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Showing posts from January, 2026

COSTLY ASSUMPTION 2

TEXT: Joshua 9:14-15. So the leaders of Israel sampled their provisions, but did not ask the LORD about it.b They made a treaty with them, guaranteeing their lives with a covenant, and the leaders of the congregation confirmed it with an oath to them.*  Joshua and the leaders of Israel made a costly assumption that costs Isreal a great deal. When the Gibeonites heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they took the initiative by preparing their provisions shrewdly: they took tattered sacks for their donkeys, worn-out, torn, and mended wineskins, worn-out, patched sandals for their feet, and worn-out clothes. All of their food was dried out and covered in mold. Then they approached Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and addressed him and the Israelis, “We’ve arrived from a distant country, so please make a treaty with us right now.” Joshua 9:3-6. This was the emotional speech the Gibeonites gave to the Israelis' leaders and they assumed they were saying the truth without hearing from...

COSTLY ASSUMPTION

TEXT:  Luke 2:44  But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. Though the word 'assumption' was never directly mentioned in the bible at any point in time, but it occurred many times with different characters in the bible.   *Assumption is believing or acting upon that which is not true.*  The very first costly assumption was committed by our first parents - Adam and Eve. The devil is the inventor of assumption. He deceived Adam and Eve, and made them assume that they could enter into a better estate than where they were or who God has made them to be.(Gen. 3:1-7) Having gone up to Jerusalem for worship, Joseph and Mary assumed that Jesus, their 12 year old boy was returning home with them. They were not cognisant of the fact that he had stayed back in Jerusalem.  In the same manner, many are in church today who assume  that Jesus is with them. They assume that bec...

COUNT THE COST-2

TEXT: Luke 14:28  For which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first, and counts the cost, whether he has sufficient to finish it? In our study text, Jesus Christ was teaching about counting the cost of following the Lord.  There is a cost that comes with following the LORD, and you must sit down to count such cost in order to be a good disciple of the Lord.  The Lord used two analogies to explain how his followers should  count the cost  of following Him.  He cited the case of counting the cost of starting and being able to finish a building project. And He also talked about a king sitting down to count the cost of going to a battle front against his enemy in order to ascertain whether he has enough soldiers to fight the battle or not. The Lord now concluded by saying. " *So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple."* (Luke 14:33).  This is the cost Jesus is talking about. Following the Lord entail...

COUNT THE COST

TEXT: Luke 14:28  For which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first, and counts the cost, whether he has sufficient to finish it? Whatever task you wish to undertake, whatever  decision you are about to take, or whatever plan you are putting up, our Lord Jesus Christ strongly instructs that you should first sit down and count the cost. When you begin to learn how to count the cost of your decisions and undertakings , your sorrow and regrets will drastically reduce. Sitting down to count the cost will always reduce negative impacts in your faith journey and life endeavours generally.  It's possible you've made many mistakes in life in the past, but if you start obeying Jesus' instruction on planing henceforth, your  remaining days shall be full of joy and fulfillment.  *There is always a cost and price attached to every decision you have made or that you will be making.* There is a price to be paid for following the Lord. There is a price to pay f...

GRACE AND TRUTH

TEXT: John 1:17 “ For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” Grace and truth are the full expression of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Before Christ came, humanity related with God mainly through the law.  The law showed what was right, but it did not give the power to live right. It exposed sin but could not heal the sinner. When Jesus came, He brought more than rules, He brought grace, truth, forgiveness, and transformation. Grace is God reaching down to lift man up. It is an unmerited favor.  Grace is strength for the weak, hope for the hopeless, and mercy for the undeserving.  Truth, on the other hand, is the light that exposes God’s standard and reveals His will. *Truth shows us the way to walk; grace gives us the ability to walk in it. That is why both must work together in the life of every believer.*  Many people want grace but avoid the truth. They desire God’s blessings but reject His instructions. Others hold tightly to truth...

GRACE AND PEACE

TEXT: Ephesians 1:2 “May grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, be yours!” Whenever Apostle Paul addressed believers as saints, his greeting was never casual. Almost without exception, it was accompanied by the powerful declaration of grace and peace.  This was not merely a polite opening, it was a spiritual truth and a prophetic reminder of what defines the believer’s life in Christ. Grace and peace are not optional extras for the Christian; they are foundational realities. *A saint who does not walk in grace and peace will struggle, no matter how sincere their faith may be.*  Grace is God’s undeserved favor, His divine enablement that empowers us to live above sin, fear, and weakness. It is by grace that we are saved, sustained, and strengthened.  Grace reminds us that our standing before God is not based on our performance but on Christ’s finished work. Peace, on the other hand, is the inward assurance and rest that flows from being rightl...

CALLED TO BE SAINTS

TEXT: 1 Corinthians1:2   Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:*  Many believers struggle with identity, not because God has not spoken clearly, but because they listen more to culture, weakness, and past failures than to God’s Word.  Scripture does not describe believers as sinners trying to become saints; it calls them saints who must live according to who they already are in Christ. The moment you were born again, you were sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be a saint. This calling defines your true identity. Your life is meant to flow from this divine calling, not from human limitations or excuses.  God never calls a man into a state He does not empower him to live in. Do not be deceived into thinking that holiness is impossible or that perfection is unattainable. God’s standard has not chang...

HIS PRESENCE.

TEXT: Psalms 16:11  You will show me the path of life: in your  presence is fullness of joy; at your  right hand there are pleasures for evermore.  *God's presence is far better than his presents(gifts)* It is therefore better to desire the presence of God much more than His gift.  Moses, having walked with the Lord for many years, having seen and experienced the greatness of God and his power, however requested for the manifest presence of God to go with them on their journey. Moses said to the LORD, "See, You say to me, 'Bring up these people.' But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight. And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. Then he said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here."' (Exodus 33:12-15). Moses sternly demanded that if the LORD Himself would not go with them on their journe...

REMARKABLE TRANSLATION-2.

TEXT: Colossians 1:13. Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: The Son of God gave us redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:14).  Through the precious blood of Jesus Christ, you were brought into God's kingdom.  The blood of Jesus Christ is the offering that  brought us near to God (into God's kingdom). Ephesians 2:13 says that you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. The blood of Jesus  Christ is the token that facilitates your translation into God's kingdom. The blood of Jesus Christ therefore must be highly regarded as a powerful and potent offering that delivered you from the power of darkness.  As a believer you must learn to always plead the blood of Jesus Christ, as it is still in force both in heaven and on earth. Now that you are in God's kingdom, you must continually resist every projection and assault from the power of d...

REMARKABLE TRANSLATION

TEXT: Colossians 1:13. Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: As a true believer and child of God, you must know that something remarkable happened to you when you were born again by the Spirit. The very moment you committed your life into the hands of Jesus as your Savior and Lord,  a remarkable shift took place.  You were translated from the power of darkness into God's kingdom. At New birth, you were released from the grip of the power of darkness.  Every single person in this world at first birth(through the flesh), came under the power of darkness, but at second birth (through the Spirit), we come under the dominion of God's kingdom. (John 3:3-5, Ephesians 2;1-3) With this understanding, you must know that you are no longer under the rulership of the Prince of the power of the air, that is, the devil.  Therefore, you must continually  keep your walk in obedience to God, in order to continuall...

SUFFERING FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS

TEXT: Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Suffering is something we naturally try to avoid, yet Jesus teaches that there is a unique blessing attached to suffering for righteousness’ sake. This kind of suffering does not come from wrongdoing or poor choices, but from standing firm in truth, obedience, and godly values in a world that often resists them. When you choose integrity over compromise, holiness over popularity, and obedience over convenience, opposition may arise. You may be misunderstood, mocked, rejected, or even persecuted. But Scripture assures us that God sees every tear, every insult, and every silent endurance. None of it is wasted. Righteous suffering refines our faith. It draws us closer to Christ, who Himself suffered unjustly, Isaiah 53:3.  As we endure, we become living testimonies of God’s grace and power. The world may see weakness, but heaven sees faithfulness. Ask yourself, 'Am ...

WELL OF SALVATION

TEXT: Isaiah 12:3 “ Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” *Salvation is not a dry experience; it is a living well.* God does not merely save us and leave us empty, He invites us to continually draw from what He has already provided.  The well of salvavtion is deep, eternal, and inexhaustible. It contains forgiveness, peace, healing, strength, wisdom, and joy. However, the Scripture reveals something important: we must draw. God provides the well, but we are responsible for approaching it with faith and joy.  Many believers are  thirsty, not because the well is empty, but because they stop drawing.  Fear, guilt, sin, busyness, or spiritual laziness can keep us away from the well. Drawing from the well of salvation requires intentional fellowship with God, through prayer, the Word, worship, and obedience.  As we come daily, joy replaces heaviness, strength replaces weakness, and hope rises again. The more we draw, the more refreshe...

DISTRACTIONS 2

TEXT: Hebrews 12:1–2 “ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”*  It is important to understand that distractions do not always come as sin. Many times, they come as weights, things that are not wrong in themselves, yet they slow us down and drain our strength. A weight is anything that reduces your speed, clarity, and sensitivity to God. It could be excessive engagements, unnecessary relationships, endless social media consumption or engagement, or even good activities done at the wrong time.   *Not everything that is permissible is profitable. Not everything good is God’s will for you*  Distractions thrive where there is no clear vision. When you are not sure of where you are going, everything will look important. .  Once God shows...

DISTRACTIONS

TEXT: Luke 10:41-42 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." A saying has it that "a distracted mind lives everywhere except where life is actually happening.” In this year, you must resist every form of distractions that may come your way. It is a killer of destiny. To take away your focus and attention from the very one thing that matters the most to other things that are merely calling your attention is distraction.  It is not everything that requires your attention that you must give yourself to. It's not everyone that is calling for your attention  that you must attend to. It's not every task that you are called to do that you must undertake. It's not every place that you are called to that you must go.  *It's not every business that concerns you, only that which is your concern is what you m...

BE READY-2

TEXT: Matthew 24:44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Our Lord Jesus Christ has made it very clear that his coming shall be as in the day of Noah. He said that people will be doing their normal  activities like in the days of Noah, when the son of man shall suddenly appear.  Men shall continue to drink, eat and marry like Jesus said, some folks do make mockery of the coming of Christ  saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."(2 Peter 3:4). Meanwhile, the LORD has intentionally prolonged His return so that you and I would have ample time to get ready and prepare for His coming. Apostle Peter said, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus has not returned ...

BE READY

TEXT: Matthew 24:44 *Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.*  The return of our Lord Jesus Christ is both certain and imminent. It is therefore very important for us to keep reminding ourselves from time to time while we have the gift of life and the privilege of being in Him to get ready and stay ready. As a believer, we must not commit the same error that people in the generation of Noah committed. The LORD sent Noah to them to turn from their evil ways, and  He gave them salvation opportunity through the ark, but they refused to enter and they all perished.  If you are reading this devotional right now, and  you know that you are not in the ark of salvation or you were once in the ark but you have exited. This is the right time to do the needful. There is always the right time for  the salvation of sinners, backsliders and hypocrites and the right time is *NOW!*    *"... _Now_ is the accepted tim...

A NEW BEGINNING

TEXT: Lamentations 3:22–23. “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.*   *They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.” Today is the second day of the New Year, the first day is already behind us. This naturally raises an important question: what truly makes a year new? If you look around, you may realize that many things remain exactly the same as they were in 2025. The streets are the same. The people are the same. Responsibilities, work schedules, and life’s demands continue as usual. Any visible change may simply be the decorations or calendars we have replaced. So what really brings about change? What truly makes a year new is not the date on the calendar, but the newness you allow God to create within you and around you. Our text reminds us that it is only by the mercies of God that we are preserved. We did not survive the past year by strength, wisdom, or effort alone, but by God’s unfailing compassion. And the be...

A NEW GIFT

TEXT: Lamentation 3:22-23. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.*  Today is the first day of the year. God is not limited by time, but He understands our times and seasons. Today comes with lots of excitements. Amidst this excitement, know that it is important to be grateful for the gift of life. It is equally important to be grateful for the grace to see another year. But what is more important is to realize that each new day is a Gift from God. Each  day offers you a new plate to live a life that is pleasing to the Father.  *You have been given another opportunity to walk blamelessly before God. Seize the day. Don't be carried away with the excitement and celebration.*  Before you launch out today, take time to appreciate God for the gift of life. Thank Him for another opportunity to amend your ways and do things right. Ask Him for wisdom to navigate throu...