DATE: SATURDAY 31ST DECEMBER 2016.
THEME: ACCEPTABLE SERVICE
Memorise:
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
James 1:27
Read: Romans 12:1-2
12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
MESSAGE
The major difference between David and the other soldiers at the war front was simply the fact that David could not stand the insult and blasphemy against the God of Israel. He knew God so well, and he feared and honoured Him so much that he decided to confront the giant warrior called Goliath without any fear of losing his life. David, in this case, took the meaning of acceptable service to another level. It can be very painful when the authority of God is so challenged, you will want to do anything to defend Him even if it means doing so with your life. In 1 Samuel 17:23-26, Goliath came out, boasted exceedingly and asked; "Where is the God of Israel?" For as many as had no intimate relationship with God, this threat, challenge and disgrace meant nothing to them. But then, one day, a little boy who loved the Lord was there, he heard Goliath talk against his God and he got very angry. His love for God propelled him to dare this giant that was bringing shame on God and His people.
It can be very painful when you have a problem that has persisted, especially when you know that your God is more than able to solve it. People may even ask, "Did you not say your God can do all things? Why has He not done yours?" Yes, it can be painful, but you must be prepared to love God to the extent of not minding what people say about your condition.
In Palms 115:1-3, when the unbelievers were asking the psalmist: "Where is your God?" instead of being embarrassed or wallow in self-pity, he was not bothered. Infact, he began to make excuses for God because of his love for Him. He replied them: "Are you asking of my God because of this little problem? My God is still in Heaven. He is still on the throne and He cannot be dethroned. If you must know, my God does whatever He pleases and He is not accountable to anyone. Whether He does it or not, you cannot take Him to court. He knows the right time to solve this problem because your time and mine may not be His. Is it not for me? I am prepared to wait for His time; I am not in any hurry". With that kind of answer, the mouths of the enemies will be stopped. How much do you love God? The proof of your love for God against all odds is the mark of an acceptable service unto Him!
Prayer Point:
Father, I commit my life to You wholeheartedly.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Numbers 7:84-10:10
Psalms 140
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 14: ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See His banners go!
Chorus:
Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
Looking unto Jesus,
Who is gone before.
At the sign of triumph
Satan's host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise.
Chorus:
Like a mighty army
Moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod.
We are not divided,
All one body we,
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.
Chorus:
Crowns and thrones may perish,
Kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus
Constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never
Gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ's own promise,
And that cannot fail.
Chorus:
Onward then, ye people,
Join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor
Unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages
Men and angels sing.
Chorus.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR PASSAGES
Numbers: 7. 8. and he gave four carts and eight oxen to the Merarites, as their work required. They were all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest. 9. But Moses did not give any to the Kohathites, because they were to carry on their shoulders the holy things, for which they were responsible. 10. When the altar was anointed, the leaders brought their offerings for its dedication and presented them before the altar. 11. For the Lord had said to Moses, "Each day one leader is to bring his offering for the dedication of the altar." 12. The one who brought his offering on the first day was Nahshon son of Amminadab of the tribe of Judah. 13. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 14. one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 15. one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 16. one male goat for a sin offering ; 17. and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab. 18. On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar, the leader of Issachar, brought his offering. 19. The offering he brought was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 20. one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 21. one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 22. one male goat for a sin offering; 23. and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Nethanel son of Zuar. 24. On the third day, Eliab son of Helon, the leader of the people of Zebulun, brought his offering. 25. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 26. one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 27. one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 28. one male goat for a sin offering; 29. and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Eliab son of Helon. 30. On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur, the leader of the people of Reuben, brought his offering. 31. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 32. one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 33. one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 34. one male goat for a sin offering; 35. and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Elizur son of Shedeur. 36. On the fifth day Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, the leader of the people of Simeon, brought his offering. 37. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 38. one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 39. one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 40. one male goat for a sin offering; 41. and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai. 42. On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel, the leader of the people of Gad, brought his offering. 43. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 44. one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 45. one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 46. one male goat for a sin offering; 47. and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Eliasaph son of Deuel. 48. On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud, the leader of the people of Ephraim, brought his offering. 49. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 50. one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 51. one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 52. one male goat for a sin offering; 53. and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Elishama son of Ammihud. 54. On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, the leader of the people of Manasseh, brought his offering. 55. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 56. one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 57. one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 58. one male goat for a sin offering; 59. and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur. 60. On the ninth day Abidan son of Gideoni, the leader of the people of Benjamin, brought his offering. 61. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 62. one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 63. one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 64. one male goat for a sin offering; 65. and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Abidan son of Gideoni. 66. On the tenth day Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai, the leader of the people of Dan, brought his offering. 67. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 68. one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 69. one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 70. one male goat for a sin offering; 71. and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. 72. On the eleventh day Pagiel son of Okran, the leader of the people of Asher, brought his offering. 73. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 74. one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 75. one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 76. one male goat for a sin offering; 77. and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Pagiel son of Okran. 78. On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan, the leader of the people of Naphtali, brought his offering. 79. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 80. one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 81. one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 82. one male goat for a sin offering; 83. and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Ahira son of Enan. 84. These were the offerings of the Israelite leaders for the dedication of the altar when it was anointed: twelve silver plates, twelve silver sprinkling bowls and twelve gold dishes. 85. Each silver plate weighed a hundred and thirty shekels, and each sprinkling bowl seventy shekels. Altogether, the silver dishes weighed two thousand four hundred shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. 86. The twelve gold dishes filled with incense weighed ten shekels each, according to the sanctuary shekel. Altogether, the gold dishes weighed a hundred and twenty shekels. 87. The total number of animals for the burnt offering came to twelve young bulls, twelve rams and twelve male lambs a year old, together with their grain offering. Twelve male goats were used for the sin offering. 88. The total number of animals for the sacrifice of the fellowship offering came to twenty-four oxen, sixty rams, sixty male goats and sixty male lambs a year old. These were the offerings for the dedication of the altar after it was anointed. 89. When Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law. In this way the Lord spoke to him.
Numbers: 8. 1. The Lord said to Moses, 2. "Speak to Aaron and say to him, 'When you set up the lamps, see that all seven light up the area in front of the lampstand.'" 3. Aaron did so; he set up the lamps so that they faced forward on the lampstand, just as the Lord commanded Moses. 4. This is how the lampstand was made: It was made of hammered gold—from its base to its blossoms. The lampstand was made exactly like the pattern the Lord had shown Moses. 5. The Lord said to Moses: 6. "Take the Levites from among all the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean. 7. To purify them, do this: Sprinkle the water of cleansing on them; then have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes. And so they will purify themselves. 8. Have them take a young bull with its grain offering of the finest flour mixed with olive oil; then you are to take a second young bull for a sin offering. 9. Bring the Levites to the front of the tent of meeting and assemble the whole Israelite community. 10. You are to bring the Levites before the Lord, and the Israelites are to lay their hands on them. 11. Aaron is to present the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering from the Israelites, so that they may be ready to do the work of the Lord. 12. "Then the Levites are to lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, using one for a sin offering to the Lord and the other for a burnt offering, to make atonement for the Levites. 13. Have the Levites stand in front of Aaron and his sons and then present them as a wave offering to the Lord. 14. In this way you are to set the Levites apart from the other Israelites, and the Levites will be mine. 15. "After you have purified the Levites and presented them as a wave offering, they are to come to do their work at the tent of meeting. 16. They are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to me. I have taken them as my own in place of the firstborn, the first male offspring from every Israelite woman. 17. Every firstborn male in Israel, whether human or animal, is mine. When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set them apart for myself. 18. And I have taken the Levites in place of all the firstborn sons in Israel. 19. From among all the Israelites, I have given the Levites as gifts to Aaron and his sons to do the work at the tent of meeting on behalf of the Israelites and to make atonement for them so that no plague will strike the Israelites when they go near the sanctuary." 20. Moses, Aaron and the whole Israelite community did with the Levites just as the Lord commanded Moses. 21. The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes. Then Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the Lord and made atonement for them to purify them. 22. After that, the Levites came to do their work at the tent of meeting under the supervision of Aaron and his sons. They did with the Levites just as the Lord commanded Moses. 23. The Lord said to Moses, 24. "This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the tent of meeting, 25. but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. 26. They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the tent of meeting, but they themselves must not do the work. This, then, is how you are to assign the responsibilities of the Levites."
Numbers: 9. 1. The Lord spoke to Moses in the Desert of Sinai in the first month of the second year after they came out of Egypt. He said, 2. "Have the Israelites celebrate the Passover at the appointed time. 3. Celebrate it at the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteenth day of this month, in accordance with all its rules and regulations." 4. So Moses told the Israelites to celebrate the Passover, 5. and they did so in the Desert of Sinai at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses. 6. But some of them could not celebrate the Passover on that day because they were ceremonially unclean on account of a dead body. So they came to Moses and Aaron that same day 7. and said to Moses, "We have become unclean because of a dead body, but why should we be kept from presenting the Lord's offering with the other Israelites at the appointed time?" 8. Moses answered them, "Wait until I find out what the Lord commands concerning you." 9. Then the Lord said to Moses, 10. "Tell the Israelites: 'When any of you or your descendants are unclean because of a dead body or are away on a journey, they are still to celebrate the Lord's Passover, 11. but they are to do it on the fourteenth day of the second month at twilight. They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 12. They must not leave any of it till morning or break any of its bones. When they celebrate the Passover, they must follow all the regulations. 13. But if anyone who is ceremonially clean and not on a journey fails to celebrate the Passover, they must be cut off from their people for not presenting the Lord's offering at the appointed time. They will bear the consequences of their sin. 14. "'A foreigner residing among you is also to celebrate the Lord's Passover in accordance with its rules and regulations. You must have the same regulations for both the foreigner and the native-born.'" 15. On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. 16. That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. 17. Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. 18. At the Lord's command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. 19. When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord's order and did not set out. 20. Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the Lord's command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. 21. Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. 22. Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23. At the Lord's command they encamped, and at the Lord's command they set out. They obeyed the Lord's order, in accordance with his command through Moses.
Numbers: 10. 1. The Lord said to Moses: 2. "Make two trumpets of hammered silver, and use them for calling the community together and for having the camps set out. 3. When both are sounded, the whole community is to assemble before you at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 4. If only one is sounded, the leaders—the heads of the clans of Israel—are to assemble before you. 5. When a trumpet blast is sounded, the tribes camping on the east are to set out. 6. At the sounding of a second blast, the camps on the south are to set out. The blast will be the signal for setting out. 7. To gather the assembly, blow the trumpets, but not with the signal for setting out. 8. "The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to blow the trumpets. This is to be a lasting ordinance for you and the generations to come. 9. When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the Lord your God and rescued from your enemies. 10. Also at your times of rejoicing—your appointed festivals and New Moon feasts—you are to sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, and they will be a memorial for you before your God. I am the Lord your God.
Psalm: 140. 1. 【For the director of music. A psalm of David.】
Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers; protect me from the violent, 2. who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day. 3. They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips. 4. Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet. 5. The arrogant have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path. 6. I say to the Lord, "You are my God." Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy. 7. Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle. 8. Do not grant the wicked their desires, Lord; do not let their plans succeed. 9. Those who surround me proudly rear their heads; may the mischief of their lips engulf them. 10. May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, never to rise. 11. May slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down the violent. 12. I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. 13. Surely the righteous will praise your name, and the upright will live in your presence.
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