THE ANTS' STORY TEXT: PROVERBS 6:4-11 MEMORY VERSE: "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise" (PROVERBS 6:6). In her article,Peculiar Passages: The Case of the Wise Ants, Katy Morgan said, "Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer..." Ants are small but wise, weak but well-organised. That is why they are capable of storing up food in the summer. We humans can learn a lot from the mind-blowing wisdom of the ant. Wisdom is one precious thing unique to humans, but many people tend to be less sensitive to be like the ants, and too lazy to make good use of their valuable gifts. Ants are very small and weak but make incredible use of their wisdom. That is why King Solomon, the richest and wisest man that ever lived, told believers to learn from the ways of the ants, which use their wisdom to gather food in their storage house for the winter or r...

TOPIC: INTEGRITY BIBLE READING: Job 2:1-6 MEDITATION: Integrity is adherence to moral and ethical principles; an un-impaired condition, and doing what you say you will do or being found to be true to who you say you are. What you profess should not be different from what you do. In 3 John:12 Demetrius was well spoken of by everyone because he was known to stand for the truth. From verse 3 of our bible reading, we realise that Job maintained his integrity though his faith was tried and he suffered great loss. His trouble was such that his wife urged him to curse God and die – Job 2:9. In other words, put aside this principle you say you live by; God understands, take the short–cut; after all, everyone is doing it. However, we must choose the attitude that purposes not to join them because we can't beat them. We should not allow the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life to lure us into compromising what we stand for (1 John. 2: 16). Do not be conformed to the patt...

Topic: Jesus Came To Forgive, Not To Condemn TEXT: John 8:1 – 12(NKJV) 1. But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2. Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 3. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst,   they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. “Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have [something] of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with [His] finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard [it,] being convicted by [their] conscience, went out one by one, beginning w...

  TOPIC: COVENANT BLESSINGS TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 28:7-13 Key Verse: "And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them" (Deuteronomy 28:13). "The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways".   "The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee'. "The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways". "And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be a...

Topic: The Greatness of His Name Scripture: Christ rules there above all heavenly rulers, authorities, powers, and lords; he has a title superior to all titles of authority in this world and in the next (Ephesians 1:21 GNB).  Message Did you know that in the Millennium, they’d have to use the Name of Jesus? That’s the same Name we’ve already been given and have lived in, lived by, used and enjoyed for almost 2000 years. Glory to God! Sadly, many today still don’t understand the authority that’s vested in the Name of Jesus and the power of attorney given to us to use it. That’s why they’ve never fully enjoyed the benefits of it. Jesus has a Name that’s superior to all titles of authority in this world and in the next. So, learn to use His Name. The Weymouth New Testament describes the transcendent greatness of His power, the infinitude of His might, and the supremacy and dominion of His Name, reign and glory both in this age and in the age to come: “…that you may know…the transcende...

  Topic: How To Break Evil Covenant Fire Scripture Gen. 15: 9-18   Memory Verse Colossians 2:14 -Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. Outline Our focus in this devotional is on evil covenants and how to break them. Evil covenants are covenants made explicitly or implicitly with the devil and his various agents of darkness. Examples of covenants instituted under demonic influences are ancestral worship, evil dedication, illicit sexual intimacy, occultic involvement, idol worship, ritual sacrifices, allegiance to evil altars, worship of elemental forces, blood covenant, oath taking, purchase and the use of satanic items or materials. In fact, the list is inexhaustible. Evil covenants are also transgenerational. They are oppressive and tormenting; they keep their victims in bondage for as long as the victims allow. I decree that every existing evil covenant in your life expires...

THEME: THE CALL TO SALVATION.    MEMORISE: Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:29 READ: Matthew 11:28-29 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. MESSAGE: There are basically two people involved in a call- the caller and the called. The basic divine call is what we find in Matthew 11:28-29. Here, God is the caller and the called are all men. It is a call unto salvation which is universal. It hinges on John 3:16, a call from the heart of God. Hebrews 9:27 says: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” To be forewarned is to be forearmed. It is however amazing that some people who are considered wise because of their educational attainments prove to be the less wise when it comes to matters relating t...

Happy New Month STRENGTH FOR YOUR WEAKNESS Read: Galatians 5:16-26 [16]This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. [17]For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. [18]But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. [19]Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, [20]Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, [21]Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. [22]But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23]Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. [24]And they that are Christ's have crucified ...

TOPIC: ARE YOU MARKED FOR SAFETY? TEXT: Ezekiel 9:5-11 KEY VERSE: “Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.” - (Ezekiel 9:6) In its quest to eradicate childhood killer diseases as well as reduce drastically the rate of infant mortality, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with some other corporate organisations mobilised resources for the development of vaccines to be administered to children. Although the cost of production of these vaccines is enormous, they have been made available free of charge to many developing nations where these killer diseases are prevalent. But the decision to take the vaccines for the protection of one’s child is always voluntary. Available statistics have shown however that the consequences have been fatal for parents and nations who rejected the vaccines. So it i...

CHOOSE FRIENDS WISELY BIBLE TEXT: 2 SAMUEL 13:1-14 MEMORY VERSE: "But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man" (2 SAMUEL 13:3). Caroline Picard and Selena Barrientos think that, "Friendships are born in a million different ways, and all good friends strive to achieve the same goal: to be a source of love and support. Finding a true friend feels like a gift that keeps on giving, even when they are thousands of miles away. As our topic suggests, this means that you have a great say in deciding who your friends are. Choosing your friends wisely is incredibly important because they help define who you are. As a child of God, the friend you choose to share important parts of your life with matters. Having a friend who is honest is one of the best things that can happen to you, because trust and honesty are cornerstones in any relationship. The Scripture frowns at crafty friends like Jonadab who only see...

  SWEET DIVIDENDS OF FRIENDSHIP TEXT: 1 Chronicles 12:16-22 KEY VERSE: “For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God.” - (1 Chronicles 12:22) The first president of the United States of America, the Bible-believing George Washington, declared in 1783: “Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.” David’s relationship with people establishes Washington’s insight. Although he enjoyed the fidelity of family and the loyalty of some 600 associates who stuck to him as he fled from Saul, the son of Jesse began to get more old friends added to him when he became the king following the death of Saul. The Bible records in the text that several hitherto estranged acquaintances initiated moves to return to David. The reason w...

  TOPIC: JEHOVAH SHAMMAH Key Verse: "It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there" (Ezekiel 48:35). Jehovah Shammah means 'The LORD is There'.It was a name given to the New Jerusalem, a future city that was prophesied by Ezekiel through a vision he received from God. The name speaks of God's special presence among His people. The children of Israel, at the time of this vision, were discouraged because: (i) They were in exile in Babylon. (ii) Their city and temple had been destroyed. However, God gave Ezekiel a vision about a future city that would be far better than any previous city they had known. In that vision, God said that the name of the city would be  "The LORD is There". The most comforting news is to know that God's presence is with you, even in times of suffering. The certainty of God being present with His people is still true today. God dwells in every believer's he...

TOPIC: ARE YOU DESPERATE? Read 1 Timothy 6:3-10 [3]If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; [4]He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, [5]Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. [6]But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7]For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. [8]And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. [9]But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. [10]For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. MEM...

  Topic: We’re Self Sufficient Scripture: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content (Philippians 4:11). Message One of the attributes of God is that He’s self-sufficient. He doesn’t need anything from anyone or anywhere. Everything is in Him. He doesn’t “need” power; He is power. He doesn’t “need” wisdom; He is wisdom. He doesn’t “need” righteousness; He is righteousness. He’s the self- existent and self-sufficient God. Did you know that’s the life He’s given you as well? Like Him, you don’t have to depend on external forces or factors. Everything you require to fulfil all that God wants you to do, and to be all that He created you to be is in you. Consider the Greek rendering of the word “content” in our theme scripture; it’s “autarkes,” from where the English derived the word “Autarchy.” Autarchy is the policy of economic independence on external forces; to be self-sufficient. When you study 2 Corinthians 9:8 (AMPC)...

Topic: The Pastoral Ministry Fire Scripture Ephesians 4: 7-14 Outline The pastoral ministry, that is pleasing to God, ultimately goes beyond gifting, influence, or even fruitfulness. It is beyond how many books you have written, which conferences invite you to speak, or how many of your sermons are on the internet for downloads. It is even beyond whether your church membership numbers grow or shrink. Pastoral ministry that is pleasing to God is about ‘FAITHFULNESS’ to the charge of 2Timothy 4. You and I are called to be faithful to this charge in three areas: faithfulness to the message, faithfulness to the ministry, and faithfulness to the Saviour. In Numbers 27:15-17, the Bible says, “Then Moses spoke to the LORD, saying: “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, who may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be like sheep which have no shepherd.” Similarly, ...

THEME: GEHAZI THE COVETOUS MEMORISE: But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6   READ: 2 Kings 5:20-27 20.  But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. 21.  So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well? 22.  And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments. 23.  And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him. 24.  An...

THEME: THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN!  MEMORISE: “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” (Romans 13:12) READ: Romans 13:11-14 (KJV) 11. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12. The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. MESSAGE: One of the revelations God gave to us about last year was that the earth would convulse like a sick child.  Barely a few days after this revelation, the world began to experience the ‘convulsion’, which came as the COVID-19 pandemic, amongst other i...

SPEAK THE TRUTH ALWAYS TEXT: Matthew 5:33-37 KEY VERSE: “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” - (Matthew 5:37) Lucius was looking for a less crowded place as he chose the extreme end of an Eatery to have his lunch. Only three persons were there at that corner, so he took a seat at the opposite end. Barely had he settled down when he started overhearing two of the three telling the third person how he should frame the lies he was to tell the court against their opponents. “But I have never done this before”, the third person interjected. “Don’t worry, just be bold and tell the court you were there when it all happened. We will credit your account tomorrow”. Lucius could scarcely believe his ears. Under the Old Testament dispensation people were allowed to take oaths as “an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife” (Hebrews 6:16). But in this new dispensation, the Lord forbids believers from the act of swearing...

TOPIC: OBEDIENCE OF FAITH TEXT: GENESIS 12:1-5 Key Verse: "So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran" (Genesis 12:4). Abram, who was later renamed Abraham by God, did not initially know about God Almighty. One day, God told him to go out of his native land (Ur of the Chaldees) to a place he did not know, and He would make him a great nation.  Abram obeyed God and did as he was told. He left for a place he did not know before. *He trusted God, who had called him, and took a step of faith. Abram took his wife Sarai (Sarah), Lot, his nephew, and all the substance that he had gathered. His prompt obedience was rewarded by God - he became the father of many nations, rich also in great possessions; he became known as a friend of God. God expects absolute obedience from you every time. There are blessings in obeying the voice of the Lord. Whatever God has commanded you to do, just...

TOPIC: Ever-Increasing Grace, Faith, And Glory SCRIPTURE: And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace (John 1:16). Message In Christ, we were given a life that started with grace. The English Standard Version (ESV) of our theme verse says, “And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” Hallelujah! It was with grace that your salvation came. There’s absolutely nothing in this world—including its fame or fortune— that could be compared with what the grace of Jesus Christ has bequeathed to you. His grace granted you all things. By His grace, you’ve been endowed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). You have all that you require for life and for godliness (2 Peter 1:3). His grace brought acceptability, advantage, favour, joy, liberality, pleasure, and fulfillment. Glory to God! Secondly, your life is also from faith to faith; ever increasing faith! Talking about the Gospel, the Bible says, “For in it the righteou...

THEME: HE QUALIFIES HIS VESSELS MEMORISE: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 2 Corinthians 3:5 READ: Philippians 3:4-9 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of...

  Topic: Share Your Meal Memorise Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2   Read: Joshua 6:8-13 And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them. And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rearward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets. And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout. So the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp. And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD. And seven priests bearing seve...

Topic: Persistence In Prayer TEXT: Luke 11:1-13(NKJV) 1. Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, [that] one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” 2. So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as [it is] in heaven. 3. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.” And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; ‘for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; “and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? “I say to you, though he will not rise and give to...

Topic: The Victory Of The Cross Memory verse Matthew 16:24 – “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Fire Scripture John 19:16-17 Outline The cross of Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith. The cross reveals to us the character of God: His love for lost sinners and His perfect sacrifice. If we want to grow in our love for God, which is the first and greatest commandment, then we must be growing to understand and appreciate the cross, which shows us His great love. If we want to grow in godliness, we must grow in understanding the significance of the cross, which confronts the most prevalent and insidious of all sins, namely, pride. The cross was the altar on which the once-and-for-all sacrifice was made by Jesus. It has no mercy for anyone. It does not negotiate with anybody. It has no time for your argument or your religion. No one has gone to the cross and come down alive. It is 100 per cent...

Topic: The Church Is The Body Of Christ Scripture: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones (Ephesians 5:30). Message There’re some who see the Church as a Gentile nation that got some “second-class” salvation from God. Those who hold such erroneous beliefs about the Church don’t understand the mystery of the Church. The reason some people don’t understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ about the Church is that the Old Testament, which is what they hold on to, doesn’t explain the revelation of the Church. It was a mystery; it wasn’t revealed to the Old Testament prophets. So, the experts in Judaism don’t know anything about the Church, even though the prophets testified of salvation of Gentiles. To learn about the Church, you’d have to study from the gospels (from the words of Jesus Himself) and then into the epistles where the revelation of the Church as the Body of Christ was unveiled. Ephesians 2:16-17 says, “And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by...