DAILY DEVOTION

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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

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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

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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
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DAILY DEVOTION

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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

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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