure way to forgiveness, deliverance, healing, peace, joy and prosperity. Remember, time is short. Begin to vigorously propagate the gospel today, and great rewards will accrue to your account here on earth and in heaven in Jesus' Name. 

Prayer Point:

Father, please grant me the grace to be an addicted soul winner in Jesus' Name.

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE

THE LETHAL WEAPON OF WAR

SUNDAY 22nd FEBRUARY 2015

THE LETHAL WEAPON OF WAR

Memorise:

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. Acts 16:25-26

Read : 2 Chronicles 20:21-33

21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.

22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : EXODUS 10-12 and REVELATION 3:7-22

Message

In today's reading, the Bible clearly presents worship as a lethal weapon of war.Here, three powerful nations rose up against Israel in battle. Knowing that they could not match their enemies in physical warfare, King Jehoshaphat appointed singers unto the Lord, and they went before the army to praise the beauty of God's holiness ( 2 Chronicles 20:21). When they began to sing and praise God, suddenly, worship turn into a lethal weapon of war, and the Lord decided to waylay the armies of their enemies. As you praise and worship the Lord today, your worship will work against your detractors as a lethal weapon of war in the Name of Jesus.

Another example of worship as a lethal weapon of war took place in Joshua 6. After the Israelites got to Jericho, they were confronted by its mighty wall that seemed impossible to breakthrough. Jericho was shut in; the only available option therefore was to mount a siege that could last for months. However, the people shouted a great shout after the priests blew the trumpet, and the wall of Jericho fell down flat ( Joshua 6:20 ). Again, in the Name that is above all other names, I command everything that represents the wall of Jericho in your life to fall down flat before you.

I have always maintained that If you are faced with a challenge of any kind and you have fasted, you have prayed , and done all that you can do without getting any appreciable result, it's time to try praise and worship. Worship has proved to be a very potent weapon of warfare in many cases where everything else appeared to be ineffective. Whenever a child of God begins to praise His holy Name and hail Him as the Alpha and Omega, King and kings, Lord of lords, I Am that I Am, Mighty Man in battle, Lord of hosts, Omnipotent God, Omniscient God, Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah Shalom, the present Help in the time of trouble, Ancient of Days, the Almighty etc, He responded immediately, because He cannot deny Himself. Such was the experience of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25-26. The Bible states that they prayed first and nothing seemed to happen, but when they started singing, suddenly, there was a great earthquake. Today, your worship will become a lethal weapon against your problems and challenges in the Name of Jesus.

Key Point:

If you dare to take your worship to a higher level, you will surely reap higher rewards.

AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

PRACTICAL WORSHIP: DANCING

SATURDAY 21st FEBRUARY 2015

PRACTICAL WORSHIP: DANCING 

Memorise:

Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. Psalm 149:3

Read: Psalm 103:1-5, 

1 BLESS the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : EZEKIEL 7-9 and REVELATION 2:18-3:6

Message

We can worship God in various ways and manners. It is possible to worship God in song, dance and even in silence. However, throughout the Bible, practical worship is the preferred mode of worship whenever God does something great for His people. On the day God miraculously delivered Israel from Pharaoh and the Egyptian army, the people practically worshipped God with songs and dancing (Exodus 15:1&20). After each victory or manifestation of the signs and wonders of God in the wilderness, the Israelites always responded with shouts of joy accompanied with singing and dancing. Moses, Hannah, David, the women of Israel and even the prophets at different times in history composed various songs to glorify the Name of the Lord. It is clear from all of these cases that practical worship, also known as the sacrifice of praise, always begins with the fruit of the lips. Hebrew 13:15 says:

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

A good example of practical worship is found in Exodus 15. After the deliverance of Israel at the Red Sea, the Bible says that Moses and Miriam composed songs (the fruit of their lips) which led to the use of timbrels and dancing. In another example, Chenaniah and choir master and the singers of Israel were singing high praises to the Lord with the national orchestra. This resulted in King David and all of Israel shouting and leaping to the praise of the Most High God (1st Chronicles 15:27-29).

These who have been with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) over the years know that one of the secrets of our success is practical worship. I am so addicted to practical worship that from my early days in the ministry, I was nicknamed the dancing pastor. The RCCG is known to be a singing and dancing Church. Many have also identified us as a shouting Church. It is therefore because of our disposition to practical worship that God has been so wonderful to us. The Lord is good. More than ever before, He is worthy of our praise this year. For His love and mercy, for His countless miracles, for His signs and wonders, we need to appreciate Him. Go ahead and give Him practical worship in songs and dance throughout today. As you worship Him today, may He multiply His blessing in your life Jesus’ Name.

Key Point:

You must become an addicted worshipper to receive the best from God.

AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

CHRISTIAN ATHEIST?

FRIDAY 20th FEBRUARY 2014

CHRISTIAN ATHEIST? 

Memorise:

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1st John 2:15

Read: 2nd Timothy 3:1-5, 

1 THIS know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : EZEKIEL 4-6 and REVELATION 2:1-17

Message 

Our Bible reading today reveals some strange characteristics of the last days that should in no wise be mentioned among children of God. Unfortunately, many of these behaviours dominate the Church today. Frankly speaking, behaviours such as being a lover of self, blaspheming, being unholy, treachery and loving of pleasures beyond loving God, more accurately described ungodly people (atheists). But because professed Christians are found among those who openly manifest and defend such behaviours today, the designation “Christian Atheists” has become necessary. Christian atheists are therefore professing Christians who believe, act and defend behaviours and characteristics that are contrary to Christian values as recorded in the Bible.

The most noticeable error of a Christian atheist is commitment to the philosophy and ways of the world. They profess to be Christians but find it easy to identify with the world in principle, word, action and general worldview. This is contrary to the word of God in James 4:4 that says,

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

And the admonition of Titus 2:12

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”

Furthermore, preoccupation with the things of this world is incompatible with holy living. The commitment of the Christian atheist to the world is especially seen in the area of materialism and worldliness, which the word of God warns against in 1st John 2:15. This commitment of the world leads to disappointment, failure, physical and spiritual loss, and ultimately God’s judgment (Luke 9:25, Ephesians 5:6). Perilous times are here! The right attitude to take in times as these is to heed the admonition of the word of God in Romans 12:1-2, by resisting the temptation to conform to the standards of this world. Rather, we should seek to be transformed into the image of Christ by the renewing of our minds.

Prayer Point

Father, please expose every atheistic tendency in the body of Christ and rid your Church of all contrary behaviours in Jesus’ Name.

AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

PERFECT KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

THURSDAY 19th FEBRUARY 2015

PERFECT KNOWLEDGE OF GOD 

Memorise: 

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them;

for God hath shewed it unto them. Romans 1:19

Read: Matthew 11:25-27, 

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : EZEKIEL 1-3 and REVELATION 1

Message:

The scriptures make it clear that it is possible to acquire the knowledge of God. As a matter of fact, God has systematically and painstakingly revealed Himself to humanity through nature and through the Bible. The Bible teaches that God can be known, and that it is possible to have the perfect knowledge of God through Jesus Christ His Son. Our Lord Jesus revealed that eternal life lies in knowing God and the person of Jesus Christ (John 17:3).

Many people conclude in error that God cannot be known because He is beyond human imagination. It must be admitted that God cannot be fathomed by the imagination of man. We cannot form a mental image of the infinite and eternal God. It is for this reason that God sent us His only begotten Son, so that by beholding Him, we might understand the nature and the character of God. Jesus came to give us the perfect knowledge of God. Hear what Jesus said to Philip in response to his request for a revelation of the Father in John 14:9:

“Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?”

Having the perfect knowledge of God does not imply having a complete and exhaustive knowledge of Him. It does not mean knowing all of His essence, nature and attributes. Simply put, God is past finding out, but we can know Him by faith to the extent that He has revealed of Himself in His Son and through the Scriptures.

No man knows the Father except the Son and whomever the Son shall reveal Him to (Luke 10:22). Jesus is the incarnate Word of God and the manifestation of His person and glory (Hebrews 1:3). Accepting Jesus as Master, Lord and Saviour is a necessary first step towards knowing God Almighty. ACCEPTING JESUS INTO YOUR LIFE TODAY! Daniel 11:32 makes it clear that the people who do know their God shall be strong and do exploits. I therefore decree in the Name that is above all other names, that as you endeavour to have the perfect knowledge of God through the diligent study of His word, you will receive the power to do exploits physically, spiritually, materially and financially in Jesus’ Name.

Key Point:

The knowledge of God produces righteousness that brings salvation, peace, joy, and prosperity.

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE