BE A GRATEFUL SOUL

WEDNESDAY, 30TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

topic: BE A GRATEFUL SOUL

MEMORISE: "Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name." (Psalms 103:1).

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalms 103:1-5

"Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

EXPOSITION

Have you ever had a conversation with your soul about how good God has been to you? The grammarians call talking to oneself soliloquy. And here in Psalms 103, we have a record of how King David held a conversation with himself about the goodness of God to him. He reviewed his life seeing how much he owed God sincere gratefulness. David recalled that it is the LORD who gave him all the benefits he had enjoyed. He forgave all his sins, healed him from all diseases, redeemed his life from the pit, crowned him with love and compassion by satisfying his desires with good things, so that his life was renewed like the eagle's. Has God done anything less for you? Sincerely, you too need a conversation with your soul about God's goodness to you.The Lord deserves praises from you; not complaints.

When you talk to yourself about the difficulties you overcame in the recent past, the unmerited favour you had, the beauty of elevations you enjoyed even in moments of your weaknesses and failures, your unvoiced cries for help that were heard and the timely assistance that surfaced at moments you least expected. Then, your soul needs to sing poetic songs of gratefulness to the Almighty God who does so much for you.

Be like King David who never took God's goodness for granted, but talked to himself about it, and had it recorded for generations to learn from. Be a grateful soul always. Maintain a diary of His faithfulness like King David did. Let the generations yet unborn learn about the awesomeness of God in your life, and have derivable lessons from your records.

PRAYER POINTS 

1. Praise God who has brought you thus far and made you enviably unique among the multitudes in the world.

2. Pray that God will give you the sense and spirit of sincere thankfulness and praise to Him.

********************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR – 2 Corinthians 10 - 13.

YOU ARE FREE

TUESDAY, 29TH NOVEMBER, 2022. 

TOPIC: YOU ARE FREE

MEMORIZE: "Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name." (Psalms 103:1).

SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 5:1-8

And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

EXPOSITION:

In Psalm 34:6, David described God's saving grace upon his humble life. He was a man from a lowly background whom God located and lifted; from a shepherd boy in the wilderness to the position of a king in Israel. What an amazing grace of God! God is He Who elevates, promotes and delivers from troubles. He will free you from all the troubles of life and shackles of the enemy.

Are you sighing because of the  problems in your life? The Lord will terminate all your troubles and give you relief and succour. In Exodus 2:23, the Israelites sighed when they were in bondage. Why? They were in anguish because of their taskmasters and they wanted total freedom. There is an innate desire for freedom in every human being. Even the mad man on the street wants to be free and live life to the fullest. For instance, the mad man of Gadarene in today's reading experienced total freedom through the ministry of Jesus from His pathetic insane condition; his condition was so worse that whenever he was bound with chains, he broke them off. He wanted freedom, but couldn't free himself from the wicked spirits that controlled him. When Jesus came around, his insanity gave way. He was delivered from the spirits that troubled him.

The same Spirit of Christ assisted David to pretend as a mad man to escape the onslaught of the wicked and demon-possessed king Saul, when he was after the young man's life. What a divine wisdom and assistance! You will likewise be assisted by the power of the Living God. The enemy of your soul will never succeed over your life, and you are saved and free from all troubles in Jesus' name. Amen.

PRAYER POINTS 

1.    Lord, I thank You for the victory and freedom I enjoy in Christ Jesus.

2.    Lord, set me free from every shackle of sin and sickness, in Jesus' name.

3.     O Lord our God, let the works of darkness be totally destroyed over Your Church, in Jesus' name, and silence Satan in all facets of the Church.

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR – 2 Corinthians 7- 9.

TRANSFORMING POWER OF THE WORD.

MONDAY, 28TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

Topic: TRANSFORMING POWER OF THE WORD.

MEMORIZE: The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple" (Psalm 19:7).

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 19:7-14 NKJV. 

"⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; ⁸ The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; ⁹ The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. ¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. ¹¹ Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. ¹² Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. ¹³ Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression. ¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."

EXPOSITION:

The text under consideration is a testimony to the power of the Scriptures. It is described as the law, testimony, statutes, commandments, the fear and judgments of the Lord. The Bible has the power to convert the soul and make wise the simple. Other qualities listed in the passage is the enlightenment it brings and the fact that it is righteous altogether. It endures forever and keeps us back from presumptuous sins. We are commanded not only to read, but also to meditate on it and carry out all the instructions found therein.

The Bible remains an all-time best-seller. Its amazing influence cuts across ages. It is the only book that can convict and convert a sinner. No book has managed to remain as fresh as the Bible. Books are updated from time to time to keep them relevant. But the Bible is unique in value. It has survived so many threats and predictions of extinction. Emperors and kings of old had gone out of their ways to ensure the complete destruction of the Bible at various centuries, but the Bible stands, undaunted through the raging storms of life.

The Bible has brought about transformation of lives. It has changed so many destinies. Thus, we must celebrate the power of the Word as we strive to give it wider circulation.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The Bible is the best gift you can give out. It gives life to the spiritually dead and makes the simple wise. 

PRAYER POINTS:

O Lord, Help us to see life in your Word and be rightly divide the word of truth in Jesus name. 

********************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR – 2 Corinthians 4 - 6.

THE BEST AND UNFAILING OPTION FOR SOLUTIONS

SUNDAY, 27TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

 

Topic: THE BEST AND UNFAILING OPTION FOR SOLUTIONS

MEMORIZE: " My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:2.

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:

1. The best option is to always lift up your eyes to God in heaven while looking for solutions to challenges of life?

a. Think of your challenges. Where do you look up to for solutions?

b. Why do you think God is the best option? Think.

2. The easiest way to always receive from God is to be occupied with His service. Servitude to sin, self and Satan always close the door of mercy.

a. Is God your Master in all your decisions?

b. Do you take service to God as your priority?

3. Some of the challenges those serving God may face:

a. Contempt from those too proud to submit to God.

b. Exceeding contempt by those who are careless with spiritual things.

c. What are some of the other challenges you are facing? Mercy takes over when your faith cannot carry it as you look up to the heavens.

PRAYER POINTS:

i. O Lord, I hereby consecrate to you that while You may use anybody for me, only You will be my confidence henceforth.

ii. Lord, I have not been serving you enough. Inasmuch you sent Jesus to serve me, I also from today will be serving You with all my heart.

********************************

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

DON'T KEEP QUIET

SATURDAY, 26TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

Topic: DON’T KEEP QUIET 

MEMORIZE: "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'" (Jeremiah 33:3).

SCRIPTURE READING: Genesis 40:16-22(NKJV)

"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." Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them."

EXPOSITION:

Dream is one of the means by which God communicate with men. The word of in Joel 2:28 says, "And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.”. I hear some people saying “dream is foolish or does not mean anything.” If it is so, God would not have appeared to Solomon in his dream and asked him to ask whatever he wants Him to do for him. Remember that the men of old dreamt and it came to fulfillment whether good or bad.

* Joseph dreamed of eleven sheaves and also sun, moon and eleven stars bowing down to him… It came to pass. Genesis 37:5-11.

* Nebuchadnezzar dreamed that he was chased away from the throne for seven season and later was restored, it came to pass – Daniel 4.

* Solomon dreamt and saw God – 

* Jacob dreamt at Bethel, he saw a ladder that its head touches heaven and angels were ascending and descending on it. Genesis 28:11-16. 

* Pharaoh also dreamt of the coming years of surplus and seven years of famine succeeding it.” Gen. 41:1-7. It also came to pass.

In our Scripture reading today, we saw Butler and Baker of Pharaoh in the prison dreamed. When baker’s dream was interpreted to him that he did not do anything to it, such as praying to God for His mercy to avert it. He kept quiet. And what he saw came to pass. God can reverse the irreversible. If you keep quiet in the day of trouble, enemy will prevail over you. Your mouth is your weapon to stop the raging of the enemy and to seek the mercy of God. Your bad dream can be reverse through prayer and the word of God. Baker died not because God cannot save him, but because he did not pray. When God sent the message of death to Hezekiah, he cried to God for divine intervention, and God changed his decision. Your prayer can also work for you. Don’t die in silence.

PRAYER POINT:

Lord, I cancel every effect of bad dream in my life and family in Jesus name.

********************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR – 1 Corinthians 13 - 16.

HEAVEN IS REAL!!!

FRIDAY, 25TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

Topic: HEAVEN IS REAL!!! 

MEMORIZE: "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2).

SCRIPTURE READING:JOHN 14:1-6`(NKJV)

¹ "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

² In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

⁴ And where I go you know, and the way you know."

⁵ Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?"

⁶ Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

EXPOSITION:

Jesus confirmed the existence of heaven in our text. As the day of His departure drew close, the anxiety of His followers increased. Will this be the end of Christ? How would they cope in the face of the coming persecution? Jesus, therefore, comforted them by promising to return again after preparing eternal mansions in heaven for them. In answer to Thomas' question about not knowing where He was going, Jesus emphasised that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no man can enter into heaven except through Him.

Jesus will not talk about heaven if it does not exist. He is the Truth personified. Believers should not be carried away by what science says, or what atheists, who do not believe in the existence of God, assert. The finite man cannot understand the infinite God. The wisdom of this world will be turned to foolishness eventually. Heaven is real, so is hell and the lake of fire. It is a prepared place for prepared people. It is the permanent abode of the redeemed, while hell is prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:34, 41).

Whatever believers are passing through right now is only temporal. The road to heaven is narrow and straight, dotted with so many trials and temptations. But Christ promised to wipe away our tears and grant us eternal rest in heaven.*

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY` "Heaven and hell are not fictions.*_

PRAYER POINTS: 

LORD, Uphold us to the end not to compromise in our walk with you in Jesus name. 

********************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  1 Corinthians 9 - 12.

HOW TO TRANSFORM FROM WRETCHEDNESS TO NOBILITY

THURSDAY, 24TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

Topic: HOW TO TRANSFORM FROM WRETCHEDNESS TO NOBILITY

MEMORIZE: "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested" (1 CHRONICLES 4:10).

SCRIPTURE READING: 1 CHRONICLES 4:1-10 (NKJV).

"¹ The sons of Judah were Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal. ² And Reaiah the son of Shobal begot Jahath, and Jahath begot Ahumai and Lahad. These were the families of the Zorathites. ³ These were the sons of the father of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazelelponi; ⁴ and Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer was the father of Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah the father of Bethlehem. ⁵ And Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah. ⁶ Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah. ⁷ The sons of Helah were Zereth, Zohar, and Ethnan; ⁸ and Koz begot Anub, Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum. ⁹ Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain." ¹⁰ And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested."

EXPOSITION:

The text contains a long list of names, obviously, with nothing special to write about them except only one person called Jabez vv9,10. 

Oh Lord, I plead that you will not allow me to live an inconsequential life in my generation.

1. Knowledge: He knew that, being a seed of Abraham, he was a blessed person by covenant vv9,10. As a child of God, you are joint heirs of all that God has both in heaven and earth. Do you belief this?

2. Refusal: He refused to be limited by his birth, background, brain, backwardness, bondage, barriers etc. vv9,10. What about you?

3. Faith: He had the personal relationship with God that helped his faith in God of all possibilities vv9,10. Are you born again and having a deep relationship with God?

4. Clear vision: He had a clear vision of what God has predestined him to be in life as a seed of Abraham vv9,10. His desire was along this divine vision.

5. "Kneeology": He made desperate, well defined, devil scaring and daring prayers to God vv9,10.

PRAYER POINTS: 

i. Pray for divine visitation for children of God who have ignorantly resigned to wretchedness or mediocrity.

ii. Pray for complete failure and disappointments for all super power personalities that want to take the position of God.

********************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Acts 23-25.

A PASSIINATE PRAYER

WEDNESDAY, 23RD NOVEMBER, 2022.

 

Topic: A PASSIONATE PRAYER

MEMORIZE: "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested" (1 CHRONICLES 4:10).

SCRIPTURE READING: 1 CHRONICLES 4:1-10 (NKJV).

"¹ The sons of Judah were Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal. ² And Reaiah the son of Shobal begot Jahath, and Jahath begot Ahumai and Lahad. These were the families of the Zorathites. ³ These were the sons of the father of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazelelponi; ⁴ and Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer was the father of Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah the father of Bethlehem. ⁵ And Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah. ⁶ Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah. ⁷ The sons of Helah were Zereth, Zohar, and Ethnan; ⁸ and Koz begot Anub, Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum. ⁹ Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain." ¹⁰ And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested."

EXPOSITION:

God is a changeless changer of man, his situations and circumstances. He provides perfect solutions to man's problems. The case of Jabez in our text is a classic example of how a bad life scenario was dramatically changed through a thoughtful and wise decision to approach God who alone has the power to make and unmake every situation through prayer and faith.

This Israelite, whose life had become synonymous with failure, shame and sorrows, had to break off the chains of frustration and disappointment when he made a heartrending prayer to God to rewrite the story of his life. God heard and granted his request. The after effect of his passionate prayer was that God made an honorable man of an erstwhile nobody. Our God is waiting for more sons and daughters who will dare pray to Him like Jabez, so that He would bless them.

The story of your life can be rewritten today if you will humbly approach the Lord in penitence for your sins and pride - beseech Him to cleanse you and clear every debt of sin you owe which demands judgement. The faithful Judge of repentant sinners will discharge and acquit you this day. You will have peace like a river and prosper like Jabez did. Through passionate prayer, we can bring succour to our helpless world. Call upon the One who answers prayers now and see things change in your life and ministry.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Prayer remains the key that opens heaven's doors of abundance and prosperity.

PRAYER POINTS: 

i. Lord, give me the revelation of the best I am  predestined to be in life.

ii. Lord, I refuse all forms of limitations in my life. Give me spiritual power to break all of them and soar high in all areas of my life.

********************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Acts 20-22.

BIBLICAL MEANING OF OBEDIENCE

TUESDAY, 22ND NOVEMBER, 2022.

Topic: BIBLICAL MEANING OF OBEDIENCE

MEMORIZE: “Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.” (1 Chronicles 29:23).

SCRIPTURE READING: "If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, that, will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and, though they chasten him, will not hearken unto them; then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place" (Deuteronomy 21:18, 19;

EXPOSITION:

Obedience in its simpler Old Testament meaning the word signifies "to hear," "to listen." 

It carries with it, however, the ethical significance of hearing with reverence and obedient assent. In the New Testament a different origin is suggestive of "hearing under" or of subordinating one's self to the person or thing heard, hence, "to obey." 

There is another New Testament usage, however, indicating persuasion from.

The relation expressed is two-fold: first, human, as between master and servant, and particularly between parents and children. "If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, that, will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and, though they chasten him, will not hearken unto them; then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place" (Deuteronomy 21:18, 19; compare “A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.” Proverbs 15:20); 

Or between sovereign and subjects, "The foreigners shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me" (2 Samuel 22:45); “Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.” (1 Chronicles 29:23).

Therefore, as God is expecting you to obey your parents and your superior ones (the godly elders), He wants us, as a matter of greater importance, to obey His word. There are lots of blessings attach to our obedience to Him. 

Part of the blessings includes:

* God's guidance leading to our protection, progress, success, Security and safety from all evil

* Answer to our prayers

* Divine sufficient provision for all our needs. 

* Blessing of Salvation of & daily sanctification. 

* Becoming a vessel of honour in kingdom expansion through active souls winning.

* All heavenly blessing through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

And many more... 

PRAYER POINT: 

Lord, help me walk in obedience to your will and leading in Jesus name.

*****************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Acts 16-19.

ANATHEMA {ACCURSED}

MONDAY, 21ST NOVEMBER, 2022.

 

Topic: ANATHEMA {ACCURSED}

MEMORIZE: “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.” 1Co 16:22

SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Corinthians 12:3

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. {accursed: or, anathema}

EXPOSITION: 

Anything laid up or suspended; hence anything laid up in a temple or set apart as sacred. In this sense the form of the word is anathema, once in plural used in the Greek New Testament, in Luke 21:5, where it is rendered "gifts." In the Septuagint. the form anathema is generally used as the rendering of the Hebrew word herem, derived from a verb which means (1.) to consecrate or devote; and (2.) to exterminate. Any object so devoted to the Lord could not be redeemed (Num 18:14; Lev 27:28, Lev 27:29); and hence the idea of exterminating connected with the word. 

The Hebrew verb (haram) is frequently used of the extermination of idolatrous nations. It had a wide range of application. The anathema or herem was a person or thing irrevocably devoted to God (Lev 27:21, Lev 27:28); and "none devoted shall be ransomed. He shall surely be put to death" (Lev 27:29). The word therefore carried the idea of devoted to destruction (Num 21:2-3; Joshua 6:17); and hence generally it meant a thing accursed. In Deuteronomy 7:26 an idol is called a herem - anathema, a thing accursed. 

In the New Testament this word always implies execration. In some cases an individual denounces an anathema on himself unless certain conditions are fulfilled (Act 23:12, Act 23:14, Act 23:21). "To call Jesus accursed" [anathema] (Co1 12:3) is to pronounce him execrated or accursed. Apostle Paul says, If anyone preached another gospel, "let him be accursed" (Gal 1:8, Gal 1:9); i.e., let his conduct in so doing be accounted accursed. In Rom 9:3, the expression "accursed" (anathema) from Christ, i.e., excluded from fellowship or alliance with Christ, has occasioned much difficulty. The apostle here does not speak of his wish as a possible thing. It is simply a vehement expression of feeling, showing how strong was his desire for the salvation of his people. The anathema in Co1 16:22 denotes simply that they who love not the Lord are rightly objects of loathing and execration to all holy beings; they are guilty of a crime that merits the severest condemnation; they are exposed to the just sentence of "everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord."

PRAYER POINT: 

i. Lord, help me not to lay hand on what will make me an accursed before you in Jesus name.

ii. Lord, let your death and resurrection be enough for my total redemption from curse and being accursed in Jesus name.

********************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Acts 16-19.

YOUR HARVEST SHALL BE IN PROPORTION TO THE AMOUNT SOWN

SUNDAY, 20TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

Topic: YOUR HARVEST SHALL BE IN PROPORTION TO THE AMOUNT SOWN

MEMORIZE: “Remember this: He who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously and that blessing may come to someone, will also reap generously and with blessings."  (II Corinthians 9:6, The Amplified Bible)

SCRIPTURE READING: Proverbs 11:24-26.

“There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself. The people will curse him who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.”

EXPOSITION: 

This principle applies in every area of your spiritual life. If you give grudgingly of your time, talents, and finances to the work of God, then your harvest will be small. If you sow generously, you will reap abundantly. There are different levels of productivity in spiritual harvest described in John 15. You can bring forth any of these four dimentions: 

i. Fruit: “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:2.

ii. More fruit: “every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:2.

iii. Much fruit: “"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4.

iv. Permanent fruit: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” John 15:16.

God's desire is that you bring forth much fruit and that it is permanent. 

Peter identified some qualities you should develop in your life in order to be fruitful: And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (II Peter 1:5-8). Peter warns that if these qualities are not developed you will lack spiritual vision: But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. (II Peter 1:9)

PRAYER POINT: Lord, help me to be fruitful and more fruitful in Jesus name.

********************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Acts 13-15.

YOU AND YOUR ENVIRONMENT

SATURDAY, 19TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

Topic: YOU AND YOUR ENVIRONMENT – Part 3

(Elisha As our Case Study)

MEMORIZE: ““23 Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!" 2 Kings 2:23.

SCRIPTURE READING: 

“23 Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!" 24 So he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the LORD. And two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths.” 2 Kings 2:23-24.

EXPOSITION: 

Elisha had, in this respect, a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, that he wrought more miracles than Elijah. Some reckon them in number just double. Two are recorded in these verses – a miracle of mercy to Jericho and a miracle of judgment to Bethel. 

At Bethel, we see another group of people with different opinion and view point towards prophet Elisha. While the sons of the prophets at Jordan had written him off but later bowed down and serve him, the men of Jericho saw saviour in him but some youth in Bethel saw a man to be mocked in him. They could not see the double anointing, nor his ability to heal and restore in him but his physical disability – bald head. They mocked him to his face saying: “Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!" 2 Kings 2:23. In response to this mockery, “he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the LORD. And two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths.” 2 Kings 2: 24.

In like manner, there are some people in your life who has/will never see good in you but your weakness and insult. When the high priests and the members of the council had the great wonders that that Peter and John performed in the name of Jesus Christ, instead of them to praise God, the Bible says, “…perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; ...” Acts 4:13. When you see people around you spoiling your image, cursing you, showing hatred to all you are doing… know that you are not the first victim. They did the same to Jesus Christ our Savoiur and the prophets and the apostles too. You are in a good company, as long as you have no hidden connection with the devil.

Elisha rebuked them and God’s judgment overtook them. Do not worry over those who are fighting God in your life thinking they are fighting you. Hand over your enemies to God and you will see your desire upon them. 

PRAYER POINT: Lord, arise in your judgment, judge my enemies and give me victory in Jesus name.

********************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Acts 13-15.

YOU AND YOUR ENVIRONMENT – Part 2

FRIDAY, 18TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

Topic: YOU AND YOUR ENVIRONMENT – Part 2

(Elisha As our Case Study)

MEMORIZE: ““19 Then the men of the city said to Elisha, "Please notice, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the ground barren." 2 Kings 2:19.

SCRIPTURE READING: 

“19 Then the men of the city said to Elisha, "Please notice, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the ground barren." 20 And he said, "Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it." So they brought it to him. 21 Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, "Thus says the LORD: 'I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.'" 22 So the water remains healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.” 2 Kings 2:19-22.

EXPOSITION: 

The second group of people that came to Elisha were the men of Jericho. When they discovered he had carried the double portion of the spirit of Elijah, they saw possibility in him. What they could not approach Elijah for, they saw God at work in Elisha. They approached him, pleaded their matter, and he was able to provides solution to the cause of their barren land and the bitter water. “And he said, "Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it." So they brought it to him. 21 Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, "Thus says the LORD: 'I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.'" 22 So the water remains healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.” 2 Kings 2:19-22.

Like men of Jericho, there are people who see you as their saviour. They have hope in you that seeing you in their lives or around them is a sure solution to their problems. They will come your way with great expectancy. It is expected of you to rise up in meeting their needs. Their provision to their needs is in your hand. God has made you a small god to them. Elisha played “God” in the healing of Jericho. How are you treating those who came to you for help? Are you seeing them as liability or an opportunity to represent God in their lives? What it takes to heal their land (hearts) has been given to you by God, like Elisha, you must not let God down. Be filled with the Holy Spirit and renew your strength daily through your obedience to His leading. If God choose to pass through you, make yourself available for the Master’s use.

PRAYER POINT: Lord, make me a vessel of honour in your hands in Jesus name.

********************************

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

YOU AND YOUR ENVIRONMENT

THURSDAY, 17TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

Topic: YOU AND YOUR ENVIRONMENT – Part 1

(Elisha As our Case Study)

MEMORIZE: “With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd." Psalm 18:26.

SCRIPTURE READING: 2 Kings 2:13-24.

“13 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 14 Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, "Where is the LORD God of Elijah?" And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over. 15 Now when the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw him, they said, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha." And they came to meet him, and bowed to the ground before him. 16 Then they said to him, "Look now, there are fifty strong men with your servants. Please let them go and search for your master, lest perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley." And he said, "You shall not send anyone." 17 But when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, "Send them!" Therefore they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days but did not find him. 18 And when they came back to him, for he had stayed in Jericho, he said to them, "Did I not say to you, 'Do not go'?" 

EXPOSITION: 

Our environment is the area in which we live. It has impact over our lives and success in life. Because of our intimacy with our environment, there is tendency that the reaction of people to our lives will be varied. While some will value you and believe in your dream, some will look down on you as they concentrate on your weakness or inability.

Let us look at the life of Prophet Elisha: He was called by God, trained by prophet Elijah, later succeeded his boss Elijah. This great success was enough for everybody to bow down for him and celebrate him. But what was people’s reaction to this greatness and success?

THE SONS OF THE PROPHETS: 

The first group of people are the sons of the prophets. They were once mocking him, thinking it will soon be over for him when his master is taken away from him. They may be thinking he would come to their school to enroll afresh for empowerment. But reverse was the case. They saw that he had possessed the double portion of his master’s spirit and anointing, they bowed down to him 

In your environment, don’t write yourself off due to people’s assessment of you. The sons of the prophets that mocked Elisha were the same who bowed down to him when was successful. The opinion of men holds no ground when God has spoken. Only God has the final say. Are you discouraged because people around you refused to acknowledge or appreciate your dream and effort? Committing suicide is never the option. Elisha will not mind his critics. Don’t loose focus on your God-given dream, press further in the strength of God. You will soon get there and you shall be celebrated. Those who warned Bartimeaus to be quiet were the same men who said unto him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you."” Mark 5:47-49.

PRAYER POINT: Lord, Turn my disgrace to graceful favour and give me a new name as You did unto Elisha in Jesus name.

********************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Acts 26-28.

LEARNING ETERNAL LESSONS DURING UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCES

WEDNESDAY, 16TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

Topic: LEARNING ETERNAL LESSONS DURING UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCES

MEMORIZE: "Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word" (Psalms 119:65).

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalms 119:65-72.

65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.  68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes. 69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. 70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law. 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. 72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

EXPOSITION: 

When you are passing through unpleasant experiences how do you do? Become discouraged, despondent, doubtful, disorganized, dysfunctional, etc?

The Psalmist said, “I turned my unpleasant experiences into learning experiences because I know there are eternal lessons God want me to learn.”  What did you learn during your afflictions? The Psalmist said, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted". It helped me to learn God's immortal truth which I had not learnt before the afflictions, v71. Actually,  "before I was afflicted I went astray" but I thought all was alright with me, v67, as you may say. Thank God for the afflictions as you may conclude.

But, Is that all?

Psalmist further said, I turned it to a time of deep reflections guided by the word of God. I discovered that God "has dealt well with me...according to His word"; He is not to be blamed but to be blessed. God is good, vv65, 68. Lord, teach me to always reflect positively on your word at all times🙏

How come this revelation knowledge about God?

Psalmist gave the answer that it was also a praying time; not only to be delivered from afflictions but that God will teach me..., vv66 says, “Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments.” And God answered. 

1. God, in His wisdom, allows His own to pass through a brief "hell" on earth so as to learn and escape eternal hell.

2. God is too loving to subject the apple of His eyes to light afflictions without a loving reason for it. Cheer up! God is good all the time.

PRAYER POINTS:

i. Father in heaven, be teaching me deep things of your word so that I might have unshakeable convictions of the truth🙏

ii. Pray for brethren passing through afflictions that God will deliver them and help them to learn what God want them to learn.

********************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Acts 22-25.

OUR GOD IS IN CONTROL

TUESDAY, 15TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

Topic: OUR GOD IS IN CONTROL

MEMORIZE: "Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word" (Psalms 119:65).

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalms 119:65-72.

65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.  68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes. 69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. 70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law. 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. 72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

EXPOSITION:

Charles Spurgeon once wrote of an evening when he was riding home after a heavy day's work. He felt weary and depressed, when this verse flashed suddenly, "My grace is sufficient for thee." He said, "I should think it is, Lord," and he burst out laughing. It seemed to make unbelief so absurd. It was as if some little fish, being very thirsty, was troubled about drinking the river dry, and the river says, 'Drink away, little fish, my stream is sufficient for thee.' Or, it seemed like a little mouse in the granaries of Egypt after seven years of plenty, fearing it might die of famine, and Joseph might say, 'Cheer up, little mouse, my granaries are sufficient for thee.' For the child of God who has His word, there is no cause for alarm.

Blessed indeed is the man or woman who makes God his or her confidence. The psalmist accepts the love of God and rests in the confidence that He is in control of every aspect of his life. He asks God for teaching because he believes in His judgment. He sees afflictions as God's means of correcting him, not to harm or destroy his life.

This conviction of God's goodness is deep in the heart of the psalmist such that neither the lies nor the prosperity of the wicked would move him to deny the love of God. Bitter experiences and situations make many to turn against the gospel. But for us, it should be an opportunity to affirm our confidence in the Lord.

Beside the psalmist, Joseph, the four Hebrew youths and even Ruth chose to trust God in difficult times instead of blaming Him for their misfortunes. As you go about your activities, remember that the Lord is good and He will deal well with you in spite of your challenging situations. Just trust Him and all will be well!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Faith is taking God at His word. 

PRAYER POINT: 

i. Father, let it be unto me according to your words in Jesus name.

ii. Lord, forgive me of all negative attitudes during my times of trials of faith.

iii. Teach me to always turn unpleasant times to praying and learning time.

********************************

Please share this message on all platform and let’s join hands together in proclaiming the kingdom of God. God bless you greatly in Jesus name. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.comFor more of our Daily Devotional Messages, visit our website: http://www.anchoroflifeintl.blogspot.com

LITTLE THINGS WITH DEADLY CONSEQUENCES

MONDAY, 14TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

Topic: LITTLE THINGS WITH DEADLY CONSEQUENCES

MEMORIZE: "Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that me may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?" (Amos 8:5,6).

SCRIPTURE READING: AMOS 8:1-10.

“1 Thus the Lord GOD showed me: Behold, a basket of summer fruit. 2 And He said, "Amos, what do you see?" So I said, "A basket of summer fruit." Then the LORD said to me: "The end has come upon My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore. 3 And the songs of the temple Shall be wailing in that day," Says the Lord GOD-"Many dead bodies everywhere, They shall be thrown out in silence." 4 Hear this, you who swallow up the needy, And make the poor of the land fail, 5 Saying: "When will the New Moon be past, That we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, That we may trade wheat? Making the ephah small and the shekel large, Falsifying the scales by deceit, 6 That we may buy the poor for silver, And the needy for a pair of sandals-Even sell the bad wheat?" 7 The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: "Surely I will never forget any of their works. 8 Shall the land not tremble for this, And everyone mourn who dwells in it? All of it shall swell like the River, Heave and subside Like the River of Egypt. 9 "And it shall come to pass in that day," says the Lord GOD, "That I will make the sun go down at noon, And I will darken the earth in broad daylight; 10 I will turn your feasts into mourning, And all your songs into lamentation; I will bring sackcloth on every waist, And baldness on every head; I will make it like mourning for an only son, And its end like a bitter day.”

EXPOSITION: 

1. Little things that many count as smartness and not sins.

a. Taking advantage of the needy and the poor – “Hear this, you who swallow up the needy, And make the poor of the land fail,” v4. This can be done in many ways. Cheap labour, buying their wares (goods) at ridiculous rates because they are desperate to sell and survive, demanding gratifications from them when you know they have no choice, asking for gratifications before giving assistance or helping hand etc. The Question here is: In what other ways do people do these and count them as smartness?

b. Half hearted service to God on the altar of economic or other challenges. “Saying: "When will the New Moon be past, That we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, That we may trade wheat? Making the ephah small and the shekel large, Falsifying the scales by deceit.” - Amos 8:5.

c. Maximizing incomes, gains or profit using deception or other ungodly (smart?) means v5.

d. Exploitation of the vulnerable - “That we may buy the poor for silver, And the needy for a pair of sandals-Even sell the bad wheat?" v6.

Question: What other evil  "smartness" with great consequences are in the text especially in v6?

2. Lasting and terrifying consequences of "smart sins"

a. Check Amos 8:3, 7,8,9,10 “3 And the songs of the temple Shall be wailing in that day," Says the Lord GOD-"Many dead bodies everywhere, They shall be thrown out in silence." 7 The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: "Surely I will never forget any of their works. 8 Shall the land not tremble for this, And everyone mourn who dwells in it? All of it shall swell like the River, Heave and subside Like the River of Egypt. 9 "And it shall come to pass in that day," says the Lord GOD, "That I will make the sun go down at noon, And I will darken the earth in broad daylight; 10 I will turn your feasts into mourning, And all your songs into lamentation; I will bring sackcloth on every waist, And baldness on every head; I will make it like mourning for an only son, And its end like a bitter day.” 

Apply those things to our present situations as individuals and nations.

b. Also very serious is v2b: "I will not again pass by them any more" Define abandonment after God is fed up with them. 

PRAYER POINT: 

Lord, I hereby repent of all my half hearted service, worship and sins in the name of smartness. Confess those you can remember.

Promise God that you will do all you can to be helping the vulnerable in the society🙏

Pray that God will show mercy and not abandon or pass by your country. 

Ask the Spirit of repentance to be poured on all.

********************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Acts 15-18.

WHAT YOU SOW, YOU WILL REAP

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

SUNDAY, 13TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Topic: WHAT YOU SOW, YOU SHALL REAP.

MEMORIZE: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Galatian 6:7.

SCRIPTURE READING: 2 Corinthians 9:10-13.

“Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,”

EXPOSITION: 

In the natural world, you must sow seed in order to reap a crop. In the spiritual world you must also sow in order to reap. God provides the spiritual resources for sowing:  And God, who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your resources for sowing... (II Corinthians 9:10, The Amplified Bible)

God multiplies your spiritual talents and abilities to make you reproductive. God multiplies your financial resources so you can invest in His work. He does not multiply your finances for you to accumulate great fortunes. The purpose is that you can reinvest the blessings in His Kingdom.

To this effect, whatever you sow, you shall reap. And you shall reap in proportion of what you have sown. God is the faithful witness of all you are sowing and how you are sowing it. He is also the rewarder of all we have done and are doing. Be faithful to God and yourself.

PRAYER POINT: Lord, help me to sow acceptably to your glory in Jesus name.

********************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Acts 13-15.

MERCY FOR FORGIVENESS

FRIDAY, 11TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

Topic: MERCY FOR FORGIVENESS

MEMORIZE: “If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared."  Psalm 130:3-4.

SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 7:36:48

 “Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner." And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." So he said, "Teacher, say it." "There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. "And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?" Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have rightly judged." Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. "You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. "You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."”

EXPOSITION: 

Sin is violation of law. It is the greatest enemy that man has. It has ability to separate man from his Creator. It is power in the hand of the devil to bring any man down. The word of God commands us to flee from sin but to resist the devil. “Flee fornication… he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 1 Cor. 6:18. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. - 1 Cor. 10:14. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. – 2 Timothy 2:22.

In our Scripture reading today, “a woman in the city who was a sinner” came from the city to Jesus, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.” Her action was condemned by the Pharisees who were there but Jesus said, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. "You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."” Luke 7:36:48. It is written, “If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?  But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.” Psalm 130:3, 4. It is by the mercy of God that our sins were forgiven. We are declared free from sin and guilt by the blood of Jesus Christ. Sin brings condemnation but forgiveness brings justification and peace. No sin is too wicked that God's cannot forgive. Just don't return into it. He came to set the captives free. By God’s mercy, our sins, which are many, are forgiven. Hallelujah!!!

¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. ¹³ And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. ¹⁴ For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." 

Rom 6:12-14 (NKJV)

PRAYER POINT: Thank you Jesus for your mercy that brought me forgiveness and salvation. I will love and serve you for all my life in Jesus name.

********************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Acts 7-10.

THE OFTEN NEGLECTED CONDITIONS FOR ANSWERED PRAYERS

THURSDAY, 10TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

 

Topic: THE OFTEN NEGLECTED CONDITIONS FOR ANSWERED PRAYERS

MEMORIZE: "Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end" (PSALM 119:33).

SCRIPTURE READING:  PSALM 119:33-40.

“Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You. Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your judgments are good. Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me in Your righteousness.”

EXPOSITION:

THE OFTEN NEGLECTED CONDITIONS FOR ANSWERED PRAYERS

There is always condition for answering prayers. According to the word of God, let us examine some of them as follow.

1. Prayer:  Lord teach me...

Condition: Decision to do whatever He teaches v1.

2. Prayer: Give me understanding...

Condition: Wholehearted determination to keep and observe the revealed truth v34.

3. Prayer: Direct my steps to do Your will.

Conditions: You must have love for the will or word of God v35.

4. Prayer: Touch my heart to focus on your word.

Condition All ungodly and worldly distractions must be crushed by prayer of consecration v35.

5. Prayer: Turn my eyes from the deception of worldly and vain things.

Condition: You must be quickened by the Holy Spirit and be strong in the Lord v37.

6. Check vv38, 39 for the prayers and the conditions for answers.

Question:  Are those prayer points part of your heartfelt prayers? Reflect. Pray that they will come to fulfillment.  How faithful are you to the conditions?

PRAYER POINTS: i. Pray earnestly on each of the prayer points in the text in Jesus name.

ii. Pray that all the satanic agenda surrounding your life to be destroyed in Jesus name.

iii. Pray that God will awaken the church from slumber and to save many souls in Jesus name.

********************************

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

THE DESIRE OF THE RIGHTEOUS

WEDNESDAY, 9TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

Topic: THE DESIRE OF THE RIGHTEOUS

MEMORIZE: "Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end" (PSALM 119:33).

SCRIPTURE READING:  PSALM 119:33-40.

“HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You. Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your judgments are good. Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me in Your righteousness.”

EXPOSITION:

We live in a world where many people are preoccupied with thoughts of how to get rich. Consequently, they enmesh themselves in the rat-race for money. Added to this are quests for knowledge and scientific discovery which have made many to attach little or no value to spiritual matters. They care little about their relationship with God.

In contrast, the psalmist in our text expressed a burning desire for spiritual things. Being a righteous man, he was always thinking of his relationship with God, how to please Him at all times and dwell with Him in eternity. He had previously expressed his heartfelt desires by saying, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? (Psalm 42:1,2).

Through his petitions, the psalmist expressed his heart's desire: he wanted to know more of God's statutes in order to keep them. He never got too familiar with God's word. We should never be satisfied with the level of our spiritual state. There is need for us to constantly long for God and His word. Every heaven-bound pilgrim should always pray for grace to be preserved from the pollution of this present evil world. The coming of the Lord is imminent. Daily self-examination is indispensable for every believer who desires to be part of His Kingdom. The Lord is not interested in partial obedience; rather, He delights in total obedience to His commandments.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Never get too familiar with God's word. 

PRAYER POINT: Lord, make me to know more of You everyday of my life in Jesus Name.

********************************

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

WANTED REFORMERS AND REVIVALISTS

TUESDAY, 8TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

 

Topic: WANTED: REFORMERS AND REVIVALISTS

MEMORIZE: "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none (Ezekiel 22:30).

SCRIPTURE READING: Numbers 25:1-13.

“1. Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. 2 They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel. 4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Take all the leaders of the people and hang the offenders before the LORD, out in the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel." 5 So Moses said to the judges of Israel, "Every one of you kill his men who were joined to Baal of Peor." 6 And indeed, one of the children of Israel came and presented to his brethren a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 7 Now when Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose from among the congregation and took a javelin in his hand; 8 and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her body. So the plague was stopped among the children of Israel. 9 And those who died in the plague were twenty-four thousand. 10 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 11 "Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned back My wrath from the children of Israel, because he was zealous with My zeal among them, so that I did not consume the children of Israel in My zeal. 12 "Therefore say, 'Behold, I give to him My covenant of peace; 13 'and it shall be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.'"”

EXPOSITION:

WANTED: REFORMERS AND REVIVALISTS

1. Why Revivalists are needed?

a.  Merchandise of religion and worship  v16.

b. Institutionalized worldliness and idolatry in the temple vv14-16.

c. Changing the purpose of the Church from spiritual to pseudo- spiritual and mundane vv14-16.

d. Worshipping and serving God without regard to Biblical standards vv14-16.

e. Deviation from the true purpose of the Church. In this text a house of prayer was turned to a house of merchandise Matthew 21:23. 

f. Emphasis on mere outward worship without deep piety and spirituality.

g. What other unscriptural things could you observe in the text and in the churches today?

2. WHO COULD BE REFORMERS IN THE CHURCH?

a. He knows the word of God clearly as to the purpose of the Church v16.

b. He is free from all forms of covetousness and worldliness v16.

c. His life is totally devoted to pleasing God above all else including "builders" of religion v18.

d. He is burning and hot, contending against all false and unscriptural religious practices v17.

e. He has the Holy Ghost fire, faith and force that backslidden religious people cannot resist or run down vv14-18.

f. He lives a radiant and unquestionably holy life that no one could put blame v17.

g. He has the grace to stand and contend for the truth even when he has to stand alone in the midst of multitudes vv14-16.

h. He is not afraid of what man can do against him for contending for the faith.

Question: What other qualities could you observe in Jesus that made Him a shining and burning light in the midst of the darkness of this age?

3. A CALL TO SHINE THE LIGHT AT YOUR LITTLE CORNER

He that will be a follower of Christ must consecrate to be like the Master Jesus in passion, purity, prayer, principle and power (anointing). Stand tall and shine in this world of darkness.

PRAYER POINTS:

*Lord*, I hereby submit myself to the study of your word so that I will know clearly your word, way and will🙏

*Holy Spirit,* move in your church and make the children, youths and adults burning lights in this generation🙏

 Lord, make me a reliable reformer that You can trust and engage in this generation in Jesus Name.

********************************

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

THE RIGHT ZEAL

MONDAY, 7TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

 

Topic: THE RIGHT ZEAL

MEMORIZE: "And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up" (John 2:17).

SCRIPTURE READING: JOHN 2:14-25.

“And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!" Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up." So the Jews answered and said to Him, "What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?" But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said. Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.”

EXPOSITION:

People who are known to have accomplished one task or the other for God have one unique attribute - they never allowed themselves to be negatively influenced by popular opinion. The prompt intervention of Phinehas, when he killed the adulterous man of Israel and the Midianitish woman, stayed the plague that came upon the nation as a result of sin. Phinehas' unprecedented zeal won him a place in the Scriptures. Also, God entered into a covenant of peace with him (Numbers 25:1-13).

In our passage today, Jesus manifested a similar zeal by throwing out those who had converted the house of God into a den of robbers. He did not carry out the exercise to be seen and commended of men. He was angry at the level of desecration of the holy place. After cleansing the temple, he also performed certain miracles before the scribes and Pharisees; yet, He did not allow Himself to be carried away by the praise of the masses. He was a man who demonstrated authority that had never been seen. He did not allow Himself to be swayed by praise singers. Jesus knew that those who sang His praise would one day crucify Him. All He did was to please God.

Christ's attitude to the praise-singing members of the public is very instructive. As believers, we must endeavour to seek the praise of God in all that we do. Anything to the contrary is sinful and should be avoided. We must not allow popular opinion to discourage us from doing God's will. We should always listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Had Phinehas or Jesus consulted with the people, they would not have pleased the Lord.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Don't wear your faith as the fashion of your hat.

PRAYER POINT: Lord, cleanse my temple (my heart) by the blood of Jesus Christ.

********************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  John 8-11.

THE HARVEST OF THE WORLD IS RIPE

SUNDAY, 6TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

Topic: THE HARVEST OF THE WORLD IS RIPE

MEMORIZE: “Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, go down; For the winepress is full, The vats overflow-For their wickedness is great." - Joel 3:13.

SCRIPTURE READING: Joel 3:12-14

 “"Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, go down; For the winepress is full, The vats overflow-For their wickedness is great." Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.”

EXPOSITION:

HARVEST: To many of us, harvest time is of little concern, because in our complex life we are far removed from the actual production of our food supplies, but for the Hebrew people, as for those in any agricultural district today, the harvest was a most important season ( Genesis 8:22; Genesis 45:6 ). Events were reckoned from harvests (Genesis 30:14; Joshua 3:15; Judges 15:1; Ruth 1:22; 2:23; 1 Samuel 6:13; 2 Samuel 21:9; 2 Samuel 23:13 ). 

The three principal feasts of the Jews corresponded to the three harvest seasons (Exodus 23:16; Exodus 34:21, Exodus 34:22); 

(1) The feast of the Passover in April at the time of the barley harvest (compare Ruth 1:22); 

(2) The feast of Pentecost (7 weeks later) at the wheat harvest (Exodus 34:22 ), and 

(3) The feast of Tabernacles at the end of the year (October) during the fruit harvest.

The seasons have not changed since that time. Between the reaping of the barley in April and the wheat in June, most of the other cereals are reaped. The grapes begin to ripen in August, but the gathering in for making wine and molasses, and the storing of the dried figs and raisins, is at the end of September. Between the barley harvest in April and the wheat harvest, only a few showers fall, which are welcomed because they increase the yield of wheat (compare Amos 4:7). Samuel made use of the unusual occurrence of rain during the wheat harvest to strike fear into the hearts of the people (1 Samuel 12:17). Such an unusual storm of excessive violence visited Syria in 1912, and did much damage to the harvests, bringing fear to the superstitious farmers, who thought some greater disaster awaited them. From the wheat harvest until the fruit harvest no rain falls (2 Samuel 21:10; Jeremiah 5:24; compare Proverbs 26:1 ). The harvesters long for cool weather during the reaping season (compare Proverbs 25:13 ). 

A destroyed harvest typified devastation or affliction (Job 5:5; Isaiah 16:9; Isaiah 17:11; Jeremiah 5:17; Jeremiah 50:16). The "time of harvest," in the Old Testament frequently meant the day of destruction (Jeremiah 51:33; Hosea 6:11; Joel 3:13). "Joy in harvest" typified great joy (Isaiah 9:3); "harvest of the Nile," an abundant harvest (Isaiah 23:3). "The harvest is past" meant that the appointed time was gone (Jeremiah 8:20 ). Yahweh chose the most promising time to cut off the wicked, namely, "when there is a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest" (Isaiah 18:4 , Isaiah 18:5). This occurrence of hot misty days just before the ripening of the grapes is still common. They are welcome because they are supposed to hasten the harvest. 

In the Gospels, Jesus frequently refers to the harvest of souls (Matthew 9:37, Matthew 9:38; Matthew 13:30, 39; Mark 4:29; John 4:35). In explaining the parable of the Tares he said, "The harvest is the end of the world" (Matthew 13:39; compare Revelation 14:15). 

PRAYER POINT: 

Lord, show me your mercy in the face of judgment at the time of the harvest of the world.

********************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  John 12 - 14.

MERCY FOR DELIVERANCE (VISITING THE SOURCE) YOU - Part 2

SATURDAY, 5TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

Topic: MERCY FOR DELIVERANCE (VISITING THE SOURCE) – Part 2

MEMORIZE: “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?"  Psalm 11:3.

SCRIPTURE READING: Genesis 49:1-4

 “And Jacob called his sons and said, "Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days: "Gather together and hear, you sons of Jacob, And listen to Israel your father. "Reuben, you are my firstborn, My might and the beginning of my strength, The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power. Unstable as water, you shall not excel, Because you went up to your father's bed; Then you defiled it -He went up to my couch.”

EXPOSITION: 

Curse is the consequence of sin. It is written, “As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.” Proverbs 26:2. Many sources of income that become bitter and dried were probably cursed sometimes ago. Curse is the judgmental pronouncement that brings destiny and life into jeopardy, which if not cured will expose the coming generation to calamity and war.

Gehazi was the one who sinned, but Elisha placed curse upon him and his descendants (even his children yet unborn) – “"Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever." And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.” 2 Kings 5:27. 

Another example of the cursed-source is Reuben. He has canal knowledge with his father’s concubine and refused to confess. His knew about it but he did not know. His father was waiting fir his penitent heart and his humble confession, but he would not come. At the time he was expected to given the leadership mantle and scepter of authority, Jacob pronounced, “Unstable as water, you shall not excel, Because you went up to your father's bed; Then you defiled it -He went up to my couch.” Genesis 49:3. The consequence of it was so severe upon his children that Moses had to plead for them for increase. “Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.” Deuteronomy 33:6. 

Only God can heal us from the problem of the cursed source. He is still in the business of healing and restoration. All we need to do is to seek the Lord in fervent prayer, asking for His mercy. Anyone who receives God’s mercy over any matter whatsoever, will have it settled.

PRAYER POINT: 

Lord, let your mercy set me free from all foundational problems and curse today in Jesus name.

********************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  John 8-11.

MERCY FOR DELIVERANCE (VISITING THE SOURCE) YOU - Part 1l

FRIDAY, 4TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

Topic: MERCY FOR DELIVERANCE (VISITING THE SOURCE) – Part 1

MEMORIZE: “Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, "Thus says the LORD: 'I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.'"  2 Kings 2:21

SCRIPTURE READING: 2 Kings 2:19-22

 “Then the men of the city said to Elisha, "Please notice, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the ground barren." And he said, "Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it." So they brought it to him. Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, "Thus says the LORD: 'I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.'" So the water remains healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.”

EXPOSITION: 

The source, by definition, is a place, person or thing you get something from. For example, we have source of information/income; source as the place where a river or stream starts. The source also referred to a person or thing that causes something, particularly a problem: for example, a source of confusion, violence, or trouble.

Spiritually, every male man is a head of a clan, a source for his descendants, a determinant of the destiny and future of his lineage, a frontier and pillar of confidence for the children, etc. A man that is caged in the realm of darkness automatically has his descendants in serious bondage. Many men that were captured by the enemies of destiny found it difficult to be delivered because of their prayerlessness and inability to discover their state of captivity. The reality of life is that the battle a man could not overcome shall confront the children.

The men of Jericho came to Elisha, they knew they had problem, but never know the cause or its origin. The bitterness of the water and barrenness of the land of Jericho has a source. If the source is bitter, wherever it flows to will be bitter. When the source is cursed, his offspring is also curse. The major affliction many people are passing through today is not primarily self-caused but inherited. If the chain of affliction is not broken from its source, the suffering may be transferred to another generation innocently. Know that all problems and sorrow have a source. When it is rightly addressed, the solution will come easily. Elisha poured salt into the source of the river of Jericho, and the city was permanently healed. “Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, "Thus says the LORD: 'I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.'" So the water remains healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.”

PRAYER POINT: 

Lord, heal me from my source and cause me to recover from all set back I have suffered in life in Jesus name.

********************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  John 4-7.

MEANING OF MERCY - Part 2

THURSDAY, 3RD NOVEMBER, 2022.

Topic: MEANING OF MERCY – Part 2

MEMORIZE: “Therefore the Lord will have no joy in their young men, Nor have mercy on their fatherless and widows; For everyone is a hypocrite and an evildoer, And every mouth speaks folly. For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still.” — Isaiah 9:17

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 18:23-35.

²³ Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

²⁴ And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.

²⁵ But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.

²⁶ The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'

²⁷ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

²⁸ But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!'

²⁹ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'

³⁰ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.

³¹ So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.

³² Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.

³³ Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?'

³⁴ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

³⁵ So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

EXPOSITION:

Other biblical meaning of mercy include:

3. In the New Testament "mercy" is associated with "grace" in the apostolical greetings and elsewhere. Trench points out that the difference between them is that the freeness of God's love is the central point of grace, while mercy has in view misery and its relief; grace is His free grace and gift displayed in the forgiveness of sins - extended to men as they are guilty; His mercy (is extended to them) as they are miserable. The lower creation may be the object of His mercy, but man alone of His grace; he alone needs it and is capable of receiving it.

(4) From all the foregoing it will be seen that mercy in God is not merely His pardon of offenders, but His attitude to man, and to the world generally, from which His pardoning mercy proceeds. The frequency with which mercy is enjoined on men is specially deserving of notice, with the exclusion of the unmerciful from sonship to the all-merciful Father and from the benefits of His mercifulness. Shakespeare's question, "How canst thou hope for mercy rendering none?" is fully warranted by our Lord's teaching and by Scripture in general; compare especially the parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35 ). 

(5) As the rule, the American Standard Revised Version has "lovingkindness" for "mercy" when ḥeṣedh is used of God, and "kindness" when it is used of men in relation to each other. "Compassion" is also in several instances substituted for "mercy" ( Isaiah 9:17; Isaiah 14:1; Isaiah 27:11; Jeremiah 13:14; Jeremiah 30:18 ), also "goodness" (referring to man) (Hosea 4:1; Hosea 6:6 ). 

PRAYER POINT: 

Lord, let your mercy speak for me even when I don’t know what to do or ask for in Jesus name.

********************************

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

MEANING OF MERCY - Part 1

WEDNESDAY, 2ND NOVEMBER, 2022.

Topic: MEANING OF MERCY – Part 1

MEMORIZE: “And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God." Hosea 2:23.

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 12:6-8.

“Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. "But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. "For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."”

EXPOSITION:

"Mercy" is a distinctive Bible word characterizing God as revealed to men. Mercy is defined as

(a) an essential quality of God ( Exodus 34:6 , Exodus 34:7; Deuteronomy 4:31; Psalms 62:12 , etc.):

i. Mercy is God’s delight (Micah 7:18 , Micah 7:20; Psalms 52:8 ); 

ii. God is "the Father of mercies" (2 Corinthians 1:3 ), 

iii. God is "rich in mercy" (Ephesians 2:4 ), 

iv. God is "full of pity, and merciful" (James 5:11 ); 

(b ) it is associated with forgiveness (Exodus 34:7; Numbers 14:18; 1 Timothy 1:13 , 1 Timothy 1:16 ); 

(c) with His forbearance (Psalms 145:8 , "Yahweh is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great lovingkindness"; compare Roman Psalms 2:4; Psalms 11:1-7 :32); 

(d) with His covenant (1 Kings 8:23; Nehemiah 1:5 ), with His justice (Psalms 101:1), with His faithfulness (Psalms 89:24 ), with His truth (Psalms 108:4 ); mercy and truth are united in Proverbs 3:3; Proverbs 14:22 , etc. (in Psalms 85:10 we have "Mercy and truth are met together"); 

(e) it goes forth to all (Psalms 145:9, "Yahweh is good to all; and his tender mercies are over all his works"; compare Psalms 145:16, "Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing," the Revised Version margin "satisfiest every living thing with favor");

(f ) it shows itself in pitying help (Exodus 3:7; Ezra 9:9 f), supremely in Christ and His salvation ( Luke 1:50; Luke 1:54; Luke 1:58; Ephesians 2:4); 

(g) it is abundant, practically infinite (Psalms 86:5 , Psalms 86:15; Psalms 119:64 ); 

(h) it is everlasting (1 Chronicles 16:34 , 1 Chronicles 16:41; Ezra 3:11; Psalms 100:5; 136 repeatedly). 

(2) "Mercy" is used of man as well as of God, and is required on man's part toward man and beast (Deuteronomy 25:4; Psalms 37:21; Psalms 109:16; Proverbs 12:10; Daniel 4:27; Micah 6:8; Matthew 5:7 , "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy"; 25:31-46; Luke 6:36, "Be ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful"; Luke 10:30f, the Good Samaritan; Luke 14:12-16; James 3:17 ). 

PRAYER POINT: 

Lord, let your mercy speak for me even when I don’t know what to do or ask for in Jesus name.

********************************

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Luke 22-24.