KINGS AND PRIESTS Daily Devotional Guide March, 2018 Series · Web viewThe Word of God is a compass that should guide our daily walk. This Devotional is prepared to serve as a guide

KINGS AND PRIESTS Daily Devotional Guide

March, 2018 Series

Pastor (Dr) and Pastor (Dr/Mrs) Otive-Igbuzor

© 2018 Pastor (Dr) and Pastor (Dr/Mrs) Otive Igbuzor

Published by:

Palace of PRIESTS ASSEMBLY,Ebenezer Place, Area One,After Gwagwalada Park,Durumi 2, Abuja, Nigeria

Website: www.priestsassembly.org E-mail: [email protected]: @priestsassemblyFacebook: Facebook.com/priestsassemblyInstagram: priestsassembly Tel: +234 8127100087 and +234 7063879653

PREFACE Prayer, worship and the study of the Word of God are the ingredients of a good Christian walk. Christianity is all about a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. The level and depth of our relationship with God shows in our relationship with humans. Every practicing Christian should have a daily walk with God. The Word of God is a compass that should guide our daily walk.

This Devotional is prepared to serve as a guide for a daily walk with God. It is expected that every Priests Assembly family and others will use this Daily Guide for morning devotion. Each day’s devotional study has a memory verse, background to the issue/topic, Practical Life Lessons and prayer points.

Every person/family is encouraged to engage in morning devotion every day. Start with prayer and worship/praise. Then, read the passage for the day. Study the devotional guide and pray, using the prayer points. Spend some time to meditate on what you have learnt and listen to hear from God. Write down what he says to you.

We are confident that as you use this devotional guide, the Almighty God will help you to yield to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and enable you to reign as a King and Priest (Rev 5:10).

Pastor (Dr) and Pastor (Dr/Mrs) Otive Igbuzor

Thursday, 1st March, 2018

Topic: Look away from distractions! FOCUS!

Text: Proverbs 21:5

Memory Verse: Proverbs 21:5 says ‘Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

Background

Light travels in rays. The diagram below illustrates how a ray of light (the thick black arrow) incident on a surface is scattered in several directions and becomes less powerful (diffuse). In the same vein, when our attention/focus is scattered in several directions, we are unable to achieve much as we fail to bring all our arsenal – our energy, illuminance, creativity, innovation to bear on that important task of building our lives and future. Light comes in different forms; each form produces a different result – illuminance level. See comparisons below.

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• DIFFUSE LIGHT – Rays are scattered in many angles; directions, less penetrative, less powerful.

• DIRECT LIGHT – More focused; Less scattered, penetrative, e.g. Direct Sunlight; can cause damage but God has graciously placed an ozone layer between us and the sun so that we are protected. (This layer is being punctured by environmental pollution today, causing global warming.)

• LASER – Much more focused; can cut through steel; can destroy cancer

What level of ILLUMINANCE/FOCUS do you bring to YOUR LIFE? ARE YOU CASUAL ABOUT EVERYTHING?

• Your Spiritual life• Academics• Business• Family life, etc

Proverbs 21:5 says ‘Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. Do you know that even unbelievers who focus tend to succeed? Can you imagine the level of success you will achieve if God’s Grace collides with your focus? Welcome to our Month of Divine Focus.

Practical Life Lessons

When driving, you FOCUS on the road to your destination – distractions are dangerous! In the journey of life, many are distracted by the everyday routine.

We get our priorities wrong when we focus on the physical and expect that the Spiritual will fall into place. Right order – Spiritual first before the physical; the Spiritual takes care of the physical.

Can you make a list of those tangible, life-changing things that you would like to focus on

in the Month of March? If you work at these things diligently, you will testify.

Like a woman in labour, to whom nothing else matters, except that the baby is born, we invite you to sharpen your focus. Push until that dream becomes a reality.

Prayer PointsFather I receive your grace to look away from distractions and focus on building my life and future this Month in Jesus Name.

Friday, 2nd March, 2018

Topic: No Business with Civilian Affairs

Text: 2 Timothy 2: 3-4; Neh 6: 1-4

Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 2: 4 - No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.

Background

Paul admonished his mentee Timothy, “No soldier in active service ENTANGLES himself in the affairs of civilians (2Tim 2:4). ‘Entangle’ means to be interwoven, wrapped or twisted together in such a manner as not to be easily freed from what binds or hinders. Many of us, as soldiers for Christ are completely entangled at the moment. We fail to focus, and carry ourselves with dignity, like soldiers do. Understand that the task of building your life is so important that you cannot afford to be enmeshed in unprofitable ventures and distractions. Life building is warfare. The devil is fighting to bring you down. You must fight on in the strength of the Lord to succeed.

Read Nehemiah 6: 1-4. Nehemiah was doing a great work of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He faced many distractions but he maintained his focus. Just before the task was completed, he was being summoned to meetings that had no positive bearing on completing the task. He declined! In verse 3, he said, “So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you? But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner”.


Do you know that the work of building your life and your future is a great work? Maintain focus!

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Learn to say NO to distractions. What are your own distractions? Some are personal, others are external. You can say NO to your flesh when it makes demands that you know are not good for you. You can politely say NO when people try to pull you into a circus that you know adds no value to your life.

Prayer PointsFather, I receive Grace to Focus and say NO to distractions.

Saturday, 3rd March, 2018

Topic: The Canaanite Woman Understood Focus

Text: Matt 15: 21-28

Memory Verse: Matt 15: 28 - Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Background

March is our Month of Divine Focus. The Canaanite woman recognised her problem and did not accept it as Okay. She looked for solution. When she met the person with her solution in His hands, she did not ALLOW distractions to becloud her focus. Yes, distractions are things we ALLOW to derail us. You have the power to DISALLOW distractions.

The Canaanite woman was vulnerable. Not only was her daughter demon-possessed, she was a Canaanite; people regarded as enemies of the Jews. When she requested help, Jesus told her that the children’s bread was not meant for dogs. In a way, she could have felt that she was being called a dog. For many of us, that ‘insult’ would have made us flare up. We might have even abandoned our mission. Some of the distractions that she faced and that we often face in life include: fear of rejection, being considered a nuisance (V23), anger, pride/arrogance, shame. For many, it includes hunger (e.g. Esau), quest for immediate enjoyment (e.g. the prodigal son), the yoke of the past (bitterness about the past, while leaving today unattended to), day dreaming about the future while doing nothing today that moves you close to your ideal future.

The Canaanite woman made a compelling plea…”even the little dogs eat the crumbs from the Master’s table, she said. Jesus was moved by her faith and focus”. To her, all that mattered was healing and deliverance for her child, and she got it.


Many people have abandoned jobs, relationships, school and other life-transforming opportunities because of distractions. Learn to focus on getting the results that you desire out of life, no matter the distractions.

When the chips are down, distractions will not be good enough as excuses for failure because you have control over how your life goes.

Prayer Points

Lord, I commit to never allow distractions derail me again in Jesus Name.

Sunday, 4th March, 2018

Topic: Jesus Triumphed Over Distractions

Text: Luke 2: 41-52; Hebrew 12:2

Memory Verse: Hebrews 12: 2 says “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”.

Background

Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour epitomises focus. From a tender age, he already showed Himself as a person on mission. In Luke 2: 41-52 – Jesus went with His parents to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover at age 12 and they mistakenly left him behind. It took them three days to locate Him in the temple, interacting most intelligently, with elders. When his parents asked why He stayed back, He asked - “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” What a demonstration of focus! How old are you? How focused are you?

Jesus was guided by a clear mission (Isaiah 61; Luke 4:18). On the journey to the cross of Calvary, He was despised, flogged, lied against, mocked, insulted but He remained focussed. Even on the cross, Mark 15:30, people said if you are the Son of God, jump down. Many of us would have made a show of power but Jesus rather prayed to God to forgive His persecutors.

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Jesus stayed the course despite provocations and distractions and He won victory. Hebrews 12: 2 says “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”.


Focus begets consistency; consistency begets success/victory.

If you can maintain focus, despite opposition and mockery, even the people who despised you will come to rejoice with you when you win. What victory can be sweeter than that?

Prayer Points

Lord, I commit to sharpening my focus in Jesus Name.

Monday 5th March, 2018

Topic: The Power of Praise

Text: Acts 16:25-26; 2 Chronicles 20:20-22; Psalm 150:6a

Memory Verse: Psalm 150: 6a – “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.”

Background

Every believer has a mandate to praise God (Psalm 150:6a). Hebrews 13:15 tells us to “offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually”. This means in all circumstances and no matter what you are going through. Why? Because He is God and by virtue of that fact, He is worthy of your praise. In Acts 16: 25-26 – Paul and Silas praise God and the prison doors opened. In 2 Chronicles 20:20-22, Jehoshaphat and his team took praise to war and they won.

How do you praise God? The Psalmist tells us to praise Him with “a joyful noise” (Psalm 95:1-2; Psalm 98:4). Psalm 150:3-5 goes further than this, and tells us to praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; with the psaltery and harp; with the timbrel and dance; with stringed instruments and organs; with loud cymbals. You have no excuse!


Our texts today show the incredible power of praise. When you praise God, affliction will flee from you and the Lord will fight your battles.

When you praise God, you acknowledge that He is Lord over your life and you are dependent on Him.

Your praise will invoke the presence of God (Psa. 22:3)

Prayer Points

Lord, I praise you for who you are and for what you have done in my life.

Tuesday 6th March, 2018

Topic: The Power of Prayer

Text: Jer 33: 3

Memory Verse: James 5:16b – “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”

Background

Our text dor today says ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ The importance of prayer in the life of a Christian cannot be overemphasised. It is a means of communication with God. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “pray without ceasing”. Prayer should be a daily exercise; a lifestyle. God has given us an assurance that He will answer us when we call (Jeremiah 33:3). Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed fervently and God answered him.


As a Christian, prayer is your most powerful tool – use it!

Prayer is a means of communication with God. This means that when we speak to Him, we should also take time to listen to Him.

Whatever we ask of God, He will answer – as long as it is in accordance with His will (1 John 5:14). It is important that we do not pray amiss.

Prayer Points

Father, give me the grace to tap into the power of prayer in Jesus’ name.

Wednesday 7th March, 2018

Topic: Power in the Word of God

Text: Ephesians 6:17; Jeremiah 23:29

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Memory Verse: Jeremiah 23:29 – “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”

Background

There is power in the spoken Word of God. Paul refers to the Word of God as “the sword of the Spirit” (Eph 6:17). The Lord, speaking through Jeremiah, refers to His Word as “fire…a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces”. This signifies the immense power of God’s Word. But to tap into this power, you first have to familiarise yourself with His word. Colossians 3:16 tells us to let the Word of Christ dwell richly in us. This Word is conveyed in various ways. The primary means through which God’s Word is communicated to us is the Bible, as “all Scripture is inspired by God” (2 Timothy 3:16). God also speaks through His servants (1 Thessalonians 2:13), so it is important to listen to messages by men and women of God. Finally, God reveals His Word through dreams and visions (Acts 2:17). It is therefore important to cultivate a personal relationship with God, and to be attentive when He speaks.


The Bible is authoritative and infallible – it is God’s living Word.

To tap into the power of God’s Word, you must cultivate the habit of reading your Bible, listening to messages, and being attentive when He speaks to you.

Are you familiar with the Word of God?

Prayer Points

Father, I pray for grace to receive your Word. I tap into the power of your infallible Word in Jesus’ name.

Thursday 8th March, 2018

Topic: Spiritual Growth

Text: 2 Peter 1:3-8;18a

Memory Verse: 2 Peter 3:18a – “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Background

Spiritual growth is a continuous process. Every Christian should be growing in their spiritual life. New Christians should desire the milk of the Word in order to grow (1 Peter 2:2). However, we must beware of stagnancy. We cannot keep drinking milk as babies forever! From

Hebrews 5:11, we can see that a point comes in every Christian’s life where we should grow into teachers – we need to start eating solid food rather than milk. In our text today, Peter lists some of the qualities that should be added unto us as we grow in the Spirit: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. Indeed many of these are manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit. It is thus clear that in order to experience spiritual growth, we must first receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Once this happens, we start to give up the things of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) and become more grounded in the things of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).


Before you experience spiritual growth, you must first be born again. Have you accepted Jesus into your life?

Have you received the gift of the Holy Spirit? Are you growing in your spiritual life or are you still at the same position you were when you first gave your life to Christ?

Prayer Points

Oh Lord, help me to grow in my spiritual life. I reject every spirit of stagnancy in Jesus’ name.

Friday 9th March, 2018

Topic: Divine Wisdom

Text: 1 Kings 3:5-28; James 1: 5

Memory Verse: James 1: 5 – “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Background

The story of King Solomon is one that is familiar to many ears. He was the epitome of divine wisdom. Our text today is divided into two parts: the first part consists of Solomon asking for wisdom (verses 5-15); the second part consists of him applying that wisdom (verses 16-28). Wisdom is more than just knowledge: it is one thing to have knowledge; it is another thing to apply wisdom to certain situations. King Solomon’s wisdom was demonstrated when he applied heavenly wisdom in settling the case between two women over who the real mother of the baby was.


God is omniscient. He is the ultimate source of wisdom. Ask for it and He will grant it to you.

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The ways of the Lord are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). We need special insight from God to be able to understand certain mysteries.

Divine wisdom is much more important than human wisdom: “for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19a)

Prayer Points

Father, I ask for wisdom today. Give me insight to understand and know how to deal with situations around me.

Saturday 10th March, 2018

Topic: The Unconditional Love of God

Text: Romans 5:8; John 3:16

Memory Verse: Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Background

God gave His Son Jesus to die for our sins. This is the ultimate expression of His love for us. Love is the very nature of God: He is love (1 John 4:16). He loves us not because of what we have done. If we were to be judged by our acts, none of us would stand: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). He loves us not because we loved Him first (1 John 4:10). He loves us not because we are worthy of His love, but because He chose us as His people. How amazing it is to be loved by God!


The gift of salvation is the ultimate expression of God’s love for His people. Have you accepted Jesus into your life and claimed this gift?

Even though you do not deserve it, God has loved you unconditionally. In return, you must reciprocate that love by drawing closer to Him and walking according to His commandments. In addition, we are enjoined to love our neighbour as ourselves.

Prayer Points

Lord, thank you for loving a sinner like me. I commit myself to loving you back by living a life of holiness and righteousness.

Sunday 11th March, 2018

Topic: Love as a Virtue

Text: 1 Corinthians 13; Matthew 5:44

Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:13 – “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Background

The concept of love is much misused and abused in our world today. Our text reminds us of the very essence of pure, unadulterated love. Verses 1-2 tell us that love underlies the spiritual gifts of speaking in tongues and prophesying – without love, these amount to nothing. Verse 3 tells us that good deeds such as giving count as nothing if there is no love attached to it. Verses 4-8 tell us the characteristics of love. Some of them include patience, kindness, humility, truthfulness, trust, and perseverance – this is true, agape love! The chapter ends by declaring that love supersedes faith and hope. This shows the overwhelming priority of love. Without it, everything else fails.

As Christians, we have a mandate to love one another (1 John 4:11). However, it doesn’t end there. Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). The mandate is not to love only your Christian brothers and sisters, or only your family and friends, but to love everyone in equal measure – even your enemies. This shows the encompassing nature of love that every believer should possess.


What type of love do you show to the people around you? Are they aligned with the characteristics described in 1 Corinthians 13?

It is easy to show love to your family and friends. But do you show love to your enemies?

Prayer Points

Father, give me the grace to exhibit the pure love I am expected to show to everyone around me in Jesus’ name.


Topic: You are the Salt of the Earth

Text: Matthew 5:13-16

Memory Verse: Matthew 5:13 – “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

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Background

In this passage, Jesus uses salt as a metaphor to describe the qualities a Christian should possess. What does it mean to be salt? The primary purpose of salt is to season and add flavour to food. As Christians, we should add flavour to people’s lives and give them meaning. John 15:19 says we are in this world but we are not of this world. Yet, like salt, we can add flavour. We do this by influencing people to act in a positive way, whether by preaching to them or by living exemplary lives for them to emulate. Another quality of salt is that it is something of value. In the ancient biblical world, salt was a necessity; it was a precious commodity. In a like manner, Christians are precious and valuable to the world. Furthermore, salt acts as a preservative: it is used to preserve food. Christians preserve the truth and act as an antidote to immorality and corruption. Finally, salt makes people thirst for more. As Christians, when we preach the good news of salvation, we should make people thirst for more of the gospel.

When you possess all these qualities as the salt of the earth, you have no other option than to shine wherever you go. This is why Jesus refers to us as the light of the world (verse 14). This mandate to shine is ultimately for the glory to God (verse 16).


As a believer, by definition you are the salt of the earth. BUT verse 13 warns us that salt can lose its saltiness. Be careful not to lose your flavour! A Christian who lives by the standard of the world is like salt without taste.

In a world of darkness, be the shining light! Bring others to the light; don’t let them pull you to the darkness.

Prayer Points

Father, grant me the grace to be the salt of the earth and add flavour to people’s lives. Let my light shine before the world.


Topic: Overcoming Sin

Text: Romans 6:1-14

Memory Verse: Romans 6:11 – “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Background

Our text today tells us that the power of sin was broken at the cross. Because Jesus died for our sins, we are dead to sin and alive in Christ. So how do we overcome sin? We can overcome sin through God’s Word. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” When we are grounded in the Word of God, sin will be far from us. Indeed, we can use the Word as a weapon to overcome the temptation to sin. We have the example of Jesus who overcame temptation from the devil by speaking the Word of God (Matthew 4:1-11). We can also overcome sin through prayers: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation” (Matthew 26:41a). Finally, we can overcome sin by walking in the Spirit. When we walk in the Spirt, the flesh loses its hold over us and we become less inclined to sin (Galatians 5:16-18, 24-26).


The first step in overcoming sin is accepting Jesus into your life. Have you made Him Lord over your life?

Your body is the temple of the living God (1 Corinthians 6:19). There is no place for sin!

Have you committed a sin in the past which you feel is holding you back? Jesus is here to save. All you need to do is come to Him with a repentant heart. 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Prayer Points

Father, I loose the hold of sin over my life. I overcome the temptation to sin and tap into grace to walk in the Spirit.


Topic: Perseverance in the Face of Persecution

Text: Hebrews 12:1-3; Matthew 5:10-12; 2 Cor 4:17

Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:17– “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison”.

Background

It is very easy for people to turn their backs on God when they are facing persecution – especially when they are being persecuted for the sake of the Gospel. However, the Bible admonishes us to do the opposite and rejoice for great is our reward in heaven (Matthew 5:10-12). In Hebrews 12:1-3, we are admonished to follow the example of Jesus who endured His suffering on the cross for our sake. The joy we have is in knowing

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that any form of persecution is temporary. Our Lord will always deliver us, if only we persevere.


Rejoice in your trials because they build character and perseverance (Romans 5:3-4).

The Bible admonishes us pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). To what extent do you practice this?

Prayer Points

Father, give me the grace to persevere in the face of persecution, and trust in you to deliver me.


Topic: Forgiveness

Text: Matthew 5:38-40; Matt 6: 14-15

Memory Verse: Matthew 6:14-15 – “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Background

It is human nature to seek vengeance on anyone who wrongs us. But the Bible tells us to do the opposite: “If anyone slaps you on the right check, turn to them the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:39). Vengeance is the Lord’s God and not yours to dispense (Romans 12:19). No matter how much you think you have been wronged, you do not have the right to carry out vengeance. The right thing to do is to forgive. Do you have a testimony of how God Himself takes up battles on behalf of Hic children?


We have all sinned. An unforgiving spirit can stop God from forgiving your own sins (Matthew 6:14-15).

Forgiveness is a continuous exercise. Matthew 18:21-22 tells us to forgive anyone who offends us seventy times seven times. Why not just make forgiveness a part of your lifestyle and decide to overlook offence?

Prayer Points

Father, forgive me my sins even as I forgive those who have offended me.


Topic: Contentment

Text: 1 Timothy 6:6-10; Matt 6:33

Memory Verse: Matthew 6:33 – “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Background

Human wants are insatiable. We want many things, but we only really need a few basic things to survive. Contentment in Christ means focusing on God and not prioritising material things. It is a virtue that connotes gratitude to God for all He has done. Hebrews 13:5 tells us to be content with what we have, for we know that the Lord will never leave us or forsake us. Contentment is the cure for greed. Our text admonishes that godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.


When you focus more on God and less on material things, you will be content with what you have.

Contentment is not equivalent to stagnancy! Aim to progress in every area of your life, be it spiritually, academically, professionally, and so on.

Prayer Points

Father, give me the grace to focus solely on you and care less about material things.


Topic: Stand Apart

Text: Rom 12: 2; I Kings 17:1-18

Memory verse: Rom 12: 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (NKJV)

Background

The Call in the devotion today is for you to stand apart in a wicked and corrupt world made up of self-serving people. If you read newspapers in Nigeria, you will not fail to notice the wickedness and corruption of this

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generation. God called us to become Christians and be different. God called us to stand apart.

Examples of people who stood apart for God

1. Elijah stood apart from the other prophets 1 Kings 17: 1-18

2. Mordecai stood apart for the people of Israel Esther 3:1-3

3. Ruth stood apart from the Moabites Deut 23: 3; Ruth 1:16

4. Caleb and Joshua stood out Num 13: 30

How to Stand Apart- The four Ds

1. Desire: You must really want to stand apart and be different.

2. Decision: You must make a clear, unequivocal decision to stand apart.

3. Discipline: With a high sense of personal discipline, you can stand apart.

4. Determination: will enable you to overcome setbacks, disappointments, temporary failures and every obstacle on standing apart.

Practical Lessons:

1. Stand apart; don’t blend in- “Never take direction for your personal life from a crowd.” -Mason

2. You can stand apart in all aspects of life: Character, conduct, communication, belief, behavior

Prayer Point: Father, help me to stand apart and enable me to fulfil destiny.


Topic: Flying on Eagles Wings

Text: Is 40:28-31

Memory Verse: Is 40:31 – Those that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength

Background

In the Bible, God’s people are often compared to different things in nature: branches in a vine; a light on a hill; sheep; salt; soldiers; runners etc. Isaiah compared God’s people to an eagle.

Understanding the Eagle

The eagle is the symbol and national emblem of many nations including USA and Nigeria

The eagle is the king of birds The eagle has swiftness of flight The eagle is a symbol of strength The eagle builds her nest in high places on top

of the mountains The eagle has powerful vision-can spy its prey 5

miles away The eagle is a fierce fighter The eagle builds its nests where no one can get

to it The mother eagle goes out each day and brings

food back to the little eaglets The little eaglets learn to fly: The mother eagle

will push the little eaglet out of the next. It will try to fly and begin to tumble and fall. The mother eagle will then dive on down, open her wings and catch the frightened little eaglet on her wings and fly it back to safety. Then after giving it chance to recuperate and catch its breath, she will once again push the eaglet out of the nest and start the process all over again until the little eaglet discovers that it can fly.

The eagle renews itself: Once each year, the eagle must go through the moulting stage. Their feathers become dull and they lose their ability to fly. The beak and talons also become dull and not capable of hunting for food. They come to the ground level. They humble themselves and be on the ground and pull out all of the bad feathers. They scrape their beak on a rock until it comes off and a new one starts growing.


1. Wait on the Lord: stop all activity, quiet yourself and focus your attention on Him.(Undistracted focus, total concentration, undivided attention, quiet enduring patience).

2. Get Renewed: Restoration of what has become faded

3. Get upward, not downward: Above the worldliness, worries, temptations and trials

Prayer Point: Renew me and let me fly like an eagle.


Topic: Enlarge your coast

Text: – 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Memory Verse: I Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (KJV).

Background

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There are many people, organizations, programmes and projects that have remained unknown, small, without impact and insignificant because they place limitation on themselves. You can fly on eagles’ wing to a place beyond your imagination if you refuse to place limitation on yourself. You can enlarge your coast.

The plan of God is to continuously enlarge his children in responsibility, influence and ministry. The important thing is not to be wrongly motivated for enlargement. Your focus should not be aggrandizement but to glorify God. Enlargement starts from where you are now. Examine your strategic opportunities, passions, interest and capabilities. Utilize every circumstance.

Jabez was born in a bad circumstance (in pain). But he cried to God and God changed his situation.

Practical Life lessons

Transform all challenges (problems, dilemmas and opportunities) to platforms for enlargement

Conquer fear of failure: Fear is unbelief that God cannot make you perform, secured or succeed.

Depend upon God – let him lead, provide and empower

Leave your comfort zone – discomfort zone is where enlargement happens.

Prayer Points

God, open my eyes to areas of enlargement.


Topic: With God, all things are possible

Text: Matt 19:26

Memory Verse: Matt 19: 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. (NKJV).

Background

The Bible is emphatic that with God all things are possible. Human beings have a great imaginative capacity to create things. Things are first created spiritually before they materialise physically e.g. Architect will draw the building before it is built. Almost everything we enjoy today was impossible yesterday. Before aeroplane, mobile phones etc were developed, people thought that such technological innovations were impossible. Things can move from the realm of impossibility to possibility and then reality. But for you

as a child of God, your faith and attitude will determine whether a thing is possible or impossible


Have a ‘can do’ vision and attitude – see the possibility – eyes that look are common but eyes that see are rare Prov 29:18. Where there is no vision, people perish.

Look for opportunities to actualize the possibilities – take a chance, the man who leaves nothing to chance will do few things – seek support

Start from the resources that you already have . Depend upon God – prayer turns impossibility to

possibility. Prayer provides power, poise, peace and purpose for a person’s purpose, plans and pursuits – do not beg, pray

Act on the possibilities with faith – you cannot turn challenge into possibility on a theory…. It takes work.

Prayer Point

Father, turn my challenges into testimonies.

Wednesday 21st March, 2018

Topic: Claiming the Blessings of Abraham

Text: Rom 4:13-16; Gen 12: 1-3

Memory Verse:

Background

The name Abraham means father of a multitude. He is one of the greatest characters in the Bible. He had a great relationship with God. God blessed him and promised to bless his descendants. We are his descendants and that is why we sing Abraham’s blessings are mine. You can claim Abraham’s blessing.

There are more than 40 blessings in the scriptures given to Abraham and those who will be blessed through him. But we focus on the seven blessings of Abraham in Genesis 12:

1. A land that I will shew thee: Gen 12:1 (God will lead us to our spouse, church, education, career, ministry) He will direct our paths Prov 3:5

2. I will make thee a great nation: Gen 12: 2 (We are part of a great family, the family of God)

3. I will bless the: Gen 12: 2 (God has blessed us to meet our needs John 10:10; He will do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask and think)

4. Make thy name great Gen 12: 25. Thou shalt be a blessing Gen 12: 2

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6. I will bless them that bless thee Gen 12:37. In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed

Gen 12:3


If you are in Christ, you are entitled to Abraham’s blessings. Every believer is entitled to Abraham’s blessing Gal 3: 29.

The promise is to be heir of the world Rom 4:13-16. To be an heir of the world is to inherit the world’s goods, its endowments, its riches, its advantages and its pleasures. Abraham was rich in livestock, in silver and in gold Gen 13:2. Abraham and Sarah enjoyed good health and good looks. Pharaoh wanted to marry her at age 65 and Abimelech at age 90. God blessed Abraham to be a channel of blessing Gen 12:2

Prayer Point

God, strengthen my faith to claim the blessings of Abraham.

Father, make me a channel of blessings to others

Thursday 22nd March, 2018

Topic: The Power of Dominion

Text: Prov 18:16; 2 Tim 1:6

Memory Verse: Rom 14: 17 For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost

Introduction: Every human being was created to accomplish something specific that no one else can accomplish (Myles Munroe). God has a purpose for calling you from darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9B…who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light)

God has deposited talents and gifts in you to make you fulfill His purpose for creating you. The gift will make room for you (Prov 18:16-A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men). What you need to do is to stir up the gift (2 Tim 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee …).

God has given to his children the power of dominion. Dominion is enforced by the power of the Holy Ghost. Dominion starts from thoughts and manifest in words and deeds. The working of the kingdom is based on the principles of faith, love, holiness, giving, hope and forgiveness.

Several Christian Scholars and organizations including Christian Network have identified seven areas where Christians need to exercise dominion and influence humanity. They include religion; economy and finance; entertainment, arts and culture; governance and politics; education; media; and family.


You are created for a purpose. Discover your purpose and fulfil it.

Choose your area of influence and exercise dominion

Prayer Point

1. Father, help me to stir up the gifts that you have deposited in me.

2. God, grant me the spirit of dominion

Friday 23rd March, 2018

Topic: The Courage to Face Life

Text: Prov 24: 10; 2 Tim 1:7

Memory verse: Prov 24:10 - Proverbs 24:10 - If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

Introduction

- Plato, a philosopher said – every society requires three function to achieve harmony –appetite, courage and knowledge.

- This can be applied to individual life –appetite, courage and knowledge.

What is courage?

- Courage also known as bravery, will, intrepidity and fortitude is the ability to confront fear, pain, risk, danger and uncertainty.

- “Courage is not the absence of fear, it is acting inspite of it.” – Mark Twain

- Opposite of courage is cowardice. Cowards die many times before their death.

4 Types of courage

1. Physical courage – is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship or threat of death.

2. Moral courage – is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal or discouragement.

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3. Civil courage – is the ability to stand up against something that is unjust and evil knowing that the consequences may be injurious.

4. Spiritual courage – is the ability to confront spiritual challenges and agents of the devil.

Fear is a great problem and it is preventing people from taking action. Many people fear of what people will say. Others fear witches and wizards and other agents of the devil. But the Bible enjoins us to be courageous (Deut 31:6).


Do not focus on the circumstance – Every human being is bound to pass through some period of difficulty.

Maintain hope in the midst of difficult circumstances Prov 24:10

Difficulties, troubles and challenges are the ingredients of testimonies

We are not called to win a popularity contest. We are called to stand on the Word of God.

Prayer Points

Lord, deliver me from all troubles Ps 34:19. God, help me to stand for Jesus. I reject the spirit of fear. I have the Spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.


Topic: Deliverance from Slave Mentality

Text: Ex 14: 11-12; Num 13:26-33

Memory Verse: Exodus 14:13-14 - Moses assures them by yelling “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Background

One of the primary strategies of the devil is to make you feel insignificant and powerless. One of the ways is to make us feel powerless and as slaves to sin and circumstances. There are several examples from the scriptures where people became slaves to sin and circumstances.

Examples from the Bible

Children of Israel in Egypt: 430 years of slavery made them to have slave mentality. Ex 14:11-12. They regretted leaving Egypt. They asked Moses why He did not leave them alone in slavery. Moses had to reassure them saying “Do not be afraid.

Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14

The spies - Numbers 13: 26-33- They saw themselves as grasshoppers before other human beings.

Deliverance from darkness into His marvelous light (slave to the present world system- fashion, television, morality, ethics) John 8:12; 1 Peter 2:9

Practical Life Lesson:

Jesus paid the price for our deliverance. You have no business living as a slave.

Prayer Points

God, deliver me from slave mentality


Topic: God will Remember You Today

Text: 1 Sam 1:19-20; Is 49:14-16

Memory Verse: Heb 6:10 – For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which ye have shown toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Background

Life is a journey. In the journey of life, there are turning points. There can be several turning points in a person’s life. Turning point is an unexpected turn; unexpected change; significant change. Turning point can be for good or for bad.

When God remembers you, it will be a turning point. Today, God will remember you for good.

What do we mean by God remembers? Does God forget? God does not forget! God remembers means that God will act for someone according to his covenant promises. It means the time has come for someone to be blessed. When God remembers, he will surprise, overwhelm and lavish unexpected goodness and grace on his people. It means the time has come for his covenant people to receive When God remembers, he is about to bless someone. When God remembers you, it is a turning point.


God has not forgotten you. He will remember you today.

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There is time for everything. The time for God to remember you has come.


Topic: Returning to God

Text: Mal 3:7; Zech 1:3

Memory Verse: Mal 3: 7 Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me and I will return to you, says the Lord Almighty.

Background

We are created by God to worship Him. At some point, some people get frustrated in life and turn away from God. God created us for His pleasure and we need to return to Him.

Zech 1:3 Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: Return to me, declares the Lord Almighty, and I will return to you, says the Lord Almighty.

Returning to God is coming back to God to worship Him and living by faith. Many people turn away from God because of adversity, Discouragement, Affluence, Poverty; mistakes- divorce, scandal, (eg of a brother who impregnated 3 girls at the same time).

Ironically, the reasons why people turn away from God should actually be the reasons why they should return to God. Only God can turn your adversity to bliss; discouragement into stepping stone for progress; affluence with contentment; poverty into prosperity; mistakes into testimony and ambushes into lessons for life.


1. When things are tough, do not turn away from God. That is actually the more reason why you should turn to God.

2. When you return to God he will always accept you

Prayer Point

Father, make me to return to you and stay close to you always

Tuesday 27th January, 2018

Topic: THE POWER OF FAITH

Text: Heb 11:6

Memory Verse: Heb 11: 6 But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is; and a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (KJV).

Background

Many Bible scholars have defined faith in different ways. According to E. W. Kenyon, faith is grasping the unrealities of hope and bringing them into the realm of reality. According to Schambach, faith is the key that gives us entrance into the spiritual realm where we become the recipient of all the things that God has for us. (Jesus is the foundation of our Christian life; the Holy Ghost gives us power over nature or the devil). The Bible defines faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1) (KJV). Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 12:1-2).

The word faith as used in the New Testament is translated from the Greek word pistis, which connotes action.

ABC OF FAITH: Faith is an Action based on a Belief and supported by Confidence that God will do what He promised. (Cf song: God said it. I believe it. That settles it).

Faith grows out of the Word Faith is built on the Word Faith is the result of the Word dwelling in us. Faith is now: It is always present tense. Faith is acting on what you believe.

A child of God should live by faith no matter the circumstance.

Practical Lessons

A Christian must be of the mind and attitude that everything is possible (Mark 9:23) and live by faith.

The word that comes out of the mouth of the child of God should be words that encourage and build up.

Prayer Points

1. God, grant me a can do attitude2. Father, increase my faith


Topic: Faith without Works is Dead

Text: Hebrews 11: 8-10, 17

Memory Verse: James 2: 26 – ‘For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.’

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Background

The Bible defines faith in Hebrews 11: 1 as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” This reflects the role that belief plays in establishing faith. Faith is based on spiritual conviction, rather than concrete proof: “for we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). It is important to develop the habit of listening to the Word of God, because only through this can we develop faith (Romans 10:17).

We all know the example of Abraham, who left his homeland and went to a strange country who was willing to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice unto God (as acknowledged in our text, Hebrews 11: 8-10; 17). All these he did at the instructions of God, borne out of his perpetual faith in Him. These works were the manifestation of his faith. We cannot claim to have faith without putting it into action. The righteous are justified not only by faith, but by the acts through which that faith is made manifest (James 2:24).


We activate God’s blessings in our lives through faith.

Have you demonstrated your faith in God through action?

Prayer Points

Father, give me the grace to not only have faith, but to also demonstrate this through my works, in Jesus’ Name.


Topic: The Healing Power of God

Text: Matthew 9:20-22; Luke 18: 35-43

Memory Verse: Matthew 9:22 – “But Jesus turned Him about, and when He saw her, He said, ‘Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.’ And the woman was made whole from that hour.”

Background

The Bible says that “by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). This tells us that as believers we are entitled to healing; it has been paid for by the Blood of Jesus. However, without faith we cannot reach out and receive this healing. It was the faith of the blind man and the woman with the issue of blood that brought about their healing.

Just as Jesus has given us the gift of healing, so also we have a mandate as believers to declare healing over others (Matthew 10:8). Mark 16:17-18 tells us that one of the signs that should follow every believer is that we “shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover”. We not only have authority to be healed, but also to heal others through the Name of Jesus.


You are entitled to healing as a believer. Reach out with faith and claim this healing!

Jesus is the ultimate healer and He has given you the authority as a believer to tap into this healing power and heal others.

Prayer Points

Father, enable me to receive your healing power for the benefit of myself and others, in Jesus’ Name.


Topic: The Art of Thanksgiving

Text: Psalm 100

Memory Verse: Psalm 100:4 – “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.”

Background

Giving thanks to God is something that every Christian must do. Psalm 100:1-3 tell us how to do this. Verse 1 tells us to make a joyful noise. Have you ever gotten excited because you saw a celebrity that you admire? Our Lord Jesus is much more than that, and we should always be excited to be in the presence of the Lord. We can express this with a triumphant and joyful shout in awe of His majesty. Verse 2 tells us to thank Him through praise. By singing joyfully unto the Lord, we are expressing our gladness for all that He has done in our lives. Verse 3 tells us to acknowledge that the Lord is God. This is where we pause to acknowledge the almightiness of God. We submit and bow to Him in reverence. In so doing, we are acknowledging all His blessings and mighty works in our lives; we are thanking Him.

Having given us a guide on how to give thanks, the remaining verses of Psalm 100 give us a mandate to come into the presence of the Lord with a spirit of praise and thanksgiving (verse 4) and remind us of why

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we have this mandate (verse 5). Indeed, this mandate to give thanks must be exercised at all times, not just in the good times. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to give thanks in all circumstances.


Thank God for what He has already done, and in anticipation of what He will do.

You can give thanks through various means, including shouting, singing, bowing, praying, and witnessing (testifying).

Give thanks not only in the good times but also in the bad times – this is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your faith!

Prayer Points

Lord, I thank you for where you have brought me thus far, and where you are taking me to. Thank you for everything and everyone in my life.

Saturday 31st March, 2018

Topic: The Art of Worship

Text: John 4:24

Memory Verse: John 4:24 – “God is Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.”

Background

Many people understand worship to mean the slow songs that the choir sings in church. But worship is much more than that. Miles McPherson defines worship as “a response to the revelation of God [which] inspires a desire to honour and praise God.”1 True worship comes from your heart. The Psalmist says in Psalm 40:3a: “And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God”. The very essence of worship is connecting with God. He reveals Himself to you. It is the response to that revelation which then inspires a desire to worship Him through song, dance, giving, acts of holiness, and indeed with your whole lifestyle.


Worship is a personal act which stems from a deep relationship with God.

You can worship God through a lifestyle of holiness. How do you worship God?

1 Miles McPherson, “Worship – Part 1, Our Response to God”, http://www.sdrock.com/messages/2013-09-08/

Prayer Points

Father, reveal yourself to me that I may worship you in Spirit and in truth.

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http://www.sdrock.com/messages/2013-09-08/

Documents

KINGS AND PRIESTS Daily Devotional Guide March, 2018 Series · Web viewThe Word of God is a compass that should guide our daily walk. This Devotional is prepared to serve as a guide