This is a Bible Study that I am doing, and I would like to share it with you all. If you do not have the You Version app, it can be downloaded for free in the Google Play Store, and the app store on your Apple Devices.

Scripture Verses For the first day are: Proverbs 4:25 ; Jeremiah 17:7-8 ; Matthew 6:33 ; Mark,4:19

It is time to reset and to place our focus back on who really matters. Consider these next few days as an opportunity to refresh our soul through the word and to recharge our spirit.

Life can come at us fast and it’s so easy to get to a point where we feel as though we’re losing control or running on empty. However, one thing remains in the midst of all the demands and pressures that life brings and that’s God, our source.

It’s in Him we live, move and have our being. He is the source of our strength, the key to our peace and the reason we live.

Proverbs 4:25- Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

Jeremiah 17: 7-8: Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Matthew 6:33-But seek ye first the kingdom of god, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Mark 4:19-And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

Devotional, Day 2. Scriptures: Deuteronomy 6:4-5; 1 Samuel 7:3-14; Matthew 6:21; Luke 10:27; Revelation 2:2-4

Our First Love.

When we read 1 Samuel 7:1-3, we find that Israel had many idols. They were false gods that took their affection and devotion away from God, the true living God. It was when Israel had placed God in His rightful place in their hearts and lives, that it was then that they experienced victory over their enemies and overtime everything began to fall into place for them. Again in Revelation 2:2-4 we find the church of Ephesus doing many great things for God and serving. Yet, God wasn’t their first love. They weren’t devoted to Him as they once were. Even though they were doing all the right things for God, He desired something more than their works, HE desired something more than their works, HE wanted their hearts.

There are many things that can become idols in our lives, from a particular person to our emotions and even the activities that we do in church. Anything that takes the place that God should have in our hearts is an idol. It is important to also highlight that the ability to overcome the internal struggles in our life and experience victory over them, begins with our full devotion to God and making Him Lord over our lives.

It’s about us consistently cultivating an authentic relationship with God, that goes beyond a Sunday service and any activity we’re involved in. When we’re intentional about making God first in our lives and we align ourselves with Him, it will influence every other area of our lives. It is time to return back to our first love. What/who has taken our devotion and affection away from God? Does our heart still burn for God as it once did?

Prayer Points

(1.) Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything or anyone that has become an idol in our lives and repent (turn away and change). (2.) Receive His forgiveness and yield ourselves to His Lordship.

Scripture

Deuteronomy 6:4-6- Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

1 Samuel 7:3-14- And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtoreth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.

(4.) Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtoreth, and served the Lord only.

(5.) And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray for you unto the Lord.

(6.) And they gathered together to Mizpah, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord, And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpah.

(7.) And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heaed it, they were afraid of the Philistines.

(8.) And the children of Israel said to SAmuel, Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.

(9.) And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord: and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him.

(10.) And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.

(11.) And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah, and pursued the Philistines , and smote them, until they came under Beth-car.

(12.) Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.

(13.) So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.

(14.) And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of their hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

Matthew 6:21- For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Luke 10:27- And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord your God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Revelation 2:2-4-I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars; (3.) And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. (4.) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Day 3. Devotional Scripture Readings:

Deuteronomy 13:4 ; 1 Samuel 15:1-31; 2 John 1:6 ; Luke 11:28

Obedience Is Key

God gave Saul a clear instruction in 1 Samuel 15, Saul was to destroy everything in the City of Amalek. However Saul destroyed everything that was worthless and preserved everything that seemed good to Him. Although that was not the instruction that was given to Saul, he genuinely believed that He had fulfilled all that was required of Him but He only did part of it. This displeased God greatly and as a result, Saul missed out on an opportunity to reign as king. Saul’s disobedience also affected his whole lineage! “Partial obedience is still disobedience”.

Our obedience to the word of God and leading of HIS Spirit is key if we desire to truly please God. Saul’s disobedience was an issue of the heart, why? Because an individual who is wholeheartedly devoted to God is willing to obey Him no matter what.

We have to check the posture of our hearts and ask, “Am I wholeheartedly devoted to God?” and “Are my responses to His commands/instructions reflective of that?”

If we desire to be fruitful and prosperous in all our ways, obedience is out on opportunities to grow, thrive, expand or gain clarity for our lives because of our lack of obedience to His word?

What has God instructed us to do, that we still have not done? Who is being affected by our disobedience?

This isn’t to condemn us, this is an opportunity for all of us to get it right and to say “yes” to whatever God requires from us, daily. Not when we feel like it or when it seems good to us. It could be small in our eyes, but God still requires our eyes. Even with our yes, it’s important to understand that we’re not doing it in our own strength but through the grace that He supplies, when we submit to Him.

Let us all repeat this. His grace is sufficient. His grace is sufficient. God would not require anything from us, that He cannot empower us to do. Always remember that!

Prayer Points:

Remember and ask for a willing heart to obey His word.

Surrender and day yes. Give God any fears that we may have and ask His strength to be perfected in our weakness.

Scripture

Deuteronomy 13:4- Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

Read 1 Samuel 15:1-21

2 John 1:6- And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

Luke 11:28- But he said , Yea rather , blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Day 4 Scriptures: Devotional : His Love Your Obedience

Song of Solomon 2:4

Psalm 86:15

Psalm 103

Romans 8:31-39

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

1 John 2:5

1 John 4:16-20

1 John 5:3

Our obedience to God reflects our love for Him. “If you love Me, keep My commandments”. John 14:15

However, I believe that in order for us to truly love God and obey Him, we must first become acquainted with the great love that He has for us. “We love Him because He first loved us”.-1 John 4:19

God the Father loves us. That’s a simple truth that can be overlooked or even forgotten but it’s that simple, yet deep and dynamic truth that sets you free from guilt, shame and any lie that the enemy has whispered to keep us from getting closer to God and in sin/disobedience.

“Nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”-Romans 8:39

Sin once separated us from God but through the death and resurrection of Christ and our faith in Him, we have been reconciled to God the Father. So that we would not perish but have everlasting life and have a relationship with Him.

Christ died when we least deserved it, whilst we were still sinners.(Romans 5:8) Why? He was driven by a great love for you and I. This love is constant towards us!

The love of God doesn’t need to be earned, neither does His love change towards us, it stays the same. He doesn’t love us any less today than He did yesterday.

God is love and therefore He defines it. Abiding in God is abiding in love.We grow in the understanding of His heart towards us, by remaining in His word(scriptures) which is truth and it’s the truth that sets us free.(John 8:32)

It ‘s the awareness of this love, that will compel us to obey Him. How often do we actually pause to take in God’s affection towards us? Who would we be and become if we actually received the love He had towards us? Really believed it. His love shapes us and brings out the best in us. Make it a habit each morning to remind ourselves of the love that God has for us and make it a reality. It will change the way we see ourselves and others but above all it will change the way we live for God.

Prayer Points:

Ask God to pour out His love on our heart, through the Holy Spirit.(Romans 5:6)

Ask that as He pours out His love, that it will impact the way we love others. May the knowledge and the continuous awareness of His love, cause us to live a life that pleases Him.

Scripture

Song of Solomon 2:4- He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

Psalm 86:15- But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Read Psalm 103.

Romans 5:8-11- But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Read Romans 8:31-39.

Second Corinthians 5:14-15- For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge , that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

1 John 2:5- But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

1 John 4:16-20- And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

1 John 5:3- For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Day 5 Devotional Scriptures : Ephesians 1:4-7 ; 1 Peter 1:15-16 ;1 Peter 2:9-12 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 ; Ephesians 4:24 ; Romans 6:22-23

Be Holy- To be holy means to be set apart or separate from sin and evil.(Hebrews 10:10).We are made holy through the finished work of Christ [His death, burial and resurrection]. However, we are also called to live a life that is holy. So, God calls us holy but still commands us to be holy. Our ability to be holy is not a way to earn salvation because salvation because salvation is a gift from God, which we receive by faith.(Ephesians 2:8)”For God is working in you, giving you the desires and the power to do what pleases him”.-Philippians 2:13

Ephesians 4:24 encourages us to put on our new self, this involves effort and choice. Yes, we are still vulnerable to sin, however we also have to choose and make an effort not to sin because of our new nature in Christ. How much effort are making to live a holy life?

Prayer Points:

Ask God to help us to live a life that is honourable to Him.

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the areas in our relationships/character/conversations, that do not honour the Father.

Ask the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin and lead us into all truth.

Ask God to work in us by way of His Spirit, so that we can bare fruit of His Spirit.

Scripture

Ephesians 1:4-7- According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

1 Peter 1:15-16-But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

1 Peter 2:9-12-But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshy lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5-Fro this is the will of God,even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God.

Ephesians 4:24-And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Romans 6:22-23-But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Day 6: Devotional :Scriptures

Job 42:7-10; Matthew 1812-14; Matthew 19:23-26; 1 Timothy 2:3-4

Pray For Them

When we read Job 42, we find Job praying for his friends that are not in right standing with God. God accepts Jobs prayers and blesses Him with more than he had lost in the first place.

First Timothy 2:1 instructs us to pray and intercede for all people. Why? Because the Lord desires for all men to come to the knowledge of who He is and be saved. At times we spend so much time discouraged or complaining and gossiping about the wrong in people, or how far they are from God instead of simply praying for them. Prayer changes things but it also changes people. If we desire to see change in our loved ones or even in our boss, maybe we need to put a lot more time praying for them. Prayer changed us, so it can truly change another person. We are here because of the prayers of another.There is power in consistent prayer! In Matthew 19:23-26 we find Jesus speaking to the disciples about the difficultly of a rich man entering the kingdom of heaven. The question is then asked.”who then can be saved?” and Jesus responds, ” with men this is impossible but with God all things are possible”.

So dedicate some time today to make a list of people that you are committing to pray for. Once you have a list, spend 5 minutes praying for each person on your list.

Prayer Points:

Ask God to give us the grace to love and see them the way He does.

Ask God to draw the heart of the individual to Him.

Pray for any issues that they may be going through and ask God to protect them.

Pray for an opportunity to share the gospel wit them and to plant small seeds of faith in them.

Praying for others, deals with selfishness. It is not always about us, it can also be about someone else.

Read Job 42:7-10.

Read Matthew 18:12-14.

Read Matthew 19:23-26.

First Timothy 2:3-4-For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Day 7; Devotional Scriptures: Luke 11:9-13; John 20:22; Acts 2:17; Acts 4:31; Ephesians 5″18

Be Filled

When we become born again, we receive the indwelling of God’s presence and thereafter we can continuously receive the infilling of His Spirit.

The result of this infilling is an awakening, that happens inside of us, which opens us up to receive the various gifts that God has assigned to us. I believe that as God fills us up with His Spirit daily, He will also awaken those dreams and visions that we once had that life tried to bury, As we are filled daily, we will be empowered to live for Him and make a mark on the earth.

When the disciples had been endowed with power by His Spirit, they were then able to carry out the assignment that was given to them. We are destined to do many things in the earth for His glory, through our obedience to Him and His divine empowerment we can. God desires to fill us afresh today wit His Spirit to empower us and consume everything that is not of Him in the process . All we have to do is ask.

Prayer Points:

Ask God to baptize and fill us afresh with His Spirit.

Ask that He fills us afresh, that He may awaken and reveal every spiritual gift that has been assigned to us.

It has been a blessing to share this lesson with you all. I hope it blesses all who comes across this, as it has blessed me. May God keep everyone safe in His glorious protective arms, Amen!