A CLOSER WALK WITH MY LORD

30-day devotional studies that will help strengthen your walk

with God.

A compilation of the weekly inspirational messages sent out to members of the

Voice of Hope Africa group on Facebook.

Written by:
Isaac Apaw

(Voice of Hope Africa)

Just a closer walk with Thee,

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
 DAY ONE
The gods within
"Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods."
--Jeremiah 16:20

One of the greatest sins that the people of ancient Israel was IDOLATRY, and WE, the spiritual Israel
have the tendency to commit the same folly.

All the gods the ancient people worshiped are no more today, but Mammon still intrudes his golden calf,
and the shrines of pride are not forsaken.
Self in various forms struggles to subdue the chosen ones under its dominion, and the flesh sets up its
altars wherever it can find space for them.
More often, favorite children are the cause of much sin in believers; the Lord is grieved when He sees us
being excessively fond of favorite children; they will live to be as great a curse to us just as Absalom was
a torn in the flesh for David.

Do not pamper some of your children too much or they will be as thorns to stuff your sleepless pillows.
It is truly said that "they are no gods," for the objects of our foolish love are very doubtful blessings, the
solace which they yield us now is dangerous, and the help which they can give us in the hour of trouble
is little indeed.
Why, then, are we so bewitched with vanities? We pity the poor pagan who adores a god of stone, and
yet we worship the god of television, iPods, mp3 players, cars.
What is the difference between a god of flesh and a god of wood? The principle, the sin, the folly is the
same in either case, only that in ours the crime is more aggravated because we have more light, and sin
in the face of it.
The pagan bows to a false deity, but the true God he has never known; we commit two evils, inasmuch
as we forsake the living God and turn unto idols. May the Lord purge us all from this grievous iniquity!
Devoid yourself of anything that will turn your attention from the true and living GOD of Heaven as such
is idolatry.
Deuteronomy 8:11-17 (New King James Version)
11 ―Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments,
His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today,
12 lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them;
13 and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are
multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied;
14 when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of
the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; 15 who led you through that great and terrible
wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no
water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock;. AMEN
 DAY TWO
Little Foxes
"Sin . . . exceeding sinful."-Romans 7:13

Beware of light thoughts of sin. When a man is converted to Christianity, the conscience is so tender,
that he is afraid of the slightest sin.
Young converts have a holy timidity, a godly fear because of the fear that, they might offend against
God. But very soon the fine bloom upon these first ripe fruits is removed by the rough handling of the
surrounding world: the sensitive plant of young piety turns into a willow in after life, too pliant, too
easily yielding.

It is sadly true, that even a Christian may grow by degrees so callous, that the sin which once startled
him does not alarm him in the least. By degrees men get familiar with sin.

The ear in which the cannon has been booming will not notice slight sounds. At first a little sin startles
us; but soon we say, "Is it not a little one?" Then there comes another, larger, and then another, until by
degrees we begin to regard sin as but a little ill; and then follows an unholy presumption: "We have not
fallen into open sin.

True, we tripped a little, but we stood upright in the main. We may have uttered one unholy word, but
as for the most of our conversation, it has been consistent." So we palliate sin; we throw a cloak over it;
we call it by dainty names.

Christian, beware how you think lightly of sin. Take heed lest you fall by little and little. Sin, a little thing?
Is it not a poison? Who knows its deadliness? Sin, a little thing? Do not the little foxes spoil the grapes?
That is what the wise man says in Song of Solomon 2:15

Is it not the tiny coral insect that build a rock which wrecks a ship? Do not little strokes of the axe bring
down a lofty oak? Will not continual droppings wear away stones? Sin a little thing? It girded the
Redeemer's head with thorns, and pierced His heart. It made Him suffer anguish, bitterness, and woe.

Could you weigh the least sin in the scales of eternity, you would fly from it as from a serpent, and abhor
the least appearance of evil. Look upon all sin as that which crucified the Saviour, and you will see it to
be "exceeding sinful."

It was sin that brought the Son of God to earth to die a shameful death. Never think little of sin,
for God hate it. Be pure always in the sight of the Lord, fight to attain holiness for no one can
see God.
 “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no
one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14

DAY THREE
Search your heart
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith. Test yourselves. Do you not
realize that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 2 Cor. 13:5, R.S.V.

Nothing is more treacherous than the deceitfulness of sin. It is the god of this world that deludes, and
blinds, and leads to destruction. Satan does not enter with his array of temptations at once. He disguises
these temptations with a semblance of good. . . . Beguiled souls take one step, then are prepared for the
next. . . . Oh, how Satan watches to see his bait taken so readily, and to see souls walking in the very
path he has prepared! . . .

There is a necessity for close self-examination, and to closely investigate in the light of God's word, Am I
sound, or am I rotten, at heart? Am I renewed in Christ, or am I still carnal at heart, with an outside, new
dress put on? Rein yourself up to the tribunal of God, and see as in the light of God if there is any secret
sin, any iniquity, any idol you have not sacrificed. Pray . . . as you have never prayed before, that you
may not be deluded by Satan's devices; that you may not be given up to a heedless, careless, and vain
spirit. . . .

One of the sins that constitute one of the signs of the last days, is that professed Christians are lovers of
pleasure more than lovers of God. Deal truly with your own souls. Search carefully. How few, after a
faithful examination, can look up to Heaven and say, ". . . I am not a lover of pleasure more than a lover
of God." How few can say, "I am dead to the world, and when He who is my life shall appear, then shall I
also appear with Him in glory."

The love and grace of God! Oh precious grace! more valuable than fine gold. It elevates and ennobles
the spirit beyond all other principles. It sets the heart and affections upon Heaven. While those around
us may be engaged in worldly vanity, pleasure-seeking, and folly, the conversation is in heaven, whence
we look for the Savior; the soul is reaching out after God for pardon and peace, for righteousness and
true holiness. Converse with God and contemplation of things above transform the soul into the likeness
of Christ.
 DAY FOUR
Where did you loose HIM?
"I sought him, but I found him not."-Song of Solomon 3:1

Tell me where you lost the company of a Christ, and I will tell you the most likely place to find Him.
Have you lost Christ in the closet by restraining prayer? Then it is there you must seek and find Him. Did
you lose Christ by sin? You will find Christ in no other way but by the giving up of the sin, and seeking by
the Holy Spirit to mortify the member in which the lust doth dwell.

Did you lose Christ by neglecting the Scriptures? You must find Christ in the Scriptures. It is a true
proverb, "Look for a thing where you dropped it, it is there." So look for Christ where you lost Him, for
He has not gone away. But it is hard work to go back for Christ.

Take care, then, when you find your Master, to cling close to Him. But how is it you have lost Him? One
would have thought you would never have parted with such a precious friend, whose presence is so
sweet, whose words are so comforting, and whose company is so dear to you!

How is it that you did not watch Him every moment for fear of losing sight of Him? Yet, since you have
let Him go, what a mercy that you are seeking Him, even though you mournfully groan, "O that I knew
where I might find Him!"

Go on seeking, for it is dangerous to be without thy Lord. Without Christ you are like a sheep without its
shepherd; like a tree without water at its roots; like a sere leaf in the tempest-not bound to the tree of
life. With your whole heart seek Him, and He will be found of you: only give yourself thoroughly up to
the search, and verily, you shall yet discover Him to your joy and gladness.

May you find joy today as you seek the LORD with all your heart.

But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him
with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29
 DAY FIVE
Highly Indebted
"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors."-Romans 8:12

As God's created beings, we are forever debtors to Him: to obey Him with all our body, and soul, and
strength.
We all broke HIS commandments, we are all therefore debtors to His justice, and we owe to Him a large
amount which we are not able to pay.
But for us Christians, we do not owe God's justice anything, for Christ has PAID THE DEBT THAT WE
OWED; for this reason the believer owes the more to LOVE.

I am a debtor to God's grace and forgiving mercy; but I am no debtor to His justice, for He will never
accuse me of a debt already paid. Christ said, "It is FINISHED" and by that He meant, that whatever His
people owed has wiped away for ever from the book of remembrance with HIS blood that was shed on
Calvary.

Christ, to the uttermost, has satisfied divine justice; the account is settled; the handwriting is nailed to
the cross; the receipt is given, and we are debtors to God's justice no longer. But then, because we are
not debtors to our Lord in that sense, we become TEN TIMES more debtors to God than we should have
been otherwise.

Christian, pause and ponder for a moment. What a debtor you are to divine sovereignty. How much you
owe to His great and amazing love, for He gave His own Son that He might die for you. Consider how
much you owe to His forgiving grace, that after ten thousand affronts He loves you as infinitely as ever.

Consider what you owe to His power; how He has raised you from your death in sin; how He has
preserved your spiritual life; how He has kept you from falling; and how, though a thousand enemies
have tried to harm you, you have been able to hold on your way.

Consider what you owe to His immutability. Though you have changed a thousand times, He has not
changed once. You are as deep in debt as you can be to every attribute of God.

To God you owe thyself, and all you have to do for HIM is to offer yourself as a living sacrifice, which is
your only reasonable service.

May to live every moment of this day and week knowing that you are forever debted to the grace of
GOD.
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God
through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with
the flesh the law of sin.” Romans 7:24-25
 DAY SIX
I will help you
"I will help thee, saith the Lord."-Isaiah 41:14

Today, let us hear the Lord Jesus speak to each one of us: "I will help thee." "It is just a small thing for
me your GOD to help you.
Consider what HE has done already in your life. What help won’t HE give you? He has bought you with
HIS blood. What wouldn’t HE do for you?
He has died for you; and if HE has done the greater, will HE not do the less? GOD will help you, do not
worry. It is the least thing HE will ever do for you.

HE has done more, and will do more. Before the world began HE chose you and made the covenant for
you. HE laid aside HIS glory and became a man for you; HE gave up HIS life for you; and if HE did all this,
HE will surely help you now in what you are going through, JUST TRUST HIM.
In helping you, HE is giving you what HE has bought for you already. If you have a need a thousand
times, HE will help you a thousand times.

Your needs are too small compared to the HELP HE can offer you. HE can supply all your need according
to the riches in the glory of Christ Jesus.
He will help you. Do not be afraid. Are you not better than the sparrow of the air, yet your Heavenly
fathers cares for each single sparrow and knows when any of them falls down. How much more you who
is worth more than a billion sparrows. HE will help

O my soul, is not this enough? Do you need more strength than the omnipotence GOD? Do you want
more wisdom than exists in the Father, more love than displays itself in the Son, or more power than is
manifest in the influences of the Spirit?
Don't feel sad, do not be depressed over your small problem, gather up all your wants, and bring them
before JEHOVAH, your woes, and all your needs. Behold, this river of God is full for your supply; what
can you desire again?
REJOICE, my soul, again I say REJOICE. The Eternal God is your helper!

Be not dismayed whate’er betide,

God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.

Refrain

God will take care of you,

Through every day, over all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.
 DAY SEVEN

Closer the glue

"I am with you alway." Matthew 28:20

Christians are NOT the same as people of the world. For us Christians, we are people of hope. Hope that
comes from rich PROMISES made by our gracious Saviour.
One of such wonderful promises is found in Mathew 28:20....."and lo' I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, even
unto the end of time." It is well with us for there is one stable rock in the midst of the STORMS of the
sea of life that we can run to.

Do NOT set your affections on this rusting, moth-eaten, decaying treasures of the earth, but set your
heart upon HIM who abides for ever and is faithful ton you.
Do NOT build your house upon the moving quicksand of a deceitful world, but put all your HOPES upon
this rock which does NOT MOVE even in the midst of descending rain and roaring floods. JESUS is indeed
an anchor that grips our souls.... fastened to the ROCK which cannot move.

Why worry about getting yourself treasures on earth, which is only gone in the next minute? Today, I
want to challenge you to lay up your up treasure in the only secure cabinet; store your jewels where you
can never lose them.

Put ALL your trust in Christ; set all your affections on His person, all your hope in His merit, all your trust
in His efficacious blood, all your joy in His presence, so that you may laugh when the storm come.
Go, sorrowing son of affliction, tell all your secrets to the Friend who stickes closer than a brother. Why
carry all these needless burdens when Jesus is with you?

Trust all your concerns with Him who never can be taken from you, who will never leave you, and who
will never let you leave Him.
HE is "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." "Lo, I am with you alway,". Is this NOT
enough for your soul to live upon.? Only trust HIM and you will find peace this week.
Finally friends, may the LORD bless you, and keep you; may the LORD make His face SHINE on you, and
be gracious to you; may the LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you PEACE.’ (Numbers 6:25)

What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
 DAY EIGHT
The terror by night
"Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night."-Psalm 91:5

What is this terror? It may be the cry of fire, or the noise of thieves, or, the shriek of sudden sickness or
death. We live in the world of death and sorrow, we may therefore look for ills as well in the night-
watches as beneath the glare of glowing sun.

This should NOT alarm us, for the promise is that the believer shall not be afraid. Why should he? Let us
put it more closely, why should we be afraid? Any reason....... No..!! We have NO reason to be afraid.
God our Father is here, and will be here with us through the lonely hours; He is an almighty Watcher, a
sleepless Guardian, a faithful Friend.

Nothing can happen without His direction, for even hell itself is under His control. Darkness is not dark
to Him. He has promised to be a wall of fire around His people-and who can break through such a
barrier? Those who do not know Him may be afraid, for their sin has become a guilty conscience within
them; but we who rest in Jesus are saved from all these through rich mercy.

If we give way to foolish fear we shall dishonor our profession, and lead others to doubt the reality of
GOD's greatness. We should be afraid of being afraid; otherwise we should grief the Holy Spirit by
distrust.

Be HAAPY then my dear friend, God has not forgotten to be gracious, nor shut up His tender mercies, it
may be night in the soul, but you should NOT be afraid, for the love God does NOT changes.

We are HIS Children and we are of light and as such, we may walk in darkness, but we are not afraid of
the TERROR by night.

Like the old hymn:

"Though the night be dark and dreary,

Darkness cannot hide from Thee;
Thou art He, who, never weary,
Watchest where Thy people be."

Trust in GOD even in the darkest part of your life, and HE will save you.

May God be with you.

 DAY NINE
The way of life
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to
destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the
way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matt. 7:13, 14.

Jesus Christ is calling upon us to enter into the narrow pathway, where every step means a denial of self.
He calls upon us to stand upon the platform of eternal truth, and contend, yes, contend earnestly, for
the faith once delivered to the saint.
As we near the time when principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places will be fully
brought into the warfare against the truth, when Satan's deceptive power will be so great that, if it were
possible, he would deceive the very ELECT, our discernment must be sharpened by divine
enlightenment, that we may not be ignorant of Satan's devices. . . . 2 Corth 2:11.

By giving us the HELP of the holy angels, God has made it possible for our work to be . . . a glorious
success. That is, we are assured of success if we depend on HIS guidance. But success will seldom result
from scattered effort.

We need to be like Enoch, and walk with God, and reveal Christ to the world. Christians need to reach a
higher standard. Heavenly messengers are waiting to communicate with those who have taken self out
of sight, whose lives are a fulfilling of the words, "I live; NOT by myself, but Christ lives in me: and the life
which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for
me."

Most of the time, our views of the Son of Righteousness are clouded by self-seeking. Christ is crucified
afresh by many who through self-indulgence allow Satan to gain control over them.
It is God's purpose that all shall be tested and tried, that He may see whether they are loyal or disloyal
to the laws that govern the kingdom of heaven.

God permits Satan to reveal himself as a liar, an accuser, and a murderer. Thus the final triumph of His
people is made more marked, more glorious, more full and complete.
The NARROW way may be filled with hardship, trials and temptations, but that is the tool GOD uses to
clear SELF and all worldly desires so our minds will be filled with things above and NOT of the world. The
trials and afflictions we experience in the narrow way are meant to prepare us for a life in Heaven.
Don’t give up friend, this too shall pass, and GOD will make all things beautiful in HIS own time.

“"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to
destruction, and many enter through it.” 7:13
God be with you.
 DAY TEN
The healing Stripes
"With His stripes we are healed."-Isaiah 53:5

King Pilate delivered our Lord Jesus Christ to the soldiers to be scourged. The Roman whip was a
most dreadful instrument of torture. It was made of the sinews of oxen, and sharp bones were
inter-twisted every here and there among the sinews; so that every time the lash came down
these pieces of bone inflicted fearful laceration, and tore off the flesh from the bone.

The Saviour was, no doubt, bound to them, and therefore was beaten. He had been beaten
before; but that of the Roman soldiers was probably the most severe of His torturing. My soul,
stand here and weep over His poor stricken body.

Believer in Jesus, can you GAZE upon Him without tears, as He stands before you the mirror of
agonizing love? He is at once fair as the lily for innocence, and red as the rose with the crimson
of His own blood.
As we feel the sure and blessed healing which His stripes of JESUS have brought in us, does not
our heart melt at once with love and grief? If ever we have loved our Lord Jesus, surely we must
feel that affection glowing now within our bosoms.

Reminds me of an old hymn which goes like this;

"See how the patient Jesus stands,

Insulted in His lowest case!
Sinners have bound the Almighty's hands,
And spit in their Creator's face.

With thorns His temples gor'd and gash'd

Send streams of blood from every part;
His back's with knotted scourges lash'd.
But sharper scourges tear His heart."

We would have gone to our chambers and weep; but since Jesus is there for us, we will first pray
our Beloved to print the image of His bleeding self upon the tablets of our hearts all the day, and
at nightfall we will return to commune with Him, and sorrow that our sin should have cost Him
so dear.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the
punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:5 God be with you.
 DAY ELEVEN
Where do you stand?
"To whom belongest thou?"-1 Samuel 30:13

No neutralities can exist in religion. We are either ranked under the banner of Prince Immanuel,
to serve and fight His battles, or we are vassals of the black prince, Satan.

So the question is, "To whom do you belong?" My dear friend, let me assist you in your
response. Have you been "born again"? What type of music do you FEED your MIND with?

If you have been born again and you ONLY make the melody of pure sound as the good book
says in Ephesians 5:19, then belong to Christ, but without the new birth you cannot be His.

In whom do you put your trust? For those who believe in Jesus are the sons of God. Whose
work are you doing? You are sure to serve your master, for he whom you serve is thereby
owned to be your lord. You cannot serve GOD with your body and serve the devil with your
MIND. God hate lukewarm people. The type of music you listen, will determine who has your
MIND.

What company do you keep? If you belong to Jesus, you will fraternize with those who wear the
livery of the cross and those who listen to good music and NOT hip-hop, hip-life, rock etc.

"Birds of a feather flock together." What is your conversation? Is it heavenly or is it earthly?

What have you learned of your Master?-for servants learn much from their masters to whom
they are apprenticed.

If you have served your time with Jesus, it will be said of you, as it was of Peter and John, "They
took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus."

We press the question, "To whom do you belong?" Answer honestly and pray to GOD for Help.
If you are not Christ's you are in a hard service-Run away from your cruel master, the DEVIL.
Enter into the service of the Lord of Love, and you shall enjoy a life of blessedness. If you are
Christ's let me advise you to do four things.

You belong to Jesus-obey him; let his word be your law; let His wish be your will. You belong to
the Beloved, then love Him; let your heart embrace Him; let your whole soul be filled with Him.
You belong to the Son of God, then trust him; rest nowhere but on him. You belong to the King
of kings, then be decided for Him. Do not be a hypocrite son, DONT serve God and the Devil at
the same time. Listen only to music that is pure. Hip-hop and rock and Roll are the devil's music.

May God give you strength to walk faithfully with HIM.

 DAY TWELVE
Stay strong
"Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."-2 Timothy 2:1

Christ has grace without measure in Himself, but He hath not retained it for Himself. As the reservoir
empties itself into the pipes, so hath Christ emptied out His grace for His people. "Of His fulness have all
we received, and grace for grace."

He seems only to have in order to dispense to us. He stands like the fountain, always flowing, but only
running in order to supply the empty pitchers and the thirsty lips which draw nigh unto it. Like a tree, He
bears sweet fruit, not to hang on boughs, but to be gathered by those who need. Grace, whether its
work be to pardon, to cleanse, to preserve, to strengthen, to enlighten, to quicken, or to restore, is ever
to be had from Him freely and without price; nor is there one form of the work of grace which He has
not bestowed upon His people.

As the blood of the body, though flowing from the heart belongs equally to every member, so the
influences of grace are the inheritance of every saint united to the Lamb; and herein there is a sweet
communion between Christ and His Church, inasmuch as they both receive the same grace. Christ is the
head upon which the oil is first poured; but the same oil runs to the very skirts of the garments, so that
the meanest saint has unction of the same costly moisture as that which fell upon the head.

This is true communion when the sap of grace flows from the stem to the branch, and when it is
perceived that the stem itself is sustained by the very nourishment which feeds the branch. As we day
by day receive grace from Jesus, and more constantly recognize it as coming from Him, we shall behold
Him in communion with us, and enjoy the felicity of communion with Him.

Let us make daily use of our riches, and ever repair to Him as to our own Lord in covenant, taking from
Him the supply of all we need with as much boldness as men take money from their own purse.
 DAY THIRTEEN
Agents of destruction
"Before destruction the heart of man is haughty."-Proverbs 18:12

There is an old and common saying, that "coming events cast their shadows before them;" Solomon, the
wise man teaches us that a haughty heart is the prophetic prelude of evil.

PRIDE is as safely the sign of destruction as the change of mercury in the weather-glass is the sign of
rain; and far more infallibly so than that. When men have ridden the high horse, destruction has always
overtaken them. Let David's aching heart show that there is an eclipse of a man's glory when he dotes
upon his own greatness. 2 Sam. 24:10.

See Nebuchadnezzar, the mighty builder of Babylon, creeping on the earth, devouring grass like oxen,
until his nails had grown like bird's claws, and his hair like eagle's feathers. Dan. 4:33. Pride made the
boaster a beast, as once before it made an angel a devil. God hates high looks, and never fails to bring
them down. All the arrows of God are aimed at proud hearts.

O Christian, is your heart haughty? For pride can get into the Christian's heart as well as into the
sinner's; it can delude him into dreaming that he is "rich and increased in goods, and hath need of
nothing. " Are you glorying in thy graces or your talents? Are you proud of yourself, that you have had
holy frames and sweet experiences? Mark this, reader, there is a destruction coming to you also.

Your flaunting poppies of self-conceit will be pulled up by the roots, your mushroom graces will wither in
the burning heat, and you self-sufficiency shall become as straw for the dunghill.

If we forget to live at the foot of the cross in deepest lowliness of spirit, God will not forget to make us
smart under His rod. A destruction will come to you, O unduly exalted believer, the destruction of thy
joys and of thy comforts, though there can be no destruction of thy soul.

Wherefore, "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

KILL PRIDE and Live

A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you're
looking down, you can't see something that's above you. – C.S Lewis
 DAY FOURTEEN
He will lead you
"Thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation."-Psalm 91:

When the Children of Israel where in the wilderness, they were continually exposed to change. They
were always on the move.

Whenever the pillar of light stayed its motion, the tents were pitched; but the next day, when the
morning sun had risen, the trumpet sounded, the ark was in motion, and the fiery, cloudy pillar was
leading the way through the narrow defiles of the mountain, up the hillside, or along the arid waste of
the wilderness. They scarcely had a time to rest a little before they heard the sound of "AWAY, this is
not your REST; you must still be onward journeying towards Canaan. They never stayed long in one
place. Even wells and palm trees could not detain them. Yet they had an abiding home in their GOD, HE
was their REFUGE.

His cloudy pillar was their roof-tree, and its flame by night their household fire. They must go onward
from place to place, continually changing, never having time to settle, and to say, "Now we are secure;
in this place we shall dwell." "Yet," says Moses, "though we are always changing, JEHOVAH our GOD has
been our dwelling-place all the way through.

The Christian must NOT know change with regard to God. He may be rich today and poor tomorrow; he
may be sickly today and well tomorrow; he may be in happiness today, tomorrow he may be distressed
but there should be no change with regard to his relationship to GOD.

If He loved me yesterday, He loves me TODAY. Be rest assured in the PROMISES of GOD my dearest
friend. GOD should be your unmoving mansion of REST. Let prospects be blighted; let hopes be blasted;
let joy be withered; let mildews destroy everything; I have lost nothing of what I have in God. He is "my
strong habitation whereunto I can continually resort.

" I am a pilgrim in the world, but at home in my God. In the earth I wander, but in God I dwell in a quiet
habitation. Never fear of be dismayed, JESUS is with you all the way to the end. Trust in HIM.

All the way my Savior leads me;

What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
 DAY FIFTHEEN
The promise
"He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."-Hebrews 13:5

If only we can grasp these words by faith, we have an all-conquering weapon in our hand. What doubt
will not be slain by this two-edged sword? What fear is there which shall not fall destroyed with a
deadly wound before this arrow from the bow of God's covenant?

It will make the distresses of life and the pangs of death; it will make the corruptions within, and the
snares without; the trials from above, and the temptations from beneath, all seem but light afflictions,
when we can hide ourselves beneath the bulwark of "He hath said"? Yes; whether for delight in our
quietude, or for strength in our conflict, "He hath said" must be our daily resort.

And this may teach us the extreme value of searching the Scriptures. There may be a promise in the
Word which would exactly fit your case, but you may not know of it, and therefore you miss its comfort.

You are like prisoners in a dungeon, and there may be one key in the bunch which would unlock the
door and you might be free; but if you will not look for it, you may remain a prisoner still, though liberty
is so near at hand. There may be a potent medicine in the great pharmacopoeia of Scripture, and you
may yet continue sick unless you will examine and search the Scriptures to discover what "He hath said."
Should you not, besides reading the Bible, store your memories richly with the promises of God?

You can recollect the sayings of great men; you treasure up the verses of renowned poets; ought you
not to be profound in your knowledge of the words of God, so that you may be able to quote them
readily when you would solve a difficulty, or overthrow a doubt?

Since "He hath said" is the source of all wisdom, and the fountain of all comfort, let it dwell in you richly,
as "A well of water, springing up unto everlasting life." So shall you grow healthy, strong, and happy in
the divine life.

"I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.(Psalms
16.8-9 )
 DAY SIXTEEN
The working of faith
The end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 1 Peter 4:7.

Do you believe that the end of all things is at hand, that the scenes of this earth's history are fast
closing? If so, show your faith by your works. “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works
is dead?” What does this mean: "Faith without works is dead"? James 2:20.

A man will show all the faith he has. Some think they have a good degree of faith, when if they have any,
it is dead, for it is not sustained by works. "Faith, if it has no works, is dead, being alone." Few have that
genuine faith which works by love and purifies the soul. But all who are accounted worthy of everlasting
life must obtain a moral fitness for the same.

"Beloved, now are we the son of God and it does not appear yet what we shall be: but we know that,
when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2. And every man that
has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure." This is the work before you. . . .

You must experience a death to self, and must live unto God. "If you then be raised with Christ, seek
those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God." Self is not to be consulted.
Pride, self-love, selfishness, avarice, covetousness, love of the world, hatred, suspicion, jealousy, evil
surmising, must all be subdued and sacrificed forever.

When Christ shall appear, it will not be to correct these evils and then give a moral fitness for His
coming. This preparation must all be made before He comes. It should be a subject of thought, of study,
and earnest inquiry, what shall we do to be saved? What shall be our conduct that we may show
ourselves approved of God?

When tempted to murmur, censure, and indulge in fretfulness, wounding those around you, and in so
doing wounding your own soul, let the deep, earnest, anxious inquiry come from your soul, Shall I stand
without fault before the throne of God?

Only the faultless will be there. None will be translated to heaven while their hearts are filled with the
rubbish of earth. Every defect in the moral character must first be remedied, every stain removed by the
cleansing blood of Christ, and all the unlovely, unlovable traits of character overcome.
 DAY SEVENTEEN
The only safe course
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation”. Matt. 26:41.

What will ginger the people of God? . . . I want to plead with you my dear friend to closely examine
yourself and make full and thorough confession of all possible wrongs, that they may go beforehand to
judgment, and that the recording angel may write pardon opposite your name for soon, probation will
end.
My brother, my sister, if these precious moments of mercy are not taken serious, you will be left
without excuse. If you make no special effort to arouse, if you will not manifest zeal in repenting, these
golden moments will soon pass, and you will be weighed in the balance and found wanting.

In the warning to "watch and pray," Jesus has indicated the only safe course. There is need of
watchfulness. Our own hearts are deceitful; we are compassed with the weaknesses and frailties of
humanity, and Satan is intent to destroy. We may be off our guard, but our adversary is never idle.
Knowing his tireless vigilance, let us not sleep, as do others, but "watch and be sober." The spirit and
influence of the world must be met, but they must not be allowed to take possession of the mind and
heart.
Closely examine your own heart as in the light of eternity. Hide nothing from your examination. Search,
as for your life, and condemn yourself, pass judgment upon yourself, and then by faith claim the
cleansing blood of Christ to remove the stains from your Christian character.

Do not flatter or excuse yourself. Deal truly with your own soul. And then as you view yourself a sinner,
fall, all broken, at the foot of the cross. Jesus will receive you, all polluted as you are, and will wash you
in His blood, and cleanse you from all pollution, and make you fit for the society of heavenly angels, in a
pure, harmonious heaven. This world is a training school for the higher school, this life a preparation for
the life to come. Here we are to be prepared for entrance into the heavenly courts.

Here we are to receive and believe and practice the truth until we are made ready for a home with the
saints in light.

Would you be free from your burden of sin?

There's power in the blood, power in the blood;
Would you o'er evil a victory win?
There's wonderful power in the blood.
There is power, power, wonder-working power,
In the blood of the Lamb; There is power, power, wonder working
power,
In the precious blood of the Lamb
 DAY EIGHTEEN
Love so amazing
"Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the
sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we
the sons of God."-1 John 3:1,2

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us. Consider who we were, and what we
feel ourselves to be even now when corruption is powerful in us, and you will wonder at our adoption.
Yet we are called "the sons of God." What a high relationship is that of a son, and what privileges it
brings. What care and tenderness the son expects from his father, and what love the father feels
towards the son.

But all that, and more than that, we now have through Christ. As for the temporary drawback of
suffering with experience in this world, we accept it as an honor, because we are in Christ jesus, the
world does not know us and so makes us suffer: "Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew
Him not." 1 John 3:1. We are content to be unknown with Him in His humiliation, for we are to be
exalted with Him.

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God." That is easy to read, but it is not so easy to feel. How is it with
your heart this today? Are you in the lowest depths of sorrow? Does sin’s corrupting influence rise
within your spirit?, and grace seem like a poor spark trampled under foot? Does your faith almost fail
you?
Fear not, it is neither your graces nor feelings on which you are to live: you must live simply by faith on
Christ. With all these things against us, now-in the very depths of our sorrow, wherever we may be-
now, as much in the valley as on the mountain, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God."

"Yes but," you say, "see how I am arrayed my graces are not bright; my righteousness does not shine
with apparent glory." But read the next: "It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that,
when He shall appear, we shall be like Him." 1 John 3

The Holy Spirit shall purify our minds, and divine power shall refine our bodies, then shall we see Him as
He is.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see
 DAY NINETEEN
Clouds with no rain
"I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto
Me; for I have redeemed thee."-Isaiah 44:22

Friends, I will like us to ponder over this, according to Isaiah 44:22, our sins are like a cloud. As clouds
are of many shapes and shades, so are our transgressions. As clouds obscure the light of the sun, and
darken the landscape beneath, so do our sins hide from us the light of Jehovah's face, and cause us to sit
in the shadow of death.
They are earth-born things, and rise from the dirty places of our nature; and when so collected that their
measure is full, they threaten us with storm and tempest.

But, friends, unlike clouds, our sins do not yield us any showers, but rather threaten to overtake us with
a fiery flood of destruction. Yes!! Brethren, black clouds of sin, how can it be fair weather with our souls
while we remain in sin?

Let our joyful eye dwell upon THE NOTABLE ACT of divine mercy-"blotting out." God Himself appears
upon the scene, and in divine benignity, instead of manifesting His anger, reveals His grace: He at once
and for ever effectually removes the mischief, not by blowing away the cloud, but by blotting it out from
existence once for all.

Against the justified man no sin remains, the great transaction of the cross has eternally removed His
transgressions from him. On Calvary's summit the great deed, by which the sin of all the world was for
ever put away completely. Let us practically obey THE GRACIOUS COMMAND, "return unto me."Why
should pardoned sinners live at a distance from their God? If we have been forgiven all our sins, let no
legal fear withhold us from the boldest access to our Lord.

Let us NOT backslide into this sin cloud again. To the greatest possible nearness of communion with the
Lord, let us, in the power of the Holy Spirit, strive mightily to return. O Lord, this night restore us.

I’ve wandered far away from God,

Now I’m coming home;
The paths of sin too long I’ve trod,
Lord, I’m coming home.

Refrain

Coming home, coming home,

Nevermore to roam,
Open wide Thine arms of love,
Lord, I’m coming home.
 DAY TWENTY
Jesus saves
"He shall save His people from their sins."-Matthew 1:21

Many people when asked about SALVATION, will reply, "Salvation is saved from hell and taken to
heaven." This is one result of salvation, but it is not even half of what is contained in salvation. It is true
our Lord Jesus Christ does redeem all His people from the wrath to come; He saves them from the
fearful condemnation which their sins had brought upon them; but His triumph is far more complete
than this.
He saves His people "from their sins." Oh! Sweet deliverance from our worst enemy of sin. Where Christ
works a saving work, He casts Satan from his throne, and will not let him be master any longer.

No man is a true Christian if sin reigns in his mortal body. If sin is in us, it will never be utterly expelled
till the spirit enters glory; but it will never have dominion. There will be a striving for dominion-a lusting
against the new law and the new spirit which God has implanted-but sin will never get the upper hand.

Christ will be Master of the heart, and sin must be mortified. The Lion of the tribe of Judah shall prevail,
and the dragon shall be cast out. Friend, is sin subdued in you? If your life is unholy your heart is
unchanged, and if your heart is unchanged you are an unsaved person.

If the Saviour has not sanctified you, renewed you, given you a hatred of sin and a love of holiness, He
has done nothing in you of a saving character. The grace which does not make a man better than others
is a worthless counterfeit. Christ saves His people, not in their sins, but from them.

"Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." "Let every one that calls the name of Christ depart from
iniquity. "If not saved from sin, how shall we hope to be counted among His people. Lord, save me now
from all evil, and enable me to honour my Saviour.

Give Jesus the chance today to work the miracle of changing you into a saint. Let HIM be the LORD of
your heart.

God be with you

We have heard the joyful sound:

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land,
Climb the steeps and cross the waves;
Onward!--'tis our Lord's command;
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
 DAY TWENTY ONE
A perfect fullness
"And of his fullness have all we received."-John 1:16

These words tell us that there is a fullness in Christ. There is a fullness of essential Deity, for "in Him
dwells all the fullness of the Godhead." There is a fullness of perfect manhood, for in Him that Godhead
was revealed. There is a fullness of atoning efficacy in His blood, for "the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son,
cleanses us from all sin."

There is a fullness of justifying righteousness in His life, for "there is therefore now no condemnation to
those that are in Christ Jesus." There is a fullness of divine prevalence in His plea, for "He is able to save
to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him; seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them."
There is a fullness of victory in His death, for through death He destroyed him that had the power of
death that is the devil. There is a fullness of efficacy in His resurrection from the dead, for by it "we are
begotten again unto a lively hope."

There is a fullness of triumph in His ascension, for when He ascended up on high, He led captivity
captive, and received gifts for men. There is a fullness of blessings of every sort and shape; a fullness of
grace to pardon, of grace to regenerate, of grace to sanctify, of grace to preserve, and of grace to
perfect.

There is fullness at all times; a fullness of comfort in affliction; a fullness of guidance in prosperity. A
fullness of every divine attribute of wisdom, power and of love; a fullness which it is impossible to
survey, much less to explore. "It pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell."

Come, believer, and get all your needs supplied; ask largely, and you shall receive largely, for this
"fullness" is inexhaustible, and is treasured up where all the needy may reach it, even in Jesus,
Immanuel-God with us.

You receive ALL the blessings that come with serving the LORD YAHWEH in truth and in Spirit in FULL.
 DAY TWENTY TWO
Time to open up
"It is time to seek the Lord."-Hosea 10:12

There is a season where all the buds and blossoms opens and plants display their beautiful flowers.
There is also a time when our soul cries out to it creator and we need to open up to the Lord.
Dearest friend, if you have NOT accepted Christ into your heart, then today, may your heart, in accord
with the universal awakening of nature, be opened to receive the Lord.

Every blossoming flower warns us that it is time to seek the Lord; Do not out of tune with nature, but let
your heart open and bloom with holy desires today. Very SOON the King will appear in glory to execute
judgment on this world, OPEN up to HIM now and He will welcome you with OPEN arms when He
returns.

Salvation is priceless, let it come when it may, but an early salvation has a double value in it. It is time to
seek the Lord. Years are stealing on apace, and death is drawing nearer by hasty marches.

Dear Friend, if you are now advanced in life, let me entreat and implore you to delay no longer. There is
a day of grace for you now-be thankful for that, but it is a limited season and grows shorter every time
that clock ticks.

This morning, I speak to you as best through facebook, and from my inmost soul, as God's servant, I lay
before you this warning, "It is time to SEEK the Lord."Don’t wait any longer, for life is too short.

Those who have found HIM, hold Him tight for the enemy of our LORD is seeking to steal that priceless
treasure of salvation from you. Again, to those who have found the SAVIOUR, there are many souls out
there that are perishing is sin; it is our duty to rescue them and bring them to the household of the
LORD our saviour.

The LORD our Saviour entreats us to go all over the surface of the earth and snatch the souls of men
from hell. Since you found Him, Have you been doing your Lord's work? It is time for you also, to get up
and WORK for the LORD.

May JEHOVAH our God be with you and may He shine His Glorious face on you as you seek HIM in truth.
 DAY TWENTY THREE
The amazing story of Grace
Once upon a time, long, long ago in a small village called Jerusalem, there lived a young widow called
Mary.
Mary was a beautiful young lady. She was hardworking a respectful. She stayed with her uncle because
the parent could not properly take care of her due to financial problems.

One day, Mary’s uncle Simeon intentionally gave Mary a strong drink, and when Mary got intoxicated,
he raped her. This act by Mary’s uncle went on for a long time until Mary got used to sleeping with her
own Uncle.
After some time, Mary thought that, if she could sleep with her own uncle, then it would be better if she
actually sleep with other men as well for money.

Mary therefore, moved out and rented a room for herself where she could practice her sex trade.
Gradually, after a couple of years, Mary became a well known prostitute in the whole community she
lived. Men traveled far and near just to be with Mary. She became rich and famous.

Mary was enjoying her work and the riches and fame that it brought to her until one fateful day when a
group of religious fanatics in her community decided to frame her so as to put a stop to her harlotry.

There were laws in Mary community banning adultery and anyone found to engage in adultery was
given an instant judgment of death by stoning. And so, one day, Mary received a visitor who wanted
Mary’s services, and just as she does always, Mary took the man into her room and they begun.

But unknown to Mary, this man was sent just to trap Mary. So as they went on with the act, these
religious fanatics bumped into Mary’s room and caught her ride in the act of adultery. This was a high
crime, a crime that deserved death.

Mary’s was therefore, taken to the town square to be stoned to death. But upon reaching the town
square, the mob met a certain noble man at the town square. This noble was known as Jesus Christ.
When the mob saw this noble man, they told him the crime of this lady and ask him what they should do
to her.

Then Jesus responded and said, its is true she deserve to die because she is a sinner, but any of you who
has not sinned before should be the one to cast the first stone at her.

As soon as he said that, there was a complete silence among the mob. Then they begun to depart one
after another, and in just a matter of minutes, they all disappeared. Then Jesus asked Mary, woman
where are your accusers? She responded by saying; masters, they are all gone. And Jesus said to her,
neither do I condemn you, go your sins are forgiven of you. Go and sin no more.
Mary left the presence of Jesus with a mix feeling. She was ashamed of her adulterous life, but she was
also happy because the saviour saved her life. –John 8

I know you have all heard of this story many, many times in Church. But I want us to critically analyze
this story.

There are some points worth noting in Mary’s story. These are:
1. Mary was a sinner because sin is the transgression of the law of God. (James 2:9 But if ye have respect
to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors). Mary for sleeping around
broke the 7th Commandment that says: (Thou shalt not commit adultery. Ex 20:14)

2. Mary deserved to die for transgressing GOD’s holy law. This is because the wages of sin is death.
(Romans 3:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord)
3. Mary was saved not because she was able to obey GOD’s LAW again or not because she was ale to do
any good. This is illustrated by the fact that, she was caught red handed in adultery before she met the
saviour.

4. Jesus pardoned and forgave Mary on the basis of HIS sacrifice on the cross of Calvary.

5. Jesus forgave Mary, but gave her a strict caution; GO AND SIN NO MORE. In order words, Mary was
not to break the law of GOD any more since sin is the transgression of the law. James 2:9

6. Mary left Jesus’ presence changed and started exhibiting different fruits.

SUMMERY

All of us, just like Mary, are all sinners according to the Bible. (Romans 3:23 for all have sinned, and
come short of the glory of God). And just as James 2:9 says, we have all broken the law of the most High
God, and we deserve to be punished with death because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6;23).

Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary for our sins and anyone who believes in HIM will not pay the
penalty of sin anymore but will have eternal life. (John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world, that he
gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life.”)

Mary did not have to be holy before she was saved, she did not have to obey the law of GOD before she
was saved, Mary only had to come to Jesus and trust in HIS saving blood. No one is saved by the law but
by grace.

What about the law? Well, had it not been for the law, Mary wouldn’t have known that she was a
sinner. But, the law that says; “thou shall not commit adultery.” Ex 20:14, she realized her sins and when
they brought her to Jesus to be stoned, she knew she deserved the penalty. The law act like a mirror, it
enables us to know our state as sinners. (Romans 8:7 but sin, taking occasion by the commandment,
wrought in me all manner of concupiscence.

For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment
came, sin revived, and I died). Ro 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified
in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin
Jesus after forgiving Mary of her sins, told her to “GO AND SIN NO MORE” John 8:11. In other words,
Jesus told her to go and break the law of GOD no more. In the same way, when we accept Christ as our
saviour, HE forgives us our sins and gives us the grace to lead a righteous life. God will put HIS law in our
hearts and we live a life of perfect obedience to HIS law. Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God
after the inward man.

We do not obey the law of GOD to be saved, but we obey the law of God because we are saved. Faith in
Jesus does not do away the law of God. Paul makes that clear when he said; “Do we then make void the
law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” Rom 3:31
We could not obey the law of GOD in that, the flesh was weak but God sent Jesus in the form of a
human being and by HIS death, he has fulfilled the righteous requirement of the law in us.

(Romans 8:3, for what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own
Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. That the righteousness of the
law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit)
Some people claim that, God’s laws have been done away on the cross, and that we are free to do
whatever we like. Jesus did not come to do away with the law, but to fulfill it. Matt 5:17 Think not that I
am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
We have been saved from our transgressions by the awesome grace of GOD. Let us not go back to the
former life of lawlessness. God’s laws are NOT difficult to obey.

Obedience to God’s law is the only basis of showing our love to HIM. John 14:15, If ye love me, keep my
commandments.
Many so called Christians believe that, its not necessary to obey God’s law in our time.
This is what Jesus will say to them in the final day. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall
enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will
say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out
devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew
you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity”.
Work of iniquity is the same as law breaking.
Jesus is coming again soon, and HE is going to judge us according to our work and not our faith. For the
Bible says, faith without works is DEAD. James 2:17, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being
alone.”
If you claim to love Jesus, then obey HIS commandment.
 DAY TWENTY FOUR
The kiss of sins
"Betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss?"-Luke 22:48

The kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Let me be on my guard when the world puts on a loving face, for
it was with such deceit that Judas betrayed Jesus Christ.

Whenever a man is about to stab religion, he usually professes very great reverence for it. Friend,
beware of the sleek-faced hypocrisy which is amour-bearer to heresy and infidelity.

Knowing the deceivableness of unrighteousness, let me be wise as a serpent to detect and avoid the
designs of the enemy. The young man, void of understanding, in Proverb 7:13 was led astray by the kiss
of the strange woman: may my soul be so graciously instructed all this day, that "the much fair speech"
of the world may have no effect upon me.

Holy Spirit of God, help me that I would not be betrayed with a kiss. But what if I should be guilty of the
same accursed sin as Judas? I have been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus; I am a member of His
visible Church; I sit at the communion table: all these are so many kisses of my lips. AM I sincere in
them?
If not, I am a base traitor. Do I live in the world as carelessly as others do, and yet make a profession of
being a follower of Jesus? Then I must expose religion to ridicule, and lead men to speak evil of the holy
name by which I am called.

Surely if I act thus inconsistently I am a Judas, and it were better for me that I had never been born.
Dare I hope that I am clear in this matter? Then, O Lord, keep me so. O Lord, make me sincere and true.
Preserve me from every false way. Never let me betray my Saviour. I do love you, Jesus, and though I
often grieve you, yet I would desire to abide faithful even unto death.

O God, forbid that I should be a high-soaring professor, and then fall at last into the lake of fire, because
I betrayed my Master.
with a kiss.

May Jehovah help you and I as we allow HIS words to make changes in our lives.

O’ God, please grant me the strength to be

Obedient to your still small voice,

That my walk with you would not be in vain

 DAY TWENTY SIX
All things are possible
“All things are possible to him that believeth. Mark 9:23

It is faith that connects us with heaven, and brings us strength for coping with the powers of darkness. In
Christ, God has provided means for subduing every evil trait, and resisting every temptation, however
strong.
The righteous have ever obtained help from above. How often have the enemies of God united their
strength and wisdom to destroy the character and influence of a few simple persons who trusted in
God. But because the Lord was for them, none could prevail against them. Separate yourself from idols
and from the world, and the world will not separate them from God.

Christ is our present, all-sufficient Saviour. In Him all fullness dwells. It is the privilege of Christians to
know indeed that Christ is in them of a truth. "This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our
faith." All things are possible to him that believe; and whatsoever things we desire when we pray, if we
believe that we receive them we shall have them.

This faith will penetrate the darkest cloud and bring rays of light and hope to the drooping, desponding
soul. It is the absence of this faith and trust which brings perplexity, distressing fears, and surmising of
evil. God will do great things for His people when they put their entire trust in Him.
Through faith God's children have "subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises,
stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of
weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens." And
through faith we today are to reach the heights of God's purpose for us.

Almighty God my redeemer

My hiding place my safe refuge, no other name like Jesus
No power can stand against You.

My feet are planted on this rock

And I will not be shaken
My hope it comes from You alone
My Lord and my salvation

Your praise is always on my lips

Your word is living in my heart
And I will praise You with a new song, My soul will bless You Lord

All things are possible

 DAY TWENTY SEVEN
The trials of your faith
”The trial of your faith."-1 Peter 1:7

Faith untried faith may be true, but it is sure to be little faith, and it is likely to remain dwarfish so long
as it is without trials.

Faith only grows well when all things are against it; temptations are its trainers. When there is calm on
the sea, you can spread the sails as far as you want, but the ship will not move to the harbour; for on a
slumbering ocean the ships sleeps too. Let the winds rush howling forth, and let the waters lift up
themselves, then, though the vessel may rock, and her deck may be washed with waves, and her mast
may creak under the pressure of the full and swelling sail, it is then that she makes headway towards
her desired haven.

No flowers wear so lovely a blue as those which grow at the foot of the frozen glacier; no stars gleam so
brightly as those which glisten in the polar sky; no water tastes so sweet as that which springs amid the
desert sand; and no FAITH is so precious as that which lives and triumphs in adversity.

Tried faith brings experience. You could not have believed your own weakness if you were not
compelled to pass through the rivers; and you would never have known God's strength had you not
been supported amid the water-floods. Faith increases in solidity, assurance, and intensity; the more it
is exercised with tribulation. Faith is precious, and its trial is precious too.

Let this not, however, discourage those who are young in faith. You will have trials enough without
seeking them: the full portion will be measured out to you in due season. Meanwhile, if you cannot yet
claim the result of long experience, thank God for what grace you have; praise Him for that degree of
holy confidence whereunto you have attained: walk according to that rule, and you shall yet have more
and more of the blessing of God, till your faith shall remove mountains and conquer impossibilities.

Though Thou leadest through afflictions,

Poor, forsaken though I be,
Thou wast destitute, afflicted,
And I only follow Thee.

Refrain:
I will follow Thee, my Savior,
Thou didst shed Thy blood for me;
And though all men should forsake Thee,
By Thy grace I’ll follow Thee
 TWENTY EIGHT
Free water
"Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst."-John 4:14

He who is a believer in Jesus finds enough in his Lord to satisfy him now, and to content him for
evermore. The believer is not the man whose days are weary for want of comfort, and whose nights are
long from absence of heart-cheering thought, for he finds in religion such a spring of joy, such a fountain
of consolation, that he is content and happy.

Put him in a prison and he will find good company; place him in a barren desert, he will eat the bread of
heaven; drive him away from friendship, he will meet the "friend that sticks closer than a brother." Take
away all his gourds, and he will find shadow beneath the Rock of Ages; sap the foundation of his earthly
hopes, but his heart will still be fixed, trusting in the Lord.

The heart is as insatiable as the grave till Jesus enters it, and then it is a cup full to overflowing. There is
such fullness in Christ that He alone is the believer's all in all. The true saint is so completely satisfied
with the all-sufficiency of Jesus that he thirsts no more-except it is for deeper draughts of the living
fountain.

Jesus alone offers such joy……..come friend, He is calling every one who thirst come and take freely the
living waters. You don’t need money, just come and buy without money.

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!
Come; buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Isaiah 55:1

The woman at the well was happy not because Jesus told revealed hidden secrets about her, but,
because she received the living water from the Lord.

Once you take it, you will not be thirsty anymore; you will be filled with unquenchable joy in the Lord.

Sing with me as we pray

Shall we gather at the river,

Where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?

Refrain:
Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.
 DAY TWENTY NINE
Moving mountain
We live by faith, not by sight 2 Corinthians 5:7

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb 11:1.
All things are possible if we have faith in God. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at
God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel offered God a
better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of
his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. Hebrews 11
With your human beings, we have our limits. There are some things we can do, and many that we
cannot do. Luke 18:27, Jesus said, there are some things that men can not do, but with God, all things
are possible. What this means is that, if we can have a small amount of faith, like a mustard seed in God,
HE would enable us do the impossibilities of men.
For He said, if we have faith in God, we can even say unto a mountain, "be removed and be cast into the
sea" and it shall come to pass. Mark 11:22-23. It was faith that enabled the great men of old to stand for
Christ even to the point of been burnt at the stake. Faith enabled them to forgo all the pleasures of this
life, they could see clearly the future glories and that, they became pilgrims in the world seeking a better
country.

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and
went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised
land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with
him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and
builder is God” Hebrews 11
What is it that you are battling with? A simple faith in God would remove that mountain for you. Do not
lean on your strength or understanding, have a faithful trust in God and He will take away your pain and
anxieties. “"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your
ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

When you pray, let it be filled with faith, and miracle would happen. Mark 11:24. Live a life of unshaken
faith in God today, and be a mountain mover.
My faith has found a resting place
Not in device nor creed
I trustin the ever-living one
And His wounds for me shall plead
Enough for me that Jesus saves,

This ends my fear and doubt

A sinful soul I come to Him
And He will never cast me out
 DAY THIRTY
The Crown awaits us
“There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give
me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Tim. 4:8.

Just as those who run in an race or any competition are rewarded, we have also been promised a crown
when our Lord Jesus comes again in His glory. Paul kept ever in view the crown of life which was to be
given to him, and not to him only, but also to all those who love Christ's appearing. But it was victory
through Jesus Christ that made the crown of life so desirable to him. Jesus would not have us ambitious
to obtain reward, but ambitious to do God's will because it is His will, irrespective of the reward we are
to receive.

The gift of God is eternal life. The Lord desires all who receive His grace to trust entirely in Him. He calls
upon us to exercise pure, simple faith, trusting in Him, without a question as to what recompense we
shall receive. We are to work heartily in His service, showing that we have perfect confidence that He
will judge righteously.
In the Day of Judgment, Jesus is going to reward the righteous, and the wicked will also receive their
sentence. The righteous children will be wondering what they have done that they should receive such
reward. But they cherished an abiding faith in Christ. They were imbued with His Spirit, and, without
conscious effort, they performed for Christ, in the person of His saints, those services that bring a sure
reward.

But their motive in working was not to receive compensation. They regarded it as the highest honor to
be allowed to work as Christ worked. What they did was done from love to Christ and to their
fellowmen, and He who has identified Himself with suffering humanity accredited these acts of
compassion and love as though done to Himself.

We owe our every talent to the Lord. Every victory gained is gained through His grace. Therefore, it is
entirely out of place for us to boast. If we would remember that we are on test and trial before the
heavenly universe, that God is proving us, to see what spirit we are of, there would be more serious
contemplation, more earnest prayer.
It is not so much for our activity and zeal that we are rewarded, but for the tenderness, the
graciousness, the love that we have mingled with our work for the sick, the oppressed, and the afflicted
May God grant you all that you need to walk closely with HIM so that you will receive the crown of life
when He comes again in His glory.

Onward to the prize before us!

Soon His beauty we'll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open;
We shall tread the streets of gold.