DIVINE TRANSFORMATION 1

Memorise: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Read: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (KJV)

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 31:14-32:47; Job 9:13-24

MESSAGE:

Yesterday, we read about the state of the heart of man being very wicked. We also read about spiritual surgery which can bring about divine transformation. The work of redemption performed by Jesus Christ makes divine transformation possible.

In the Bible reading for today, we note the terrible things that man is capable of. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, unequivocally said that those who do those things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. However, he wrote:

“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” - 1 Corinthians 6:11

Our Lord Jesus Christ was speaking to Nicodemus about divine transformation when He said to him: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Being born of water and of the Spirit brings about divine transformation.

The mystery of the new birth cannot be explained by human reasoning except through the enlightenment by the Spirit of our God. For example, in the epistle of John:

“8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” - 1 John 3:8-9

There are two main avenues for experiencing divine transformation: the first is genuine repentance; when a man voluntarily submits his will to God in obedience. The other one is the power in the blood of Jesus Christ; the blood of the new covenant is much more superior to the blood of the bull (Hebrews 10:4). Therefore, for divine transformation, Jesus Christ is the answer. I pray that all the necessary transformation you need to live an acceptable life before God will be given to you through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Prayer Point: Father, please cleanse me from all impurities and let my life conform to Your original image.

DIVINE TRANSFORMATION II

Memorise:

“And the spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shall prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.” 1 Samuel 10:6

Read : 1 Samuel 10:1-6
1: Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the Lord hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?
2 When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?
3 Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:
4 And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands.
5 After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:
6 And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

Message:
The Almighty God at creation set the natural laws in motion, and they started to function just as He commanded them. For example, the sun rises and sets at the appointed times and so does the moon. However, whenever God decides to showcase His sovereignty, He may decide to suspend these laws and do things as He pleases. He may even decide to bring something out of nothing or make somebody out of nobody. This is what people call ‘a miracle’. My prayer to someone using this devotional today is that a divine transformation will make you somebody where you have been looked upon as nobody in Jesus’ Name.
The story in our Bible reading today reveals a divine transformation in the life of the first king of Israel, King Saul. He was not just anointed as a king; he started to prophesy. The good news is that a better transformation which is equally divine is now available to whoever is willing to surrender his life to Jesus Christ. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away: behold all things are become new.”
As a result of this experience, the believer becomes very important personality. Apostle Peter called us chosen, royal priesthood and peculiar. Beloved, do you desire divine transformation? There is only one person who can give you this experience; and this is Jesus Christ. The Bible says;
“He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes..” 1 Samuel 2:8.
However, the divine transformation which makes an enemy of God become a friend of this same God, takes some responsibilities. Old things must pass away and the fellow must now live according to the principles of the Kingdom of God. The Bible says;
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3
The reality which King Saul did not pay close attention to might have been responsible for his dethronement. This may also account for the downfall of many children of God, who God transformed and raised to be His ministers, but took the grace of transformation for granted and lost their position both in the ministry and in the Kingdom of God. This will not be your portion in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point:
Father, please use Your almighty power to give me a pleasant transformation this season in Jesus’ Name.
Bible reading: Deuteronomy 32:46-34:12, Job 9:25-10:5

WALKING WITH GOD III

Memorise:
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted upon His soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Psalm 24:4
Read: Psalm 24:3-6
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
Message:
Walking with God requires living holy because God is holy. According to the Scriptures, two can’t walk together if they do not agree. When we live holy, we are in agreement with God. The Lord spoke with Abram thus:
“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God: walk before me, and be thou perfect.” Genesis 17:1
In our Bible reading for today, we are confronted with some fundamental requirements for an acceptable walk with God. The first one is clean hands. If your hands are defiled, you cannot walk with God. What is it that defiles a man’s hands? Blood money is one; money that belongs to another person or organization but you have taken unlawfully is another. Also your hands are defiled by the unlawful touch of another man’s wife or another woman’s husband.
“Can a man take fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.” Proverbs 6:27-29
Moreover, only a man with pure heart can effectively and acceptably walk with God. The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, but God is able to remove this wickedness. This is why everyone must surrender his or her heart to God for spiritual surgery through genuine repentance. The Scripture says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. If we confess our sins to God, He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God also promises:
“And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statues, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” Ezekiel 11:19-20
Jesus Christ said that we cannot serve God and Mammon. Also, the Bible enjoins us not to love the world and its vanities. Failure to heed this scriptural injunction is lifting up our soul unto vanity. The love of money can hinder our Christian walk with God. It makes Christians do such things as swearing false affidavits. May the Lord deliver you from anything that works against your walk with God in Jesus’ Name.
Action Point:
Using 2 Coritians 6:14-18
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
Pray that God will enable you to shun anything that will hinder your walk with Him.
Bible in one year: Deuteronomy 19:1-31:13, Job 8:20-9:12
AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

QUALIFIED FOR COMMENDATION?

MEMORISE : And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his works shall be.” REVELATION 22 : 12.
READ : MATTHEW 25 : 19 - 21 :
“19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: DEUTERONOMY 22 : 13 - 25 : 4, JOB 6 : 24 - 7 : 6.
Man is wonderfully and fearfully made. Created in the image of God, man is a “god” to other creatures. God Almighty created man for a divine purpose and for His pleasure. At the same time, He has earmarked a reward for every man who chooses to fulfill God’s purpose for his life. This is why in our memory verse today, we read about Jesus Christ saying He rewards men according to their works.
In our Bible reading of today, the faithful servant who made good use of the talents given to him by his master received commendation. This story is no doubt talking about the commendation and rewards awaiting believers who faithfully serve the purpose and interest of the Lord. The question confronting us in today’s reading is “Are we qualified for commendation?” Jesus Christ said :
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15 : 16.
The Lord is encouraging someone reading this devotional today; He is taking note of your labour of love in the Church and to humanity. Though your pastor or superior may not commend you, the Almighty God will reward you handsomely if you will not be weary in well doing. Galatians 6 : 9 says :
“ And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
The outspoken Peter asked the Lord what their reward would be seeing that they left everything to follow Him. Jesus answered by saying :
“..Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my sake, and the gospel’s, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” Mark 10 : 29 - 30.
Beloved, if you want to receive commendation from the Lord on the last day, first step is to give your life to Christ. Then, begin to work for Him, serve Him and His Church through soul winning and sacrificial giving. You will surely be commended. Remember He said, “I come quickly and my reward is with me…”
ACTION POINT :
Think of a way to use your God given talents to expand God’s kingdom on earth: be it through giving or aggressive soul winning.
AUTHOR : PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE.
HYMN: 
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

WEEP NOT:

WEEP NOT: A DIVINE COMMAND
Memorise: Rejoice evermore
1 st Thessalonians 5:16
Read: Luke 7:12-15, 12 Now when he came
nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there
was a dead man carried out, the only son
of his mother, and she was a widow: and
much people of the city was with her.
13 And when the Lord saw her, he had
compassion on her, and said unto her,
Weep not.
14 And he came and touched the bier: and
they that bare him stood still. And he said,
Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
15 And he that was dead sat up, and began
to speak. And he delivered him to his
mother.
Bible in one year: Deuteronomy
19:15-22:12, Job 6:8-23
MESSAGE!!!
At times, children of God lose the import of
God’s command, which invariably is for our
good if we do not take it as a suggestion
but as a command. Positively, one of such
commands is in one of the shortest verse
of the New Testament; “Rejoice evermore.”
In today’s Bible reading, we were given a
command; “Weep Not”. This command is
easier read than obeyed, but then, it should
be obeyed. A widow lost her only son and
Jesus Christ commanded her not to weep!
This command came before the action that
justified it in that situation. To someone
reading this devotional, Jesus is telling you;
“weep not” because He will intervene in that
situation which is causing you to weep. One
terrible thing about weeping is that it does
not solve the problem at hand. So, why
engage in what will not change the
situation? Once again I say, “Weep not”.
Jesus Christ who asks you not to weep
knows what He is going to do about that
situation, like in the case of the widow of
Nain. The Bible says that Jesus came and
touched the coffin that was bearing the
dead young man and commanded life to
come back to the lifeless body. Death then
immediately released the soul of the young
man at the command of the One whose
Name is the Resurrection and the Life.
Weeping could be very detrimental to those
who indulge in it. Apart from being a
deviant behaviour against a divine
command, it blurs your vision and
reasoning. Also, weeping, particularly when
God has spoken against it, is an indirect
way of protesting against God’s Word. It is
equal to murmuring, which is also
rebellious. The Bible assuredly says:
“Weeping may endure for a night; but joy
cometh in the morning.”
Psalm 30:5
Blessed are we, if we believe the scripture.
In addition, the Bible says that
weeping blurred Mary Magdalene’s visions on the
resurrection morning so much that she mistook
Jesus Christ for a gardener!
“Jesus said unto her, Woman, why
weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She,
supposing him to be the gardener, saith
unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence,
tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will
take him away.”
John 20:15
.
An antidote for weeping is the reading of
God’s Word concerning His promises to us
in time of trouble. Another one is high
praises to God who specializes in reversing
the irreversible. The Bible says that when
David was distressed at Ziglag because his
wives and children had been taken away by
raiders, he appealed to God for consolation,
and he was not only consoled, but was also
assured of the reversal of the unpleasant
situation. Beloved, trust the Lord for the
reversal of that seemingly unpleasant
situation in your life and that of your loved
ones and you will laugh last.
Prayer Point
Father, please wipe away all tears from my
eyes by removing those situations that
cause me to weep today

LIKE TEACHER, LIKE STUDENT

.MEMORISE Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 TIMOTHY 2 : 15.
READ : PHILIPPIANS 3 : 14 - 17 :
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: DEUTERONOMY 16 : 18 - 19 : 14, JOB 5 : 17 - 6 : 7.
In our Bible reading for today, we read of Paul, an outstanding apostle of Jesus Christ. He spoke of his relentless efforts to reach the mark for the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The following are what he did to attain the approval of God through the righteousness that can only be found in Christ. He endeavoured to know more of Jesus Christ in order to do His will. He was never satisfied with an average Christian life, he made bold to say :
“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” Philippians 3 : 17 - 19.
Beloved, any Church leader who cannot say what Paul said above is not worth following. Show me your teacher and I will tell you who you are and how far you can go in the Christian journey. When I gave my life to Christ, I was blessed with a leader that was heaven-bound; the founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The first time I saw him, I saw the glory of God and the image of Jesus Christ in him and there and then, I knew that if I could follow in his footsteps, I would make it in my Christian race. He was impeccably transparent, a lover of the cross of His Master and Saviour. He did not only teach but practiced what he taught to the letter. Paul, the apostle wrote :
“But through we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1 : 8 - 9.
It is necessary for Christians to prove all things in the light of the revealed truth in the Bible and then hold fast that which is good. Only the truth, and nothing but the truth can set you free from the errors of the end-time. Jesus Christ is the Truth. When the Bible enjoins you to “study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”, it simply means, study closely those who lived before you and enjoyed the approval of God, learn those things which they did that earned them God’s approval.
PRAYER POINT :
Father, please reveal yourself to me afresh through Your Son, Jesus Christ, my Lord.
AUTHOR : PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE.
HYMNS: 
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 Saviour and friend

THE NEW ANOINTING.

MEMORISE : “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21 : 5.

READ : ACTS 1 : 7 - 8 :
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: DEUTERONOMY 14 : 1 - 16 : 17, JOB 5 : 1 - 16.
“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:” Jeremiah 31 : 31.
The implication of this passage is that the new covenant presupposes a new anointing which is represented by Jesus Christ. He makes many things new including our mode of worship. After Jesus Christ had completed the work of our redemption, before He ascended to be with His father, He promised the disciples the power of the Holy Ghost ( Acts1 : 5, 8 ). The coming of the Holy Ghost brought the new anointing which does many things in the life of a believer. One of such is the conviction of sin. Another thing the new anointing does is found in Luke 4 : 18 - 19.
“The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”
The new anointing brings the good news of salvation to sinners. It also brings healing, deliverance and the recovery of sight to both spiritually and physically blind individuals. With the new anointing, we are shielded from seducing and lying spirits. We are properly groomed into all godliness without having to struggle on our own. Also, the Bible says :
“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” 1John 2 : 27.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, under the influence of the new anointing, went about doing good, preaching the gospel of peace between man and the Almighty God. When a new believer comes under the new anointing, 2 Corinthians 5 : 17 explains what happens ;
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
My prayer for someone using this devotional is that the blessing of the new anointing will be your portion in Jesus’ Name. However, you must surrender your life to Jesus Christ first.

ACTION POINT :
Activate the new anointing upon your life by praying in Jesus’ Name for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

HYMN: OH, SPREAD THE TIDINGS ROUND
Oh, spread the tidings 'round, wherever man is found,
Where@ver human hearts and human woes abound;
Let every Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound:
The Comforter has come!
Refrain:
The Comforter has come, the Comforter has come!
The Holy Ghost from Heav'n, the Father's promise giv'n;
Oh, spread the tidings 'round, wherever man is found
The Comforter has come!
The long, long night is past, the morning breaks at last,
And hushed the dreadful wail and fury of the blast,
As o'er the golden hills the day advances fast!
The Comforter has come!
Lo, the great King of kings, with healing in His wings,
To every captive soul a full deliv'rance brings;
And through the vacant cells the song of triumph rings;
The Comforter has come!
O boundless love divine! How shall this tongue of mine
To wond'ring mortals tell the matchless grace divine
That I, a child of hell, should in His image shine!
The Comforter has come!
Sing till the echoes fly above the vaulted sky,
And all the saints above to all below reply,
In strains of endless love, the song that ne'er will die:
The Comforter has come!