BH 180: Thy Word Is a Lamp to My Feet

 Thy Word is a lamp to my feet,

1. A light to my path alway,

To guide and to save me from sin,

And show me the heav'nly way.

Refrain:

Thy Word have I hid in my heart,

That I might not sin against Thee;

That I might not sin, that I might not sin,

Thy Word have I hid in my heart.

2.  Forever, O Lord, is Thy Word

Established and fixed on high;

Thy faithfulness unto all men

Abideth for ever nigh. (Refrain)

3.  At morning, at noon, and at night

I ever will give Thee praise;

For Thou art my portion, O Lord,

And shall be thro' all my days! (Refrain)

4. Thro' Him whom Thy Word hath foretold,

The Saviour and Morning Star,

Salvation and peace have been bro't

To those who have strayed afar. (Refrain)

Read More

GOD, TEACH US YOUR STATUTES

 

RBT: Hosea 10-14

TEXT: Deuteronomy 4:1-14

HYMN BH 180:  Thy Word Is a Lamp to My Feet

Golden Text: Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees. Psalm 119:124, NIV

Teaching ministry is one spiritual assignment meant to extend God's kingdom through the church.  Teachers are like midwives who help students to know and activate what God has deposited in them. Teachers help the learners to understand new ideas and equip them to handle life’s issues. The worth of a teacher is great.

The psalmist in Psalm 119:124b cried, “Teach me your statutes.” The gift of knowledge and the ability to learn come from God alone.  God is a loving teacher who teaches His people His will and gives them discernment to handle life’s challenges. The writer of the Psalm desired to know, and approached God to give him understanding. Understanding God’s heart enables believers to shun evil and overcome Satan. The revelation through God’s Word will not only shape an individual’s life but bring positive influence. 

The entire universe is like a classroom where learning is taking place every day. In this day of explosive ideas, children of God need to know God’s Word adequately. The understanding of God’s Word will guard believers against strange doctrines. An in-depth knowledge of it will be helpful for daily living and spiritual discipline. Openness to teaching and learning God’s Word is the channel through which God’s mind and purpose can be known and practiced. Study the Word of God, and you will see the impact in your prayer and practical Christian living.

PERCEIVE: The understanding of the Word of God guards against strange doctrines.

PONDER: Are you a consistent student of the Scriptures? When last did you attend your church’s Sunday school, Bible Study, and the like?

PRACTISE: Decide to be a part of your church’s teaching ministry.  

PRAY: O Lord, help me to be a teachable believer.

Pray for these ordained ministers and members of their churches: Areo B. Olusola, Ibadan; Adeosun J. Banjo, Temidire-Laje; Adewuyi O.A., Abuja; Adeleke Olaide, Obor; Inetimi D. James, Mbiama; Lauretta Ibineye, Port-Harcourt; Danjuma A. Shekwaiyinaga, Kaduna; Auta Yohanna, Kaduna; Emmanuel Gambo, Niger; Adeniyi E. Ola

 ‹‹Previous Daily Encounter With God                                     Next Daily Encounter With God››

Read More

OBEDIENCE SHOWS WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT

->

RBT: RBT: Hosea 5-9

TEXT: Deuteronomy 4:1-14

HYMN: 260: Trust and Obey

Golden Text Observe [the laws and decrees] carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. Deuteronomy 4:6, NIV

Andrew Murray said, "Just as a servant knows that he must first obey his master in all things, so the surrender to an implicit and unquestionable obedience must become the essential characteristic of our lives. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons."

Moses told the Israelites that by their obedience, they would show their wisdom to the nations who would then marvel at how wise and understanding they were. God has good intention for giving rules and regulations that will guide His people. Any violation of these rules and commandments is bound to result in trouble. Giving the commandments was God's way of guarding the people's hearts and acts towards glorifying Him in the sight of surrounding nations. He expected them to obey the rules and govern themselves by the moral precepts. Their devotion and obedience would become a model for others to see and practice. This would show them as possessing wisdom and discernment. How can we identify a Christian life governed by wisdom and discernment? It is through total obedience to God. Whereas there are societal evils, natural disasters, and satanically-motivated challenges against people, many of the challenges facing humankind are as a result of violating God's rules. One who cannot manage himself may not be able to manage others. One who lacks personal discipline is bound to suffer many misfortunes. Live a godly life to enjoy the goodness of God. And your life will become a model to people around you.

PERCEIVE: Obedience to God shows wisdom and discernment.

PONDER: Are you obedient to the instructions of God?

PRACTISE: Resolve to live an obedient life to God, your spiritual leaders, parents and others.

PRAY: Resolve to live an obedient life to God, your spiritual leaders, parents and others.

Pray for these ordained ministers and members of their churches:

 Ishola-Esan H.E., Eku; Laniyan K. O, Ila-Orangun; Eebo Kayode, Ado-Ekiti; Popoola Olufemi, Lagos; Olagbenro A. D., Atan-Ota; Danlami Mutane, Kaduna; Amole M.S., Ogun; Ojameruaye Elizabeth, Delta; Ajibike T.O. Lagos; Damson I. I., Kumo; Iyanda A. Samuel, Suleja; Sunday Okungbowa, Edo; Adeola Adegboye, Ogbomoso; Ogundeji Z. O., Iwere-Ile; Ola-Oke O. Moses J., Ondo; Ishaya Daniel, Kaduna; Uiyasu Kunat, Gombi; Onifade A.J.,Ibadan.

Prayer: Lord, give my life a divine recognition.

 ‹‹Previous Daily Encounter With God                                         Next Daily Encounter With God››

Read More

HEAR MY PRAYER, O LORD

RBT: GENESIS 13-17

TEXT: PSALM 5

HYMN: BH 334: I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR

1. I need Thee ev'ry hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.

Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Ev'ry hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

2. I need Thee ev'ry hour,
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r
When Thou art nigh. [Refrain]

3. I need Thee ev'ry hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain. [Refrain]

4. I need Thee ev'ry hour,
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill. [Refrain]

Golden Text: Listen to my words, LORD, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my king and my God, for to you I pray. Psalm 5:1-2, NIV

In his book, reaching for the invisible God, Philip Yancey points out that when crisis comes, we have two choices: fear crisis or fear God. Believe the crisis is bigger than God or that God is bigger than the crisis.

David, the writer of this psalm, expressed with confidence his need for God’s help. Though his crisis is real, he believes that God is bigger than the crisis. His desperation to get God’s attention can be felt in the plea: “Give ears to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my king and my God”. The psalmist adored God because of His holy character, which is in contrast to people who are evil. He reverenced God through genuine worship, and then asked for God’s direction. He offered this prayer with confidence, knowing that God is faithful, merciful, and has always answered the prayers of His people.

Just like the psalmist, our attitude in the place of prayers must show that we have no other option besides Him. When we come in faith before God, showing our need of Him in life’s entire journey, and especially in times of distress, He is ever ready to hear us and listen to our plea and then show Himself mighty in our situations, no matter how dire they are. As psalmist sought God early in the morning, we must also make God priority as we seek Him first thing in the morning. God wants to be the first port of call in our lives at all times.

PERCEIVE: Putting God first in one’s life is important.

PONDER: Do you still run to other sources outside God for help?

PRACTICE: Remove distractions that block your fellowship with God.

PRAYER: O Lord, keep us alert at observing our differences and be quick at mending fences. We pray for the unction to function effectively for all staff members of NBC Headquarters Ibadan and for protection and provision for them and their families.

Dear Father, help me to deepen my fellowship with you through regular prayer.

 

Read More

SHOW GOD’S KINDNESS

 

RBT: 1 THESSALONIANS 1-5

TEXT: 2 SAMUEL 9:1-7; 9-12

HYMN: BH 368: BRETHREN, WE HAVE COME TO WORSHIP

1. Brethren, we have met to worship
And adore the Lord our God;
Will you pray with all your power,
While we try to preach the Word?
All is vain unless the Spirit
Of the Holy One comes down;
Brethren, pray, and holy manna
Will be showered all around.

2. Brethren, see poor sinners round you
Slumb'ring on the brink of woe;
Death is coming, hell is moving,
Can you bear to let them go?
See our fathers and our mothers,
And our children sinking down;
Brethren, pray and holy manna
Will be showered all around.

3. Sisters, will you join and help us?
Moses' sister aided him;
Will you help the trembling mourners
Who are struggling hard with sin?
Tell them all about the Savior,
Tell them that He will be found;
Sisters, pray, and holy manna
Will be showered all around.

4. Let us love our God supremely,
Let us love each other, too;
Let us love and pray for sinners,
Till our God makes all things new.
Then He'll call us home to heaven,
At His table we'll sit down;
Christ will gird Himself, and serve us
With sweet manna all around.

 

Golden Text: Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness? 2 Samuel 9:3, NIV

A woman lost her job as a security guard because she was too courteous. Her employer wrote, “Due to your caring and giving nature, you are compromising your position as a security officer. Being caring and giving is not a job requirement, nor is it what you are paid to do”. Imaging getting a job where kindness is a minus rather than a plus in the qualifications! Jonathan’s faithfulness to his side of the covenant cannot go unrewarded.

When God lifted David to become king, he remembered the faithfulness of his friend, Jonathan. “David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” Mephibosheth, crippled in both feet, the only surviving son of Jonathan, became the beneficiary David’s kindness. Everything that belonged to the house of Saul was returned to him and he was brought to eat with King David in Jerusalem.

David knew that he got to the throne by God’s kindness. He determined to show the same kindness to any surviving relation of Jonathan. Whatever position you are today is by God’s mercy. You are to show the kindness of God to people around you. Being in a position to show kindness to people is a privilege. Never miss any opportunity to show God’s kindness to all who come your way.

WISDOM: Our world needs God’s kindness.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Do you use your position to bring benefits to people?

FOLLOW-UP ACTION: Show kindness to someone today.

PRAYER: O Lord, help me to be kind.

O Lord, I receive your grace to fulfill your purpose for me today.

‹‹Previous Daily Encounter With God

 

Read More

DAVID BECOMES KING

 

RBT: PHILIPPIANS 1-4

TOPIC: DAVID BECOMES KING

TEXT: 2 SAMUEL 3:1-5; 5:1-5

HYMN: BH 212: LOVE LIFTED ME

Golden Text: Elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David King over Israel. 2 Samuel 5:3, NIV

“Why can’t I have it now”? Was the question a young man asked his father, when the father told him that he has a special parcel for him but that he was not ripe enough to manage it? “Why wait till a particular time when the parcel is already with you dad”? He thought.

After six and half years of ruling over his tribe men of Judah in Hebron, the elders of Israel came over and anointed David King over all Israel. David’s installation as King over Israel was the end of about nineteen years of endurance, trials and temptations. God used the period to train his heart to be more loving and forgiving. Twice he had opportunity to kill Saul, but God prevailed in his heart and he forgave Saul. David’s three levels of endorsement before family (1 Samuel 16:13), tribe (2 Samuel 2:4), and Nation (2 Samuel 5:3) are like Jesus’ three levels of dominion. He conquered in Heaven, on earth and beneath the earth (Philippians 2:9-10).

Adversity is not your enemy, but God’s instrument to prepare you for your throne of destiny. A man is not defined by the position he occupies, but by the obstacles he overcomes to obtain the position. God has a place that He is taking you to. Be patience as you follow His step even if it is painful, difficult and unbearable. Do not be satisfied with being a local champion. Wait for God’s time and He will glorify Himself through your life.

WISDOM: God makes all things beautiful in His time.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Am I prepared for the promotion I believe God for?

FOLLOW-UP ACTION: Do all you need to be ready for God’s visitation.

PRAYER: O Lord, I receive the grace to obtain Your promises.

Father Lord, may I not be missing on Your day of visitation.

‹‹Previous Daily Encounter With God                                           Next Daily Encounter With God››

Read More