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 నీవు అతనిని సంపూర్ణ శాంతితో ఉంచుతావు, అతని మనస్సు నీపై నిలిచి ఉంది, ఎందుకంటే అతను నిన్ను నమ్ముతున్నాడు. యెషయా 26:3 KJV భక్తి: మీరు ఎక్కువగా ఏమనుకుంటున్నారో అది మీ చర్యలు లేదా నిష్క్రియలను నిర్ణయిస్తుంది మరియు మీరు చాలా కాలం పాటు కొనసాగితే మీ ఆలోచనా దృష్టి చివరకు మీరు ఎవరో నిర్ణయిస్తుంది. మనము క్రీస్తుకు మన జీవితాలను ఇచ్చినప్పుడు, ప్రతిరోజూ బైబిల్ అధ్యయనం మరియు మన చుట్టూ ఉన్న ఇతర క్రైస్తవులతో సహవాసం చేయడం ద్వారా మనం నిరంతరం యేసు గురించి మరియు చివరికి దేవుని గురించి ఆలోచించాలి. అలా చేయడం ద్వారా మన ఆలోచనా విధానం భగవంతునిపై కేంద్రీకరించబడుతుంది.   మనకు తక్కువ పరధ్యానం ఉంటుంది, అవసరం లేని మరియు పనికిరాని సంపదను పోగుచేయడం గురించి ప్రపంచం ఆలోచించే విషయాల గురించి తక్కువ చింత ఉంటుంది. మన ఆలోచన భగవంతునిపై కేంద్రీకరించినట్లయితే, మనకు ఉన్నదానితో మనం పోరాడుతాము కాబట్టి రక్తపోటు, ఆందోళన లేదా దేని గురించిన భయం ఉండదు.  ఫలితంగా మనశ్శాంతి, హృదయాల్లో ఆనందం ఉంటుంది. దేవుని బిడ్డగా నేను ఈ రోజు మిమ్మల్ని దేవునిపై మరియు ఆయన ఏమి చేయాలనుకుంటున్నాడో దానిపై ఎక్కువ దృష్టి పెట్టాలని మిమ్మల్ని క...

 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. ‭Isaiah 26:3 KJV‬ Devotion: What you think about most determines your actions or inactions and if you persist a long time your thought focus will determine who you eventually become. When we give our lives to Christ we have to continually think about Jesus and ultimately about God by daily Bible study and fellowship with other born again Christians around us. By so doing our thought process will be focused on God.   We will have less distractions, less worries about the things the world think about viz accumulation of un-needed and unuseful wealth. If our thought is focused on God we will be contended with what we have so there will not be hypertension, anxiety or fear of anything.  As a result we will have peace of mind and joy in our hearts. As a child of God I urge you this day to focus more on God and what he wants you to do. Think less of worldly things and the peace...

Psalm 119:105 KJV says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path." In today's world, electricity illuminates our paths, making it easy to navigate even in the darkest nights. However, for a born-again Christian, spiritual guidance is just as crucial as physical light. As disciples of Jesus, we need the Word of God to guide our actions and decisions, step by step, like a lamp lighting our way through life's darkness. The world is full of mysteries and miseries that only the Word of God can interpret and overcome. By applying God's Word to every situation we encounter, we will experience marvelous results and praise God. Let us seek counsel, ask questions, and share this devotional with others, that we may all be guided by the light of His Word. May God bless you as you walk in His guidance today! By Dr Joel Olanrewaju.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14. Devotion: Part of being a Christian is humbling ourselves and realizing that without God, our lives truly mean nothing. We are to acknowledge that we have made a conscious choice to turn away from the bad deeds and sinful habits, and we have turned to the holy life God has presented before us. Dear reader, I urge you this morning to review your life and try to make the necessary corrections. Humble yourself where necessary maybe in your family life, with colleagues and neighbours. Say sorry where you have to, do not be too proud and ask for forgiveness from God. He will pardon you and restore you in Jesus' name.  Reach me at gbemide09@gmail.com for clarification, questions, suggestions and prayer requests. Good bless you good. 

Isaiah 43:2 KJV says, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." Devotion: In life, we all must navigate through challenging times, whether briefly or repeatedly. God is aware of our struggles and promises to help us through. The Israelites experienced this divine deliverance when they crossed the Red Sea and the River Jordan, and when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace. This same God promises to deliver us according to Isaiah 43:2. However, there is a crucial factor to consider: we must be children of God, surrendered to Christ, and repentant of our sins (Acts 3:10). If we continue living in sin, this promise may not apply to our lives. Remember, your struggles may not be in the waters or fire, but God will deliver you from your unique challenges - health issues, financi...

Psalm 42:11 KJV says, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." Devotion: The writer of Psalm 42 was going through difficult times, feeling sad and disquieted. But instead of giving in to his emotions, he chose to be honest with God and himself. He wrote a lamentation that became a powerful psalm, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, we can find hope in God.   When we're in the valley, it's essential to remember that every human being must go through challenges to rise above them and become champions. To move forward, follow these steps: 1. Come before God and express your feelings honestly. 2. Remember His promises and how much He loves and cares for you. 3. Encourage yourself to put hope in God, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. 4. Move towards songs of praise, trusting that God will bring you through the valley and i...

"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:6" Devotion : The natural/carnal mindset ends in death or is short-lived. To be carnally minded or to have a natural mindset is to be led by the five natural senses of the body, that is, the sense of sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch/feel. These are the people who are concerned about only what will gratify the body. In other words, they are only concerned about what to eat, wear, and live by whatever they see, hear, or feel: they are not concerned about their spiritual needs.  On the other hand, those who are spiritually minded or have the heavenly mindset have prioritized their spiritual needs above everything else: they live by the Word of God. These are God's children who give priority to the study of the Holy Scriptures, prayer, fellowship, righteousness, brotherly love, faith, hope, worship, and praise; these activities can only produce life and peace. Hallelujah!  As ...

"No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God." ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬ Devotion: Like Hannah, many of us have faced challenging times, but ultimately achieved our dreams. After 22 years of solo medical practice, I embarked on postgraduate studies, and despite feeling overwhelmed initially, God's guidance helped me succeed and become a fellow. It wasn't my hard work alone, but God's grace. I sang praises to my God, acknowledging that none can replace Him in my life. Hannah, too, knew that God was irreplaceable, even in the midst of excruciating longing and disappointment. He is the Creator, the Rock on which we build our faith, the One who sees our worst and loves us unconditionally. He has compassion for our deepest longings and can be trusted with our most tender dreams. When all else fails, He guides, teaches, and comforts us. He is our Savior, and His holiness is always good. He is the same yesterday, today, and to...

"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5 Devotion: Jesus teaches us that the meek will inherit the earth. The earth is not just a physical place, but also a symbol of God's kingdom. To be meek means to be humble, gentle, and obedient to God's will. It's not about being weak or passive, but about trusting in God's plan and being willing to submit to His authority.   Meekness is a blessing: In a world that often values strength and power, meekness can seem like a weakness. But Jesus says that the meek are blessed, and that they will inherit the earth.   Moses' example: Moses was a meek leader, but he failed to inherit the Promised Land because of his disobedience. He was angry with the Israelites and struck the rock twice, which was a symbol of Christ. Despite this, God still favored him and showed him the Promised Land from afar.   Jesus' example: Jesus is the ultimate example of meekness. He was humble, gentle, and obedient...

Acts 2:38 KJV "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Devotion: Imagine driving from Lagos to Ijebu Ode, but mistakenly turning left at Shagamu interchange, heading in the opposite direction. What would you do? As a wise person, you would stop and ask for directions. This is exactly what the people who heard Peter's sermon did. They asked, "What shall we do to get back on the right path?" Many people know the story of Jesus, but not as the Messiah, so they may not know what to do. They attend church but remain "church goers," not truly following Jesus. They may even leave the church to pursue worldly desires, fight, and hold grudges. Today, on Pentecostal Sunday, I urge you to ask, "What shall I do to inherit the kingdom?" It won't cost you anything; simply decide in your heart to repent of your sins and ac...

Acts 1:8 KJV "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 Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Devotion The disciples longed for Jesus to stay with them, but He had to complete His divine assignment and fulfill Scripture. Although He taught them how to make disciples, they were timid and fearful of death, deserting Him during His arrest (Matthew 26:56). Peter even returned to fishing (John 21:3). Therefore, Jesus knew they needed empowerment to fulfill the Great Commission. He instructed them to wait in the Upper Room to receive the Holy Spirit. When they received Him, they became bold and started preaching the Good News, with Peter winning thousands of souls for Christ. If you've received Christ but are still timid, unable to share the Word with others, you may be lacking the Holy Spirit's power. To preach the Good News, you need the Holy Spirit...

Matthew 28:19 KJV "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Devotion As Christians, we eagerly observe Easter, Christmas, and other significant events, but often neglect the most crucial task entrusted to us by Jesus Christ. After His resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days with His disciples, preparing them for life without His physical presence. He taught them how to make disciples and empowered them with the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room. Jesus gave the disciples the Great Commission to preach the Good News of Christ to every corner of the world, baptizing people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, many Christians believe this responsibility lies solely with the clergy, excluding laymen from this duty. However, the Bible instructs us that those who have been saved should rise up for the salvation of others (1 Corinthians 9:22 and Jude 1:23). We don't need to be told t...

‭Proverbs 11:24 KJV‬  There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. Devotion: The word “generous” is often defined as: - Open in giving or sharing - Willing to give help or support - Unselfish Generous living is not a concept limited to the wealthy, the gifted, or the lucky. Generosity is a lifestyle that stems from a desire to worship God in every area of life.   The principle of generosity is laced all throughout Scripture, and we have the best model and mentor when it comes to seeing it in action—God. He sent His Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for our mistakes so that way we could spend eternity with Him. That is generosity in action.  Psalm 24:1 says that “the earth is the LORD’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it…” Everything we have belongs to God and is given to us by Him. He is the owner, and we are His managers. And the people who manage well are often entrusted with...

Romans 3:13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Devotional: In Romans 3:13, we are reminded of the power of our words. Our tongues have the ability to either bring forth life or serve as a vessel for deceit. Just like an open sepulchre, our words can either breathe life into situations or spread poison and destruction. Let us be mindful of the words we speak, ensuring that they reflect the truth and life found in Christ.   Colossians 2:8 cautions us against being led astray by worldly philosophies an deceitful traditions that are not rooted in Christ. In a world filled with all sorts of ideologies and beliefs, it is crucial that we anchor ourselves in the truth of God's Word. Let us guard our hearts and minds against influences that seek to draw us away from the teachings of Christ, staying firmly rooted in His truth and love.   As we reflect on these verses, may we be reminded of the importance ...

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1" Devotion : In life, what we create is very vital to God as well as to our own selves because others could benefit or could be destroyed by it. When God created the heaven and the earth, He benefited from it because heaven is His throne and the earth His footstool, Matthew 5:34-35; others also benefited from it. In other words, His created beings enjoyed what God had created.   The life of a believer in Christ Jesus begins at his new birth, that is, the very moment he/she accepted Jesus Christ as his/her Lord and personal Savior. Thereafter what he/she does is very essential because he/she could be charting a cause for a victorious life or a mediocre life.    Heaven represents the spiritual and the earth represents the physical; therefore, a Christian should place a premium on his spiritual life as much as his physical life. The spiritual comes first, followed by the physical, and God expects us to win in...

Prayer is simply an honest, ongoing conversation with God that shows you have faith in God. With faith you cannot ask for anything from God.   Jesus tells us that God knows what we need (Matthew 6:8), but He still wants us to come and tell Him what’s on our minds. He is a good Father who cares for us (Matthew 7:11). He wants to speak into our circumstances, comfort our hearts, and shape our perspectives.    He loves giving good gifts to His children—gifts they want, long for, and ask for. But sometimes, what we want isn’t actually good for us.   When Jesus says in Matthew 7:8, “ask, and it will be given to you,” He isn’t saying that we will get everything we ask for.   God cannot—and will not—give us anything that contradicts His character. God will only give us what is good, and sometimes a “no” from God is the response we actually need. But He still wants us to bring Him all our desires, and if we ask for anything that aligns with His will,...

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4" Devotion : As a child of God, sometimes take time to ask yourself the following questions: how did I become a born again Christian? Where would I have been if I were not born again? What is my Christian life like without winning a soul?   If these questions are honestly answered, you will have compassion for any lost soul you come across in your day-to-day endeavor. The Christians who mourn/prayerfully fight for lost souls will be blessed and comforted with good tidings and benefits.    Everybody became born again because someone preached to him or her; even if you were reading the gospel/Bible and you became born again, you were convinced by the Holy Spirit. Everybody needs somebody; therefore, if you see a drunkard, prostitute, thief, gay person, etc, mourn for them in prayer and extend the good news to them so that the LORD can reward your effort.    Remember do not condemn them but show ...

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: ‭Ruth 1:16 KJV‬ Devotion: Yesterday, we talked about loyalty and used a dog as an illustration. Today, we will explore the tale of Ruth from the book of Ruth, showcasing her steadfast devotion to her mother-in-law even in the face of personal hardship.  Ruth and Naomi, both grieving and united by a history of sorrow, stood side by side in the sun-baked fields of Moab. Their family had suffered from famine and loss, leading Naomi to decide to go back to her homeland in Judah.   For Ruth, a young widow from Moab, there were two choices ahead: to remain in the known comfort of her native land or to embark on a risky venture into unfamiliar territory in Judah. In Moab, the locals did not worship the God of Judah - Naomi's God..   Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi, pleaded with...

But the Lord is faithful, who will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. Thessalonians 3:3 (KJV) Devotion: There is a pet that is always loyal to its owner - a dog. A story is told of a dog owned by a hunter who always went hunting together. The dog would keep watch for dangerous predators and start barking when trouble approached. One day, the hunter went hunting but fell ill and couldn't return. The dog returned home to alert the people and sought help. The dog was faithful.  A person may say, "Do not worry, I'll be there for you," but when trouble arises, they are nowhere to be found. However, God is always faithful, even when we are not. He is always there for us, like an unseen protective hand that guides us through the storms of life. He promises to be with us always. In Isaiah 43, verse 2, God says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you sha...

"I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalms 4:8" Devotion : Natural sleep has been created by GOD to give rest to the human body and rejuvenate it. Good natural sleep is given to the children of God so that they can wake up with renewed energy and a refreshed body to carry out the will/purpose of God for the day.   If you are denied a good natural sleep, you are likely to have a rough day and your body, especially your brain, will not give you the accurate results that it usually gives you. Good natural sleep is attained in an atmosphere of good security. Good security is only available from God for those who walk in His ways because God says in Isaiah 41:10  "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." God always fulfill His promises if we live right with Him. The Psalmist...

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16" Devotion : The opening scripture above is dealing with corporate prayer, which can be applied to prayer in general. Failure to forgive hinders corporate prayer; no wonder Apostle James said we should be bold enough to tell one another where we or they are going wrong so that corporate prayer can be a time of feasting and refreshing because answers are received and miracles, signs, and wonders are pronounced.    In Matthew 5:24, Jesus says we should first reconcile with anyone who sinned against us before approaching the temple of God meaning before we kneel down to pray so that our prayer will not be hindered.   As a child of God, you should not keep offence inside you as it will pollute your spirit. Go to the offender quickly and show him/her his/her fault quickly and politely before it begins to harm you. The en...

Colossians 4:12  Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.   When I dedicate time to reading the Bible, listening for God’s voice, and praying, I often feel so drained that I can hardly keep my eyes open. After finishing my devotions, I perk up and feel refreshed. This may be evidence that I’ve spent my time exactly as God intended. The enemy battled me as I prayed and read the Bible, but God was fighting for me.  Labor that occurs in the spiritual realm is mysterious. I don’t see my prayers rising to God’s throne. Nor do I talk with God face-to-face. Instead, I believe God hears my prayers and smiles when I read His word, and I concentrate and listen for God’s voice in my spirit.  Paul said Epaphras wrestled in prayer. Wrestling is an intense sport. Wrestlers grapple with their opponent one-on-one. It’s combat—leaning into your opponent...

There could be various reasons why someone might start yawning during prayer and eventually fall asleep. Yawning can be a natural response to fatigue, boredom, or a lack of stimulation. If someone is feeling tired or exhausted, they may yawn more frequently, especially during quiet and meditative activities like prayer. Additionally, the act of praying can induce a sense of relaxation and peace, which may also contribute to drowsiness and eventually falling asleep. It's important to note that falling asleep during prayer could be a sign that the individual needs to rest and recover. It may be helpful to ensure that they are getting enough sleep and managing their energy levels properly to avoid feeling overly tired during important activities like prayer.There could be various reasons why someone might start yawning during prayer and eventually fall asleep. Yawning can be a natural response to fatigue, boredom, or a lack of stimulation. If someone is feeling tired or exhausted, the...

 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. ‭1 John 4:11 KJV‬ Devotion: Love is the only theme that can unite the world. Where there's genuine love there's no envy, no strive, no covet and there will be unity of purpose. The people will work together, live together, eat and drink together and there will be no fear.   Unfortunately, love is absent in the world today therefore all form of vices are perpetrated. In the family there's envy between siblings, husband and wife. In the church of God, we observe that there is no love lost among the congregants. When someone did not attend service nobody asks of him or her, indigent students need financial assistance to attend school nobody cares all because love is absent.   Yet we say it loud that we love God? Do we really love God or we are just after what we can get from God? Our confession of love for God can be noted from our prayers which is 90% asking God for one thing or another. We don't pray for th...

 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; Even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; But the night shineth as the day: The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.‭ Psalm 139:11-12 KJV‬. Devotion: Darkness of night might be strange to people of the first world but to some of us power outage is regular and darkness has no meaning. We walk through it and have no fear.  In this life one cannot live without coming across dark moments when all seem dark and gloomy and you think maybe it should be over now. Honestly what you see depends on what you think or imagine in your mind. A colleague of mine was posted to a (very) rural clinic as house officer. A village without electricity and no good source of water. We all pitied him but he went and saw the good side of the place. He saw opportunity to become raw food merchant and within the posting of 3 months he made a fortune, bought a car, saved enough money to travel out soon after the i...

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6   Devotion: Prayer and thanksgiving is a very important part of a serious Christian's life. Some neglect it and only pray when they need something from God. But Paul demonstrated this and emphasized it severally in his teaching to Thessalonians, Ephesians and Colossians and elsewhere (1 Thessalonians 5 :17; Romans 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:3 and Colossians 4 vs 2)  Prayer is a demonstration of faith in the ability of God to do something and when you pray regularly it shows you have a robust relationship with God. There is a world of difference between praying to God and praying with God. Pray to(talk to) is like no relationship with the person you talk to, like you're the boss. Pray with (talk with) shows a very good relationship, a trust and an expectation of an answer from God.  The discussion this morning is not just prayer but p...

‭ But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.  Amos 5:24 KJV‬ Devotion:  .... everyone is crying out for peace, but none is crying out justice, I don't want no peace but equal rights and justice(Peter Tosh), but the situation has moved from equal rights to equity.   We live in a world where might is right and the weak are permanently trampled under the feet. As long as these continue between rich and poor nations, powerful and weak nations and between individuals there cannot be peace.    The weak and poor will organize themselves into bandits, terror groups and torment the rich. This is what is happening in so many parts of the world today.  It is not enough to achieve equality which democracy advocates in which the weak do not get assistance. The weak becomes homeless, unable to afford 3 meals in a day and cannot settle hospital bills. There's need to move further to achieve equity, where the weak and poor are as...