JUST DO IT RIGHT

And having in a readiness to revenge all
disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 2
Corinthians 10:6
Read: 1 Samuel 15:16-23
15:16 Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I
will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this
night. And he said unto him, Say on.
15:17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in
thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of
the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee
king over Israel?
15:18 And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and
said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the
Amalekites, and fight against them until they be
consumed.
15:19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey the
voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil,
and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?
15:20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have
obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the
way which the LORD sent me, and have brought
Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly
destroyed the Amalekites.
15:21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and
oxen, the chief of the things which should have
been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD
thy God in Gilgal.
15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great
delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in
obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is
better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat
of rams.
15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD,
he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Message
A good number of people confuse service for
God's approval or acceptance. It will be profitable
for people, particularly children of God, to
understand that it is one thing to engage in the
service of God and it is another thing for God to
accept your service. The simple message for
today is- "just do it right, and God will accept you
and your service". The Bible says:
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies
of God, that ye present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service." Romas 12:1
In our Bible reading today, we read of the first
king in Israel who put sacrifice over and above
being obedient to God and His Word. God told
king Saul to go and utterly destroy the Amalekites
and everything they possessed; from the king to
the least of the beasts. However, Saul went,
fought and won the battle, but failed to carry out
God's instruction to the letter. When he was
cross-examined by Prophet Samuel, he had the
effrontery to tell Samuel that he had done what
God asked him to do, except the spoil of sheep
and oxen which he took to use as sacrifice to the
Lord. This unfortunately cost him his throne.
Samuel said:
"...Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt
offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice
of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than
sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." 1
Samuel 15:22
There is a great lesson we should learn from the
story of King Saul and the assignment he was
given to fight the Amalekites.
Some people seem to be more spiritual than the
Holy Spirit when you consider the way they claim
to know everything about the ways of God. It is
not unlikely that king Saul felt it would be a
waste of resources by totally destroying the
material resources in Amalek. It is also not
unlikely that he felt it will be an act of
wickedness on the part of God to have asked him
to kill the king, Agag. Beloved, there are many
types of Amalekites and King Agags that God will
want us to get rid of in our life. The Bible lists
some things that we must do away with in
Galatians 5:19-21
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which
are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred,
variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions,
heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness,
revellings, and such like.."
Some so-called workers in the Church are still
harboring these things that we are to get rid of,
yet they are 'zealously' working for God. It is
unfortunate that their labour attracts no reward.
Jesus said on that day, they will come and say:
"We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and
thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say,
I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart
from me, all ye workers of iniquity." Luke
13:26-27
May this not be your portion in Jesus' name.
Prayer Point :
Father, please help me to be obedient, and begin
to do the right thing in your sight from now
onward....................
O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED.
O Jesus, I have promised,
To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me,
My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my Guide.
Oh, let me feel Thee near me;
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.
Oh, let me hear Thee speaking,
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will;
Oh, speak to reassure me,
To hasten, or control;
Oh, speak, and make me listen,
Thou Guardian of my soul.
O Jesus, Thou hast promised
To all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory
There shall Thy servant be;
And Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Oh, give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend.
Oh, let me see Thy footmarks,
And in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly
Is in Thy strength alone.
Oh, guide me, call me, draw me,
Uphold me to the end;
And then to rest receive me,
My Savior and my Friend.

THOU SHALL NOT COVET

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;"

Ephesians 5:3
Read: Ephesians 5:3-7
5:3. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
5:4. Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5:5. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
5:6. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
5:7. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Message:
A. Today, we will examine one of the Ten Commandments; covetousness.
1. The sin of covetousness is a cluster of many sins that sets man against his Maker. 2. Upon the sin of covetousness hangs many other sins like stealing, sexual immorality and murder, hence the law:
"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's."
Exodus 20:17
B. David, a God-fearing soldier, King and prophet fell because of covetousness.
1. He coveted Bathsheba, his soldier's wife; and went from one form of sin to another.
2. Covetousness led him to adultery and adultery led him to a murderous act.
3. When someone is caught in the sin of covetousness in the area of alcohol, he gets drunk and what next? Foolish talking and jetting that are not convenient become inevitable.
4. The Bible says:
"Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things." Proverbs 23:31-33
C. Coveting your neighbour's possession can lead to murder.
1. The reason for this is that when someone covets his neighbour's estate, and is unable to get it, he may resolve to kill the rightful owner to have it.
2. This was the case in Ahab and Naboth's story (1 Kings 21:1-16).
3. Ahab organized a feast where Naboth should be framed up and killed by the scheme of his wife, Jezebel. Immediately the plan was hatched, The Lord sent His prophet to go and deliver His judgment upon Ahab. It was a judgment of vengeance.
4. "...Thus saith The LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine." 1 Kings 21:19
D. Beloved, let us beware of the sin of covetousness as Jesus warned in Luke 12:15-20.

1. The man in that story was boasting about what he possessed but that same night God required his soul from him.

2. Our Lord then asked whose those things he had acquired shall be for.

3. Think about it and you will discover that covetousness is not worth it after all.

Action Point:
Think of those things that entice you to the acts of covetousness, pray and avoid being possessed by them.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Timothy 1-6 and Psalms 21

THEME I AM THINE O LORD

1. I am thine, O Lord, I have heard thy voice,
and it told thy love to me;
but I long to rise in the arms of faith
and be closer drawn to thee.

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
to the cross where thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
to thy precious, bleeding side.

2. Consecrate me now to thy service, Lord,
by the power of grace divine;
let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
and my will be lost in thine.

3. O the pure delight of a single hour
that before thy throne I spend,
when I kneel in prayer, and with thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend!

4. There are depths of love that I cannot know
till I cross the narrow sea;
there are heights of joy that I may not reach
till I rest in peace with thee.

ASSURANCE OF BREAKTHROUGH.

 Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it
shall be established unto thee: and the light shall
shine upon thy ways. JOB 22 : 28.
READ : 1 SAMUEL 30 : 6 - 8 :
6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people
spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the
people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his
daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord
his God.
7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's
son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And
Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
8 And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I
pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And
he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely
overtake them, and without fail recover all.
MESSAGE :
Breakthroughs are of the Lord. The earlier the
children of God understand this fact, the better for
them. People look around for breakthroughs as if
their power will bring it to pass. It is pardonable for
unbelievers but it is not acceptable to professed
children of God who know what the scripture says
about breakthroughs.
“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, this is
the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by
might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord
of hosts.”
Zechariah 4 : 7.
This is one of the reasons why we know that our
tomorrow shall be alright. I discovered this a long
time ago and the words “my tomorrow shall be alright”
became our anthem in the Redeemed Christian Church
of God. Not because I know how to go about things,
but because I discovered that the breakthrough of a
man has already been established before his creation.
For example, it was not man that forced light to
come, neither was it man that created the animal
kingdom over which he was made king. Why should I
worry about how God will bring about my
breakthrough? My breakthrough is settled in Christ.
Divine guidance is the secret of breaking through
obstacles and challenges of life. In our Bible reading
for today, we read about the secret of the victory
David had at the raid of Ziglag. After David has wept
for his loss, he gathered himself together and asked
God if pursuing the troops that invaded him would be a
profitable one. To receive unfailing breakthrough,
asking God for divine guidance is inevitable.
Moreover, a prayer of decree can guarantee
assurance of breakthrough according to today’s
Memory verse.
“Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be
established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon
thy ways.”
Our Lord Jesus Christ assured us of breakthroughs
against all obstacles that the enemies may try to
bring our way :
“…. Verily I say unto you, if ye have faith, and doubt
not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig
tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be
thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall
be done.” Matthew 21 : 21.
Beloved, the Almighty God is the Source of all human
breakthroughs. Therefore, bring yourself to the
favour of your Maker today and you will experience
the breakthrough of your dreams.
PRAYER POINT :
Father, please remove all obstacles in my way to
breakthrough and cause me to excel in Jesus’ name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 THESSALONIANS 5, 2
THESSALONIANS 3 AND PSALMS 20.
AUTHOR : PASTOR : E . A ADEBOYE.
HYMN 6 : WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS.
What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee
thou wilt find a solace there.

CLEANLINESS IS PRACTICAL GODLINESS

Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence,
touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of
her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the
LORD. Isaiah 52:11
Read: Numbers 8:5-7
8:5 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
8:6 Take the Levites from among the children of
Israel, and cleanse them.
8:7 And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse
them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and
let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash
their clothes, and so make themselves clean.
Message
One truth a child of God must embrace is that
cleanliness is godliness in practical terms. God
pays attention to personal hygiene as much as he
pays attention to the spiritual purity of His
people. In the book of Leviticus 14:43-45, we
read:
"And if the plague come again, and break out in
the house, after that he hath taken away the
stones, and after he hath scraped the house, and
after it is plastered; Then the priest shall come
and look, and, behold, if the plague be spread in
the house, it is a fretting leprosy in the house; it
is unclean. And he shall break down the house,
the stones of it, and the timber thereof, and all
the morter of the house; and he shall carry them
forth out of the city into an unclean place."
In our Bible reading for today, we read how God
instructed Moses to take the Levites from among
the congregation and cleanse them. There are
many lessons we must learn from this passage.
Why were the Levites singled out for cleansing? It
is because they were special to God; they were
Yahweh's representatives among God's people.
"But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the
tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels
thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they
shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels
thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall
encamp round about the tabernacle." Numbers
1:50
The Levites, being vessels of honor, were required
to be cleansed to function as priests unto God.
As such, children of God must be clean in and out
because it is required of us to be physically and
spiritually clean.
"And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse
them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and
let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash
their clothes, and so make themselves clean."
Numbers 8:7
It is unfortunate to see that some children of God
are not taking seriously the basic hygiene that
can enhance their divine health. Some actually
believe in divine healing, but do not live in clean
environments, nor eat good food. Good food does
not cost much. As a matter of fact, it is
dangerous delicacies that are costly. So, in order
to enjoy divine health, we must live clean lives.
May the Almighty God grant us the ability to live
clean lives in Jesus' name.
Action Point:
Take care of your personal hygiene and observe
basic health instructions in your home.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Thessalonians 1-4 and Psalms 19:7-14
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 4: TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,