FAR AWAY INTO A STRANGE LAND

WEDNESDAY, 24TH JANUARY, 2024.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

 

TOPIC:  FAR AWAY INTO A STRANGE LAND

MEMORIZE: “And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.” Luke 15:13.

 

SCRIPTURE READING:  Luke 15:11-16

“A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.”

 

EXPOSITION:

The prodigal so chose to leave the domain of his father into a strange land far away from home because of these reasons…

[1.] He was weary of his father's government, of the good order and discipline of his father's family, and was fond of liberty falsely so called, but indeed the greatest slavery, for such a liberty to sin is. See the folly of many young men, who are religiously educated, but are impatient of the confinement of their education, and never think themselves their own masters, their own men, till they have broken all God's bands in sunder, and cast away his cords from them, and, instead of them, bound themselves with the cords of their own lust. Here is the original of the apostasy of sinners from God; they will not be tied up to the rules of God's government; they will themselves be as gods, knowing no other good and evil than what themselves please.

[2.] He was willing to get from under his father's eye, for that was always a check upon him, and often gave a check to him. A shyness of God, and a willingness to disbelieve his omniscience, are at the bottom of the wickedness of the wicked.

[3.] He was distrustful of his father's management. He would have his portion of goods himself, for he thought that his father would be laying up for hereafter for him, and, in order to that, would limit him in his present expenses, and that he did not like.

[4.] He was proud of himself, and had a great conceit of his own sufficiency. He thought that if he had but his portion in his own hands he could manage it better than his father did, and make a better figure with it. There are more young people ruined by pride than by anyone lust whatsoever. Our first parents ruined themselves and all theirs by a foolish ambition to be independent, and not to be beholden even to God himself; and this is at the bottom of sinners' persisting in their sin--they will be for themselves.

 

PRAYER POINT: LORD! Give me courage to do your will and to subdue nations before me in Jesus name.

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ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE, General Overseer, Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.

Read, Meditate, Pray and Share this message to others. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com   For more of our Daily Devotional Messages, visit our website: http://www.anchoroflifeintl.blogspot.com

THE PLEASURE OF SIN DOESN’T LAST

 TUESDAY, 23RD JANUARY, 2024.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

 

TOPIC: THE PLEASURE OF SIN DOESN’T LAST 

MEMORIZE: “And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.” Luke 15:13.

 

SCRIPTURE READING:  Luke 15:11-16

“A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.”

EXPOSITION:

Men are of different characters, though all related to God as their common Father. The father in this story had two sons, one of them a solid grave youth, reserved and austere, sober himself, but not at all good-humoured to those about him; such a one would adhere to his education, and not be easily drawn from it; but the other volatile and mercurial, and impatient of restraint, roving, and willing to try his fortune, and, if he fall into ill hands, likely to be a rake, notwithstanding his virtuous education. The prodigal son represents sinners, whom Christ is endeavouring to bring to repentance, while the older son represents the Jews in general, and particularly the Pharisees, whom he was endeavouring to reconcile to that grace of God which was offered to, and bestowed upon, sinners.

The younger son is the prodigal, whose character and case are here designed to represent that of a sinner, that of everyone of us in our natural state, but especially of some. Now we are to observe concerning him, His riot and ramble when he was a prodigal, and the extravagances and miseries he fell into. We are told, What his request to his father was (Lu 15:12): He said to his father, proudly and pertly enough, "Father, give me" --he might have put a little more in his mouth, and have said, Pray give me, or, Sir, if you please, give me, but he makes an imperious demand--  "give me the portion of goods that falleth to me; not so much as you think fit to allot to me, but that which falls to me as my due."

Note, It is bad, and the beginning of worse, when men look upon God's gifts as debts.  "Give me the portion, all my child's part, that falls to me;" not, "Try me with a little, and see how I can manage that, and accordingly trust me with more;" but, "Give it me all at present in possession, and I will never expect anything in reversion, anything hereafter."

Note, The great folly of sinners, and that which ruins them, is being content to have their portion in hand, now in this lifetime to receive their good things. They look only at the things that are seen - materials, that are temporal, and covet only a present gratification, but have no care for a future felicity, when that is spent and gone. And why did he desire to have his portion in his own hands? Was it that he might apply himself to business, and trade with it, and so make it more? No, he had no thought of that. Because he wants to be free from his father’s supervision, he went far away into a strange land and wasted it on riotous living. The pleasure of sin never last long, but the end of it is sorrow. Desist from it today and come back home to God through Our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

PRAYER POINT: LORD! Give me courage to do your will and to subdue nations before me in Jesus name.

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ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE, General Overseer, Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.

 

Read, Meditate, Pray and Share this message to others. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com   For more of our Daily Devotional Messages, visit our website: http://www.anchoroflifeintl.blogspot.com

 

CLAIMING THE OUTBREAK OF RIVERS IN YOUR DESERT

MONDAY, 22ND JANUARY, 2024.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

 

Topic: CLAIMING THE OUTBREAK OF RIVERS IN YOUR DESERT

MEMORIZE: “The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.” Isaiah 43:20.

SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 43:19-20

“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.”

EXPOSITION:

Having believed in your heart about the power of God in doing the impossible and you have received favour from God and seeing with eyes of faith, you must stretch out your hand in reaching your flourishing destination through these three means:

 

1.  You can get your rivers (streams) break out through the Word of God. “And the LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.” Exodus 14:15-16. The word of God is the rod of life with which you shall cross your red sea -- Exodus 14:15-16, 21-22. Through it you can strike the rock in the wilderness to give you water satisfactorily in time of thirsty -- Exodus 17:5-6; Psalm 105:41-42. In the word of God is life that carries power for creation and reformation -- John 1:1-4.

 

2.  You can break out through effectual prayer -- “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16. Effective fervent prayer of the righteous is always empowered to do the unusual and miraculous things to the glory of God. Learn from Elijah who prayed till heaven opened with heavy down-pour of rain after the drought of three and a half years as he declared -- 1 Kings 18:41-45.

 

3.  You need anointing that breaks yokes -- “It shall come to pass in that day That his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, And his yoke from your neck, And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing.” Isaiah 10:27.

 

PRAYER POINT: i. Lord, let me see in you in all my life’s situations in Jesus name.

 

ii. Pray to God over any challenge you are facing presently. God shall be glorified at last in Jesus name,

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ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE, General Overseer, Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.

 

Read, Meditate, Pray and Share this message to others. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com   For more of our Daily Devotional Messages, visit our website: http://www.anchoroflifeintl.blogspot.com

RIVERS SHALL BREAK FORTH IN YOUR DESERT

 SUNDAY, 21ST JANUARY, 2024.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

 

Topic: RIVERS SHALL BREAK FORTH IN YOUR DESERT

MEMORIZE: “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19.

SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 43:19-20

“Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. The beast of the field will honor Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I give waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My people, My chosen.”

EXPOSITION:

Wilderness is a large area of land that has never been developed or used for growing crops because it is difficult to live there. While desert is a large area of land that has very little water and very few plants growing there. It is also synonymous to an abandoned area (or life).

Wilderness and desert in the life of man is symbol of dryness, unfavoured life, deserted life, career & destiny, forgotten and abandoned life, unfruitfulness, unpatronized life, uncelebrated life and destiny, unpatriotic life…etc

Water is a symbol of healing and cure to the wounded, new beginning and freshness, glory, fulfillment, celebration, antidote to fire and explosive devices before its explosion …etc.

 

FUNCTIONS OF WATER…

It cleanses, it refreshes when drink, it is used for irrigation, it gives food for the eaters and the seed for the sowers -- Isaiah 55:10. It serves as antidote to fire outbreak and bomb devices before its explosion.

Streams in the desert is an impossible thing in the natural world because of its dryness and its location: no forest or cool atmosphere that could call for rivers. But God says, He will do the impossible for His people, those who hold unto His word till they see the dawn of glory in their lives.

But as great as this promise is and true to be trusted, it is not for ALL, it is only meant for those who will believe and see its possibility. Those who can see with eyes of faith; though not yet happening in the physical realm... The canal men ask for signs and proofs of evidence before taking the step, but real men, men of faith, stand on the word of God, not minding whether such promised has happened before or not, until they see its reality in their lives. He promised to give you waters in the wilderness of your life, trust Him for you shall experience it soon from today. This is blessing from God that never fails. Just hold on to His word.

 

PRAYER POINT: Lord, I receive the eyes of faith to see fruitfulness and greatness beyond the natural in Jesus name.

 

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ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE, General Overseer, Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.

 

Read, Meditate, Pray and Share this message to others. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com   For more of our Daily Devotional Messages, visit our website: http://www.anchoroflifeintl.blogspot.com

HAS GOD EVER FAILED ANY OF HIS PROMISES (WORD)?

 SATURDAY, 20TH JANUARY, 2024.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

 

Topic: HAS GOD EVER FAILED ANY OF HIS PROMISES (WORD)?

MEMORIZE: “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” Numbers 23:19.

SCRIPTURE READING: Jeremiah 1:11-12.

“Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Jeremiah, what do you see?" And I said, "I see a branch of an almond tree." Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word."”

EXPOSITION:

God, whose name is Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11; 3:14; 22:6) never make a promise He will not keep. Whatever He promised to do, no matter how hard or impossible, good or evil it might be, must be done. Let's consider His act of faithfulness to His promises in times past:

i. In Genesis 1:3; when God spoke that light should come, was there not light?

ii· In Gen. 6:7-8, when He promised to wipe off Noah's world to start a new race with Noah, was it difficult for Him to do, irrespective of the numbers of lives involved?

iii· Gen. 19:13, 24-28, when He determined to utterly destroy Sodom & Gomorrah in their great numbers, were they too many for Him to wipe out?

iv· In Gen. 12:1-3, when He made the promise to make Abraham great and nations of people, did He fail to do it?

v· In Gen. 37:5-11, when He revealed to Joseph that the sheaves of his brothers together with the sun, moon and eleven stars will come bowing down unto him, did it not come true?

vi· In Exodus 14:15-22, when He was to part the red sea for His people (Israel) to cross to the other side on  dry land, though such a thing has never happened before, was it impossible for Him?

vii· In Luke 1:30-38, when He sent his word to virgin Mary that she will be with child without having canal knowledge of man, even till she weaned her first son (Jesus), was it impossible?

viii· In Matt. 16:18, when He said the gates of hell shall not prevail against His Church, with all persecutions and religious wars militating against the Church (Christians) from the days of the Pharisee and the high priests unto the days of Emperor Nero, even till date (with terror and mass killing from Boko Haram and the likes)… Did they prevail against her? NO!!!

Why will you not believe Him now when He says your barren, unfavoured, uncelebrated and unfruitful land (life and destiny) shall turn fertile and bear much fruits and that your desert shall be flowing with waters, milk and honey? He will give you total turn-around and a fulfilled life and destiny both in your life and ministry (your career). Are you written off and abandoned in the ministry? Are you termed failure and unfruitful? Can you not make an edge no matter how hard you tried? Don't rely on your wisdom of efforts again, but hold and rely on God alone. He never failed. He is faithful to His word; He has spoken and will do it. Isaiah 35: 6 is the personal commitment of God to your case, He will not rest until He has settled you too.

vs. 4-7 is a promise of healing and recovery for the sick and the wounded, the outcast and the fearful.

v. 4 is a promise of courage to the fearful.

v. 5 is a promise of opening of eyes and ears to the blind and the deaf respectively.

v. 6 the lame shall leap and walk as an hart.

v. 6 The tongue of the dumb shall be loosed and shall sing.

v. 6 In the wilderness shall water break out and streams shall spring out in the desert.

v. 7 The parched land shall become a pool and thirsty land shall become springs of water.

 

PRAYER POINT:

Lord, I believe you are faithful to your promises, let it be unto me according to your words in Jesus name.

* Make your personal requests know to God for at least five minutes as you trust that He can do it.

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ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE, General Overseer, Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.

 

Read, Meditate, Pray and Share this message to others. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com   For more of our Daily Devotional Messages, visit our website: http://www.anchoroflifeintl.blogspot.com

THE COURAGE TO CROSS OVER

FRIDAY, 19TH JANUARY, 2024.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

 

TOPIC: THE COURAGE TO CROSS OVER

 

MEMORIZE: “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9).

 

SCRIPTURE READING: JOSHUA 1:1-9

“Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.  8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

 

EXPOSITION:

The Battle of Waterloo was  fought on 18th June 1815 between Napoleon’s French Army and a coalition led by the Duke of Wellington and Marshal Blücher. It was a decisive battle of its age, which concluded a war that had raged for about 23 years. It was at Waterloo in Belgium, where Napoleon Bonaparte suffered defeat at the hands of the Duke of Wellington, ending the Napoleonic era of European domination.

 

Joshua also had a challenging task of taking Israel to the Promised Land. Before now, he had gone to wars at the instance of Moses’ commands. They had crossed the Red Sea by the stretching of Moses Rod, but here was a Jordan to cross, and the wall of Jericho to pull down. Moses was now dead, and there was no rod to stretch. What could Joshua do? God reminded him that Moses was only a servant but He, the Almighty is the Master. He was changing the perspectives of Joshua who had always seen God through the lenses of Moses. Joshua needed a personal walk with the same God who carried Moses and all Israel through to that point.

 

For every challenge that stared Joshua and the Israelites in the face, God had a strategy to handle it. The solutions to all the complex challenges Joshua saw Moses handle while learning under him were neither in his mentor nor the rod he wielded. God revealed that the solution was in the Word.

 

God does not often call His champions to cross over familiar streams. It is the key of obedience to the word of God that opens up new path and builds the needed courage in faithful adherents to cross over. Courage and absolute confidence in His word will drive away fear and grant us victory.

 

PRAYER POINT: LORD! Give me courage to do your will and to subdue nations before me in Jesus name.

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ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE, General Overseer, Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.

 

Read, Meditate, Pray and Share this message to others. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com   For more of our Daily Devotional Messages, visit our website: http://www.anchoroflifeintl.blogspot.com

 

THE GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

MONDAY, 26TH  DECEMBER, 2022.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Anchor of Life and Redemption Ministry Int'l

Topic: THE GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY

MEMORIZE: “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.” Luke 2:10

SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2:8-20

" 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. 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 meanest circumstances of Christ's humiliation were all along attended with some discoveries of his glory, to balance them, and take off the offence of them; for even when he humbled himself God did in some measure exalt him and give him earnests of his future exaltation. When we saw him wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger, we were tempted to say, "Surely this cannot be the Son of God." But see his birth attended, as it is here, with a choir of angels, and we shall say, "Surely it can be no other than the Son of God, concerning whom it was said, when he was brought into the world, Let all the angels of God worship him,"  Heb 1:6. 

We had in Matthew an account of the notice given of the arrival of this ambassador, this prince from heaven, to the wise men, who were Gentiles, by a star; here we are told of the notice given of it to the shepherds, who were Jews, by an angel: to each God chose to speak in the language they were most conversant with. 

The shepherds were employed; they were abiding in the fields adjoining to Bethlehem, and keeping watch over their flocks by night, Lu 2:8. The angel was not sent to the chief priests or the elders (they were not prepared to receive these tidings), but to a company of poor shepherds, who were like Jacob, plain men dwelling in tents, not like Esau, cunning hunters. The patriarchs were shepherds.  Moses and David particularly were called from keeping sheep to rule God's people; and by this instance God would show that he had still a favour for those of that innocent employment. Tidings were brought to Moses of the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt, when he was keeping sheep, and to these shepherds, who, it is probable, were devout pious men, the tidings were brought of a greater salvation. Observe, 

1. They were not sleeping in their beds, when this news was brought to them, but they were abiding in the fields, and watching. Those that would hear from God must stir up themselves. They were broad awake, and therefore could not be deceived in what they saw and heard, so as those may be who are half asleep. 

2. They were employed now, not in acts of devotion, but in the business of their calling; they were keeping watch over their flock, to secure them from thieves and beasts of prey, it being probably in the summer time, when they kept their cattle out all night, as we do now, and did not house them.  Note, We are not out of the way of divine visits when we are sensibly employed in an honest calling, and abide with God in it. 

Where are you now? Is it eligible for you to receive the divine visitation? If not, it is high time for you to relocate to a right location where you can have a access to divine location. 

PRAYER POINTS:

Lord, help me to be in right location to hear and receive from You with joy in Jesus name.

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

LET THE PEOPLE RENEW THEIR STRENGTH

THURSDAY, 18TH JANUARY, 2024.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

 

TOPIC: LET THE PEOPLE RENEW THEIR STRENGTH

MEMORIZE: “Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.” Isaiah 41:1 

SCRIPTURE READING: “Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment. 2 Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow. 3 He pursued them, and passed safely; even by the way that he had not gone with his feet.” Isaiah 41:1-3.

EXPOSITION:

All things on earth need to be renewed. No created thing continueth by itself. The Psalmist says this concerning God’s act, “Thou renewest the face of the year” - Psalm 104:30. Even the trees, which wear not themselves with care, nor shorten their lives with labour, must drink of the rain of heaven and suck from the hidden treasures of the soil. The cedars of Lebanon, which God has planted, only live because day by day they are full of sap fresh drawn from the earth. Neither can man’s life be sustained without renewal from God. 

As it is necessary to repair the waste of the body by the frequent meal, so we must repair the waste of the soul by feeding upon the Book of God, or by listening to the preached Word, or by the soul-fattening table of the ordinances. How depressed are our graces when means are neglected! What poor starvelings some saints are who live without the diligent use of the Word of God and secret prayer! If our piety can live without God, it is not of divine creating; it is but a dream; for if God had begotten it, it would wait upon him as the flowers wait upon the dew. Without constant restoration we are not ready for the perpetual assaults of hell, or the stern afflictions of heaven, or even for the strifes within. When the whirlwind shall be loosed, woe to the tree that hath not sucked up fresh sap, and grasped the rock with many intertwisted roots. When tempests arise, woe to the mariners that have not strengthened their mast, nor cast their anchor, nor sought the haven. If we suffer the good to grow weaker, the evil will surely gather strength and struggle desperately for the mastery over us; and so, perhaps, a painful desolation, and a lamentable disgrace may follow. Let us draw near to the footstool of divine mercy in humble entreaty, and we shall realize the fulfilment of the promise, “They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength”

 

PRAYER POINT: Lord, renew my strength in you in Jesus name.

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ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE, General Overseer, Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.

Read, Meditate, Pray and Share this message to others. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com   For more of our Daily Devotional Messages, visit our website: http://www.anchoroflifeintl.blogspot.com

THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS…

WEDNESDAY, 17TH JANUARY, 2024.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

 

TOPIC: THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS…

MEMORIZE: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” Luke 3:4

SCRIPTURE READING: “And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Luke 3:3-6.

EXPOSITION:

The voice crying in the wilderness demanded a way for the Lord, a way prepared, and a way prepared in the wilderness. I would be attentive to the Master’s proclamation, and give him a road into my heart, cast up by gracious operations, through the desert of my nature. The four directions in the text must have my serious attention.

Every valley must be exalted. Low and grovelling thoughts of God must be given up; doubting and despairing must be removed; and self-seeking and carnal delights must be forsaken. Across these deep valleys a glorious causeway of grace must be raised.

Every mountain and hill shall be laid low. Proud creature-sufficiency, and boastful self-righteousness, must be levelled, to make a highway for the King of kings. Divine fellowship is never vouchsafed to haughty, highminded sinners. The Lord hath respect unto the lowly, and visits the contrite in heart, but the lofty are an abomination unto him. My soul, beseech the Holy Spirit to set thee right in this respect.

The crooked shall be made straight. The wavering heart must have a straight path of decision for God and holiness marked out for it. Double-minded men are strangers to the God of truth. My soul, take heed that thou be in all things honest and true, as in the sight of the heart-searching God.

The rough places shall be made smooth. Stumbling-blocks of sin must be removed, and thorns and briers of rebellion must be uprooted. So great a visitor must not find miry ways and stony places when he comes to honour his favoured ones with his company. Oh that this evening the Lord may find in my heart a highway made ready by his grace, that he may make a triumphal progress through the utmost bounds of my soul, from the beginning of this year even to the end of it.

 

PRAYER POINT: Lord, find in my heart a highway for you made ready by your grace in Jesus name.

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ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE, General Overseer, Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.

 

Read, Meditate, Pray and Share this message to others. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com   For more of our Daily Devotional Messages, visit our website: http://www.anchoroflifeintl.blogspot.com

FOR YOUR SAKES HE BECAME POOR

TUESDAY, 16TH JANUARY, 2024.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

 

TOPIC: FOR YOUR SAKES HE BECAME POOR

MEMORIZE: “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9.

SCRIPTURE READING: “Therefore, as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:7-9. 

EXPOSITION:

The Lord Jesus Christ was eternally rich, glorious, and exalted; but “though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor” As the rich saint cannot be true in his communion with his poor brethren unless of his substance he ministers to their necessities, so (the same rule holding with the head as between the members), it is impossible that our Divine Lord could have had fellowship with us unless he had imparted to us of his own abounding wealth, and had become poor to make us rich. Had he remained upon his throne of glory, and had we continued in the ruins of the fall without receiving his salvation, communion would have been impossible on both sides. Our position by the fall, apart from the covenant of grace, made it as impossible for fallen man to communicate with God as it is for Belial to be in concord with Christ.

In order, therefore, that communion might be compassed, it was necessary that the rich kinsman should bestow his estate upon his poor relatives, that the righteous Saviour should give to his sinning brethren of his own perfection, and that we, the poor and guilty, should receive of his fulness grace for grace; that thus in giving and receiving, the One might descend from the heights, and the other ascend from the depths, and so be able to embrace each other in true and hearty fellowship. Poverty must be enriched by him in whom are infinite treasures before it can venture to commune; and guilt must lose itself in imputed and imparted righteousness ere the soul can walk in fellowship with purity. Jesus must clothe his people in his own garments, or he cannot admit them into his palace of glory; and he must wash them in his own blood, or else they will be too defiled for the embrace of his fellowship.

O believer, herein is love! For your sake the Lord Jesus “became poor” that he might lift you up into communion with himself.

 

ACTION POINT: Appreciate God for His redemptive grace and power at work in your life.

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ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE, General Overseer, Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.

Read, Meditate, Pray and Share this message to others. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com   For more of our Daily Devotional Messages, visit our website: http://www.anchoroflifeintl.blogspot.com

LIVING FOR CHRIST

MONDAY, 15TH JANUARY, 2024.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

 

TOPIC: LIVING FOR CHRIST

 

MEMORIZE: “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

 

SCRIPTURE READING: “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21 ¶ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.”  Philippians 1:20-26

 

EXPOSITION:

The believer did not always live to Christ. He began to do so when God the Holy Spirit convinced him of sin, and when by grace he was brought to see the dying Saviour making a propitiation for his guilt. From the moment of the new and celestial birth the man begins to live to Christ. Jesus is to believers the one pearl of great price, for whom we are willing to part with all that we have. He has so completely won our love, that it beats alone for him; to his glory we would live, and in defence of his gospel we would die; he is the pattern of our life, and the model after which we would sculpture our character. Paul’s words mean more than most men think; they imply that the aim and end of his life was Christ—nay, his life itself was Jesus. In the words of an ancient saint, he did eat, and drink, and sleep eternal life. Jesus was his very breath, the soul of his soul, the heart of his heart, the life of his life. Can you say, as a professing Christian, that you live up to this idea? Can you honestly say that for you to live is Christ? Your business—are you doing it for Christ? Is it not done for self- aggrandizement and for family advantage? Do you ask, “Is that a mean reason?” For the Christian it is. He professes to live for Christ; how can he live for another object without committing a spiritual adultery? Many there are who carry out this principle in some measure; but who is there that dare say that he hath lived wholly for Christ as the apostle did? Yet, this alone is the true life of a Christian—its source, its sustenance, its fashion, its end, all gathered up in one word—Christ Jesus. Lord, accept me; I here present myself, praying to live only in thee and to thee. Let me be as the bullock which stands between the plough and the altar, to work or to be sacrificed; and let my motto be, “Ready for either”

 

PRAYER POINT: Lord, help my prayer life to grow to fruition in Jesus name.

 

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ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE, General Overseer, Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.

 

Read, Meditate, Pray and Share this message to others. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com   For more of our Daily Devotional Messages, visit our website: http://www.anchoroflifeintl.blogspot.com

GROW IN GRACE

SUNDAY, 14TH JANUARY, 2024.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

 

TOPIC: GROW IN GRACE

 

MEMORIZE: “Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” 2 Peter 3:18

 

MEMORIZE: “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:17-18

 

EXPOSITION:

“Grow in grace”—not in one grace only, but in all grace. Grow in that root-grace, faith. Believe the promises more firmly than you have done. Let faith increase in fulness, constancy, simplicity. Grow also in love. Ask that your love may become extended, more intense, more practical, influencing every thought, word, and deed. Grow likewise in humility. Seek to lie very low, and know more of your own nothingness. As you grow downward in humility, seek also to grow upward—having nearer approaches to God in prayer and more intimate fellowship with Jesus. May God the Holy Spirit enable you to “grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour” He who grows not in the knowledge of Jesus, refuses to be blessed. To know him is “life eternal,” and to advance in the knowledge of him is to increase in happiness. He who does not long to know more of Christ, knows nothing of him yet. Whoever hath sipped this wine will thirst for more, for although Christ doth satisfy, yet it is such a satisfaction, that the appetite is not cloyed, but whetted. If you know the love of Jesus—as the hart panteth for the water-brooks, so will you pant after deeper draughts of his love. If you do not desire to know him better, then you love him not, for love always cries, “Nearer, nearer” Absence from Christ is hell; but the presence of Jesus is heaven. Rest not then content without an increasing acquaintance with Jesus. Seek to know more of him in his divine nature, in his human relationship, in his finished work, in his death, in his resurrection, in his present glorious intercession, and in his future royal advent. Abide hard by the Cross, and search the mystery of his wounds. An increase of love to Jesus, and a more perfect apprehension of his love to us is one of the best tests of growth in grace.

 

 

PRAYER POINT: Lord, guide me through in my prayer life ad help me to fulfill your purpose in life in Jesus name.

 

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ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE, General Overseer, Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.

Read, Meditate, Pray and Share this message to others. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com   For more of our Daily Devotional Messages, visit our website: http://www.anchoroflifeintl.blogspot.com

WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR ANSWERED PRAYER?

SATURDAY, 13TH JANUARY, 2024.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

 

TOPIC: WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR ANSWERED PRAYER?

 

MEMORIZE: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16.

 

EXPOSITION:

The word of God make us know that it is not all prayers that God answer. Prayers prayed amiss will be answered – “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:3. The prayer of the wicked is abomination to God – “The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?” Proverbs 21:27. Therefore, for our prayers to answered, there are things to put into consideration.

i. We must not turn away from the law.  “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” Proverbs 28:9.

ii. If we regard iniquity in our hearts, God will not hear us. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” Psalm 66:18.

iii. We must confess and forsake our sins. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13.

iv. We are to forgive and pray for others. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:” Matthew 6:14, 15.

v. We should pray for our enemies and persecutors. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44. Job’s captivity was turned when he prayed for his inadequate friends. “And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10.

 

We must confess our faults to each other and pray for one another. “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16.

We are admonished to pray especially in the last days of deception and peril. “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” 1 Peter 4:7;

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:34-36.

 

PRAYER POINT: Lord, guide me through in my prayer life ad help me to fulfill your purpose in life in Jesus name.

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ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE, General Overseer, Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.

Read, Meditate, Pray and Share this message to others. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com   For more of our Daily Devotional Messages, visit our website: http://www.anchoroflifeintl.blogspot.com

BIBLICAL VIEWPOINT ON THE POSITIONS FOR EFFECTIVE PRAYER

FRIDAY, 12TH JANUARY, 2024.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

 

TOPIC: BIBLICAL VIEWPOINT ON THE POSITIONS FOR EFFECTIVE PRAYER

 

MEMORIZE: “And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish.” 1 Samuel 1:10.

 

EXPOSITION:

Position here is addressing your posture for effective prayer. It is how best your heart and soul can be best connected with God for unbroken communion or relationship. Let us consider some of these positions:

 

CHRIST KNELT DOWN AND PRAYED. “When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." 41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed,” Luke 22:40, 41.

* David admonished us to kneel down before God in prayer - Psalm 95:6 “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.”;

* Daniel knelt down when he was praying regularly as his custom - Daniel 6:10 “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.”;

* Apostle Paul as practiced kneeling down in prayer - Acts 20:36 “And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.”.

 

STANDING POSITION:

“Behold, bless the LORD, All you servants of the LORD, Who by night stand in the house of the LORD!” Psalm 134:1.

 

WITH HANDS LIFTING UP

“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the LORD.” Psalm 134:2.

 

WISPERING/OUTPOURING OF OUR HEART-DESIRES IN SILENCE:

“And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. 13 Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard.” 1 Samuel 1:10,13.

 

CRY ALOUD:

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. 2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways,” Isaiah 58:1,2.

 

From the stand of the word of God, there is no position that is better or superior to other. Your position for prayer depends on your location, time and condition surrounding your prayer. There are times or prayer points that praying it aloud will not be allowed or suitable. Hannah prayed silently because her adversary was around her. ANY POSITION THAT IS CONVENIENT FOR YOUR EFFECTIVENESS IN PRAYER should be used. What matters most is your connection to God while communing with Him. Be sure you grow in grace of prayer through the help of the Holy Spirit.

 

PRAYER POINT: Lord, help me to grow in grace of effective prayer through the help of the Holy Spirit in Jesus name.

 

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ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE, General Overseer, Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.

 

Read, Meditate, Pray and Share this message to others. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com   For more of our Daily Devotional Messages, visit our website: http://www.anchoroflifeintl.blogspot.com