Monday 14th September INDISCRETION
MORNING Genesis 9:20-27
Discretion is the capacity to decide and act with circumspection and good judgment. It reflects an individual's ability to express himself within safe or acceptable limits in a given situation. Indiscretion, on the other hand, is the absence of good judgment. We must be careful not to fall into the root of indiscretion. Noah, as pleasing as he was to God, experienced a moment of indiscretion. As we read he planted a garden and drank wine from his vineyard till he became drunk and became uncovered in his tent. Ham, one of his sons saw his nakedness while his two other sons covered him up. Noah's response was to input a curse upon Ham's son (innocent Canaan) for the indiscretion of Ham, his father. We can see that indiscretion breeds indiscretion. The point however is - if Noah did not get drunk, would he have uncovered himself? We must watch out for habits and lifestyles which can tarnish our testimonies as believers.
EVENING Ephesians 5: 15-20
It would appear in the Scriptures that the events that play out after alcohol is consumed are not always pleasant. As we saw in the morning, Noah's act of indiscretion led to a curse on Canaan. This evening, verse 18 of our text is a warning against the use or acceptance of alcohol. The Passion Translation of the Bible says- “And don't get drunk with wine, which is rebellion…”Drunkenness and rebellion therefore are one and the same. We must guide against whatever will make us lose consciousness of God's presence and person around us. God expects us to be discreet as His children.
Meditate on: Ephesians 5:17-18
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Isaiah 31 - 35
Tuesday, 15th September GOD'S REQUIREMENT 1
MORNING Deuteronomy 31: 11-19
Good morning. We are taking a closer look at verse 12 of this morning's text as it contains instructions for all of us. The Lord instructed Moses to gather every one in the camp including strangers (non Jews) to take heed to the words of the law as given to Moses for the entire nation. It is noteworthy that the first requirement He made for the people was to hear. If we do not hear from the Lord , how do we know Him? To hear Him is to listen to Him, to hearken to His voice, to be attentive to what He is saying. This instruction holds true for the believer today. We must be intentional in hearing the Word of the Lord by reading, studying and listening to the preaching and teaching of God's Word because we cannot receive what we do not allow. All our hearing gates must be open and receptive to God's Word if we are to be fruitful and productive in our Christian walk. The Lord will help us.
EVENING Romans 10: 15-20
The Passion Translation of the Holy Bible puts verse 17 of our text as follows-“Faith, then, is birthed in a heart that responds (as a result of hearing) to God's anointed utterance of the Anointed One.” In essence, faith (a divine force) cannot be formed without hearing the anointed Word of God about His anointed Son. The precursor to faith is therefore hearing the Word of God. We must never, for any reason, downplay the importance of listening to and responding to the anointed Word of God. That is how change comes!
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Isaiah 36 - 40
Wednesday, 16th September GOD'S REQUIREMENT(2)
MORNING Deuteronomy 31:11-19
As we consider verse 12 of our text again this morning, we see the second requirement of God from the children of Israel at the time. As we know, Israel of that time typifies the Church today. It is our heavenly Father's expectation that we learn His ways as we hear His Words. Actually, as we pay attention to his words and internalize them, we become more acquainted with his ways. As we grow and increase in His ways, His acts begin to manifest in and through us. Psalm 103:7 says He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel. Clearly, His ways produce His acts as his ways are superior to His acts. It is the learning of His ways that make His deeds manifest. Today, we have the Holy Spirit as our teacher and as such we can learn the ways of God.
Prayer: Lord, teach me your Word by your Spirit, and cause your acts to be more manifest through my life in Jesus name.
EVENING Matthew 11: 27-30
This morning, we considered the requirement of learning. In verse 29 of this evening's text, the Lord clearly instructs us to join our lives with His and learn directly from Him as He is our perfect model and we shall find rest and refreshing all our days. Friends, there are no two ways to being fruitful as believers. It is by following the example of our Lord and Saviour in every area of life. That is how to learn in the Kingdom. Shalom!
Meditate on Matthew 11:29 (The Passion Translation)
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Isaiah 41 - 44
Thursday, 17th September GOD'S REQUIREMENT 3
MORNING Deuteronomy 31:11-19
In the past two days, we have considered the requirements of hearing and learning. Today, from our anchor text, which is verse 12, we are considering the requirement of fearing the Lord. Our God is Holy, exalted and Sovereign. He is the Almighty God who alone is Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient. No one else shares His throne with Him. He dwells in the place of exceeding brilliance and glory and He created the visible and the invisible. In fact, man is yet to discover a tiny fraction of what God has put in creation despite all that man seems to know. Our heavenly Father desires that we fear him in order to know Him the more. Psalm 110:3 and two other passages of Scriptures say “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom..” As we hear His words and learn His ways, His reverential, affectionate and dreadful (because He is a fire to the wicked) fear should grow in us. This is wisdom.
Meditation: Malachi 1:6
EVENING Acts 5:1-5
The fear of God should influence every aspect of our lives as God's children. As simple as this sounds, it is the guarantee of our peace, prosperity and satisfaction. It was what was missing in the lives of Ananias and Sapphira, for had they feared God, they would not have attempted to deceive the Apostles. As we know, that singular act led to their deaths. Alife that fears the Lord is a life that will flourish. Remember, God requires His fear from us.
Meditation: Proverbs 19:23
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Isaiah 45 - 48
Friday, 18th September DON'T FAIL
MORNING Proverbs 22:1-10
Our focus this morning is on verse 6 of our text. In this verse, we see in plain terms, that parents have a responsibility of training by demonstrating, teaching and modelling acceptable behaviour to their children under God. We see the phrase-'he should go'- in the text which tells us, God has an expectation in mind of how each child should turn out. The effect of the training will consequently be permanent as the grown child will be unable to depart from it. Today's parents appear to have relinquished the responsibility for child training to schools and the children's church. They believe children should not be corrected when they misbehave and that children should always be placated when unreasonable. The truth however is this:- any failed child is a failed parent because when children fail, it is parents who fail. Eli's case underscores this principle. See 1 Sam 2:29-31.
EVENING Ephesians 6:1-5
There is a maxim in law which interpreted into English, says you cannot give what you do not have. This principle is true in child training. Verse 4 says to fathers (as the domestic heads of their families) to bring up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Before any father can do this, such father must be grounded in God's Word, and be exemplary in God's ways. The question therefore is: “Do parents have what it takes to bring up children in today's world?”.
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Isaiah 49 - 53
Saturday, 19th September BE KIND
MORNING 2 Samuel 9:1-10
Kindness is a very important virtue in God's Kingdom. It is the very nature of God and a component of the fruit of the Spirit as contained in Galatians 5:22ff. Kindness, just like our heavenly Father is showing genuine concern and doing something about the well being of others whether good or bad, whether known or unknown. Kindness is not discriminatory. One notable thing about kindness is this it is always profitable. Jonathan, in his days, showed David so much kindness. He protected him from the wrath of king Saul, his father, and later on when David became king, he could not but repay the kindness of Jonathan by asking who was left of Saul's family that he could show kindness to for the sake of Jonathan. Kindness begets kindness. Let us be kind to all men as a rule. We will be sowing seeds of good fortune for the future. It pays to be kind.
EVENING Hebrews 13:1-5
Our God is always good and kindness flows from Him towards all men. The demonstration of love for mankind that made God give the world His only begotten Son was that greatest act of His kindness to the human race. We must always remember that. In this evening's text, we are encouraged, in verse 2, to entertain or show hospitality to strangers because some saints of old did the same without realising that they were entertaining angels. Were they rewarded for that act of kindness? Of course, they were! Sarah's conception and safe delivery of the promised heir was certified and sealed on that day (Genesis 18:13-14)! Friends, kindness always begets kindness!
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Isaiah 54 - 57
Sunday, 20th September BE OPEN
MORNING Matthew 5: 1-12
It is another Sunday and we must not be guilty of attending Church service today to fulfil all righteousness. Rather, going to Church today should be regarded as another opportunity to have an audience with the One whose we are and Whom we serve. The sound quality in Church might be good or not so good. It does not matter. The Choir ministration may be of high or not so high standard it does not matter. The preacher may be anointed or not so anointed (according to your judgment) even that too does not matter! Why do these things not matter? Because we are not in Church to see man or watch a performance. We are there to experience God by ourselves. The word says we are BLESSED when we hunger and thirst for righteousness for we shall be filled Matt 5:6. Be open therefore, today, to all of God. You shall come back filled.
EVENING 1 Samuel 25: 12 – 19
The difference between Nabal and his wife, Abigail, was that, whereas Nabal was foolish, Abigail was wise. Alternatively, we could say whereas Nabal was closed, Abigail was open. Nabal's heart was shut up completely. He could not discern the direction in which God was heading and neither was he ready to repay a good deed from David and his men. Even Nabal's servants derided him! Abigail, however, was open to the words of the servants; she was open to God's hand and David's life. She ended up preserved and promoted while Nabal ended up destroyed. It is profitable to be open.
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Isaiah 58 - 61
Monday, 21st September PREPARATION
MORNING Matthew 25: 1-13
To prepare is to get ready for something or someone, so preparation is the process of getting ready for something or a person. It could also mean getting ready for something or getting someone ready for another. One thing is clear in preparation. It is all about planning. It is commonly said that “To fail to plan is to plan to fail”. For instance, have we planned our schedules for today, this week, this month e.t.c? Life itself is an opportunity for preparation. How well have we been maximising this opportunity? Not forgetting that life is all about preparation for eternity. Our goals, aspirations, purposes and Life’s pursuits are to prepare us for eternity. The five wise virgins seemed to understand this issue. Apart from the immediate, they prepared for the future. We must be wise in understanding and preparing for eternity. Today is another opportunity.
EVENING Genesis 7: 16 - 23
Noah prepared the ark in anticipation of a great event as he was instructed by God to do. He warned the people about the impending danger but they took him for a joker. They mocked him also for the ark he was constructing. In short, they failed to prepare for the flood. What a pity! If only they knew that God was giving them a chance all along, may be they would have repented. Our God is both merciful and fair. Time is an opportunity to prepare for timelessness. Prepare!!!
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Isaiah 62 - 66
Tuesday, 22nd September STRIVING FOR MASTERY
MORNING 2 Timothy 2: 1-7
To have mastery in something is to become very proficient in that thing to the point that one can demonstrate great knowledge or understanding about that thing. Our Lord Jesus Christ, in His earthly ministry, exuded such a mastery of the Scriptures, so much so that the Jews acknowledged that He taught as one having authority and not like the Scribes. Realising that He was man while on earth, the mastery of the Scriptures must have come from intense study and a persistent hunger for the Word. In verse 5 of our text, Apostle Paul was referring to an athlete in a competition. If that athlete fails to be disciplined in playing according to the rules, he would be disqualified from the race. Friends, unless we strive according to the rules, we might just as well forget about the mastery (or crown)!
EVENING 1 Samuel 17: 43 – 49
It was a fact that God aided young David in defeating the Philistine champion, Goliath. It is even a greater fact that David's defeat of Goliath was a divine arrangement of God for the systematic replacement of king Saul. However, David deployed his skill in sling shooting which he must have mastered from years of staying with his father's flock in the wilderness. No wonder, David’s first shot sank into Goliath's forehead with accuracy and precision! The lesson is, we must develop proficiency in whatever we do.
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Mark 1 - 3
Wednesday, 23rd September WISDOM
MORNING 2 Samuel 20:14 – 22
Generally, wisdom is defined as the intelligent application of knowledge. A biblical definition says it is “the knowledge and ability to make right choices at the opportune moment”. So, in wisdom we see the need to make choices/judgments intelligently and at the right time. Wisdom is fundamental to life. God employed wisdom in creating the world just as He saved man by sending HIS WISDOM! – remember Christ, the Wisdom of God.. It was because of wisdom that the woman of Abel, Beth Maachah could confidently engage Joab in a conversation that put Joab on the defensive (verses 19 – 21). By her wisdom, she spared a whole city and several generations – born and unborn. According to verse 22, “… in her wisdom went to the people” and the head of Sheba the son of Bichri was cut off and thrown to Joab. Really, wisdom is beneficial. Get wisdom today! Get wisdom for life.
EVENING John 8: 1-9
The Jews thought they could corner Jesus with the stoning of the woman caught in adultery (where was the man?). They asked for His judgment but were stupefied by His simple answer – “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” This statement hit them like a boulder. Conviction came upon the woman's accusers and their consciences took over from there till they all left. That is the power of wisdom! Prayer: Heavenly Father, fill me daily with your wisdom in Jesus' Name.
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Mark 4 - 5
Thursday, 24th September THE PRINCIPAL THING
MORNING I Kings 3: 16 – 28
Wisdom is the principal thing – Prov. 4:7. As we said yesterday, it is also the ability to make the right decision at the appropriate time. Wisdom can be the difference between life and death. Whereas one harlot slept on her child killing him in the process (folly), the other harlot had her son's life preserved by the king's judgment (wisdom). Try and imagine what could have happened if the king had been foolish in resolving the dispute. The second boy too would have been a goner! Wisdom is the difference between loyalty and rebellion. King Solomon could hold the kingdom together in his days because of wisdom but Rehoboam lost the loyalty of the people because of his immaturity or worse still, folly! Everyone requires wisdom as it is profitable to direct. As we get wisdom, we shall be established. Amen.
Memory verse: Proverbs. 8:11
EVENING Luke 16: 5- 9
The dishonest manager in our text tonight was not praised for his dishonesty; rather, he was commended for his shrewdness (another meaning of wisdom) or astuteness in formulating a strategy for himself after his dismissal from his master's service. In other words, the servant had a plan B that evolved from his 'wisdom” (the wisdom of the people of the world)”. Well, we, as God's children, should live by the wisdom of the Kingdom of God. It is ours for the taking. Let us be wise.
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Mark 6 - 8
MORNING Genesis 9:20-27
Discretion is the capacity to decide and act with circumspection and good judgment. It reflects an individual's ability to express himself within safe or acceptable limits in a given situation. Indiscretion, on the other hand, is the absence of good judgment. We must be careful not to fall into the root of indiscretion. Noah, as pleasing as he was to God, experienced a moment of indiscretion. As we read he planted a garden and drank wine from his vineyard till he became drunk and became uncovered in his tent. Ham, one of his sons saw his nakedness while his two other sons covered him up. Noah's response was to input a curse upon Ham's son (innocent Canaan) for the indiscretion of Ham, his father. We can see that indiscretion breeds indiscretion. The point however is - if Noah did not get drunk, would he have uncovered himself? We must watch out for habits and lifestyles which can tarnish our testimonies as believers.
EVENING Ephesians 5: 15-20
It would appear in the Scriptures that the events that play out after alcohol is consumed are not always pleasant. As we saw in the morning, Noah's act of indiscretion led to a curse on Canaan. This evening, verse 18 of our text is a warning against the use or acceptance of alcohol. The Passion Translation of the Bible says- “And don't get drunk with wine, which is rebellion…”Drunkenness and rebellion therefore are one and the same. We must guide against whatever will make us lose consciousness of God's presence and person around us. God expects us to be discreet as His children.
Meditate on: Ephesians 5:17-18
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Isaiah 31 - 35
Tuesday, 15th September GOD'S REQUIREMENT 1
MORNING Deuteronomy 31: 11-19
Good morning. We are taking a closer look at verse 12 of this morning's text as it contains instructions for all of us. The Lord instructed Moses to gather every one in the camp including strangers (non Jews) to take heed to the words of the law as given to Moses for the entire nation. It is noteworthy that the first requirement He made for the people was to hear. If we do not hear from the Lord , how do we know Him? To hear Him is to listen to Him, to hearken to His voice, to be attentive to what He is saying. This instruction holds true for the believer today. We must be intentional in hearing the Word of the Lord by reading, studying and listening to the preaching and teaching of God's Word because we cannot receive what we do not allow. All our hearing gates must be open and receptive to God's Word if we are to be fruitful and productive in our Christian walk. The Lord will help us.
EVENING Romans 10: 15-20
The Passion Translation of the Holy Bible puts verse 17 of our text as follows-“Faith, then, is birthed in a heart that responds (as a result of hearing) to God's anointed utterance of the Anointed One.” In essence, faith (a divine force) cannot be formed without hearing the anointed Word of God about His anointed Son. The precursor to faith is therefore hearing the Word of God. We must never, for any reason, downplay the importance of listening to and responding to the anointed Word of God. That is how change comes!
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Isaiah 36 - 40
Wednesday, 16th September GOD'S REQUIREMENT(2)
MORNING Deuteronomy 31:11-19
As we consider verse 12 of our text again this morning, we see the second requirement of God from the children of Israel at the time. As we know, Israel of that time typifies the Church today. It is our heavenly Father's expectation that we learn His ways as we hear His Words. Actually, as we pay attention to his words and internalize them, we become more acquainted with his ways. As we grow and increase in His ways, His acts begin to manifest in and through us. Psalm 103:7 says He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel. Clearly, His ways produce His acts as his ways are superior to His acts. It is the learning of His ways that make His deeds manifest. Today, we have the Holy Spirit as our teacher and as such we can learn the ways of God.
Prayer: Lord, teach me your Word by your Spirit, and cause your acts to be more manifest through my life in Jesus name.
EVENING Matthew 11: 27-30
This morning, we considered the requirement of learning. In verse 29 of this evening's text, the Lord clearly instructs us to join our lives with His and learn directly from Him as He is our perfect model and we shall find rest and refreshing all our days. Friends, there are no two ways to being fruitful as believers. It is by following the example of our Lord and Saviour in every area of life. That is how to learn in the Kingdom. Shalom!
Meditate on Matthew 11:29 (The Passion Translation)
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Isaiah 41 - 44
Thursday, 17th September GOD'S REQUIREMENT 3
MORNING Deuteronomy 31:11-19
In the past two days, we have considered the requirements of hearing and learning. Today, from our anchor text, which is verse 12, we are considering the requirement of fearing the Lord. Our God is Holy, exalted and Sovereign. He is the Almighty God who alone is Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient. No one else shares His throne with Him. He dwells in the place of exceeding brilliance and glory and He created the visible and the invisible. In fact, man is yet to discover a tiny fraction of what God has put in creation despite all that man seems to know. Our heavenly Father desires that we fear him in order to know Him the more. Psalm 110:3 and two other passages of Scriptures say “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom..” As we hear His words and learn His ways, His reverential, affectionate and dreadful (because He is a fire to the wicked) fear should grow in us. This is wisdom.
Meditation: Malachi 1:6
EVENING Acts 5:1-5
The fear of God should influence every aspect of our lives as God's children. As simple as this sounds, it is the guarantee of our peace, prosperity and satisfaction. It was what was missing in the lives of Ananias and Sapphira, for had they feared God, they would not have attempted to deceive the Apostles. As we know, that singular act led to their deaths. Alife that fears the Lord is a life that will flourish. Remember, God requires His fear from us.
Meditation: Proverbs 19:23
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Isaiah 45 - 48
Friday, 18th September DON'T FAIL
MORNING Proverbs 22:1-10
Our focus this morning is on verse 6 of our text. In this verse, we see in plain terms, that parents have a responsibility of training by demonstrating, teaching and modelling acceptable behaviour to their children under God. We see the phrase-'he should go'- in the text which tells us, God has an expectation in mind of how each child should turn out. The effect of the training will consequently be permanent as the grown child will be unable to depart from it. Today's parents appear to have relinquished the responsibility for child training to schools and the children's church. They believe children should not be corrected when they misbehave and that children should always be placated when unreasonable. The truth however is this:- any failed child is a failed parent because when children fail, it is parents who fail. Eli's case underscores this principle. See 1 Sam 2:29-31.
EVENING Ephesians 6:1-5
There is a maxim in law which interpreted into English, says you cannot give what you do not have. This principle is true in child training. Verse 4 says to fathers (as the domestic heads of their families) to bring up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Before any father can do this, such father must be grounded in God's Word, and be exemplary in God's ways. The question therefore is: “Do parents have what it takes to bring up children in today's world?”.
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Isaiah 49 - 53
Saturday, 19th September BE KIND
MORNING 2 Samuel 9:1-10
Kindness is a very important virtue in God's Kingdom. It is the very nature of God and a component of the fruit of the Spirit as contained in Galatians 5:22ff. Kindness, just like our heavenly Father is showing genuine concern and doing something about the well being of others whether good or bad, whether known or unknown. Kindness is not discriminatory. One notable thing about kindness is this it is always profitable. Jonathan, in his days, showed David so much kindness. He protected him from the wrath of king Saul, his father, and later on when David became king, he could not but repay the kindness of Jonathan by asking who was left of Saul's family that he could show kindness to for the sake of Jonathan. Kindness begets kindness. Let us be kind to all men as a rule. We will be sowing seeds of good fortune for the future. It pays to be kind.
EVENING Hebrews 13:1-5
Our God is always good and kindness flows from Him towards all men. The demonstration of love for mankind that made God give the world His only begotten Son was that greatest act of His kindness to the human race. We must always remember that. In this evening's text, we are encouraged, in verse 2, to entertain or show hospitality to strangers because some saints of old did the same without realising that they were entertaining angels. Were they rewarded for that act of kindness? Of course, they were! Sarah's conception and safe delivery of the promised heir was certified and sealed on that day (Genesis 18:13-14)! Friends, kindness always begets kindness!
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Isaiah 54 - 57
Sunday, 20th September BE OPEN
MORNING Matthew 5: 1-12
It is another Sunday and we must not be guilty of attending Church service today to fulfil all righteousness. Rather, going to Church today should be regarded as another opportunity to have an audience with the One whose we are and Whom we serve. The sound quality in Church might be good or not so good. It does not matter. The Choir ministration may be of high or not so high standard it does not matter. The preacher may be anointed or not so anointed (according to your judgment) even that too does not matter! Why do these things not matter? Because we are not in Church to see man or watch a performance. We are there to experience God by ourselves. The word says we are BLESSED when we hunger and thirst for righteousness for we shall be filled Matt 5:6. Be open therefore, today, to all of God. You shall come back filled.
EVENING 1 Samuel 25: 12 – 19
The difference between Nabal and his wife, Abigail, was that, whereas Nabal was foolish, Abigail was wise. Alternatively, we could say whereas Nabal was closed, Abigail was open. Nabal's heart was shut up completely. He could not discern the direction in which God was heading and neither was he ready to repay a good deed from David and his men. Even Nabal's servants derided him! Abigail, however, was open to the words of the servants; she was open to God's hand and David's life. She ended up preserved and promoted while Nabal ended up destroyed. It is profitable to be open.
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Isaiah 58 - 61
Monday, 21st September PREPARATION
MORNING Matthew 25: 1-13
To prepare is to get ready for something or someone, so preparation is the process of getting ready for something or a person. It could also mean getting ready for something or getting someone ready for another. One thing is clear in preparation. It is all about planning. It is commonly said that “To fail to plan is to plan to fail”. For instance, have we planned our schedules for today, this week, this month e.t.c? Life itself is an opportunity for preparation. How well have we been maximising this opportunity? Not forgetting that life is all about preparation for eternity. Our goals, aspirations, purposes and Life’s pursuits are to prepare us for eternity. The five wise virgins seemed to understand this issue. Apart from the immediate, they prepared for the future. We must be wise in understanding and preparing for eternity. Today is another opportunity.
EVENING Genesis 7: 16 - 23
Noah prepared the ark in anticipation of a great event as he was instructed by God to do. He warned the people about the impending danger but they took him for a joker. They mocked him also for the ark he was constructing. In short, they failed to prepare for the flood. What a pity! If only they knew that God was giving them a chance all along, may be they would have repented. Our God is both merciful and fair. Time is an opportunity to prepare for timelessness. Prepare!!!
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Isaiah 62 - 66
Tuesday, 22nd September STRIVING FOR MASTERY
MORNING 2 Timothy 2: 1-7
To have mastery in something is to become very proficient in that thing to the point that one can demonstrate great knowledge or understanding about that thing. Our Lord Jesus Christ, in His earthly ministry, exuded such a mastery of the Scriptures, so much so that the Jews acknowledged that He taught as one having authority and not like the Scribes. Realising that He was man while on earth, the mastery of the Scriptures must have come from intense study and a persistent hunger for the Word. In verse 5 of our text, Apostle Paul was referring to an athlete in a competition. If that athlete fails to be disciplined in playing according to the rules, he would be disqualified from the race. Friends, unless we strive according to the rules, we might just as well forget about the mastery (or crown)!
EVENING 1 Samuel 17: 43 – 49
It was a fact that God aided young David in defeating the Philistine champion, Goliath. It is even a greater fact that David's defeat of Goliath was a divine arrangement of God for the systematic replacement of king Saul. However, David deployed his skill in sling shooting which he must have mastered from years of staying with his father's flock in the wilderness. No wonder, David’s first shot sank into Goliath's forehead with accuracy and precision! The lesson is, we must develop proficiency in whatever we do.
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Mark 1 - 3
Wednesday, 23rd September WISDOM
MORNING 2 Samuel 20:14 – 22
Generally, wisdom is defined as the intelligent application of knowledge. A biblical definition says it is “the knowledge and ability to make right choices at the opportune moment”. So, in wisdom we see the need to make choices/judgments intelligently and at the right time. Wisdom is fundamental to life. God employed wisdom in creating the world just as He saved man by sending HIS WISDOM! – remember Christ, the Wisdom of God.. It was because of wisdom that the woman of Abel, Beth Maachah could confidently engage Joab in a conversation that put Joab on the defensive (verses 19 – 21). By her wisdom, she spared a whole city and several generations – born and unborn. According to verse 22, “… in her wisdom went to the people” and the head of Sheba the son of Bichri was cut off and thrown to Joab. Really, wisdom is beneficial. Get wisdom today! Get wisdom for life.
EVENING John 8: 1-9
The Jews thought they could corner Jesus with the stoning of the woman caught in adultery (where was the man?). They asked for His judgment but were stupefied by His simple answer – “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” This statement hit them like a boulder. Conviction came upon the woman's accusers and their consciences took over from there till they all left. That is the power of wisdom! Prayer: Heavenly Father, fill me daily with your wisdom in Jesus' Name.
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Mark 4 - 5
Thursday, 24th September THE PRINCIPAL THING
MORNING I Kings 3: 16 – 28
Wisdom is the principal thing – Prov. 4:7. As we said yesterday, it is also the ability to make the right decision at the appropriate time. Wisdom can be the difference between life and death. Whereas one harlot slept on her child killing him in the process (folly), the other harlot had her son's life preserved by the king's judgment (wisdom). Try and imagine what could have happened if the king had been foolish in resolving the dispute. The second boy too would have been a goner! Wisdom is the difference between loyalty and rebellion. King Solomon could hold the kingdom together in his days because of wisdom but Rehoboam lost the loyalty of the people because of his immaturity or worse still, folly! Everyone requires wisdom as it is profitable to direct. As we get wisdom, we shall be established. Amen.
Memory verse: Proverbs. 8:11
EVENING Luke 16: 5- 9
The dishonest manager in our text tonight was not praised for his dishonesty; rather, he was commended for his shrewdness (another meaning of wisdom) or astuteness in formulating a strategy for himself after his dismissal from his master's service. In other words, the servant had a plan B that evolved from his 'wisdom” (the wisdom of the people of the world)”. Well, we, as God's children, should live by the wisdom of the Kingdom of God. It is ours for the taking. Let us be wise.
To Study Through The Bible This Year, Study Today Mark 6 - 8