DAILY DEVOTION

SEEK DAILY (NBC)
Friday, May 30
2 Kings 24:8-17

CARRIED AWAY INTO CAPTIVITY
... and the king of Babylon took him in the eight year of his reign. 2 Kings 24:12, KJV

Judah had been under serious attacks from different nations including Egypt as a result of the wickedness and abominable things which Manasseh King of Judah did (2 Kings 21:10-16; 2 Kings 23:26). The situation was so terrible for years that God determined to wipe them off; not even the good reign of Josiah could appease Him.

Thus, Jerusalem was eventually besieged by Nebuchadnezzar and his forces. The families of the king, nobles, skilled and strong men were all taken to exile in Babylon. Daniel and his friends were among this set of captives. This is what the sin of a few can cause others.

Wickedness and disobedience provoke God to act in judgement. It is the reason why some persons have ruined their destinies. Come what may, you must learn to follow the path of righteousness and obedience to God so that you can enjoy His blessings.

Do not ever get to the level where you will feel sufficient in yourself and think you do not need God any longer.

• Birthday Blessing: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you ... you are mine" - Isaiah 43:1

Read Bible Through Passage: 2 Kings 5, 6; John 8:12-35

Affliction is the school in which great values are acquired, in which great characters are formed. – Hannah More

DAILY DEVOTION

SEEK DAILY (NBC)
Thursday, May 29
2 Chronicles 36:15-21

GIVEN INTO THE ENEMY'S HANDS
And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon .... 2 Chronicles 36:20, KJV
One of the worst things that can happen to any person is to find him/herself at the mercy of his/her enemy. In today's text, it was God Himself who handed Israel over to their enemies to be tormented.

Verses 15 and 16 tell us that God sent His messengers to warn them but they mocked them and despised God's Words. This kindled the wrath of God and God raised an enemy in person of Nebuchadnezzar who came and took them into exile and vandalised the city of Jerusalem.

We should be careful how we live. Failure to do so can bring trouble upon us. Disobedience to God is the opportunity the enemy uses to get an in-road into our lives. The reason some Christians have become mince-meat in the devil's hand is disobedience. As a result, they seek serious deliverance.

Beloved, the devil will always lurk around for disobedient children of God because he knows that such do not have the protection of God. So beware!

• Birthday Blessing: "... Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld ...." - 2 Chronicles 20:20

Read Bible Through Passage: 2 Kings 3, 4; John 8:1-11

Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of. They just turn up some of the ill weeds on the surface. – Charles Spurgeon

DAILY DEVOTION

SEEK DAILY (NBC)
Tuesday, May 27
Jeremiah 52:1-9

THE FALL OF JERUSALEM
Then the city was broken up and all the men of war fled ... Jeremiah 52:7, KJV

The fall of Jerusalem was a fulfilment of prophecy. This happened when the people who are supposed to be holy sinned against God. Zedekiah provides us an example. Verses 2-3 tell us that "He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just as Jehoiakim had done.

It was because of the LORD's anger that all this happened to Jerusalem and Judah, and in the end, He thrust them from His presence ...."

It is important to note that God responds to our attitude - when we do right, He rewards us with good; and when we do evil, and refuse to repent, He punishes us. In most cases, we are responsible for whatever happens to us.

It should be noted that Jerusalem fell at the time of Zedekiah not just because there was a prophecy in place for this to happen, but because Zedekiah sinned against God.

The lesson is, when we turn to God and do what is right before Him, He will also turn the evil away from us, and reward us with His goodness.

• Birthday Blessing: "...And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins" - Romans 11:26-27

Read Bible Through Passage: 1 Kings 22; John 7:14-36

We are products of our choices and not of our circumstances. By making conscious, aware choices, can we positively influence our situation? – Eric Allenbaugh

BAPTIST DEVOTIONAL

SEEK DAILY (NBC)
Monday, May 26
Luke 19:45-48

A HOUSE OF PRAYER
And He went into the temple, and begins to cast out them that sold therein and them that bought. Luke 19:45, KJV

The church is a place to be revered whenever we gather to worship. The sanctity and reverence for corporate places of worship should be maintained and observed by all believers in Christ Jesus.

It is sad that today, the temple of God in several places is being misused. Some have turned them to entertainment halls, party zones and beer parlours. Some even commit sexual sins within the house of God. What an abomination!

In what ways do you misuse the church building where you are supposed to worship God? Are you one of those who watch pornography on cell phones while in the church? Do you take pleasure in looking seductively at sisters in church during service? Do you steal the church money? Stop this, before God disgraces you before people.

God is jealous over His house, as demonstrated by Jesus, so He would do everything to cleanse it of terrible people. You are therefore enjoined to desist from those heinous acts and live your life to please God.

• Birthday Blessing: "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" - Hebrews 13:5

Read Bible Through Passage: 1 Kings 20, 21; John 7:1-13

God is not grading how well we express ourselves at the place of prayer, but how faithful are we to His command. – Unknown

DAILY DEVOTION

SEEK DAILY (NBC)
Friday, May 23
1 Kings 8:31-36

SIN AGAINST A NEIGHBOUR AND GOD
...Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel .... 1 Kings 8:34, KJV

King Solomon addressed two issues in His prayer. The first was establishing who is guilty and who is innocent when two persons (or neighbours) are in disagreement, by coming to swear an oath before the altar in the temple. The other has to do with God forgiving any sinner who truly asks for His forgiveness.

It is important for us as children of God to be quick at acknowledging our faults and sin whether against our neighbours or God, rather than looking for ways to cover them and thus attract God's wrath. Proverbs 28: 13 says, "He who covers his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them, finds mercy."

It is of no use attempting to shy away from your sins, rather, confess immediately and forsake them so that the "time of refreshing may come from the presence of our God". Also, ask those whom you have offended to forgive you. Do not wait until it is too late.

Remember your offering will not be acceptable to God until you have settled your score with your neighbour(s).

• Birthday Blessing: "...but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him" - Psalm 32: 10

Read Bible Through Passage: 1 Kings 14, 15; John 6: 1-21

A good test of character - when we do wrong, who do we blame? – Haddon Robinson

BAPTIST DEVOTIONAL

SEEK DAILY (NBC)
Thursday, May 22
Leviticus 19:11-17

RELATING TO YOUR NEIGHBOUR
… Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour... Leviticus 19: 13, KJV

We need to be reminded that our neighbours are those with whom we relate or meet from time to time. Technology, to a large extent, has changed our perception on the definition of a neighbour.

In today's passage, God, speaking through His servant Moses, gives us some golden rules to apply when relating with our neighbours - we should not steal or defraud our neighbours, we should also be fair to them. In verse 14, God notes the fact that some of the people we meet on daily basis could be physically challenged, hence He warns us against abusing them or taking undue advantage of them by misleading them.

Also, God does not want us to spread rumours among ourselves, neither does He want us to hate one another. Instead, we should express God's love among ourselves and correct those who wrong us in love. If there is any misunderstanding between you and your classmate, neighbour etc., settle it today.

Encourage your parents to stop keeping malice with your neighbour(s) if you notice anything like that. Love that physically challenged fellow in your church if there is any.

• Birthday Blessing: "In the time of my favour I will answer you..." - Isaiah 49:8

Read Bible Through Passage: 1 Kings 12, 13; John 5:28-47

The Christian is supposed to love his neighbour, and since his wife is his nearest neighbour, she should be his deepest love. – Martin Luther

Daily Devotional

SEEK DAILY (NBC)
Wednesday, May 21
Deuteronomy 11:1-7

KEEPING GOD'S COMMANDMENT ALWAYS
Love the LORD your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always. Deuteronomy 11: 1, NIV

If you made the wise choice yesterday, then you know that the only thing required more is for you to be consistent.

Yes, consistency is the word. God wants you to always keep His Words. It is no use beginning something when you know you cannot continue in it. To "continue the word always" implies being consistent both in the secret and in the open. It also implies being consistent both in good and bad times, when it is convenient and not convenient.

Whether you are rich or poor, you must keep God's commandment always. God is counting on you to keep His Word always.
Every investment of God over you is to achieve the purpose of keeping His instructions.

Do you know that it is all for your good? God has nothing to lose if you fail to obey Him. You are the one who is playing game with your life, both here and in eternity. Be wise!

• Birthday Blessing: "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them..." - Psalm 34: 17

Read Bible Through Passage: 1 Kings 10, 11; John 5:1-27

To my God, a heart of flame; to my fellow men, a heart of love; to myself, a heart of steel. – Augustine

Daily Devotional

SEEK DAILY (NBC)
Monday, May 19
Deuteronomy 7:7-16

LOVE AND COMMANDMENT KEEPING
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God ... keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations.... Deuteronomy 7:9, NIV

Whatever God asks us to do is for our own good and for His own glory. However, if we refuse to obey Him, He will still be glorified through other means though we will not be blessed. Just as God loved the Israelites, He has chosen us out of His love. His faithfulness never comes to an end. They are always new.

Knowing this, what manner of man or woman should you be?
Simply, God expects you to reciprocate this by loving Him and keeping His commands. God's love should gear you to do His will. He who does not love God cannot keep His commandment.

In "Experiencing God", Henry Blackaby rightly stated that if you have a problem obeying God, you actually have a love problem. The question then is, do you love God? (John 14:15, 21:24). Keeping God's commands without love for Him attracts no blessing.

But carefully obeying His Words because you love Him brings numerous blessings your way. As from today, love God and keep His Words and your blessings will be sure.

• Birthday Blessing: "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, ...." - Psalm 2:8

Read Bible Through Passage: 1 Kings 7; John 4: 14-39

By obeying God's commands, you will gain more than you can give. – Thomas Brooks

DAILY DEVOTION

SEEK DAILY (NBC)
Sunday, May 18
Matthew 15: 1-18

WHAT PROCEEDS FROM THE HEART
For out of the heart come evil thoughts... Matthew 15: 19, NIV

In the passage today, Jesus states in clear terms that our actions on a daily basis are products of our mind. The Scripture says, "Carefully guard your thought because they are the source of true life." (Proverbs 4:23, CEV).

You cannot speak or act out something your heart did not receive. The bottom-line is that all things proceed from the heart. Every issue of life emanates from the heart; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Therefore, guard your heart; x-ray whatever goes into it through these gateways:
Eye (what you see or read);
Nose (what you smell);
Tongue (what you taste);
Ear (what you hear or listen to); and
Skin (What you touch or feel).

As a child of God, allow the Holy Spirit to mould your heart and make it right. Follow the instructions as recorded in Romans 12:1-2. An evil heart cannot produce good words. Therefore, get your heart right with God so that the proceeds thereof will be good.

• Birthday Blessing: "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you ... to be His people ...." - Deuteronomy 7:6

Read Bible Through Passage: 1 Kings 5, 6; John 4:1-13

You are influenced more by what you think is so than what actually is so. Your perceptions of reality do more to govern your behaviour than reality itself. – Eric

DAILY DEVOTION

SEEK DAILY (NBC)

Friday, May 16

Matthew 5:27-37

BUT I SAY TO YOU

... Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28, NIV

The Scripture says that in the past God spoke through His prophets, but today He has spoken to us by His Son (Hebrews 1: 1-2).

According to Henry Blackabay, in "Experiencing God," the Lord speaks to us by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, the church and circumstances. Is His Word saying anything to you? God has a word for every situation. But, people do not always hear Him!

Jesus, in today's passage, gave us a better understanding about sexual sin. This is not the same as the Old Testament Law.
Jesus said things that were different from what men had known and practised on the issue of sexual immorality.

Thus, the popular saying that the voice of men is the voice of God (vox populi, vox Dei) is not correct. What will make it correct is if it agrees with what God says. You need to know that it is better to hear God's voice, but the best is to obey Him when He speaks, even if it is different from what you have always known and practised (James 1 :22).

• Birthday Blessing: "For the LORD will ransom Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they" - Jeremiah 31:11

Read Bible Through Passage: 1 Kings 2; John 3: 1-21

No one can hurt you without your consent. – Eleanor Roosevelt

PRAYER FOR NIGERIA

EDITATE ON ACTS 12:1-11 GIVING SPECIAL ATTENTION TO VERSE 5.
THE LORD LAID THIS ON MY HEART. WE NEED DIVINE INTERVENTION NOW EVER THAN BEFORE. WE DO NOT ONLY NEED TO BRING BACK THE GIRLS WE NEED TO BRING BACK THE CHURCH. KIDNAP OF THE GIRLS IS A SYMPTOM OF A DEEP SEATED DISEASE WHICH THE ENEMY HAS AFFLICTED THE CHURCH WITH. PRAY THAT GOD WILL USE THOSE GIRLS MORE TO HEAL THE CHURCH OF SLUMBER AND NEGLECT AND CONVERT THE ENEMIES OF THE CHURCH FROM THEIR WAYS OF HATRED AND VIOLENCE TO WAYS OF PEACE AND LOVE.

1. Pray for forgiveness of our numerous sins especially massive bloodshed in Nigeria. Pray for forgiveness of the sins of the global church. mention the ones you know. pray against power of satan, self and satan that fuel sin, power struggles among leaders, making church altar to become powerless and prayers of the church to be like mere noise. pray against altars of darkness raised against christian leaders to dig holes into their armour, and blunt their utterances.

2. Thank God for His covenants over the church. He has promised that the gate of hell will not prevail against the church

3.pray for massive revival of godliness in the church
pray for fresh Pentecost power in the church

4. pray against spirit of Herod manifesting in all forms of terrorist groups oppressing and persecuting the church all over the world especially in Nigeria

5. Pray that as God delivered Peter He will deliver christians like the Chibok girls from the prison of the Herod and his like.

6. pray for angelic reinforcement. the type that led Peter out of chains between 2 warders

7. pray for repentance of the violent oppressors of the church. pay that their eyes will be opened their heats will be circumcised by the love of God.

8. Pray for global Peace so that evangelism will not be hindered

9. Pray for power for the church to pray without ceasing

10. Pray against power of darkness which weakens, confuses and hardens Nigeria leaders. demolish altars of foolishness raised against them. pray that they will receive the Spirit of The Lord, Spirit of Wisdom, Understanding, fear of The Lord, counsel, might, knowledge (Isaiah 11:1-2).

11. Pray for President Goodluck Jonathan, other government officials and church leaders that God will release special wisdom and grace to them to lead the Nigeria through this treacherous 2014/2015

12. Pray for grace to pray without ceasing and to daily stand in the gap for the global church and Nigeria at least one hour everyday.One in the gap can fill the gap, you can be that One.

Your sister,

Femi Okunlola,
CHURCH PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

DAILY DEVOTION

SEEK DAILY (NBC)

Thursday, May 15

Matthew 5:14-20

FULFILLING THE LAW

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets,' I have come ... to fulfil them. Matthew 5: 17, NIV

Imagine the joy and relieve that you have when someone volunteers to help you carry a load you cannot carry or something you have been struggling with.

This is exactly what Jesus did for you and even much more. Hear Him, "I have come to fulfil the law." That which you and I could not do, He came to do to give the law full meaning. But this can only be yours by faith in Him. You must appropriate what He did for you.

I remember the story of a woman who with her load was offered ride at the back of a pick-up van. She entered the pick-up van and still put her load on her head. What a life!
It is unfortunate that some have faith in Jesus yet they still feel they will be righteous by what they do or not do.

The truth is, immediately you have faith in Jesus, God declares you righteous. He then empowers you by His Spirit and expects you to live a holy life. It is in this way that your righteousness will surpass that of the Pharisees.

• Birthday Blessing: "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs ...." - Isaiah 58: 11

Read Bible Through Passage: 1 Kings 1; John 2

I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible. – D. L. Moody
***********************
Endeavour to rebroadcast this devotional message to others on your contact list. Have a happy night rest.

DAILY DEVOTION

SEEK DAILY (NBC)

Tuesday, May 13

Exodus 20:12-21

TESTING AND FEAR

... God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning. Exodus 20:20, NIV

We have just read through the second part of the Ten Commandments which deals with our relationship with our fellow human beings.

The first part deals with our relationship with God. Hence, Jesus summarised the commandments by saying that the greatest commandment is to "love the Lord with all your heart, and the second, love your neighbour as yourself" (Matthew 22:36-39).

Loving God has to do with reverencing Him. Our love for God is demonstrated by how much we fear Him.

God is interested in the fact that we fear (reverence) Him and obey His Word. The God who spoke with awe to the Israelites is the same today. Paul said, "Knowing the terror of God we persuade men" (2 Corinthians 5: 11).

The drive for evangelism for the apostles was the fear of God. Do you fear God? Do you hallow His Name and Word? Or, do you take His instructions for granted? Note that God will always test your heart to see if you will fear and obey Him. It is in your own interest to fear God.

• Birthday Blessing: "If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; ...." - Isaiah 54: 15

Read Bible Through Passage: 2 Samuel 20, 21, 22; John 1: 15-34

Christians may tremble on the Rock of Ages, but the Rock will never tremble under them. – MacNeil

GLORIOUS BIRTHDAY TO AKERELE

Happy Birthday to Rev.Dr Victor Bamidele Akerele my brother. He is the Chairman, Pastor's Fellowship, Lagos Central Baptist Conference, Moderator, Unity Baptist Association and Snr Pastor, First Baptist Church, Festac.  God will pour overflowing grace upon you. Your will lead with wisdom.

Baptist Devotional

SEEK DAILY (NBC)
Monday, May 5
John 16:25-33

I CAME FROM THE FATHER
Yes, I came from the father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the father. John 16:28, NLT

Jesus plainly declared to His disciples that He came from the Father. At His ascension, He went back to the Father. As a result, we gain access to the Father through His Son, Jesus. We can ask and receive whatever we desire according to His will.

Once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, automatically, the love of the Father is planted in us. Our love for Jesus shows we believe He came from the Father.
Jesus knew His Source and was accountable to Him. If we would fulfill God's purpose on earth, we should behave likewise. The One who sent us is waiting for our "report cards".

Bearing this in mind will help us watch our motives, motivations, decisions, actions, reactions and responses in our daily engagements and ministries. The import of the message is this: God is your Source, He is the Source of your resources and unto Him you shall give account of your life and stewardship. Live in this consciousness.

• Birthday Blessing: "In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness" - Jeremiah 33:16

Read Bible Through Passage: 2 Samuel 3, 4; Luke 22:54-71

The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. – E. M. Bounds