THE END TIME IS NOW

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE For SATURDAY, 31ST DECEMBER, 2022.

Topic: THE END TIME IS NOW

MEMORIZE: "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book" (Daniel 12:1).

SCRIPTURE READING: Daniel 12:1-4

“1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. 4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”

EXPOSITION:

The prophecy is specifically "for the children of thy (Daniel) people, the Jews even though it gives information useful to the church too.

1. THE ANGELIC MICHAEL

a. Angel Michael belong to the highest hierarchy of the angels in heaven. He is called "the great prince" (v1), one of the Chief princes (Daniel 11:13) and the arch angel (Jude 9) with many angels under him (Revelation 12:7).

b. He was assigned by God to defend or to "stand" for Israel, v1. He is always mentioned in warfare and conflict when the interest of Israel was to be protected (see the verses above). The peak of his warfare will be when he and his angels will face Satan himself and all his demons and send them out of the heavenly places. This will happen during the great tribulation, Revelation 12:7.

c. Note that for every Nation, we have an arch angel assigned and Satan mimicks this divine organization or hierarchy in the evil world too, Ephesians 6:12. The hierarchical structures, both holy and diabolical, in the spiritual narrows down from nations,  regions, communities to families and individuals. "He that is with us is greater than he that is in the world". So "fear not" if you are a child of God and a praying saints because warfare is the only language in the spirit realm.

2. THE ANGUISH MOMENT

a. Since the church is not in view, the last days for the Jews takes off with the great tribulation, v. 1.

b. It is a time of trouble and the severest they have ever and will ever face. Think of the holocaust of about 100 years ago when over 6 million Jews were gassed to death. They are yet to recover from it. That will be a child's play compared to the trouble of the great tribulation, v1.

3. THE ASCENDED MESSIAH

a. The Messiah who literally and physically ascended to heaven after His resurrection will descend after the great tribulation physically on the planet earth, v12c.

b. He will deliver the Jews from the great trouble of the great tribulation and punish their tormentors under the leadership of the Antichrist,  v12. "Thy (Daniel) people (the Jews) shall be delivered",  v12c.

c. Who are those that shall be delivered. "Many" (v3) and not all the Jews. How?

d. All the righteous Jews dead and alive at the time of the great tribulation will be admitted into the Millennial reign of Christ.  The dead righteous Jews will resurrect and the living righteous Jews will all be part of the millennial reign. Of course, the NT saints who missed the rapture but eventually successfully repent and passed through the iron furnace of the great tribulation will also be admitted to the Millennial reign. Those who will be born during the Millennial reign and would repent and live righteously will also have a place in the Millennial reign. In short, the admitted people are only those "whose names are in the book of life".

d. After the 1000 years, all the dead sinners, Jews or non Jews, will be resurrected to the resurrection of "shame and everlasting contempt", v2. 

4. ASSURANCES AND MANIFESTATIONS

a. There is assurance of reward for those who are soul winners, v3. They are called "wise". Are you wise? 

b. How do we know the last days or the "time of the end"? "Many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased", v4. As a result of Internet and social media, the increment and search for more knowledge is incomparable to any age. We are at the "end of the times".

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The greatest loss is to be missing in the Lamb's book of life.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Lord, let the Holy Spirit sink this truth that we are in the last day in my subconscious mind.

2. Lord, give me all the needed help so that my name will not be missing in the Book of life.

3. Give me the spirit of wisdom that wins many others to Christ.

4. Help your Church to be always ready for the coming of the Lord.

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Revelation 19-21.

THE DIFFERENT REACTIONS OF MARY AND THE SHEPHERDS TOWARDS THE BIRTH OF JESUS

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE For FRIDAY, 30TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l

Topic: THE DIFFERENT REACTIONS OF MARY AND THE SHEPHERDS TOWARDS THE BIRTH OF JESUS

MEMORIZE: “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:16

SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2:16-20.

"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."

EXPOSITION:

The use which those made of these things, who did believe them, and received the impression of them. 

1. The virgin Mary made them the matter of her private meditation. She said little, but kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart, Luke 2:19. She laid the evidences together, and kept them in reserve, to be compared with the discoveries that should afterwards be made her. As she had silently left it to God to clear up her virtue, when that was suspected, so she silently leaves it to him to publish her honour, now when it was veiled; and it is satisfaction enough to find that, if no one else takes notice of the birth of her child, angels do. Note, The truths of Christ are worth keeping; and the way to keep them safe is to ponder them.  Meditation is the best help to memory. 

2. The shepherds made them the matter of their more public praises. If others were not affected with those things, yet they themselves were (Lu 2:20): They returned, glorifying and praising God, in concurrence with the holy angels. If others would not regard the report they made to them, God would accept the thanksgivings they offered to him. They praised God for what they had heard from the angel, and for what they had seen, the babe in the manger, and just then in the swaddling, when they came in, as it had been spoken to them. They thanked God that they had seen Christ, though in the depth of his humiliation. As afterwards the cross of Christ, so now his manger, was to some foolishness and a stumbling-block, but others saw in it, and admired, and praised, the wisdom of God and the power of God.

PRAYER POINTS:

Lord, help me to preserve the testimony of my salvation in this perverse world in Jesus name.

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Revelation 17-18

THE SHEPHERDS SPREAD THE GOOD TIDINGS.

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE For THURSDAY, 29TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l

Topic: THE SHEPHERDS SPREAD THE GOOD TIDINGS. 

MEMORIZE: “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.” Luke 2:15.

SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2:13-15.

" 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.""

EXPOSITION:

The care which the shepherds took to spread the report of this (Lu 2:17): When they had seen it, though they saw nothing in the child that should induce them to believe that he was Christ the Lord, yet the circumstances, how mean soever they were, agreeing with the sign that the angel had given them, they were abundantly satisfied; and as the lepers argued (2Ki 7:9, This being a day of good tidings, we dare not hold our peace), so they made known abroad the whole story of what was told them, both by the angels, and by Joseph and Mary, concerning this child, that he was the Saviour, even Christ the Lord, that in him there is peace on earth, and that he was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of a virgin. This they told everybody, and agreed in their testimony concerning it. The shepherds were plain, downright, honest men; what they had said therefore is true, and, if true, they could not but wonder at it, that the Messiah should be born in a stable and not in a palace, that angels should bring news of it to poor shepherds and not to the chief priests.  They wondered, but never enquired any further about the Saviour, their duty to him, or advantages by him, but let the thing drop as a wonder. O the amazing stupidity of the men of that generation!  Justly were the things which belonged to their peace hid from their eyes, when they thus willfully shut their eyes against them. 

While the angels were singing their hymn, they could attend to that only; but, when they were gone away from them into heaven the shepherds said one to another, Let us go to Bethlehem. Note, When extraordinary messages from the heaven are delivered, we must set ourselves to confirm our faith, and the keeping up our communion with God on earth alive. These shepherds do not doubt. They immediately made the visit, Lu 2:16.  They lost no time, but came with haste to the place, and there they found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. The poverty and meanness in which they found Christ the Lord were no shock to their faith, who themselves knew what it was to live a life of comfortable communion with God in very poor and mean circumstances. 

 

PRAYER POINTS:

Father, open the eyes of faith of this generation to see and confess the Lordship of Jesus Christ, for because of this reason Jesus left your throne in heaven for the redemption of mankind.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Revelation 14-16.

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THE ANGELS' DOXOLOGY TO GOD – Part 2

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE For WEDNESDAY, 28TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE

 General Overseer

Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l

Topic: THE ANGELS' DOXOLOGY TO GOD – Part 2pm

MEMORIZE: "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11.

SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2:10-14.

"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. "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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!"

EXPOSITION:

The angels' doxology to God, and congratulations of men, upon this solemn occasion, Lu 2:13-14. Their songs revealed these two major messages:

1. Let God have the honour of this work: 

Glory to God in the highest. God's good-will to men, manifested in sending the Messiah, redounds very much to his praise; and angels in the highest heavens, though not immediately interested in it themselves, will celebrate it to his honour, Re 5:11-12.  Glory to God, whose kindness and love designed this favour, and whose wisdom contrived it in such a way as that one divine attribute should not be glorified at the expense of another, but the honour of all effectually secured and advanced. Other works of God are for his glory, but the redemption of the world is for his glory in the highest. 

2. Let men have the joy of it: 

On earth peace, good-will toward men. God's good-will in sending the Messiah introduced peace in this lower world, slew the enmity that sin had raised between God and man, and resettled a peaceable correspondence.  If God be at peace with us, all peace results from it: peace of conscience, peace with angels, peace between Jew and Gentile.  Peace is here put for all good, all that good which flows to us from the incarnation of Christ. All the good we have, or hope, is owing to God's good-will; and, if we have the comfort of it, he must have the glory of it. Nor must any peace, any good, be expected in a way inconsistent with the glory of God; therefore not in any way of sin, nor in any way but by a Mediator. Here was the peace proclaimed with great solemnity; whoever will, let them come and take the benefit of it. It is on earth peace, to men of good-will (so some copies read it), to men who have a good-will to God, and are willing to be reconciled; or to men whom God has a good-will to, though vessels of his mercy.  See how well affected the angels are to man, and to his welfare and happiness; how well pleased they were in the incarnation of the Son of God, though he passed by their nature; and ought not we much more to be affected with it? This is a faithful saying, attested by an innumerable company of angels, and well worthy of all acceptation, That the good-will of God toward men is glory to God in the highest, and peace on the earth. 

PRAYER POINTS:

Father, Let me experience and dwell in your peace that your birth and death have brought to the world in Jesus name.

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Revelation 10-13.

THE ANGELS' DOXOLOGY TO GOD – Part 1

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE For TUESDAY, 27TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: THE ANGELS' DOXOLOGY TO GOD – Part 1

MEMORIZE: "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11.

SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2:10-14.

"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. "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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!"

EXPOSITION:

The angels' doxology to God, and congratulations of men, upon this solemn occasion, Lu 2:13-14. The message was no sooner delivered by one angel (that was sufficient to go express) than suddenly there was with that angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts; sufficient, we may be sure, to make a chorus, that were heard by the shepherds, praising God; and certainly their song was not like that (Re 14:3) which no man could learn, for it was designed that we should all learn it. 

How they were surprised with the appearance of the angel (Lu 2:9): Behold, an angel of the Lord came upon them, of a sudden, epesth --stood over them; most probably, in the air over their heads, as coming immediately from heaven. We read it, the angel, as if it were the same that appeared once and again in the chapter before, the angel Gabriel, that was caused to fly swiftly; but that is not certain. The angel's coming upon them intimates that they little thought of such a thing, or expected it; for it is in a preventing way that gracious visits are made us from heaven, or ever we are aware. That they might be sure it was an angel from heaven, they saw and heard the glory of the Lord round about them; such as made the night as bright as day, such a glory as used to attend God's appearance, a heavenly glory, or an exceedingly great glory, such as they could not bear the dazzling gleam thereof. This made them sore afraid, put them into great consternation (dismay), as fearing some evil tidings. While we are conscious to ourselves of so much guilt, we have reason to fear lest every express from heaven should be a messenger of wrath. 

PRAYER POINTS:

Lord, help me to see your glory and become an active agent of good news of the gospel in Jesus name.

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Revelation 6-8

REJOICE, THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD HAS COME5

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for SUNDAY, 25TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE,

General Overseer

Anchor Of Life & Redemption Ministry Int'l

Topic: REJOICE, THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD HAS COME

MEMORIZE:  "Behold, I evangelize to you great joy; I solemnly declare it, and you have reason to bid it welcome, for it shall bring joy to all people, and not to the people of the Jews only; that unto you is born this day, at this time, a Saviour, the Saviour that has been so long expected, which is Christ the Lord, in the city of David," Luke 2:11.

SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2:7-18.

""⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. ⁸ Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 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.

EXPOSITION:

What the message was which the angel had to deliver to the shepherds, Lu 2:10-12. 

1. He gives them reason not to fear: "Fear not, for we have nothing to say to you that needs be a terror to you; you need not fear your enemies, and should not fear your friends."

2. He furnishes them with abundant matter for joy: "Behold, I evangelize to you great joy; I solemnly declare it, and you have reason to bid it welcome, for it shall bring joy to all people, and not to the people of the Jews only; that unto you is born this day, at this time, a Saviour, the Saviour that has been so long expected, which is Christ the Lord, in the city of David," Luke 2:11. Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed; he is the Lord, Lord of all; he is a sovereign prince; nay, he is God, for the Lord, in the Old Testament, is called Jehovah. He is a Saviour, and he will be a Saviour to those only that accept him for their Lord. 

"The Saviour is born, he is born this day; and, since it is matter of great joy to all people, it is not to be kept secret, you may proclaim it, may tell it to whom you please.  He is born in the place where it was foretold he should be born, in the city of David; and he is born to you; to you Jews he is sent in the first place, to bless you, to you shepherds, though poor and mean in the world." 

This refers to Isaiah 9:6, Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. To you men, not to us angels; he took not on him the nature of angels.  This is matter of joy indeed to all people, great joy. Long-looked for is come at last.  Let heaven and earth rejoice before this Lord, for he cometh. 

3. He gives them a sign for the confirming of their faith in this matter. "How shall we find out this child in Bethlehem, which is now full of the descendants from David?" "You will find him by this token: he is lying in a manger, where surely never any new-born infant was laid before." 

They expected to be told, "You shall find him, though a babe, dressed up in robes, and lying in the best house in the town, lying in state, with a numerous train of attendants in rich liveries."  "No, you will find him wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger." When Christ was here upon earth, he distinguished himself, and made himself remarkable, by nothing so much as the instances of his humiliation.

PRAYER POINTS:

Give hearty thanks to God for giving us His only begotten Son for our redemption. 

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Revelation 1 - 2.

TWO THINGS JESUS TELLS HIS DISCIPLES CONCERNING THE SENDING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for SATURDAY, 24TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: TWO THINGS JESUS TELLS HIS DISCIPLES CONCERNING THE SENDING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

MEMORIZE: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”  John 14:26.

SCRIPTURE READING: John 14:26-29.

"“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ²⁸ You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, 'I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I. ²⁹ And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe."

EXPOSITION:

(1.) On whose account he should be sent: "The Father will send him in my name; that is, for my sake, at my special instance and request:" or, "as my agent and representative." He came in his Father's name, as his ambassador: the Spirit comes in his name, as resident in his absence, to carry on his undertaking, and to ripen things for his second coming. Hence he is called the Spirit of Christ, for he pleads his cause, and does his work. 

(2.) On what errand he should be sent; two things he shall do: [1.] He shall teach you all things, as a Spirit of wisdom and revelation. Christ was a teacher to his disciples; if he leave them now that they have made so little proficiency, what will become of them? Why, the Spirit shall teach them, shall be their standing tutor. He shall teach them all things necessary for them either to learn themselves, or to teach others. For those that would teach the things of God must first themselves be taught of God; this is the Spirit's work. Isa 59:21.  [2.] He shall bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you. Many a good lesson Christ had taught them, which they had forgotten, and which would be to seek when they had occasion for it. Many things they did not retain the remembrance of, because they did not rightly understand the meaning of them. The Spirit shall not teach them a new gospel, but bring to their minds that which they had been taught, by leading them into the understanding of it. The apostles were all of them to preach, and some of them to write, the things that Jesus did and taught, to transmit them to distant nations and future ages; now, if they had been left to themselves herein, some needful things might have been forgotten, others misrepresented, through the treachery of their memories; therefore the Spirit is promised to enable them truly to relate and record what Christ said unto them. And to all the saints the Spirit of grace is given to be a remembrancer, and to him by faith and prayer we should commit the keeping of what we hear and know. 

PRAYER POINTS:

Lord Jesus, uphold me till the end, help me never to compromise your love for me in Jesus name.

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  2 John, 3 John & Jude.

THE MANNER IN WHICH CHRIST LEAVES HIS PEACE WITH US.

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for FRIDAY, 23RD DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: THE MANNER IN WHICH CHRIST LEAVES HIS PEACE WITH US.

THE MANNER IN WHICH CHRIST LEAVES HIS PEACE WITH US.

MEMORIZE: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”  John 14:26.

SCRIPTURE READING: John 14:26-29.

"“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ²⁸ You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, 'I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I. ²⁹ And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe."

EXPOSITION:

Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. That is, (1.) "I do not compliment you with Peace be unto you; no, it is not a mere formality, but a real blessing." 

(2.) "The peace I give is of such a nature that the smiles of the world cannot give it, nor the frowns of the world take it away." Or, 

(3.) "The gifts I give to you are not such as this world gives to its children and votaries, to whom it is kind." The world's gifts concern only the body and time; Christ's gifts enrich the soul for eternity: the world gives lying vanities, and that which will cheat us; Christ gives substantial blessings, which will never fail us: the world gives and takes; Christ gives a good part that shall never be taken away.  

(4.) The peace which Christ gives is infinitely more valuable than that which the world gives. The world's peace begins in ignorance, consists with sin, and ends in endless troubles; Christ's peace begins in grace, consists with no allowed sin, and ends at length in everlasting peace. As is the difference between a killing lethargy and a reviving refreshing sleep, such is the difference between Christ's peace and the world's. 

What use they should make of it? Let not your heart be troubled, for any evils past or present, neither let it be afraid of any evil to come. Note, Those that are interested in the covenant of grace, and entitled to the peace which Christ gives, ought not to yield to overwhelming griefs and fears. This comes in here as the conclusion of the whole matter; he had said John 14:1, Let not your heart be troubled, and here he repeats it as that for which he had now given sufficient reason.

PRAYER POINTS:

i. Thank You Lord for the peace beyond human understanding that You have freely given unto me in Jesus name.

ii. I receive the grace to continually live in this extraordinary peace of the Lord given to the believers in Jesus name.

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  1 John 3-5.

TWO THINGS CHRIST COMFORTS HIS DISCIPLES WITH - Part 2

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for THURSDAY, 22ND DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: TWO THINGS CHRIST COMFORTS HIS DISCIPLES WITH 

Part 2: 

That They Should Be Under The Influence Of His Peace

MEMORIZE: “The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.” Psalm 121:7.

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 121:7-8.

"The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore."

EXPOSITION:

II. That they should be under the influence of his peace - John 14:27. 

Peace I leave with you. When Christ was about to leave the world he made his will. His soul he committed to his Father; his body he bequeathed to Joseph, to be decently interred; his clothes fell to the soldiers; his mother he left to the care of John: but what should he leave to his poor disciples, that had left all for him? Silver and gold he had none; but he left them that which was infinitely better, his peace. "I leave you, but I leave my peace with you. I not only give you a title to it, but put you in possession of it." He did not part in anger, but in love; for this was his farewell, Peace I leave with you, as a dying father leaves portions to his children; and this is a worthy portion. Observe, 

The legacy that is here bequeathed Peace, my peace. Peace is put for all good, and Christ has left us all needful good, all that is really and truly good, as all the purchased promised good. Peace is put for reconciliation and love; the peace bequeathed is peace with God, peace with one another; peace in our own bosoms seems to be especially meant; a tranquillity of mind arising from a sense of our justification before God. It is the counterpart of our pardons, and the composure of our minds. This Christ calls his peace, for he is himself our peace, Eph 2:14. It is the peace he purchased for us and preached to us, and on which the angels congratulated men at his birth, Lu 2:14. 

To whom this legacy is bequeathed: "To you, my disciples and followers, that will be exposed to trouble, and have need of peace; to you that are the sons of peace, and are qualified to receive it." This legacy was left to them as the representatives of the church, to them and their successors, to them and all true Christians in all ages. 

PRAYER POINTS:

Lord Jesus, help me to practically experience your peace in this world of trouble and perplexity in Jesus name.

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  1 John 1-2 

TWO THINGS CHRIST COMFORTS HIS DISCIPLES WITH - Part 1

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for WEDNESDAY, 21ST DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: TWO THINGS CHRIST COMFORTS HIS DISCIPLES WITH  - Part 1

Part 1 - That They Should Be Under The Tuition Of His Spirit.

MEMORIZE: "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:25.

SCRIPTURE READING: John 14:25-27.

"These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

EXPOSITION:

Things Christ comforts his disciples with:-- 

I. That they should be under the tuition of his Spirit, John 14:25-26.

The reflection Christ would have them make upon the instructions he had given them: These things have I spoken unto you (referring to all the good lessons he had taught them, since they entered themselves into his school), being yet present with you. This intimates, 

(1.) That what he had said he did not retract nor unsay, but ratify it, or stand to it. What he had spoken he had spoken, and would abide by it..

(2.) That he had improved the opportunity of his bodily presence with them to the utmost: "As long as I have been yet present with them, you know I have lost no time." Note, When our teachers are about to be removed from us we should call to mind what they have spoken, being yet present with us. 

The encouragement given them to expect another teacher, and that Christ would find out a way of speaking to them after his departure from them, John 14:26. He had told them before that the Father would give them this other comforter John 14:16, and here he returns to speak of it again; for as the promise of the Messiah had been, so the promise of the Spirit now was, the consolation of Israel. 

PRAYER POINTS:

Holy Spirit, help me to remain steadfast in you till the end in Jesus name.

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  2 Peter 1-3

GOD SHALL PRESERVE THY SOUL

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for TUESDAY, 20TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: GOD SHALL PRESERVE THY SOUL.

MEMORIZE: “The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.” Psalm 121:7.

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 121:7-8.

"The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore."

EXPOSITION:

He cares and protects not only your body, but also your soul. It is the spiritual life, especially, that God will take under his protection: He shall preserve thy soul. All souls are his; and the soul is the man, and therefore he will with a peculiar care preserve them, that they be not defiled by sin and disturbed by affliction. He will keep them by keeping us in the possession of them; and he will preserve them from perishing eternally.

He will keep us in all our ways: "He shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in. Thou shalt be under his protection in all thy journeys and voyages, outward-bound or homeward-bound, as he kept Israel in the wilderness, in their removes and rests. He will prosper thee in all thy affairs at home and abroad, in the beginning and in the conclusion of them. He will keep thee in life and death, thy going out and going on while thou livest and thy coming in when thou diest, going out to thy labour in the morning of thy days and coming home to thy rest when the evening of old age calls thee in,"  “Man goes out to his work And to his labor until the evening.” Ps 104:23. 

He will continue his care over us from this time forth and even for evermore. It is a protection for life, never out of date. He will be thy guide even unto death, and will then hide thee in the grave, hide thee in heaven. He will preserve thee in his heavenly kingdom." God will protect his church and his saints always, even to the end of the world. The Spirit, who is their preserver and comforter, shall abide with them for ever.

PRAYER POINTS:

Lord, in this world of insecurity, protect me and my household and all your children all over the world in Jesus name.

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  2 Peter 1-3.

GOD WILL PROTECT YOU FROM ALL THE MALIGNANT INFLUENCES OF THE HEAVENLY BODIES

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

MONDAY, 19TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: GOD WILL PROTECT YOU FROM ALL THE MALIGNANT INFLUENCES OF THE HEAVENLY BODIES

MEMORIZE: “The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.” Psalm 121:6.

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 121:3-8.

"The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore."

EXPOSITION:

The sun shall not smite thee with his heat by day nor the moon with her cold and moisture by night. The sun and moon are great blessings to mankind, and yet (such a sad change has sin made in the creation) even the sun and moon, though worshipped by a great part of mankind, are often instruments of hurt and distemper to human bodies; God by them often smites us; but his favour shall interpose so that they shall not damage his people. He will keep them night and day (Isa 27:3), as he kept Israel in the wilderness by a pillar of cloud by day, which screened them from the heat of the sun, and of fire by night, which probably diffused a genial warmth over the whole camp, that they might not be prejudiced by the cold and damp of the night, their father Jacob having complained (Ge 31:40) that by day the drought consumed him and the frost by night. It may be understood figuratively: "Thou shalt not be hurt either by the open assaults of thy enemies, which are as visible as the scorching beams of the sun, or by their secret treacherous attempts, which are like the insensible insinuations of the cold by night." 

His protection will make you safe in every respect. "The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil, the evil of sin and the evil of trouble. He shall prevent the evil thou fearest, and shall sanctify, remove, or lighten, the evil thou feelest. He will keep thee from doing evil (2Co 13:7), and so far from suffering evil that whatever affliction happens to thee there shall be no evil in it. Even that which kills shall not hurt." 

  

PRAYER POINTS:

Lord Jesus, according to your word, protect me from the evil of sin and trouble of the world in Jesus name.

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  1 Peter 1-5.

GOD IS A WAKEFUL WATCHFUL KEEPER

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for SUNDAY, 18TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: GOD IS A WAKEFUL WATCHFUL KEEPER

MEMORIZE: “He that keepeth Israel, that keepeth thee, O Israelite! shall neither slumber nor sleep”.

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 121:3-8.

" He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore."

EXPOSITION:

"He that keepeth Israel, that keepeth thee, O Israelite! shall neither slumber nor sleep.” He never did, nor ever will, for he is never weary; he not only does not sleep, but he does not so much as slumber; he has not the least inclination to sleep."  He not only protects those whom he is the keeper of, but he refreshes them: He is their shade. The comparison has a great deal of gracious condescension in it; the eternal Being who is infinite substance is what he is in order that he may speak sensible comfort to his people, promises to be their umbra--their shadow, to keep as close to them as the shadow does to the body, and to shelter them from the scorching heat, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land, Isa 32:2. Under this shadow they may sit with delight and assurance. Song 2:3 reads, “… I sat down in his shade with great delight, And his fruit was sweet to my taste.” 

He is always near to his people for their protection and refreshment, and never at a distance; he is their keeper and shade on their right hand; so that he is never far to seek. The right hand is the working hand; let them but turn themselves dexterously to their duty, and they shall find God ready to them, to assist them and give them success. The Psalmist in Psalm 16:8 says, “I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” He is not only at their right hand, but he will also keep the feet of his saints, 1Sa 2:9. He will have an eye upon them in their motions: He will not suffer thy foot to be moved.  God will provide that his people shall not be tempted above what they are able, shall not fall into sin, though they may be very near it, shall not fall into trouble, though there be many endeavouring to undermine them by fraud or over throw them by force. He will keep them from being frightened, as we are when we slip or stumble and are ready to fall. “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.” Psalm 73:2,23.

 

PRAYER POINTS: Lord, I rely on your worthy arms for my ever sure protection. Protect me and my family from all evil of days and night in Jesus name. 

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  James 3-5.

GOD, OUR PROTECTOR

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for SATURDAY, 17TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: GOD, OUR PROTECTOR

MEMORIZE: The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand. Psalm 121:5.

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 121:3-8.

"He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore."

EXPOSITION:

To comfort ourselves in God when in our difficulties and dangers are greatest. It is here promised that if we put our trust in God, and keep in the way of our duty, we shall be safe under his protection, so that no real evil, no mere evil, shall happen to us, nor any affliction but what God sees good for us and will do us good. God himself has undertaken to be our protector: The Lord is thy keeper, Ps 121:5. Whatever charge he gives his angels to keep his people, he has not thereby discharged himself, so that, whether every particular saint has an angel for his guardian or no, we are sure he has God himself for his guardian. It is infinite wisdom that contrives, and infinite power that works, the safety of those that have put themselves under God's protection. Those must needs be well kept that have the Lord for their keeper. If, by affliction, they be made his prisoners, yet still he is their keeper. 

The same that is the protector of the church in general is engaged for the preservation of every particular believer, the same wisdom, the same power, the same promises. He that keepeth Israel (Ps 121:4) is thy keeper, Ps 121:5. The shepherd of the flock is the shepherd of every sheep, and will take care that not one, even of the little ones, shall perish. 

 

PRAYER POINTS:

Lord, we hold you faithful by your word, protect your church from the spiritual and physical attacks of the enemies in Jesus name.

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  James 1-2.

DAVID ASSURES HIMSELF OF HELP FROM GOD

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for FRIDAY, 16TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: DAVID ASSURES HIMSELF OF HELP FROM GOD

MEMORIZE: “"Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.” Psalm 12:1

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 12:1-5.

"Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, And the tongue that speaks proud things, Who have said, "With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; Who is lord over us?" "For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now I will arise," says the LORD; "I will set him in the safety for which he yearns."

EXPOSITION:

We must see all our help laid up in God, in his power and goodness, his providence and grace; and from him we must expect it to come: "My help comes from the Lord; the help I desire is what he sends, and from him I expect it in his own way and time. If he do not help, no creature can help; if he do, no creature can hinder, can hurt." Psalm 121:1-2.

We must fetch in help from God, by faith in his promises, and a due regard to all his institutions: "I will lift up my eyes to the hills" (probably he meant the hills on which the temple was built, Mount Moriah, and the holy hill of Zion, where the ark of the covenant, the oracle, and the altars were); "I will have an eye to the special presence of God in his church, and with his people (his presence by promise) and not only to his common presence." 

When he was at a distance he would look towards the sanctuary; thence comes our help, from the word and prayer, from the secret of his tabernacle. “Hear the voice of my supplications When I cry to You, When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.” Ps 28:2; “O my God, my soul is cast down within me; Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, And from the heights of Hermon, From the Hill Mizar.” Ps 42:6. David said, My help cometh from the Lord (so the word is, Ps 121:2), from before the Lord, or from the sight and presence of the Lord. "This (says Dr. Hammond) may refer to Christ incarnate, with whose humanity the Deity being inseparably united, God is always present with him, and, through him, with us, for whom, sitting at God's right hand, he constantly maketh intercession." Christ is called the angel of his presence, that saved his people. “In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; And He bore them and carried them All the days of old.” Isaiah 63:9.

We must encourage our confidence in God with this that he made heaven and earth, and he who did that can do anything. He made the world out of nothing, himself alone, by a word's speaking, in a little time, and all very good, very excellent and beautiful; and therefore, how great soever our straits and difficulties are, he has power sufficient for our succour and relief. He that made heaven and earth is sovereign Lord of all the hosts of both, and can make use of them as he pleases for the help of his people, and restrain them when he pleases from hurting his people. 

PRAYER POINTS: Lord, send me your help right now and save me from the harassment of the enemies in Jesus name.

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Hebrews 11-13.

DEPEND ON GOD FOR HELP, FOR VAIN IS THE HELP OF MAN

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for THURSDAY, 15TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: DEPEND ON GOD FOR HELP, FOR VAIN IS THE HELP OF MAN

MEMORIZE: “Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.”. Psalm 60:11.

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 121:1-8

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills-From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore."

EXPOSITION:

Some call this the soldier's psalm, and think it was penned in the camp, when David was hazarding his life in the high places of the field, and thus trusted God to cover his head in the day of battle. Others call it the traveller's psalm (for there is nothing in it of military dangers) and think David penned it when he was going abroad, and designed it pro vehiculo--for the carriage, for a good man's convoy and companion in a journey or voyage. But we need not thus appropriate it; wherever we are, at home or abroad, we are exposed to danger more than we are aware of; and this psalm directs and encourages us to repose ourselves and our confidence in God, and by faith to put ourselves under his protection and commit ourselves to his care, which we must do, with an entire resignation and satisfaction, in singing this psalm. 

From the ancient time, people have been looking unto men for their help, because they are the ones they can see around. Many people found it difficult to trust or rely on God just because they cannot see Him. But the truth is that, on many occasions people have been let down by men whom they have trusted. The word of God says, “Give us help from trouble, For the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, For it is He who shall tread down our enemies.” Psalm 108:12-13. The Psalmist in our today’s scriptural reading says, "I will lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.”

This psalm teaches us to stay ourselves upon God as a God of power and a God all- sufficient for us. David did so and found the benefit of it. We must not rely upon creatures, upon men and means, instruments and second causes, nor make flesh our arm: "Shall I lift up my eyes to the hills?" -- so some read it. 

"Does my help come thence?  Shall I depend upon the powers of the earth, upon the strength of the hills, upon princes and great men, who, like hills, fill the earth, and hold up their heads towards heaven? No; in vain is salvation hoped for from hills and mountains, Jer 3:23. I never expect help to come from them; my confidence is in God only." We must lift up our eyes above the hills (so some read it); we must look beyond instruments to God, who makes them that to us which they are. 

PRAYER POINTS:

Lord, I dissociate myself from putting my hope and trust in men. I turn to you for your unfailing help henceforth in Jesus name.

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Hebrews 8-10.

NEUTRALIZING THE POWER & EFFECTS OF EVIL DREAMS

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for WEDNESDAY, 14TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer,

Anchor of Life and Redemption Ministry Int'l

Topic: NEUTRALIZING THE POWER & EFFECTS OF EVIL DREAMS

MEMORIZE: "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:19.

SCRIPTURE READING: Genesis 49:16-19.

"When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, "I also was in my dream, and there were three white baskets on my head. "In the uppermost basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head." So Joseph answered and said, "This is the interpretation of it: The three baskets are three days. "Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head from you and hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from you.""

EXPOSITION:

A pastor had a dream that he offended God and he was rebuked by God and that he died without repenting. At that point he woke up from his sleep with great fear. At the same time, his wife woke up and ask for why he woke up trembling. He thereby narrated the dream and when he got to the point that he died, he fell down and died physically in the real life. 

Dream is a revelation revealed to man while sleeping. It could reveal the past mysteries, the present ones or the future yet to happen events. The sources of dreams are divided into three – God, the devil, and human’s thoughts before sleeping. The effects of evil dream cannot be underrated. We are given the power of utterance to neutralize it through prayer in the name of Jesus. If any man keeps quiet when you ought to pray, he would become its victim. 

The pastor in our story today and the chief baker of pharaoh in the Bible were victims of their evil dreams not because God cannot reverse it but because they could not seek the face of God nullify it. They seem to have underrated the ability of God. They resigned to fate as they accepted it as their destiny. Learn to seek God, even when facing herd time of life. It is written, “Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.” Psalm 46:2-4.

The word of God was sent to king Hezekiah that he shall surely die in his sickness. But he cried to God for divine intervention, almost immediately, God sent his prophet to go and announce that he had answered him with additional fifteen years been added to his age. Prayer can do the impossible, and reverse the irreversible. It is written, "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:19. The power had been given to you; make use of it.

PRAYER POINTS:

Lord, help me to have encounter with you that will transform my life for good in Jesus name.

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Hebrews 5-7.

CONDEMNATION IS THE ROOT CAUSE

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for TUESDAY, 13TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: CONDEMNATION IS THE ROOT CAUSE

MEMORIZE: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1, NASB

SCRIPTURE READING: Romans 8:1-6.

“1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

EXPOSITION:

When you have a plant with sickly leaves, it would be foolish to just treat the leaves without knowing the root cause of the problem. Similarly, when “leaves” of sickness, poverty and destructive habits start sprouting in your life, you need to know what the root cause is. Experts will tell you that it is stress. They may go a little deeper and say that it is fear—fear of the future, of rejection, of loss, of death and so on. But is fear really the root? Or is there something deeper than fear? The Bible shows us that the most fundamental cause of problems in our lives is condemnation. With condemnation comes fear. Fear then induces stress which brings about the symptoms of the curse.

This is what happened to Adam. Long before he faced poverty, sickness and eventually death, he had stress. Because of his sin, God told him, “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground.” (Genesis 3:19) Sweat speaks of stress. But before there was stress, there was fear because Adam told God, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” (Genesis 3:10). But what made Adam fearful? Adam only feared when, seeing his nakedness, he realized that he had sinned against God. He felt so ashamed and condemned that he hid himself. God then asked him, “Who told you that you were naked?” (Genesis 3:11) There was no one else in the garden other than Adam and Eve, so we know that it was probably the devil who told Adam that he was naked.

My friend, condemnation is the root cause of the symptoms of the curse manifesting in your life. That is why you need to know that at the cross, God took all your sins, put them on Jesus and unleashed the full fury of His wrath against them until Jesus cried out, “It is finished!” All your sins have been completely punished in the body of Christ who was condemned for you. The root cause of all your problems has been dealt with. This means that the devil cannot enforce the curse in your life apart from your receiving condemnation. So come to the place of no condemnation and no sick leaves will sprout in your life!

PRAYER POINT: 

Lord, help me to live above the condemnation through your grace in Jesus name. 

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Hebrews 1-4.

DESIRING SPIRITUAL INTIMACY

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for MONDAY, 12TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: DESIRING SPIRITUAL INTIMACY

MEMORIZE: “You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children’s children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine.” Genesis 45:10–11

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 91:1-16.

“1 ¶ He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. 

9 ¶ Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. 14 "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”

EXPOSITION: 

The “secret place” speaks of a place in Christ, but it also speaks of intimacy. To be “under the shadow of the Almighty” is to be close to Him. There are times when I travel to Israel with my pastors and the sun is scorching hot. When we are outdoors, whether it is on the Mount of Beatitudes or in Capernaum, we always look forward to being under the shadow of a tree. The difference in temperature when we are under the protective shelter of a tree is like night and day. Out in the open, we wouldn’t last long under the scorching heat of the sun. But under the shadow of a tree, we can sit for hours, enjoying a time of refreshing as we discuss the Word of God.

Beloved, being under the shadow of the Almighty speaks of closeness, intimacy, and protection. It speaks of a place of refreshing, coolness, and rest. When Psalm 91 talks about dwelling in the “secret place” of the Most High, that secret place is not a geographical location, but spiritual intimacy with our Lord Jesus. In the same way, the prayer of protection is not an incantation or some kind of magic chant that grants you protection. It is you valuing your position in Christ and your close relationship with Him, and being found in that secret place with Him. 

PRAYER POINT: Lord, according to your word in Psalm 91, protect me and my family members and also my loved ones from all danger in Jesus name.

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR – Titus, Philemon.

NEGLECTING GOD?

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for SUNDAY, 11TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: NEGLECTING GOD?

MEMORIZE: “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,”. Hebrews 2:3

SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Samuel 28:15-18.

"15 Now Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" And Saul answered, "I am deeply distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may reveal to me what I should do." 16 Then Samuel said: "Why then do you ask me, seeing the LORD has departed from you and has become your enemy? 17 "And the LORD has done for Himself as He spoke by me. For the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 "Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD nor execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day."

EXPOSITION:

Yesterday, we started examining the word “Danger of neglecting God.” We used king Saul as our case study. To neglect means lack of attention and due care. To leave something undone or leave out. Another word for neglect is disregard. 

WHY DO PEOPLE NEGLECT GOD TODAY?

i. Impatient of men in most of the time lead them to neglecting God whom they thought is too slow to respond to their “quick-to-make-money” syndrome. They are full of high expectations but not from God but from the devil.

ii. When they feel offended by God… Some people neglected God and cease trusting Him because they felt that God has offended them. Have you been praying to God over a matter and it seems God is delay, it is not enough reason to quit serving and calling on Him.

ii. When they don’t have confidence in God’s ability to meet their needs. Many people on earth do not believe God can meet all their needs, this is the reason they pray to God for certain things and also turn to devil for other needs of theirs.

iii. When they think enemy has prevailed and nothing can be done to reverse it. This is the category of people who because they have loss their valuable thing like children, spouse, or employment, they concluded that they do not need God in their lives again. At this temptation, they fell off from the love of God – "… they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble.” Mark 4:17.

iv. When enemy succeed in winning their heart unto disobedience and rebellion, they neglect God. – “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,” 1 Timothy 4:1-2.

v. When they are too familiar with spiritual exercise. Those who are too familiar with the sacred things, in most of the times, do not honour it. They took it for granted. Example of them are the two sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu– Leviticus 10:1ff. They were consumed by the fire from God. Do not neglect God, it always has deadly end.

HOW DOES ONE NEGLECT GOD.

i. When the things of God is irritating you or you are tired of it, such as prayer, holy life, evangelism and soul winning, giving willingly to the kingdom project, etc.”

ii. When you have no joy in joining the fellowship of the saints. Separating yourself from the fellowship of the saints simply means you neglecting God. 

PRAYER POINTS:

Lord, help me to hold unto you till the end without compromising my trust in You

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  2 Timothy 1-4.

DANGERS OF NEGLECTING GOD

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for SATURDAY, 10TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: DANGERS OF NEGLECTING GOD 

MEMORIZE: “Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.” Psalm 119:67

SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Samuel 28:7-19.

"7 Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor." 8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, "Please conduct a seance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you." 9 Then the woman said to him, "Look, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the spiritists from the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?" 10 And Saul swore to her by the LORD, saying, "As the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing." 11 Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" And he said, "Bring up Samuel for me." 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman spoke to Saul, saying, "Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!" 13 And the king said to her, "Do not be afraid. What did you see?" And the woman said to Saul, "I saw a spirit ascending out of the earth." 14 So he said to her, "What is his form?" And she said, "An old man is coming up, and he is covered with a mantle." And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground and bowed down. 15 Now Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" And Saul answered, "I am deeply distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may reveal to me what I should do." 16 Then Samuel said: "Why then do you ask me, seeing the LORD has departed from you and has become your enemy? 17 "And the LORD has done for Himself as He spoke by me. For the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 "Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD nor execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day. 19 "Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.""

EXPOSITION:

If we are to sum up the main purpose why created man in His image and care for him, it is to have fellowship with Him and praise Him. The angels in heaven have nothing else doing since their creation than praising Him. Satan knows this too, the reason why he makes it difficult for men to have unbroken acceptable fellowship with God. But as many that have acceptable relationship with God really enjoy Him.

Let us learn from king Saul. He started well with God to the extent that Samuel later said, "When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD anoint you king over Israel?” That was when he had relationship with God. But later, he backslided and ceased following God of Israel faithfully. 

The Psalmist says, “Before I was afflicted I went astray...” Psalm 119:67. The major danger of neglecting God is rejection from God. God rejected king Saul because he was not following God in obedience again. Years later he said, “"I am deeply distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may reveal to me what I should do." 1 Samuel 28:15. Some people today, like Saul, had been rejected by God, yet they are looking for human’s acceptance and praise. “Then Samuel said: "Why then do you ask me, seeing the LORD has departed from you and has become your enemy? "And the LORD has done for Himself as He spoke by me. For the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. "Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD nor execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day.” 1 Samuel 28:16-18.

Another danger is replacement. As long as someone is no longer accessible to God, he will seek for an alternative who will continue His work. King Saul was substituted with David, even while alive. Do not dare God. The dangers of neglecting God is very great and more than to be endured. Do not be king Saul of this generation. He did not end well.

PRAYER POINTS:

I receive the help of the Holy Spirit to be obedient to God and to value my relationship with Him in Jesus name.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  1 Timothy 4-6.

CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for FRIDAY, 9TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS?  

MEMORIZE: "Every bed where on she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her as the bed of her separation: and whatsoever she sitteth upon shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her separation" (Leviticus 15:26).

SCRIPTURE READING: Leviticus 15:19-33 NKJV.

"19 'If a woman has a discharge, and the discharge from her body is blood, she shall be set apart seven days; and whoever touches her shall be unclean until evening. 20 'Everything that she lies on during her impurity shall be unclean; also everything that she sits on shall be unclean. 21 'Whoever touches her bed shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. 22 'And whoever touches anything that she sat on shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. 23 'If anything is on her bed or on anything on which she sits, when he touches it, he shall be unclean until evening. 24 'And if any man lies with her at all, so that her impurity is on him, he shall be unclean seven days; and every bed on which he lies shall be unclean. 25 'If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, other than at the time of her customary impurity, or if it runs beyond her usual time of impurity, all the days of her unclean discharge shall be as the days of her customary impurity. She shall be unclean. 26 'Every bed on which she lies all the days of her discharge shall be to her as the bed of her impurity; and whatever she sits on shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her impurity. 27 'Whoever touches those things shall be unclean; he shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. 28 'But if she is cleansed of her discharge, then she shall count for herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean. 29 'And on the eighth day she shall take for herself two turtledoves or two young pigeons, and bring them to the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 30 'Then the priest shall offer the one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, and the priest shall make atonement for her before the LORD for the discharge of her uncleanness. 31 'Thus you shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness when they defile My tabernacle that is among them. 32 'This is the law for one who has a discharge, and for him who emits semen and is unclean thereby, 33 'and for her who is indisposed because of her customary impurity, and for one who has a discharge, either man or woman, and for him who lies with her who is unclean.'"

EXPOSITION:

1. The ceremonial laws of "touch not", "eat not" were for the Jews, and Christians are no more bound by them – Colossians 2:20-22.

2. However, there are clear lessons and applications.

a. God detests all forms of physical filthiness and uncleanness. You will not see a trace in heaven. "Thy will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven. "Have you ever heard or read of angels appearing to people in a dirty toilet?

b. Moral uncleanness is also hated by God – 2 Corinthians 6:17.

c. All unrighteousness are classified as uncleanness – 2 Corinthians 6:14,17.

d. Separation from all uncleanness is a condition for sonship – 2 Corinthians 6:17,18.

e. There are uncleanness of the flesh (carnal, observable sins usually manifesting through parts of human body), and uncleanness of the spirit (generally only known to the person and visible to God only - e.g. lust in the heart, good action but evil intention, love of praise of men more than God) 2 Corinthians 7:1.

f. Exposure to uncleanness and undue closeness to an unclean person can make someone unclean too – vv 20, 21. So there must be care even when trying to help – Jude 21-23.

g. No uncleanness can be ignored. All attracts capital punishment - v31.

h. To be totally free and remain free, there is the human part of separation from appearances of sin that are not sin in themselves - vv21, 27, I Thessalonians 5:22, 2 Corinthians 6:17.

h. All uncleanness can only be purged by the blood of Jesus – vv 29, 30, Hebrews 9:22.

Self examination: Are you free from all the filthiness of the flesh and the spirit?

PRAYER POINTS:

i. Holy Spirit, convict me of any hidden filthiness afresh.

ii. Ask the blood of Jesus to cleanse you totally as you promise to separate from all sources of uncleanness.

iii. Ask the blood of Jesus to purge our youth sin the Church and give them power to always say NO.

iv. LORD, let your fire purge the church of every form of uncleanness.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  1 Timothy 1-3.

TARE OR WHEAT?

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for THURSDAY, 8TH DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: TARE OR WHEAT?

MEMORIZE: "Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn" (Matthew 13:30).

SCRIPTURE READING:: Matthew 13:24-30

24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:  25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.  26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.  27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?  28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?  29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.  30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

EXPOSITION:

Wikipedia.org describes a weed as 'a plant considered undesirable in a particular situation; a plant in the wrong place'. Farmers are always wary of weeds and from time to time employ various means of getting rid of these unwanted plants from their plantations. Tares are also categorized as weeds.

Our Lord Jesus Christ put forward a parable where He likened the kingdom of heaven to a sower who 'sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat.' After some time, both tares and wheat sprang up. The servants of the sower, in their bewilderment, approached him and enquired how the tares came up among the wheat and whether they should uproot them.

The sower affirmed that the enemy must have sneaked in, under the cover of the night, to sow the tares. He however, implored his servants to allow both tares and wheat grow together. At the time of harvest, while the wheat would be graciously gathered into his barn, the tares would be bundled together and burnt.

The parable is a true picture of our congregations and the world today. Our world is a mixture of both sincere children of God (categorized as wheat) and hypocrites and sinners (categorized as tares). Both sets of people dwell and even fellowship together. The great day of separation is however coming when Christ shall gather His saints in glory. Then the tares - all sinners and backsliders - shall be gathered and cast into the furnace of the fire of hell, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Are you a tare or wheat? Thank God, there is opportunity today for any sinner to repent and become a true Christian before the great day of separation comes.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Saints and sinners shall be parted right and left on that great day! 

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Ask for the full light of Christ to shine in your church and expose all workers of iniquities

2. Pray that believers will have the Spirit of discernment to limit the operations of darkness in the Church 

3. Pray that you will not be ashamed to be called a  Christian irrespective of where you find yourself 

4. Pray that you will distinguish yourself in the midst of tares. 

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  2 Thessalonians 1-3.

AWAKE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS AND SLEEP NOT

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

WEDNESDAY, 7TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: AWAKE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS AND SLEEP NOT

MEMORIZE: "But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way." (Matthew 13:24).

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 13:24-30

24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:  25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.  26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.  27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?  28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?  29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.  30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

EXPOSITION:

1. Sowing the seed by the Saviour

In the story of sower, as our Lord Jesus Christ tells it in our today's Scripture reading, the seed planted are the human beings that are transformed by the seed of the word of God, vv 24, I Peter 1:23. It means no genuine righteousness without the word of God.

b. The sower is Jesus Christ, vv 24, 37.

c. The good seed, being the children  of the kingdom, implies that there is no truly righteous person in the world since creation without the impartation of Jesus, vv. 37,38, John 1:4,9.

d. Any supposed righteous person, from ages past till now, without the imparted righteousness of Christ, is fake. It is either you are planted by Christ or the devil.

e. He was and is the Sole giver of righteousness to all saints that ever lived even before His incarnation, John 1:4,9.

Question: Are you sure you have the righteousness of Christ?  

Note: No religion, creed, person or way of life can impart true righteousness into any man.

2. Satan's deceptive wiles

a. Satan's wile is to target and corrupt anything God has done. He is called the enemy of God, vv25, 39. Always note this.

b. Every person without the righteousness imparted by Christ is a child of the devil, no matter how religious, vv25,28,39, I John 3:8. 

c. Satan is a smart deceiver and corrupter that  in many cases, it is difficult to differentiate the children of  God from the children of Satan in most organisations including churches,  vv26,29.

d. The similarities will be so much that God has committed the work of separation into the hands of angels,  v30.

e. Don't ever be surprised if leaders could not discern them right in the house of God. It may be by divine permission.

3. The sleep giants and its consequences

a. The wicked were able to subtly and deceitfully pose as the righteous or corrupt the good doctrines and Christian standards when "men slept", are silent, become cold, distracted  or nonchalant v25.

b. Spiritual sleep kills vigilance, blinds discernment, causes distraction from heavenly focus, weakens the power of resistance against evil and destroys spiritual fervency.

Question: Are you still spiritually sharp, fervent and discerning? Has the children of darkness not multiplied in your assembly?

PRAYER POINTS

1. Surrender your life to Christ and ask Him to fill you with His righteousness

2. Pray for spirit of awakening upon all believers in the Church

3. Ask for the full light of Christ to shine in your church and expose all workers of iniquities

4. Pray that believers will have the Spirit of discernment to limit the operations of darkness in the Church 

5. Pray that you will not be ashamed to be called a  Christian irrespective of where you find yourself 

6. Pray that you will distinguish yourself in the midst of *tares*

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  1 Thessalonians 1-5.

THE CHRISTIAN LEADERS

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for TUESDAY, 6TH DECEMBER, 2022.

Topic: THE CHRISTIAN LEADERS

MEMORIZE: "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind." - 1 Peter 5:2

SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Peter 5:2-10 (NKJV)

² Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; ³ nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; ⁴ and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. ⁵ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." ⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. ⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ⁹ Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. ¹⁰ But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you."

EXPOSITION:

A leader is someone with a magnet in his heart and a compass in his head. A Christian leader is one that has the love of God in his heart. A Christian leader serves his flock in love and sincerity. A shepherd ought not to lord over God's heritage, but be a good example to his flock (1 Peter 5:2,3). To be a Christian leader, you need to grow in God's love daily else you will forsake the flock that Christ has entrusted to you. No leader can function effectively without passion for his followers. It is the passion that keeps you going even in the days of adversity. In John 10:29, Jesus said that none can pluck His sheep out of His Father's hands. That is how much a shepherd should guard his flock.

John 4:34 says, "Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." A Christian leader builds capacity to be able to defend, protect and feed his flock. Anyone whom God has appointed to lead His people is expected to take up the responsibility with all seriousness. A leader has been given followers by God to direct them in the path that God has ordained for them. Jesus' focus was to finish the work which He was sent to the world to do. Every Christian leader will give account of the flock assigned to him. God said to Ezekiel in chapter 3:20-21, "Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous in not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul."

A leader leads the way for others to follow. God in His wisdom has established an order for men. He made some leaders and others followers. Ask God for grace so that their blood will not be required of you.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Power to be a good leader, come upon me now, in the name of Jesus.

2. I will not mislead my flock, in the name of Jesus.

3. Grace to finish the work of God gloriously, overshadow my life now, in the name of Jesus.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Colossians 1-4.

DIVINE JUSTICE SYSTEM

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for MONDAY, 5TH DECEMBER, 2022.

Topic: DIVINE JUSTICE SYSTEM

MEMORIZE: "That innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee" (Deuteronomy 19:10).

SCRIPTURE READING: DEUTERONOMY 19:1-10 (NKJV)

¹ "When the Lord your God has cut off the nations whose land the Lord your God is giving you, and you dispossess them and dwell in their cities and in their houses, ² you shall separate three cities for yourself in the midst of your land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess. ³ You shall prepare roads for yourself, and divide into three parts the territory of your land which the Lord your God is giving you to inherit, that any manslayer may flee there. ⁴ "And this is the case of the manslayer who flees there, that he may live: Whoever kills his neighbor unintentionally, not having hated him in time past- ⁵ as when a man goes to the woods with his neighbor to cut timber, and his hand swings a stroke with the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the handle and strikes his neighbor so that he dies--he shall flee to one of these cities and live; ⁶ lest the avenger of blood, while his anger is hot, pursue the manslayer and overtake him, because the way is long, and kill him, though he was not deserving of death, since he had not hated the victim in time past. ⁷ Therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall separate three cities for yourself.' ⁸ Now if the Lord your God enlarges your territory, as He swore to your fathers, and gives you the land which He promised to give to your fathers, ⁹ and if you keep all these commandments and do them, which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and to walk always in His ways, then you shall add three more cities for yourself besides these three, ¹⁰ lest innocent blood be shed in the midst of your land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and thus guilt of bloodshed be upon you."

EXPOSITION:

Prior to their redemption and full settlement in Canaan, the Israelites ran a primitive justice system. For instance, their laws allowed the next of kin of a slain person to wreak vengeance. He or she was permitted to go after the murderer and carry out any judgment they desired. But the Lord rolled out a better judicial agreement that would protect the unintentional killer and prevent the shedding of innocent blood.

As the land in Canaan was allocated to the various tribes, God commanded the children of Israel to separate cities where "every slayer may flee thither." The idea was that in their new environment, murder cases must be thoroughly investigated so as not to lead to arbitrary punishment. If a person died in the field while another wielded his axe in the course of felling a tree, the unintentional killer could flee to one of the cities of refuge. He would not be "worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past."

This provision prevented unjust revenge and miscarriage of justice, which might lead to spiraling acts of fatal crimes. It is the prevalence of the pursuit of retaliatory deeds that has made the world unsafe today. The absence of an acceptable system of justice that would bring redress to the aggrieved has been pushing everyone to adopt his or her way of seeking justice, even if it is an illegitimate means. This has brought more sorrow to a world in search of peace and joy.

God, the Author of peace, has proclaimed that man must seek His infallible concept of justice to be secured in the world. Without adhering to heaven's law of equity that respects the rights of others to live and enjoy the abundance of life given by God through faith in Jesus, the Prince of peace, man would continue to function in bewilderment.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Man cannot have peace without seeking divine justice.

PRAYER POINTS:

Lord, let your justice prevail in our nation, church and homes and let it restore true peace unto us all in Jesus name.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR– Philippians 1-4.

THE RULING SCEPTER

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for SUNDAY, 4TH DECEMBER, 2022.

TOPIC: THE RULING SCEPTER

MEMORIZE: "And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, which hath devoured her fruit, so that she hath no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule. This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation" (Ezekiel 19:14).

SCRIPTURE READING: EZEKIEL 19:1-14 KJV

"Moreover take thou up a lamentation for the princes of Israel, And say, What is thy mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps among young lions. And she brought up one of her whelps: it became a young lion, and it learned to catch the prey; it devoured men. The nations also heard of him; he was taken in their pit, and they brought him with chains unto the land of Egypt. Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then she took another of her whelps, and made him a young lion. And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and learned to catch the prey, and devoured men. And he knew their desolate palaces, and he laid waste their cities; and the land was desolate, and the fulness thereof, by the noise of his roaring.Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces, and spread their net over him: he was taken in their pit. And they put him in ward in chains, and brought him to the king of Babylon: they brought him into holds, that his voice should no more be heard upon the mountains of Israel.  Thy mother is like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters: she was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.  And she had strong rods for the sceptres of them that bare rule, and her stature was exalted among the thick branches, and she appeared in her height with the multitude of her branches.  But she was plucked up in fury, she was cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up her fruit: her strong rods were broken and withered; the fire consumed them. And now she is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground. And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, which hath devoured her fruit, so that she hath no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule. This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation."

EXPOSITION:

Our text reveals the comparison of Judah to a lioness and the kings of Judah to a lion's whelps. These kings of Judah were very cruel and oppressive to their own subjects.  Jerusalem was described as a vine, flourishing and fruitful. The vine was destroyed and forsaken by God because of wickedness, though a remnant remained. She had, by wickedness, made herself like tinder to the sparks of God's wrath, so that her own branches served as fuel to burn her. She was plucked up in fury and cast to the ground. Her strong rods were broken and withered; fire consumed them. She was now planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground.

In spite of the lamentation of the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah for the lack of a strong rod to be a scepter, God remembered His promise to David that his kingdom and throne shall be established for ever (2 Samuel 7:16).God raised one Branch of the vine. This true and living Vine is our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, whose Kingdom shall be forever.After the Church is raptured, the great tribulation of seven years would take place. Thereafter, Christ will reign on earth for a thousand years. His millennial reign will be a time when the purpose of God will be fully realised on earth. It will witness unprecedented era of national and individual peace as there will be no more wars.

In addition, the original curse placed on humanity at the Garden of Eden will be removed; there will be no sickness. Those who are expected to partake of Christ's millennial reign are true believers who are watchful and steadfast until the end.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Christ's reign on earth will end man's wicked system.

PRAYERPOINTS:

Lord, help me to be counted worthy of your kingdom at last in Jesus name. 

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Ephesians 4-6.

MAKING YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE for SATURDAY, 3RD DECEMBER, 2022.

Topic: MAKING YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE 

MEMORIZE: “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble” – 2 Peter 1:10.

SCRIPTURE READING: 2 Peter 1:5-11

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 

EXPOSITION:

“Making Your Calling and Election Sure” – 2 Peter 1:10.

Man was created by God to bring Him honour and praise, but got driven away by sins and got is relationship with God broken. Hence there is need for reconnection. Jesus Christ came to the scene to redeem mankind back to God through His sinless blood, atoning death and glorious resurrection and bodily ascension to heaven. Hence there is need to witness this truth to the world unashamedly, warning the world of sin and presenting every man perfect in Christ Jesus through the word of truth accurately taught to be applied in our day to day living.

To be able to do this effectively, there is need for you and I to be sure of our calling and election and be able to proof it to the world convincingly. People only believe and are ready to follow you only when they see evidence of God’s presence and His calling in you. On the other hand, the wolves are in the street, parading themselves as ministers of God. They are ravenous beasts, delighting in devouring the innocent and the helpless. If you are not on your feet, to stand against them, they may accomplish them mission over you (may God forbids). 

Therefore, as ministers of God and the children of God, must put on the spiritual virtues as prescribed by the word of God. ““But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” 2 Peter 1:5-7. And according to Ephesians 6:11,13, we must put on the whole armour of God in order to withstand the devil and all his agents who are deceiving people in the world.

PRAYER POINTS: Lord, with you in me and by me, help me to make my calling and election sure and be fruitful in your purpose for my life and ministry in Jesus name.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Ephesians 1-3.