As the year 2024 is drawing to a close, on behalf of all of us at MEMRA Daily Devotional, I wish all our readers a Spirit filled, merciful, and prosperous 2025 in good health.  We give all the glory, and all thanks to God for His mercies, protection, provision, guidance, sustenance, defence, deliverance, and transformation through 2024. For the grace to see the beginning of 2025, and by His mercy will keep us to see the end, and beyond in good health. We also appreciate all those who have supported MEMRA Devotional and the Prison ministry.  May Jesus Christ be lifted high in all that we do, and may the glory be to God the Father, and the blessings be ours.

​

The year 2024 has been filled with good and bad occurrences – the Church of God is moving forward in her good spiritual fight of faith. On the bad side we still have deaths from wars, natural disasters, many homeless and helpless, oppression, persecution and so on. It has been tortuous for many all over the world.  Our heartfelt sympathy to the hurting and the bereaved all over the world, especially in our nation Nigeria.  May God Almighty console all, and grant the fortitude to bear the losses.

​

“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leads Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the Cherubims, shine forth.” (Psalm 80:1 KJV).  When God shines forth His light in the darkness of our lives and the world, we shall be saved. Also, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.

2) The same was in the beginning with God.

3) All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.

4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5) And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”  [John 1:1-5 KJV).  In the year 2025, we should:

a) familiarise ourselves with the whole armour of God and always put it on, because the days are evil. By the moment, we are being confronted with a barrage of rage from the devil and its cohorts. We are at spiritual war, and the war is getting fiercer by the day.  

b) We should by the help of the Holy Spirit strive always to remain in the light of God.

​

Firstly, in 2025 all should heed the teaching of Our Lord Jesus Christ, that above all else, seek first the things of the kingdom of God, live a righteous life, and he would supply our needs according to His riches in glory (Matt. 6:33). This means that we should put God first in our lives, to fill our thoughts, to take on the nature He shares with us as our role model, and to serve and obey Him in all that we do. What is important is that we should not let people, objects, our goals, and our other desires compete for priority in our lives. We will realise that any of these things can quickly become of more importance, if we do not deliberately choose to give God the first place in every area of our life.   To succeed in God’s standard, in all that we do at this crucial period, we need to put God first. We should focus our attention on the risen Christ, trust Him, believe His words and promises that not a word he has spoken will return void to Him without fulfilling that for which it was sent. We should not entertain the first prompting to worry, it is the crucial moment to temptation. At this point, speak the word of God to cast out worry, knowing very well that our mind, our emotions is the battle field of the enemy. Believe that the same God that created life in you, can be trusted with every detail of your life. Worrying about tomorrow will hamper your efforts today. Worry is more destructive than helpful. God will never abandon those who trust and depend on Him.  Worry is lack of faith in and understanding of God. Worry would keep us from the real experiences God want us to have. Live one day at a time to keep from being consumed by worry.

​

Secondly, let us key into the words of Eliphaz, one of Job’s friends in Job 22. Although he was making a wrong assumption about the suffering of Job, there are lessons to pick from his wisdom. As we evaluate our walk with God this new year, let us ask ourselves these questions – What do I think about God? Do I see him as the one who gives me breath, the Giver of life? Do I see him as the Almighty? Do I acknowledge that his power is greater than any power on earth? Do I see Him as the One who will bring all to judgement one day? Our answers to the questions will make the difference in our view of life, and in our relationship with God.  Many times, we exhibit a partial knowledge of God’s truth and character, but we find it difficult to apply this truth to our lifestyle. This is the case of Eliphaz who gave a wonderful summary of repentance. He was very correct that we should ask for God’s forgiveness when we sin, unfortunately, this does not apply to the case of Job, who has already sought for God’s forgiveness (7:20, 21; 9:20; 13:23) and all along improved his relationship with God.

 

What we should hold on to in Job 22 are:

• Submit to God so that you would enjoy his peace, and then things would go on well with you (v. 21);

• Daily read and meditate upon His word (Jos. 1:8) and store His instructions in your heart (v. 22)

• Clean up your life, return to the Almighty, so that you will be restored (v. 23)

• Give up your excessive lust for fame, money that may vanish in a jiffy, don’t worry about tomorrow, the Almighty Himself will be, will provide your treasure and your precious silver (vv. 24, 25)

• Then you can delightfully focus on God; pray to Him and he will hear you; you will give thanks, be grateful to Him, and fulfil your obligations to him.

• Then, you will decree a thing, and it shall be established unto you, you will succeed in whatever you set your mind to do; and light will shine ahead of you (v. 28)

• Then you will be God’s friend. If any is in trouble and you ask God to help such, He will save them. Even sinners will be rescued because of your relationship with God (James 2:23; Gen. 18:17-19).

​

To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord”.  If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.

 

Prayer:

1. The Lord reigns. He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself; the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

2.  Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness; thou has enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

3. Lord, help me to stand in awe of you, and not sin; help me to be still upon my bed and ruminate on Your goodness, lovingkindness and mercies towards me and my family, in Jesus’ name.

4. Teach me to offer the sacrifice of righteousness, and put my trust in You in Jesus’ name.

5. Lord, one thing I desire of You; And that is to forever seek after You; to dwell in your presence all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of Your presence, and inquire in your presence.

6. Lord, throughout 2025 and beyond, lead me in Your righteousness. Make Your way always straight before me, so that I will succeed in all that I do, in Jesus’ name.

7. Preserve me, preserve my family, for in thee do I put my trust; let me never be confounded; Lord, bless me and my family with your righteousness; let your favour and your mercy encompass us as a shield, in Jesus’ name.

8. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage; Lord maintain my lot and secure my waters, in Jesus’ name.

9. Lord, thank you for your glory and honour, your lovingkindness and mercy, anointing and blessings that you have bestowed upon me; grant that I enjoy all in good health and long life, in Jesus name.

10. Thank you that Your church is marching forward, move the body of Christ above the evil and wicked systems of the world, in Jesus’ name.

11. O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leads Joseph like a flock; thou that dwell in the midst of cherubim, stir thyself, look down from heaven upon the nations of the world, especially our nation, Nigeria. Shine forth your light, and we shall be saved, in Jesus’ name.

​

​

HAPPY AND PROSPOEROUS NEW YEAR IN GOOD HEALTH!