Maranatha Zion Chapel Phnom Penh Cambodia

Your provision
Will not miss
You today
In Jesus name.

Isaiah 53:1-5 KJV
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? [2] For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. [3] He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. [4] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. [5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Psalms 2:7
I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Mark 10:27

"Before you knew Me as your Savior, you thought your hopes and dreams could be met by things of this world. But now you know better: I am the One who fulfills your dreams. I do want you to enjoy the gifts that I give you. But remember to thank Me—the Giver of all good things. And don’t start thinking that you have to have these gifts. Cling to Me, not My gifts. Trust Me to make you complete. The one thing that you always need is the one thing you can never lose—My Presence with you." —Jesus Calling for Kids by Sarah Young

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST 2020

THEME: THE FRUIT OF YOUR LIPS

MEMORISE:

A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Proverbs 18:20

READ: Proverbs 18:20-21

20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

MESSAGE

Many times, when you ask people to pray, you expect to hear a roar, only to look up and see that they are either muttering or praying in their hearts. There are certain levels you cannot reach in the Spirit just by praying in your heart. Praise, a powerful weapon of war cannot be used without words. You can pray, meditate and study the Bible quietly, but it is impossible to praise God silently. You have to open your mouth to praise Him. You need words to call upon God in the day of trouble. Psalm 50:15 says:
“And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”

If I were you, I would not wait until the day of trouble before I call Him, I will call upon Him every day. The Bible says that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). If you really have a serious request that is heavy on your heart, you will open your mouth to ask God for a solution. When a doctor is confronted by two patients- one quietly and eloquently explaining his/her symptoms while the other is shouting and screaming in pain, which would be attended to first? The one shouting, of course!

Do you want God to attend to your requests urgently? Then pray out loud. The truth is, you cannot compare the intensity of prayers when you pray out loud.

It is not surprising that majority of gifts of the Holy Spirit have to do with words (1 Corinthians 12:8-10). Six out of nine of the gifts have to do with words. Words are very important; words shape destines and turn things around. You need words to engage in spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:17 tells us that our Sword of the Spirit is the word of God. I have never seen anyone casting out demons with his mouth closed; you command them with words. Mark 11:23 says that if you have faith and doubt not, you will say to mountains “be removed and cast into the sea” and they will obey you. Mountains obey your words. Use words wisely.

KEY POINT:

The way you pray will show if you really mean business or not.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 13-15

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 4: BLESSED ASSURANCE, JESUS IS MINE.

1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

o Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

3. Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

DON'T WAIT TILL YOUR CUP IS FULL

Bible Passage: Genesis 15:16

"But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full." (Genesis 15:16 KJV)

One thing about us humans is that we know something is bad but we continue to do it. We can even tell ourselves that we will stop the behaviour at some point in future whilst still giving excuses for continuing in it well beyond the time frame. In the process we are not even disturbed by the fact that God sees all things and our sins put a wedge between us and him. But God is merciful and wants only the redemption of a sinner so he gives us a long rope. Yet we take him for granted not knowing that we enjoy grace until our cup is full and God moves to take action against our offences. Such is seen in the promise of God to Abraham that even though his children will have to leave the land God promised their father,. He implied he will give the land back to them when the cup of the Amorites is full.

The Lord knows when iniquity is full (Genesis 15:16). Better not wait till your cup is full before making your way right with him.

When the going gets tough, only the tough gets going. You may be experiencing some hard and difficult time now, don't give up! Keep on praying and work hard. Today, your Heavenly Father will reward your hard work and make you an over-comer in Jesus name. I prophesy into your life today; As you knock, doors of opportunities shall be opened unto you. As you seek, you shall find favor before God and man. As you ask, all your prayers shall be answered. So shall it be in the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace be onto you. Good morning, have a joyful Weekend. Jesus loves you.....

Beloved, everything that gives you hope and peace of mind for better tomorrow will not be taken away from you. The Lord will preserve all that makes you thank Him all the days of your life and increase more of His grace and blessings that will make you be what you are destined to be. The remaining days of this month are loaded with joy, gladness and great benefits. You shall not miss them in Jesus mighty name.
As you step out today, whatsoever you are expecting from God, He will delivered it unto you more than your expectations. The power to be at the right place at the right time to meet the right person shall locate you today in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Proverbs 18:14 “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?”

Proverbs 15:13 “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.”

It’s midweek and I pray that The Almighty God shall take away every burden in your heart and bind every wound you may have.
The Lord shall refresh your soul and revive your spirit.
You shall be encouraged to move forward in life and your joy shall be full today in Jesus name.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: THURSDAY 27TH AUGUST 2020.

THEME: PREACH THE WHOLE TRUTH.

MEMORISE: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 1Thessalonians 2:4

READ: Acts 20:26-28
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

MESSAGE
If someone claims to be telling you the truth, but you later find out he was hiding some details from you, you would feel he/she has lied to you. This is what Pastors do when they hide some truth from their members so as not to appear harsh. If the sheep that God has placed in your care get malnourished and die a spiritual death, their blood will be on your hands.
“…He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” John 21:16

Many years ago, I was invited as the main speaker at a three-day crusade. On the third day, I told my host that since I had spent the first two days speaking about our Christian lives here on earth, I wanted to speak on restitution, to prepare the people for Heaven. He refused, saying “You want to scatter the people you have already gathered?” Then he asked me to speak on prosperity. Due to ministerial ethics, I had to oblige him, so I chose 3 John 1:2 as the anchor scripture: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

In The Redeemed Christian Church of God, I have been speaking the whole truth to the people, even the very hard truths, yet the Church keeps growing, God will draw people to the place where He is sure they will hear the truth. It is okay to preach about prosperity, blessing and other things that being a Christian avail you, but you are liar if you never preach about sanctification, holiness, restitution and so on. When Jesus was about to leave the earth, in John 17:12 He gave a report of the people He had been discipling, saying: “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.”

When you are about to leave also, you will be required to give a report. What will your report be on that day?

KEY POINT: God’s word needs no sugarcoating; preach it as it is.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 5-8

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD.
1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

o Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: WEDNESDAY 26TH AUGUST 2020

THEME: DANGERS OF IDLENESS

MEMORISE:

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. Proverbs 18:9

READ: 2 Samuel 11:1-17

1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.

5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.

6 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.

7 And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.

8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.

9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.

10 And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?

11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.

12 And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.

13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.

14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.

15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.

16 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.

17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.

MESSAGE

There is a popular saying that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. This is very true. Ask King Solomon. He was probably the wealthiest man that ever lived. He was also the wisest on earth during his days, yet the book of Ecclesiastes which he wrote when he was very old, has a tone of depression all over it. Because there was no war in the days of Solomon, he relaxed and it cost him a whole lot. After he was done building God’s temple and completing all the assignments his father gave him before passing on, he was left with nothing to do. He then started marrying strange women, drifted far from the Most High God and built temples for strange gods.

Learn from Solomon. Avoid being idle, it can cost you your life and destiny. King David’s idleness resulted in him falling into adultery with Bathsheba and killing her husband (2 Samuel 11:2-17). This eventually brought a curse on his lineage (2 Samuel 12:10). The Bible speaks of idleness in 1 Timothy 5:13:
“…they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.”

If you find yourself spending one hour at a stretch watching videos and pictures on social media, be careful. Your free time could become tools in the devil’s hands; fill it with something meaningful. Take a good book around with you to read in your free time or go somewhere and pray. I remember one conference I attended abroad. Reverend W.F Kumuyi of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) was also at the conference. At a time when we were free, I went into the restroom to read my Bible. After fellowshipping with God, I came out holding my Bible, only to see the fellow in the next cubicle coming out, holding his as well. It was Reverend Kumuyi. We looked at each other and laughed. Today, when you look at some of the churches experiencing the extraordinary move of God in Africa, you find DCLM and RCCG at the top. We use our time wisely.

KEY POINT:

Killing time can kill your destiny.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 1-4

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 12: I AM THINE OH 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.

o Refrain:
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 pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

3. Oh, 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.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUESDAY 25TH AUGUST 2020.

THEME: SPEAK UP!
MEMORISE:

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Matthew 24:24

READ: 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

MESSAGE

Is it not amazing how some people can speak against the Christian doctrines that have always worked for us while we who have benefited from these just keep quiet and watch? By so doing, you are indirectly giving the devil the opportunity to sell lies to other people who don’t know the truth yet.

When you speak out in opposition to the lies, you are not speaking for yourself alone, but so that the wrong beliefs will not be taken as the truth. Whatever a person hears regularly sinks into his subconscious as the truth, so we must ensure that when the world tells a lie once, we say the truth five times with valid proof from the word of God. While you should never argue with them, you do need to speak the truth so that the lie will not prevail in the minds of the people. The younger ones- both age-wise and spiritually, are listening and if all they have to listen to is lies, then they will adopt these as the truth, so we need to speak up.

Many times, Christian don’t speak up because many of us don’t know the Bible well enough. Thus, you need to study the Bible every day and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. The devil knows the Bible and he is an expert in misinterpreting it. Hence, if you are not well grounded in the word of God, you could begin to believe his own interpretation as the truth. Jesus said:

“…if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

If you don’t want to be amongst those deceived, then you must study your Bible in depth and pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth in the word to you. When you know what the word of God says, anytime you hear a contrary message, you can speak up with the truth and back it up with Scripture.

When you hear a contrary opinion on tithe, for instance you can tell them what the Bible says. After you have gotten the real message of what God’s word says about a particular topic, you can even organize a Bible Study group and discuss it with other Christians.

KEY POINT:

In these last days, the devil is raising false interpretation of the scriptures. Don’t be deceived by these, get your interpretations directly from God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

Lamentations 3:37-5:22

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 20: NEARER, MY GOD TO THEE.

1. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

o Refrain:

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

2. Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness be over me, my rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee.

3. There let the way appear, steps unto Heav’n;
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy giv’n;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee.

4. Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;
So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee.

5. Or, if on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I’ll fly,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

6. There in my Father’s home, safe and at rest,
There in my Savior’s love, perfectly blest;
Age after age to be nearer, my God, to Thee.

This week, may you begin to experience miracles that will confound your enemies, you and your loved ones are empowered to mount upon chariots of sign and wonders.
May the Lord surprise you with gifts that will make you smile, smile that will warm your heart, a heart that will hold so much joy and joy that will last forever, in Jesus mighty name.
Have a blessed week ahead.
S H A L O M ! ! !

UNWISE CHRISTIANS GET THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF GOD FROM PEOPLE'S OPINIONS, WITHOUT BACKGROUND CHECK AS TO THE PERSONALITY OF THE SPEAKER

Isaiah 44:26a “Who confirms the word of His servant, And performs the counsel of His messengers...”

1 John 5:14 “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.“

As you speak the word of God over your life and family today, The Almighty God shall incline His ear to you.
He shall Hear you and perform His word over your life.
That which you are trusting Him for shall come to pass.
The Lord shall give you greater testimonies in Jesus name.

THE MIDNIGHT PRAYER 🔥

Please, spend quality time on these prayer points and be led by the Holy Spirit!

1. Powers, scattering the glory of my life, career, marriage and business. Scatter, in Jesus' name.

2. I decree in the name of Jesus, I shall not die untimely, spiritually, and the second death.

3. Father, please lift up my head and sustain me at the top, in Jesus’ name.

4. Any power, tormenting my life through the dream(s) and spiritual manipulation, expire, in Jesus’ name.

5. Lord, please let there be a massive harvest of souls into Your kingdom, by the power in the name of Jesus.

It’s a new dawn for you and me. Give thanks to God!

*OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

*DATE: MONDAY 24TH AUGUST 2020.*

*THEME: REDEEM YOUR VOWS.*

*MEMORISE* :

When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. Deuteronomy 23:21

*READ: Ecclesiastes 5:4-6*

4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

*MESSAGE*

It is a terrible thing to make a vow to God and not fulfil it. The Bible puts the people who do such in the same category as those who say there is no God- fools (Ecclesiastes 5:4). Many people have made vows based on resources that they don’t have. While they may claim to be making such vows by faith, is it not better to say “Lord if you give me this contract, then I will give you so and so percent of the money” than to make vows beyond your actual present reality.

“Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?” Ecclesiastes 5:4-6
From the Bible verse above, we see that there is an angel assigned to the recording and collection of vows. That is how seriously God takes vows. Ecclesiastes 5:6 shows that when a vow defaulter prays, instead of getting an answer to the prayer, he/she gets God’s anger. Then it goes ahead to say that God could destroy the work of their hands too! By now, it should be very clear to you that it is better not to make a vow at all than to make one and not fulfil it. Think very carefully before you make any vows.

Now, in case you have made a vow you did not fulfil, if at all you can, I advise you to quickly go ahead and do so now. If it is however, something that you cannot fulfil, then you should go before God pleading for mercy. Acts 17:30 says:
“ And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:”

So, go ahead and cry to Him for mercy, but now that you know, ensure you don’t make vows carelessly again.

*ACTION POINT:*

Think of all the vows you have made in the past and didn’t fulfil. Do your best to fulfil them now. God takes vows very seriously.

*BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* Lamentations 1:1-3:36

*AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE*

*HYMN 17: MUST I GO AND EMPTY HANDED.*

1. “Must I go, and empty-handed,”
Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him,
Lay no trophy at His feet?
o Refrain:
“Must I go, and empty-handed?”
Must I meet my Savior so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him,
Must I empty-handed go?

2. Not at death I shrink or falter,
For my Savior saves me now;
But to meet Him empty-handed,
Thought of that now clouds my brow.

3. Oh, the years in sinning wasted,
Could I but recall them now,
I would give them to my Savior,
To His will I’d gladly bow.

4. Oh, ye saints, arouse, be earnest,
Up and work while yet ’tis day;
Ere the night of death o’ertake thee,
Strive for souls while still you may.

I pray that wherever men may have conspired against you this week, The Lord shall expose and reverse their plans in your favour.
Only His counsel shall be carried out concerning your life and family.
The Lord shall bless the work of your hands and you shall enjoy the fruit of your labour in Jesus name.

Lamentations 3:36-37 (GNT) "When justice is perverted in court, he knows.The will of the Lord alone is always carried out."

*OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

*DATE: SUNDAY 23RD AUGUST 2020.*

*THEME: SHOW SOME KINDNESS.*

*MEMORISE* :

Let brotherly love continue. Hebrews 13:1

*READ: Isaiah 35:3-8*

3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

7 And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

*MESSAGE*

A Christian may be smiling on the outside because he/she is accustomed to looking cheerful, whereas on the inside, the person could be going through a lot of challenges. The ties and hats we all wear to Church on Sunday cover the empty stomachs or the depressed thoughts of some workers in the Church. Sometimes the Pastor is going through a marital crisis, but he still has to settle issues in the marriage of a Church member.

We need to look out for each other every now and then. We need to pick up the phone and call that brother or sister to ask how they are doing. We need to bring gift, no matter how small to church once in a while to give to someone. Believe me, the one who is strengthening others also needs strengthening once in a while.

When you notice the commitment level of a particular brother or sister waning, before you accuse or judge them, find out how they are fairing first. Checking on them, whether they are in Church or not, shows that you love them. Sometimes, the devil brings suggestions to some of the ’strong’ Christians to drop out of the Christian race, but just a word of encouragement from you, a smile or a show of love can give them strength to continue in the race. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says:
“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”

Even as General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, many years ago, I decided to resign because I thought the people I was praying and caring so much for did not care about me. It was a little girl whom God sent to bring me a cake that He used to bring me out of that depressed state. Even though I don’t like cake, I ate this one and ever since, I have not considered resigning again. You don’t know the effect that a little encouragement could have on your brethren.

*ACTION POINT:*

Look for at least one person in your Church today and just encourage the person. If you can give a gift, go ahead and do so.

*BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* Jeremiah 51-52

*AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE*

*HYMN 26: STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS.*

1. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry, His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.

2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet call obey:
Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day;
Ye that are men now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.

3. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;
Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,
Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.

4. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.