THE PRESENT HELP

FRIDAY 1 JULY 2016

THEME: THE PRESENT HELP 

Memorise:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1b

Read: 1st Kings 17:12-16 (KJV)

12 And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

14 For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.

15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.
16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.

MESSAGE

Bible writers under the influence of the Holy Ghost, wittily qualified or limited significant nouns common to human experiences. For example, in Psalm 103:4 when the Psalmist decided to qualify the kindness and mercies of God upon his life he wrote:
“Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies".
In other words, the kindness he received from God was not ordinary but the loving type. Also, the mercies were not the harsh type but the tender ones. My prayer for you is that this will be your own experience too in Jesus’ name.
In our memory verse for today, we read about an attribute of God that is noteworthy for our advantage; “The very present help in trouble". Going by this testimony of the Psalmist, God is help personified, and He is never a belated help; He is always on time. But for this attribute of God, the widow of Zarephath in today’s reading would have eaten up her last meal before the messenger of the God of multiplication arrived.

“And she said, as the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”
1st Kings 17:12

As I always tell my congregation in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, I strongly believe that the woman was saying that she was going to prepare the last meal, eat it with her household and then commit suicide but help came for her just on time. However, before the Present Help can come to your aid, you need to have the same spiritual conviction of the widow in our Bible reading for today. One of the virtues of this widow is that she believed in the God of Prophet Elijah. Another thing about this widow is that she believed that the God of Elijah was alive. This helped her to respond positively to the instruction of the prophet by going ahead to do what the prophet said, and there came the miracle of multiplication. The Bible says in 2nd Chronicles 20:20

“Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.”

Beloved, if you believe in God as your Present Help, it will show in your way of life. For example, you will not live in doubt of His promises and so you will respond in faith to his directives. You will not cut corners in order to achieve your desires, because you know that the Present Help shall always be there for you. This woman in our Bible reading had faith in the God of Israel and this she showed by according respect to the man of God. Do you have regard for God? It will show in how you regard you pastor and his words. May the Present Help be there for us always in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point

O, Present Help, please help me today to solve all my problems.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : Acts 16:16-18:17 and Song of Solomon 4:9-5:1

AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 6: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee
thou wilt find a solace there..

GOD'S WATCHMAN

DATE: THURSDAY 30TH JUNE 2016

THEME: GOD'S WATCHMAN

Memorise

Preach the word; be instant in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:2

Read: Ezekiel 33:7-9

7. So thought, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore though shalt hear the word at my mouth and warn them from me.

8. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, though shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his inquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 

9. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his inquiry. 

Message:

As a watchman over the souls of men, it is our responsibility to preach the Word. What word? The Word of life; the Truth that sets a person free from the bondage of sin. Today, there is a scarcity of the word of God in some quarters. We have been given the mandate to proclaim the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to unbelievers. But it is unfortunate that many are not carrying out this instruction. There are ministers of the gospel who are preaching other things outside the Word of God. Because all men will stand before the judgement seat of the Almighty God, it is imperative that we proclaim the life-saving gospel to them. We are to preach the Word and the Word alone. We are not to preach the theologies and philosophies of men. We are not to preach the ideals of the western world, but the living Word of God. There are people living in sin today because the watchmen are no longer at their duty posts to reprove them. The Word of God is not what you preach when it is convenient for you alone. Necessity is laid on us all to continue to reprove and rebuke sinners and encourage them to embrace the path that leads to life and godliness. 

We live in a world where people are no longer content with the Word of God, they have abandoned the Word of life and they are searching for fables. They are like sheep in search of a meal that will not profit them. God's Word is the wisdom of God for humanity. The problem with the present day Church is a lack of balanced spiritual diet for the growth of the flock. Potentially sound believers are not sound after all because they lack the wherewithal to grow to maturity despite the fact that they are genuine seekers of the truth. 

We should take time to examine the level of pollution in the Church today by the modern and post-modern philosophers who have turned themselves to Bible scholars, thus, misleading the people of faith with their power of logic, oratory and academic tenacity. We need God's watchmen to put an end to the scarcity of truth in all our assemblies. We need to constantly remind ourselves that the thoughts of western civilisation should not be superior to the Word of God. As watchmen, we need to keep people informed about the correct knowledge of the Word of God. We need to constantly remind ourselves of the beauty of Christian living as the best way of life. We must cast down imaginations and every high knowledge that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and not allow heresies to thrive in the body of Christ. Your role in the church should put an end to the famine of the Word of God. Don't join those who only make noise and appeal to the emotions of people with the mind of leading them to hell. To be a watchman unto the souls of men is a divine mandate that must be carried out with urgency. The voice of the watchman must be clear and distinct so that the people that God wants to reach through His voice can hear the warning for the hour. If you want to serve God, serve Him with all of your heart. Let your path be straight. Always be ready to change when there is a need for it. You must be a good example to your hearers. You must be a fire brand for the Lord. 

Prayer point:

Father, help me to do the work of an Evangelist with diligence. 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 14:1-16:15 and Song of Solomon 4:1-8

AUTHOR: Pst E. A. ADEBOYE 

HYMN 13: WONDERFUL STORY OF LOVE

1. Wonderful story of love;

 Tell it to me again;

 Wonderful story of love;

 Wake the immortal strain!

 Angels with rapture announce it,

 Shepherds with wonder receive it;

 Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?

Chorus:

Wonderful story of love,

Wonderful! Wonderful!

Wonderful, wonderful story of love. 

2. Wonderful story of love;

 Though you are far away;

 Wonderful story of love;

 Still He doth call today;

 Calling from Calvary’s mountain,

 Down from the crystal-bright fountain,

 E’en from the dawn of creation,

Chorus:

3. Wonderful story of love;

 Jesus provides a rest;

 Wonderful story of love;

 For all the pure and blest,

 Rest in those mansions above us,

 With those who’ve gone on before us,

 Singing the rapturous chorus

Chorus.

DATE: THURSDAY 30TH JUNE 2016

THEME: GOD'S WATCHMAN

Memorise

Preach the word; be instant in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:2

Read: Ezekiel 33:7-9

7. So thought, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore though shalt hear the word at my mouth and warn them from me. 

8. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, though shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his inquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 

9. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his inquiry. 

Message

As a watchman over the souls of men, it is our responsibility to preach the Word. What word? The Word of life; the Truth that sets a person free from the bondage of sin. Today, there is a scarcity of the word of God in some quarters. We have been given the mandate to proclaim the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to unbelievers. But it is unfortunate that many are not carrying out this instruction. There are ministers of the gospel who are preaching other things outside the Word of God. Because all men will stand before the judgement seat of the Almighty God, it is imperative that we proclaim the life-saving gospel to them. We are to preach the Word and the Word alone. We are not to preach the theologies and philosophies of men. We are not to preach the ideals of the western world, but the living Word of God. There are people living in sin today because the watchmen are no longer at their duty posts to reprove them. The Word of God is not what you preach when it is convenient for you alone. Necessity is laid on us all to continue to reprove and rebuke sinners and encourage them to embrace the path that leads to life and godliness. 

We live in a world where people are no longer content with the Word of God, they have abandoned the Word of life and they are searching for fables. They are like sheep in search of a meal that will not profit them. God's Word is the wisdom of God for humanity. The problem with the present day Church is a lack of balanced spiritual diet for the growth of the flock. Potentially sound believers are not sound after all because they lack the wherewithal to grow to maturity despite the fact that they are genuine seekers of the truth. 

We should take time to examine the level of pollution in the Church today by the modern and post-modern philosophers who have turned themselves to Bible scholars, thus, misleading the people of faith with their power of logic, oratory and academic tenacity. We need God's watchmen to put an end to the scarcity of truth in all our assemblies. We need to constantly remind ourselves that the thoughts of western civilisation should not be superior to the Word of God. As watchmen, we need to keep people informed about the correct knowledge of the Word of God. We need to constantly remind ourselves of the beauty of Christian living as the best way of life. We must cast down imaginations and every high knowledge that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and not allow heresies to thrive in the body of Christ. Your role in the church should put an end to the famine of the Word of God. Don't join those who only make noise and appeal to the emotions of people with the mind of leading them to hell. To be a watchman unto the souls of men is a divine mandate that must be carried out with urgency. The voice of the watchman must be clear and distinct so that the people that God wants to reach through His voice can hear the warning for the hour. If you want to serve God, serve Him with all of your heart. Let your path be straight. Always be ready to change when there is a need for it. You must be a good example to your hearers. You must be a fire brand for the Lord. 

Prayer point:

Father, help me to do the work of an Evangelist with diligence. 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 14:1-16:15 and Song of Solomon 4:1-8

AUTHOR : Pst E. A. ADEBOYE 

HYMN 13: WONDERFUL STORY OF LOVE

1. Wonderful story of love;

 Tell it to me again;

 Wonderful story of love;

 Wake the immortal strain!

 Angels with rapture announce it,

 Shepherds with wonder receive it;

 Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?

Chorus:

Wonderful story of love,

Wonderful! Wonderful!

Wonderful, wonderful story of love. 

2. Wonderful story of love;

 Though you are far away;

 Wonderful story of love;

 Still He doth call today;

 Calling from Calvary’s mountain,

 Down from the crystal-bright fountain,

 E’en from the dawn of creation,

Chorus:

3. Wonderful story of love;

 Jesus provides a rest;

 Wonderful story of love;

 For all the pure and blest,

 Rest in those mansions above us,

 With those who’ve gone on before us,

 Singing the rapturous chorus

Chorus.

DANCING UNTO THE LORD

DATE: WEDNESDAY 29 JUNE 2016

THEME: DANCING UNTO THE LORD

Memorise

Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Psalms 150:4

Read : Psalms 150:1-6

1 PRAISE ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Message

There are many people who think it is only when they pray to God that help comes down. The greatest victories that the children of Isreal experienced manifested in an atmosphere of praise. There is always a point where you don't know what to do again, especially when you have done all you can. This is the time when you should begin to dance to the Lord and praise Him. Paul and Silas were just unjustly thrown into the prison, when they did not know what to do next, they turned to praise. The next moment, all door leading into the prison flung open, not for them to escape, but for the people to know the potency of God they were praising. Are you in prison? Do you think there is something the enemy has stolen from you? Have you just lost something very precious to you? Have you just received a sack letter or a negative medical report? Whatever your case is, just begin to dance before the Lord. This is a way of committing God to rise on your behalf.

The moment you begin to dance in the midst of your situation and circumstances, you are simply telling the whole world that you are not victim. You are provoking God to action and when He rises on your behalf; you become the talk of the town. There are some people who cannot mind their business, they are always wondering why people dance the way they dance. When they see a rich man forgetting his wealth and dancing before His Maker, they continue to wonder why the man has forgotten who he is. The question is who are you before the Almighty God? You are nothing. If we remove God from your life, there is nothing else to see.

David understood this and he danced and praised God. Dancing shows gratitude to the Almighty God. Dancing is loaded with blessings, when we dance unto the Lord; He turns our mourning into joy. There are people who only dance when the Lord has given them a testimony to share, but those who understand better will continue to dance even before the arrival of their miracles.

When you dance before God and you praise Him with the whole of your heart, you will begin to enjoy divine favour and there will be a divine acceleration of your place of celebration. When you praise God, all your enemies become silenced because your dance will provoke God to rise in your defence.

It is not the dance of everyone that God will rise for. It is only the dance of those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. Sin is the only thing that can stop Him from rising on your behalf because He is too pure to behold iniquity.

Prayer Point:

Father,please remove everything that will stop You from rising on my behalf.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : Acts 12:6-13:52 and Song of Solomon 3

AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE 

HYMN 3: DEEPER, DEEPER

Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus

Daily let me go;

Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,

More of grace to know.

Chorus:

O deeper yet, I pray,

And higher every day,

And wiser, blessed Lord,

In Thy precious, holy Word.

Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,

Take me deeper still,

Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,

And His perfect will.

Chorus:

Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,

Deeper let me go!

Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,

Let me fruitful grow.

Chorus:

Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,

Till all conflict past,

Finds me conqu'ror, and in His own image

Perfected at last.

Chorus:

Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,

Holy faith and true;

In His pow'r and soul exulting wisdom

Let me peace pursue.

Chorus.

IN JESUS’ NAME

DATE  TUESDAY 28 JUNE 2016

  

THEME : IN JESUS’ NAME

Memorise:

If you ask any thing in my name I will do it. John 14:14

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: Acts 10:1-12:5, Song of Solomon 2:8-17

MESSAGE

The Name of Jesus is God’s password for answered prayers. There is something very unique about the Name of Jesus. It carries so much power and authority. It is not just a Name like other names; it is a seal of authority that commands results for the children of God. There are several reasons why the Name of Jesus is very distinct. The moment you put the Name to work, things are bound to yield to your request. At the mention of the Name of Jesus, there is a release of immeasurable miracles. A believer that has an understanding of this will enjoy the boundless riches that the power in the Name of Jesus can perform in the lives of those who commit the Name to action.

“If you ask anything in my name, I will do it”

John 14:14

This promise to the apostles was to reassure them that whatever they requested within the will of the Lord would always be granted. The Name of Jesus is the only medium of communication with the Father. At the mention of that Name, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess; Jesus is the door to every breakthrough in life. Every sinner comes to the Father through Him; He is the door into wealth, health and well-being. The Name of Jesus is the door to protection from all the evils and troubles of life.

*“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”*

Proverbs 18:10

The Name of Jesus is the door into every rest, because He said and is still saying, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”. Today, I decree into the life of a user of this devotional, there will be rest for you in every area you have experienced trouble in Jesus’ name. The power in the Name of Jesus can deliver you from any form of sickness, infirmity or problem. Cancer disappears at the mention of the Name of Jesus, the blind receive their sight through the Name. The power in the Name of Jesus can raise whatever is dead in your life, because death has no legal right to take away any child of God prematurely. I decree that in the Name of Jesus, you shall not die but live long to fulfil all that God has planned for you.

For this Name to work for you, you must surrender to the lordship of Jesus. We live in a time when all men should confess Jesus as Lord and submit to His will. The same Name that is capable of doing all that we can ever request is the same Name that will judge the world. A time is coming when it will be too late to submit to the Name. Let the fear of God and the love of God be your primary motivator for life. Whatever motivates the request you make to God will determines if your prayers will be answered or not. The angels of God also move towards the direction in which the Name is being mentioned in spirit and in truth, so as to receive orders on someone’s behalf.  

Prayer Point:

Jesus, let the power in Your Name set me free.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : Acts 10:1-12:5 and Song of Solomon 2:8-17

AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 9: MY FAITH HAS FOUND A  PLACE

My faith has found a resting place,

Not in device or creed;

I trust the ever living One,

His wounds for me shall plead.

Chorus:

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that He died for me.

Enough for me that Jesus saves,

This ends my fear and doubt;

A sinful soul I come to Him,

He'll never cast me out.

Chorus:

My heart is leaning on the Word,

The living Word of God,

Salvation by my Savior's Name,

Salvation through His blood.

Chorus:

My great Physician heals the sick,

The lost He came to save;

For me His precious blood He shed,

For me His life He gave.

Chorus.

IN JESUS’ NAME

DATE  TUESDAY 28 JUNE 2016

  

THEME : IN JESUS’ NAME

Memorise:

If you ask any thing in my name I will do it. John 14:14

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: Acts 10:1-12:5, Song of Solomon 2:8-17

MESSAGE

The Name of Jesus is God’s password for answered prayers. There is something very unique about the Name of Jesus. It carries so much power and authority. It is not just a Name like other names; it is a seal of authority that commands results for the children of God. There are several reasons why the Name of Jesus is very distinct. The moment you put the Name to work, things are bound to yield to your request. At the mention of the Name of Jesus, there is a release of immeasurable miracles. A believer that has an understanding of this will enjoy the boundless riches that the power in the Name of Jesus can perform in the lives of those who commit the Name to action.

“If you ask anything in my name, I will do it”

John 14:14

This promise to the apostles was to reassure them that whatever they requested within the will of the Lord would always be granted. The Name of Jesus is the only medium of communication with the Father. At the mention of that Name, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess; Jesus is the door to every breakthrough in life. Every sinner comes to the Father through Him; He is the door into wealth, health and well-being. The Name of Jesus is the door to protection from all the evils and troubles of life.

*“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”*

Proverbs 18:10

The Name of Jesus is the door into every rest, because He said and is still saying, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”. Today, I decree into the life of a user of this devotional, there will be rest for you in every area you have experienced trouble in Jesus’ name. The power in the Name of Jesus can deliver you from any form of sickness, infirmity or problem. Cancer disappears at the mention of the Name of Jesus, the blind receive their sight through the Name. The power in the Name of Jesus can raise whatever is dead in your life, because death has no legal right to take away any child of God prematurely. I decree that in the Name of Jesus, you shall not die but live long to fulfil all that God has planned for you.

For this Name to work for you, you must surrender to the lordship of Jesus. We live in a time when all men should confess Jesus as Lord and submit to His will. The same Name that is capable of doing all that we can ever request is the same Name that will judge the world. A time is coming when it will be too late to submit to the Name. Let the fear of God and the love of God be your primary motivator for life. Whatever motivates the request you make to God will determines if your prayers will be answered or not. The angels of God also move towards the direction in which the Name is being mentioned in spirit and in truth, so as to receive orders on someone’s behalf.  

Prayer Point:

Jesus, let the power in Your Name set me free.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : Acts 10:1-12:5 and Song of Solomon 2:8-17

AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 9: MY FAITH HAS FOUND A  PLACE

My faith has found a resting place,

Not in device or creed;

I trust the ever living One,

His wounds for me shall plead.

Chorus:

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that He died for me.

Enough for me that Jesus saves,

This ends my fear and doubt;

A sinful soul I come to Him,

He'll never cast me out.

Chorus:

My heart is leaning on the Word,

The living Word of God,

Salvation by my Savior's Name,

Salvation through His blood.

Chorus:

My great Physician heals the sick,

The lost He came to save;

For me His precious blood He shed,

For me His life He gave.

Chorus.

GOOD PARENTHOOD

DATE: MONDAY 27 JUNE 2016

THEME: GOOD PARENTHOOD

Memorise:

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

Read: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Message 

Effective parenting must be properly planned if you will be really rewarded by God at the end. There are many people today who are leaving the responsibilities of parenting to strangers, and at the end of the day, the children also turn out to be strangers. Godly parents do not leave their responsibilities to chance; they make deliberate sacrificial choices, having an expected end in mind. Today, it is increasingly becoming very difficult to raise godly children because Western culture and ideas have infiltrated our background. God is longing for fathers who will love and care for the home. God is longing for mothers who will help the children become the best that God wants them to be. One of the people I will eternally be grateful to God for is my mother. She did a great job on me, she would never allow me gallivant around like others were doing. There is always a need for parents to re-adjust their lives in order to accommodate the demands of their children. Most men in the world do not understand the unique role that God wants them to play in the home and this is why you see all kinds of children today, who are causing problems all over the world. Parenting must be intentional, no good act of parenting happens by accident. There is always a price to pay. 

Who is helping you to nurture you child today? Who is responsible for the growth of your children? It is the mandate of God for parents to produce righteous and godly offspring within the context of marriage. The nation of Israel was in trouble because they had abandoned their covenant with God. They were engaged in ungodly practices that were disrupting God’s plan for their children. Every parent who loves God should be concerned about how to go about raising godly children who will be great vessels to honour in the hands of God. Don't allow your children to follow the instructions of the world system that contradict the Word of God. 

God is assuring parents that when they train their children in the right way, they will serve God for ever and they will give peace to them. There are parents who do not know peace as a result of the trauma their children are bringing to them. There are parents who have been defrauded by their children. Parents are to train their children to possess good character and godly behaviour. Children should be exposed to the wisdom of righteous living, however, the father should not become a tyrant or dictator in the home. There is nothing good in creating fear and anger in your children just because you want them to know that you are in charge. Every child should have a loving relationship with their parents. You have to open the lines of communication with them, so that they can share the challenges of the different phrases of their lives with you and with this, you can guide them through the Word of God and you will be amazed at how they will respond to the love of God.

Key point:

You owe it to God and your children to be a good parent.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 9 and Song of Solomon 2:1-7

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE 

HYMN 8: GOD, GIVE US CHRISTIAN HOMES!

1. God, give us Christian homes!

Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,

Homes where the Master's will is sought,

Homes crowned with beauty Thy love hath wrought;

God, give us Christian homes;

God, give us Christian homes!

2. God, give us Christian homes!

Homes where the father is true and strong,

Homes that are free from the blight of wrong,

Homes that are joyous with love and song;

God, give us Christian homes;

God, give us Christian homes!

3. God, give us Christian homes!

Homes where the mother, in queenly quest,

Strives to show others Thy way is best,

Homes where the Lord is an honored guest;

God, give us Christian homes;

God, give us Christian homes!

4. God, give us Christian homes!

Homes where the children are led to know

Christ in His beauty Who loves them so,

Homes where the alter fires burn and glow;

God, give us Christian homes;

God, give us Christian homes!

JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST

DATE: SUNDAY 26 JUNE 2016

THEME: JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST

Memorise:

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Romans 8:16

Read: Romans 8:14-17

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Message:

As joint heirs with Christ Jesus, we are to live according to the direction of the Spirit of God because we are the children of God. This will involve having absolute faith in God. It is only those who have submitted to the will of God that can be identified as joint heirs with Christ. Those who allow the flesh and human emotions to rule over then cannot be called the children of God. As joint heirs with Christ, it is Christ that determines the direction of our lives. 

As joint heirs, we have tremendous privileges. We have been adopted by Jesus to have glorious experiences in life. The implication of this is that all that God makes available to Jesus can be equally accessible to us. This is why you need to have a closer relationship with Him, because it is the extent of your relationship with Him that determines your placement in life. 

"Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God." Psalms 92:13

You can be anything you want to be before the Almighty God. You can step beyond the level of being called a servant to a son. Sons have tremendous opportunities that servants don't enjoy. When you are a son of Jesus, you can be sure that all His goodness and mercy shall follow you, because those are part of your eternal rights in Him.

Jesus is the original King maker. While others may be reigning, He will allow you to rule. While others are struggling to occupy positions, He may just choose you to become relevant in the scheme of things. This we saw in the life of Daniel. Daniel was never a King, in fact, he witnessed the reign of three rulers, yet, he was the one calling the shots. He has access to divine and hidden secrets of the Most High God. While in Egypt, Pharaoh was the king, but Joseph was the one in charge. Even in Potiphars house, everyone was living at the mercy of Joseph. Jesus can make you reign over the affairs of men, this is why you must not allow anything to stage between you and Jesus Christ. If you have gone astray, He is waiting to take away your filth as a sinner and cleanse you to present you as a saint. Calling Abba father implies your trust in Him, your reliance upon Him and the fact that you seek your direction through Him. With this, we will have the witness of the Holy Spirit that we are truly the sons of God. We are children of covenant  and every covenant of God concerning you shall be fulfilled in Jesus name. No matter what we go through, we must never deviate from Him because if we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him. 

Action Point:

Are you a son or a servant ? 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : Acts 8-9 and Song of Solomon 1:11-2:7

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE 

HYMN 12: MY HOPE IS BUILD ON NOTHING LESS

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. 

Chorus:

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand. 

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil. 

Chorus:

3. His oath, His covenant, His blood,

Support me in the whelming flood;

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay. 

Chorus:

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh, may I then in Him be found;

Dressed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne. 

Chorus.