365 Daily Devotional Book: Volume 1: Golden Nuggets for Daily Living

By Augustine Ampratwum Duah

We live in a very hectic and challenging world. We are confronted with many thorny issues of life in different proportions, which are never-ending and face us daily. We all wish we could have a quick-fix methodology and solutions to deal with the enormity of problems and other complexities of life issues that pounce upon us daily. In point of fact, the things we face daily are numerous and multifaceted, and either we have the grace of God to deal with and overcome them, or we become victimized by the enormous issues of life and are buried under the rubble of disgrace.

This 365 daily devotional book, nuggets of gold for daily living, sets a bright new pathway of life for God's people, and all desiring to go through life unscathed. The greatest successful habit on earth is the development of the noble discipline and the habit of receiving the word of God daily into your spirit. Clearly, this is where 365 daily devotional book comes into play. This devotional book therefore is an indispensable tool and a Christian companion, an aid to navigating through life unbeaten by every passing day with buoyed-up confidence in the Lord. As every day has its own troubles and issues of life to deal with, so this daily devotional book has rich pearls of God's word to mine, meditate upon, and marinate the soul in order to have spiritual resilience to confront the daily issues of life. This is a ground-breaking devotional book, a daily guide, a roadmap, and a spiritual pouch to successfully carry you through every passing day.

With this daily devotional book you will discover that your heart will be filled with optimism, not pessimism; your soul will not be downcast and disturbed, but cheerful and joyful in the Lord. You will be thrust into the presence of the most high God for daily refreshment of the body, soul and spirit!

This is a must-have daily devotional book, an imperative spiritual resource, full of real nuggets of gold for daily living!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tellwell Talent
• Release date: Aug 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9780228872139

Augustine Ampratwum Duah

Pastor Augustine Ampratwum-Duah is the Founding pastor of Covenant Bible Family of Churches International, Canada and Ghana. He is the President of International Bible College and Seminary, Ghana. He is the Founder of BYL Christian Ministries International, a ministry committed to providing sound and unchangeable word of God relevant to today's ever-changing world through internet, radio and books. He has authored more than ten books, including The Favour of God, Decision Determines Destiny, Unveiling the Principles of Divine Enlargement, and Winning the Battle of Life. Pastor Augustine's commitment is to teach the complete and unchangeable word of God to encourage and strengthen believers in their faith. He maintained that in order to live triumphantly to overcome the torrential, volatile and fearful world we live in, we need to assimilate and live by faith the unchangeable Word of God.

Book preview

365

DAILY

DEVOTIONALl

BOOK - VOLUME 1

GOLDEN NUGGETS FOR DAILY LIVING

AUGUSTINE AMPRATWUM-DUAH

365 Daily Devotional Book - Volume 1

Copyright © 2022 by Augustine Ampratwum-Duah

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise specified, are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, 1992. Thomas Nelson Inc.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from The Holy Bible, King James Version. Copyright © 1977, 1984. Thomas Nelson Inc.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, and 1977 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the New Living Translation. Copyright © 1996. Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked TLB are taken from The Living Bible. Copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale house Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from English Standard Version.

Scripture quotations marked Message are taken from the Message Bible by Eugene H. Peterson. Copyright © 1993 by NavPress, Colorado Springs, Colorado. All rights reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Tellwell Talent

www.tellwell.ca

ISBN

978-0-2288-7214-6 (Hardcover)

978-0-2288-7215-3 (Paperback)

978-0-2288-7213-9 (eBook)

Table of Contents

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

JANUARY

JANUARY 1: ROAD MAP OF SUCCESS IN LIFE

JANUARY 2: THE BEGINNING OF NEW LIFE

JANUARY 3: INTIMACY WITH GOD AND CONFIDENCE IN LIFE

JANUARY 4: GOD’S PEACE—THE NEED IN LIFE

JANUARY 5: GOD’S WORD—OUR DIVINE GUIDE IN LIFE

JANUARY 6: FEAR NOT—GOD UPHOLDS YOU IN LIFE

JANUARY 7: THE CRY OF THE RIGHTEOUS

JANUARY 8: THE LOVE OF GOD’S WORD

JANUARY 9: SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT

JANUARY 10: NEVER BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF

JANUARY 11: EVERLASTING WATERS OF LIFE FOR THE SOUL

JANUARY 12: OUR GREAT MEDIATOR IN LIFE—JESUS CHRIST

JANUARY 13: OUR GREAT HOPE IN LIFE—JESUS CHRIST

JANUARY 14: DISAPPOINTMENT IS INEVITABLE; DISCOURAGEMENT IS A CHOICE

JANUARY 15: THE VOICE OF PRAYER

JANUARY 16: WHAT IS GOD DOING?

JANUARY 17: THE VALUE OF GODLINESS

JANUARY 18: LOOKING UNTO JESUS IN LIFE

JANUARY 19: UNSEARCHABLE PURPOSES OF GOD

JANUARY 20: ENDURE TO REIGN IN LIFE WITH HIM

JANUARY 21: DETERMINE TO PREVAIL IN LIFE

JANUARY 22: BE ON YOUR GUARD IN LIFE

JANUARY 23: THE SAVING GRACE IN LIFE

JANUARY 24: PUTTING GOD FIRST

JANUARY 25: THE REMEDY FOR ANXIETY

JANUARY 26: UNQUENCHABLE LOVE OF CHRIST

JANUARY 27: SOWING SEEDS

JANUARY 28: GOD OF PEACE

JANUARY 29: WATCHING AND PRAYING

JANUARY 30: STRENGTHEN AND ENCOURAGE SOMEONE

JANUARY 31: LORD’S MERCY AND COMPASSION

FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY 1: MAN’S OBLIGATION

FEBRUARY 2: SUMMATION OF A FULFILLED LIFE

FEBRUARY 3: MANIFOLD BLESSINGS OF GOD IN LIFE

FEBRUARY 4: BE BRAVE AND STRONG

FEBRUARY 5: FALTERING BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS

FEBRUARY 6: HARDENED FOR ENDURANCE

FEBRUARY 7: DIVINE POWER TO LIVE A SUCCESSFUL LIFE

FEBRUARY 8: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SIT BEFORE THE LORD?

FEBRUARY 9: NOT CONFORMED, BUT TRANSFORMED

FEBRUARY 10: DYNAMISM OF THE SCRIPTURE

FEBRUARY 11: EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT FROM GOD

FEBRUARY 12: DO NOT BE AFRAID IN LIFE

FEBRUARY 13: SEVEN KNOWABLE THINGS ABOUT GOD’S WORD

FEBRUARY 14: GOD’S WISDOM TO OVERCOME SITUATIONS IN LIFE

FEBRUARY 15: GOLDEN KEY OF PRAYER

FEBRUARY 16: GOD’S RESCUE PLAN FOR HIS

CHILDREN

FEBRUARY 17: CHRIST, OUR REDEEMER’S PRAYER FOR YOU

FEBRUARY 18: WHAT IT COSTS TO NOT BE A CHRISTIAN

FEBRUARY 19: THE SADDEST WORDS TO MANKIND

FEBRUARY 20: THE PROBLEM OF OUR TONGUE

FEBRUARY 21: HEARERS AND SELF-DECEPTION IN LIFE

FEBRUARY 22: THE THRONE OF GRACE

FEBRUARY 23: NEW LIFE WITH NEW LIVING HOPE

FEBRUARY 24: FOR MARITAL PEACE, WATCH THE TONGUE

FEBRUARY 25: GOD’S PROVIDENTIAL CARE FOR US

FEBRUARY 26: LEAVING IT ALL BEHIND

FEBRUARY 27: WHAT KIND OF LIFESTYLE SHOULD WE HAVE?

FEBRUARY 28: PRAYER CERTIFIED FOR SUCCESS

FEBRUARY 29: OUR OBLIGATION IS TO FORGIVE

MARCH

MARCH 1: LOVE NEVER DISAPPOINTS, PART 1

MARCH 2: LOVE NEVER DISAPPOINTS, PART 2

MARCH 3: LOVE NEVER DISAPPOINTS, PART 3

MARCH 4: JOY OVER ADVERSITY

MARCH 5: A REFLECTIVE LIFE

MARCH 6: LIFE OR DESTRUCTION IN YOUR MOUTH

MARCH 7: INSTANTANEOUS PRAYER

MARCH 8: PRAYER, THE FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESSFUL WORK

MARCH 9: PRAYER, THE POWER BEHIND ALL SUCCESSFUL WORK

MARCH 10: PREVAILING OVER THE GOLIATH IN YOUR LIFE

MARCH 11: FROM FAILURE TO SUCCESS

MARCH 12: ENVY, THE KILLER OF DESTINY

MARCH 13: PASSING JUDGMENT

MARCH 14: THE PLOY OF SATAN

MARCH 15: THE GOOD AND GREAT SHEPHERD

MARCH 16: THE MODEL OF PIETY

MARCH 17: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

MARCH 18: SONG OF REDEMPTION, PART 1

MARCH 19: SONG OF REDEMPTION, PART 2

MARCH 20: HOW CAN WE ESCAPE FROM GOD’S HANDS?

MARCH 21: WHERE TO FLOURISH

MARCH 22: THE MASTER BUILDER

MARCH 23: GOD’S WORD IS EVERLASTING

MARCH 24: GOD’S TIME IS THE BEST TIME

MARCH 25: CHRIST COMFORTS US

MARCH 26: OUR CHRISTIAN HERITAGE

MARCH 27: IDEALISM AND REALIZATION

MARCH 28: THE QUESTION OF PRIORITIES

MARCH 29: PRECIOUS VESSEL OF HONOUR

MARCH 30: FLEEING FROM GOD?

MARCH 31: GOD’S THOUGHTS OF YOU

APRIL

APRIL 1: IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR THE LORD?

APRIL 2: INTENTIONAL BANE BECOMES UNINTENTIONAL BLESSING

APRIL 3: GOD’S SEARCH FOR YOU

APRIL 4: THE GREAT PURPOSES OF CHRIST: SEEK AND SAVE

APRIL 5: THE EFFECTS OF DIVISION

APRIL 6: DESIRE GOD’S FAVOUR, NOT HUMAN FAVOUR

APRIL 7: THE REALITY OF LIFE: PREACHING AND PRACTICING

APRIL 8: FINDING PEACE IN ACQUAINTANCE WITH GOD

APRIL 9: WHAT IS YOUR STORY TO TELL?

APRIL 10: GOD’S FAVOUR

APRIL 11: HE GIVES REST TO OUR SOULS

APRIL 12: THE BEAUTY OF PARENTAL VIRTUE

APRIL 13: PUT OFF AND PUT ON!

APRIL 14: CROWN OF THORNS

APRIL 15: MOUNTAIN MOVER AND CONQUEROR

APRIL 16: IGNORANCE AND FORGIVENESS

APRIL 17: TRUE PENITENCE

APRIL 18: GOD NEVER FORSAKES YOU IN LIFE

APRIL 19: THE THIRST AND SATISFACTION

APRIL 20: VICTORIOUS PROCLAMATION

APRIL 21: A PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE

APRIL 22: NO VEIL BETWEEN GOD AND MAN

APRIL 23: THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST’S DEATH

APRIL 24: THE EFFECTS OF CHRIST’S DEATH

APRIL 25: FROM THE GRAVE TO A BETTER LIFE

APRIL 26: NO STONE OF HINDRANCE

APRIL 27: ALIVE TOGETHER, RAISED TOGETHER, AND SITTING TOGETHER

APRIL 28: OUR REDEEMER LIVES

APRIL 29: SOMETHING SPECTACULAR

APRIL 30: THE PORTRAIT OF A SAINT

MAY

MAY 1: TWO ROADS AND TWO DESTINIES

MAY 2: GOD’S SUPREME CARE

MAY 3: THE BEAUTY OF INNER LIFE

MAY 4: GOOD WORD—THERAPY FOR THE HEART

MAY 5: THE DRIVING FORCE OF LIFE

MAY 6: WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT

MAY 7: VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL RELATIONSHIP

MAY 8: WALK WITH GOD

MAY 9: THE UNEXPECTED

MAY 10: GOD IS WITH YOU

MAY 11: WORSHIP NO MAN

MAY 12: THE KEY TO PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY

MAY 13: NEW SELF, NEW NATURE

MAY 14: ACCEPTANCE, NOT DISAGREEMENT

MAY 15: WE LIVE AND DIE TO THE LORD

MAY 16: POWER OF THE TONGUE—LIFE OR DEATH

MAY 17: IS YOUR NAME REGISTERED IN THE BOOK OF LIFE?

MAY 18: THE GENEROUS SOUL

MAY 19: CHARACTER MANIFESTATION

MAY 20: THE GOSPEL—THE POWER OF GOD

MAY 21: CHRISTIAN LIVING IN THE WORLD

MAY 22: LIVING FOR GOD’S GLORY

MAY 23: WHAT CAN SEPARATE US FROM GOD?

MAY 24: TO RULE OVER SIN

MAY 25: UNITY AND TEAMWORK

MAY 26: STOMP ON AND CRUSH THE DEVIL

MAY 27: NO CONDEMNATION IN LIFE

MAY 28: DIMENSIONS OF CHRIST’S LOVE

MAY 29: CHANGE OF STATUS AND NAME

MAY 30: OUR PRIVILEGED POSITION

MAY 31: THE BLAME GAME

June

JUNE 1: THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD

JUNE 2: YOUR LIVING SACRIFICE

JUNE 3: GOD’S CHOICE, NOT MAN’S CHOICE

JUNE 4: YOU ARE RADICALLY DIFFERENT IN LIFE

JUNE 5: BOUGHT FOR A PRICE

JUNE 6: THE PROBLEM OF SIN

JUNE 7: ADVERSITY

JUNE 8: THE GREAT INQUIRY

JUNE 9: BATTLE PLAN FOR TEMPTATION

JUNE 10: THE GOVERNOR OF OUR LIVES

JUNE 11: DO NOT FALL INTO DECEPTION

JUNE 12: THE ULTIMATE PLAN OF GOD

JUNE 13: ARISE WHEN YOU FALL DOWN

JUNE 14: THE INSULTS OF SATAN

JUNE 15: KEEP ON AND PRESS ON

JUNE 16: MAN OF DUST OR HEAVENLY MAN?

JUNE 17: UNCOVERING OUR ENEMIES

JUNE 18: CARNAL-MINDED OR SPIRITUALLY-MINDED?

JUNE 19: WORDS TO ENCOURAGE OR DISCOURAGE?

JUNE 20: UNHOLY ALLIANCES TO AVOID

JUNE 21: DOWNCAST BUT NOT DESTROYED

JUNE 22: TRUST HIM COMPLETELY

JUNE 23: CHRIST, OUR LIBERATOR

JUNE 24: A CALL TO MAKE A DECISION

JUNE 25: FIVE PILLARS OF DEFENCE

JUNE 26: FIVE THINGS SATAN ENVIES ABOUT YOU

JUNE 27: THE MOMENT OF CHANGE—ARE YOU READY?

JUNE 28: KINGDOM BUILDER

JUNE 29: OUR SPIRITUAL WEAPONS

JUNE 30: THE STEWARDSHIP OF LIFE

FOREWORD

One key ingredient that distinguishes achievers from non -a chievers is their daily habits. Good daily habits are necessary to guarantee success in any department of life. If you carefully consider the life of Jesus, you will not fail to notice that He had daily habits. He went regularly to the House of worship, He rose up early to pray, and He read the Word of His Father.

If you will make these three daily habits of Jesus the blueprint for your spiritual life, so you can be guaranteed a life that will glorify God. My personal observation over the years as I have led and interacted with people is that many people find it very difficult to know what of the Bible to read on a daily basis. Others too, even though well-intentioned, don’t find the time and discipline to read God’s Word on a consistent basis. One reason is the frantic pace of life. These reasons have caused their spiritual life and walk with God to be compromised.

The fact still remains that God speaks to His people constantly, however, because His people have failed to be deliberate in hearing, they suffer unnecessarily. In order to help and guide you to hear God, Augustine has put together these two volumes of 365 Daily Devotional Book. He has skillfully put together Scriptures, examples, and relevant anecdotes that you can identify with to help you grow on a daily basis.

Whenever you need some guidance, there will be something in here for you. Even when the fierce sun of life’s adversity threatens you, and you feel like there is no hope, I believe here will be some comforting words for you. When you feel dry and thirsty because you are walking in some lonesome valley of trouble, you can turn in here and find cooling and refreshing waters in God’s Word. When the night is long and the sun of help has buried its face in the laps of darkness, the Word will give you light.

Make this devotional your constant companion. Daily, read it meditatively, seriously, and with expectation, and you will see your spiritual life grow, and you will also begin to make good success in your life. You would then be an unwelcome customer to the enemy of your soul, and you will find grace to win every day.

—Rev. Dr. Frank Ofosu-Appiah, General Overseer, Living Springs International. Senior Pastor of All Nations Church in Atlanta, Georgia. President, Institute of Leadership Excellence and Development (iLEAD).

INTRODUCTION

We live in a hurried and rush performance world with so many voices calling for our attention. In this depressing and confusing world we live in, Christians can easily and imperceptibly edge toward spiritual sluggishness if discipline and prudent measures are not taken on matters of spirituality. With bustling and hustling activities, which are loaded with busy schedules and other routines of life, this can invariably become the normative lifestyle and, to a greater degree, marginalize our daily devotional time with God. There is nothing like beginning each day the right way—basking in the presence of God, meditating on His Word, and focusing solely on heavenly things. For everything one intends to do in life, however, the desire of course is to finish it well; and therefore, this requires starting right with God.

Having God at the centrepiece of every transaction in life augurs well to a successful ending since everything prominently begins with God. Again, having the right relationship with God is not to be a casual spiritual exercise but a lifelong spiritual intimacy built and developed with disciplined time each day with God. The Psalmist said, In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation (Psalm 5:3).

What really agitates or occupies your mind each morning? We categorize lots of itemized things which we feel we can accomplish within a certain frame of time each day. Isn’t it so? Well, it is essential to know that all our cramped and jammed activities and schedules should be brought before God for His dissection and direction if we are to overcome joyfully each day’s activities. By so doing, we would avoid many mishaps on the terrain of life for each passing day. This is really the foretaste to a worry-free day!

In the night, the Psalmist also said, When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches (Psalm 63:6). In the evening or in the night, what perplexingly agitates your mind as you close the day’s activities? As the day ends, we find ourselves intertwined with many issues of life, some of which we have been able to deal with, but others are invariably still unresolved, hanging like a loop. If we allow the lord to be first in each morning’s activities, and as well give Him access to be the last of each day’s activities, then as we close the day for each night, we will testify how invigorating the day has been.

In the morning, it would be lively, and in the night, it would be peaceful. The more one commits himself or herself fully to the lord in the morning, the lesser the burden we carry for each day and the greater the demonstrative expression of thankfulness to the lord in the night.

This Daily Devotional Book Volumes 1 and 2 you hold, sets you to enjoy a feast of Scriptures and bite into limitless soul food each day. It is delicious and would whet your daily spiritual appetite each day to desire intimacy with God! We live our lives daily, and we need a tool to carry us throughout the day. This is where 365 Daily Devotional Book becomes a practically useful tool which will richly bless everyone with a hungry heart in whose hand this book falls. As you use 365 Devotional Book each day, you will be mesmerized with wonderful and exciting insights that make the Bible come alive in a new and profound way—truly, you will be thrilled!

This Daily Devotional Book serves multiple usages: It undoubtedly becomes a timeless tool in which you will find 365 potential homilies with its application, 365 choice devotional thoughts for personal or group usage, and further, you will find 365 spiritual golden nuggets to mine and meditate upon God’s Word. This is the best way to weather the storms of life and face life’s realities each day. Additionally, you will also feed the hungry soul with 365 spiritual meals—one for each day—and thereby grow spiritually. Really, as you get acquainted with this Daily Devotional Book, soon you will find out that a day cannot pass without getting into the book. Truly, it will become an indispensable valuable spiritual aid in life. Above all, this Devotional Book has a wide array of benefits that cannot be quantified, of course. Clearly, when one sets the heart upon daily meditating and reading the book, it will bring someone closer to the lord, and they will intimately come to know Jesus as the lord and Saviour of his or her life.

As I put the final strokes on this Daily Devotional Book, I cannot wait to express my greatest appreciation and gratitude to the Almighty lord for the privilege and honour of putting such an invaluable treasure in the hands of His people, the beloved of God. Indeed, numerous people will be blessed and, in so doing, luxuriate in God’s presence and enjoy His peace. Holy Spirit, my great Teacher, Encourager, Inspirer, Helper, and Director, thank You! A thousand thanks to my Heavenly Father for helping me in this awesome work. Father, take all the glory and honour, not me!

May the lord Almighty open your eyes and illuminate your minds. May you be encouraged, enlightened, and challenged to act on these excellent spiritual nuggets to take you to a higher plane in Him. Beloved of God, prepare yourself to partake in the rich pearl of God’s Word with an exciting practical application. As you daily dig into this 365 Devotional Book, there will be an unveiling of fresh spiritual insights into God’s Word that will leap you to spiritual buoyancy. Beloved, therefore, get ready to daily mine this golden nugget for your daily living! Blessing to you all in Christ Jesus, our Messiah and lord!

—Augustine Ampratwum-Duah

JANUARY

The Lord is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the strength of my life;

Of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1

JANUARY 1

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

ROAD MAP OF SUCCESS IN LIFE

This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Joshua 1:8

The journey of life has us tumbling up and down with tremendous challenges, and no one can precisely predict what could happen along the road map which reels before us daily. The direction of life’s journey twists and turns, and no two directions are totally the same. However, the fact remains that Jehovah -S hammah will always be with His people. Therefore, we should banish every fearful thought and apprehension in life, for He is not a God to renege on His promises. He will forever be with His people on every voyage of life! As a child of God, you’re His elect with a great and awesome destiny. Your daily affairs of life are sovereignly navigated by His divine direction. Hence do not be discouraged and fearful to embark upon this journey with Him. Along this journey, however, there will be many knotty questions you may have to decide on. Many overwhelming and arduous circumstances may cross your path, and many also are the occasions on which you may err along this journey, just began. The command therefore to meditate upon the Word of God is to be no formal perusal but an endeavor to grasp the real meaning of God’s Word in order to navigate your way successfully for the year.

Joshua was chosen by God to take the children of Israel to the Promised Land. God encouraged him with a warmhearted speech assuring him of His protection, care, and presence. God urged him to obey the Law of God as a guide to his prosperity and success. He was directed by the lord to consult the Book of the Law incessantly and to meditate on the Law of God day and night in order that his way might be prosperous and successful. If Joshua kept God’s Word, God would keep him; if he diligently observed and acted according to what was written in the book of the Law, God would cause his way to be prosperous. Surely, the lord prospered Joshua and had good success as he absolutely depended upon God and His Word. The lord God who commanded and led Joshua has not changed. He is the same lord God commanding us to keep His Word.

Today, we embark upon a life journey of 365 days; it is an adventure with the way unknowable to anyone, but the way is knowable to Him, the only wise God. He who consults omniscience is helped by omnipotence. A traveler who sets to embark upon an adventure may have a lot of enthusiasm for the journey. Therefore, he will need a reliable map as a guide to his destination, or else the journey will become a dangerous mission. By the same token, to undertake life’s journey, one needs a reliable mapping guide to successfully navigate the way to get to the right destination in life. God’s Word is a Living Guide with written directions, and He aids in the performance of them. Thus, in order to prosper and have good success in all endeavors and pursuits of life, the cardinal principle is to make the Word of God (Law of God) our guide, frequently meditate upon it, speak of it, and study it day and night.

Matthew Henry said, No man’s dignity or dominion sets him above the law of God. If the Word of God rules our minds and hearts, then whatever affairs of this world we have to bump into, whatever giants we may have to encounter, and whatever wars we might have to fight with our enemies, we shall be victorious and have good success. We shall therefore never be defeated! For this life journey of 365 days, the success of it would depend more on our spiritual state and the degree of our obedience to God’s Word, for those who are obedient to God the Scripture says, The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing (Psalm 34:10). Therefore, let no sense of your own infirmities dishearten you for our God is an all-sufficient lord. Beloved, you have every reason to be strong and courageous. Thus, repose in His love and have perfect peace in Him and let us embark upon the life journey of 365 days with Him. He who called Joshua strengthened and gave him the direction to study well the Book of the Law, seemed to say to us today, Take this book of the law for your life journey; it shall be thy food, so live upon it and carry it as a torch, for it will illuminate thy pathway of life.

On this journey of life, in the thickest darkness when life seems impassable, the truth of God’s Word and its power shall scatter doubt and confusion and His light would shine forth your pathway of life. A ray of hope shall emerge for you to bask in the consciousness of God’s divine presence. Surely, the advice given to Joshua is applicable to all who daily study and meditate on God’s Word. And if we do so, the seemingly cloud of uncertainties in life would dissipate, and our fears and trepidations would change to confidence and serenity in life. Let us therefore be courageous and depend upon Him alone, knowing very well that He who has promised us is faithful and would be with us for every passing day of the year. lord, we pray: Let Your Word guide us this day and throughout the journey of 365 days and beyond. Thank You, Heavenly Father. Amen.

Suggested further reading: Deuteronomy 11:18–28

Prayer

Lord Almighty, today I pray that You may forever be with me and be my guide in this pilgrimage of life, just began. Lord Almighty, You are my only hope and navigator in life in whom I trust. Lord Almighty, daily help me to study Your Word, know Your Word, meditate upon Your Word, and memorize Your Word to counteract enemies that might set to assail against me from this day forward. Lord, again, I ask for Your divine presence to lead and cover me throughout the year and forever in Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

JANUARY 2

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

THE BEGINNING OF NEW LIFE

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ²The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. ³Then God said, Let there be light; and there was light."

Genesis 1:1–3

In the creation story of Genesis 1 , two things became evident: Light and darkness. Light is good and is the essence of life, whereas darkness is the defect of life. Light and darkness have no communion. For what fellowship has light with darkness? Additionally, when darkness dominated in the creation story, nothing desirable was seen on the earth for it was shapeless, void, and empty ( Genesis 1:2 ). The fact that darkness is horrible and unpleasant was the reason God commanded light to proceed forthwith. Order precedes disorder! The creative power of God’s Word which is light, evidently, is designed to remove defects of darkness in life.

Momentarily consider yourself in a room full of darkness; what could probably happen to you in that environment? The impenetrable darkness is unsafe for you! Therefore, what an outburst of joy and serenity when light suddenly penetrates or outshines the power of darkness. Conjecture what happens when life is shrouded by the power of darkness. The Bible says, … We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one (1 John 5:19). Our condition is in fact, by nature, full of darkness, save for that God speaks and man hears and responds, then light could ultimately dawn on human soul. A life of darkness is a life of disorder and confusion, and it proceeds all sorts of evil works. That life falls sway to the manipulation of evil forces and, while captivated by it, could easily be destroyed by destructive forces in life.

Life of darkness is life without Christ; and life without Christ is life with no meaning. Christ is the essence of life, and He is the light of the world (John 8:12). Light is the beginning of a new order. The first day in the history of the earth as man reads it, must be the day when God removes the covering of darkness and says, Let there be light (Genesis 1:3). Uplifting the veil of darkness was the first radiation of life by the Spirit of God. It is the fundamental condition of all organic life in the world!

Let there be light is the power of the Word of God which sprang from the decree of the goodness of God. The Word of God is designed to be not only a light to our eyes but a light to our feet and a lamp to our paths (Psalms 119:105). It is to direct us in the way of our duty and to prevent us turning aside into any byway. God’s Word of grace, the light which He makes to shine in our hearts pierces through our world of darkness, gives existence, and commences a new life. God’s creative power should never cease to amaze us, He speaks, and light immediately exists, a blessing from our Heavenly Father. Jesus said, I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life (John 8:12). Children of God are the children of light for we have known the light. It is the light of His Word which must shine in our hearts in order to leave the works of darkness and to make a difference in this dark world.

God separated the world between light and darkness, and He would daily remind us that this is a world of mixtures shrouded by works of darkness. Our life therefore should be guided by His word—the true light to light our pathway on this earth. Oh lord, give us more of the true light to shine in our way of life in this dark world! This day may the light of the world—Jesus Christ—be our guide and light our pathway of life through the uneven pathway of darkness. Oh, lord, we live in a gloomy world with the power and forces of darkness marshalling their weaponry against the children of light. Help us, lord, by Your Spirit to crush all forces of darkness in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

Suggested further reading: John 8:12; 1 John 2:5–7

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, my lord and God, light my path throughout this day. O lord, be my guide through uneven paths. lord may Your Spirit shine, giving me spiritual illumination on this day, and opening my eyes to behold Your glory, razing all works of darkness against my life to ashes. lord Jesus Christ, You’re the light of the world, and may You shine brightly and distinctly in my life to expose all forces of darkness. Thank You, Almighty Father, for hearing me. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

JANUARY 3

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

INTIMACY WITH GOD AND CONFIDENCE IN LIFE

Then GOD said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air; and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.

Genesis 1:26

One of our greatest needs is to know that we are loved. Each one of us has to feel certain, deep down in our hearts, that someone loves us, cares for us, and has our best interest at heart. That is how God designed us. He wants us to know that He loves every one of us with a passionate intensity too deep to put into words. God created human beings with fellowship in mind—first for Himself, and then with others. But we cannot fully love one another until we have experienced the love of God ourselves. We experience His love when we willingly surrender our life to Jesus to be our Saviour, lord , King, and Master. God loves us, and He desires our fellowship and worship. He wants our service for Him to be effective and fruitful, not casual and indifferent.

The closer we draw to God, the more impact it will have on our lives, and thus we will more energetically nurture our relationship with the lord. This ultimately give us confidence in life. God waits for freedom to bless us. God is omnipotent but will not violate His own principles. He draws us to Himself so that we can experience His love and forgiveness. In our intimacy with Him, He asks for our willingness to surrender to Him so that He can give us the best blessings He has to offer us.

Pride is the key reason most people resist surrendering. They think they know better than God and that they can handle their own life better than God, and so they drift away and keep God at an arm’s distance. Others refuse to surrender to Christ because they believe Satan’s lie, which tells them that God is judgmental rather than loving, and that God will punish them for their mistakes. God always has our best in mind and will refuse us no good thing when we gladly submit to His will. God tells us, For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). It then makes sense to surrender to Him, because God desires it, and when we get close to Him, we sense His love—His highest priority for us.

What is the cry of your heart? Do you want to know Jesus Christ as Saviour and live in the fullness of His blessing each day? You can. David said, Those who seek the Lord shall never lack any good thing (Psalm 34:10). When you accept Jesus Christ as Saviour, He not only forgives you but also makes you into a new creature, no longer standing at a distance from God, but able to draw near to Him. Daily intimacy with Him become prime in your life and herein draws your spiritual strength to overcome all adversities in life. Glory to God!

If you have drifted in your devotion to the Saviour and feel as though you grow more distant each day in your relationship to Him, pray that He would draw near once more. He knows your weaknesses, and if you will tell Him that you want Him to take control of your life, He will come to you in a mighty way and bring you hope and confidence, no matter how dark and hopeless your situation may be. Just surrender every facet of your life totally to Him, ask His love to be released upon you, and His power to overshadow you. You would be glad you did, and the joy of the Lord would henceforth take over your life in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

Suggested further reading: Romans 8:32; Isaiah 55:6–7

Prayer

Father Almighty, thank You for re-created me through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Today, I commit myself daily to have intimacy with You, thereby I will grow and mature and have confidence in life. Father, forgive me of my pride and stubbornness which drew a wedge between me and You. This made me lose the intimacy with You; but thank Jesus Christ, for His everlasting blood has broken that wall of separation forever, and I can now draw closer to You. Thank You, Father, for Your love and kindness pouring forth into my life every day as I seek You and surrender my life totally to You. Father, I give You all the praise, adoration, and honour. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

JANUARY 4

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

GOD’S PEACE—THE NEED IN LIFE

Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.

Psalm 119:165

The Psalmist gives an account the tranquility and calmness of people whose lives are governed by the Word of God and the principle of His love. These are the people who make the Word of God their rule, and their lives are ruled by His Word. They feel relaxed in life and have composure. Though they may be in great troubles without, they enjoy great peace within. Further, great peace has those that love the Word of God, and their abundant satisfaction and pleasure comes from observing, meditating, and assimilating the Word of God.

Thus, those who love God’s Word have great peace, for it surpasses their expectation, and in it, they have a sure foundation in life. They are safe and have a place of refuge. Nothing in His Word offends them, but rather, it is delightful to them. For those who love God’s Word, nothing shall be a scandal, snare, or stumbling block to them, but rather admire and cherish His Word. Nothing in the Word of God seems to baffle them either in guilt or grief. No event of providence shall be either an invincible temptation or an intolerable affliction to them in that their love of the Word of God shall enable them to hold fast to their integrity in order to preserve their tranquility in all facets of life. They will neither murmur nor quarrel with anything that God does in their life. Nothing shall offend or hurt them, for everything shall work for good to them that love God and His Word.

Job, for example, held to his integrity though buffeted by numerous afflictions in life. He never uttered a word to denigrate his God. It is said that a few years before the death of Francis Schaeffer, the great twentieth-century theologian, someone challenged him with a provocative question. Schaeffer was battling cancer, and the whole world knew about it. He was asked how he viewed his illness. Was it against God’s will? His answer was quick and without hesitation. He said, Who am I to question what God puts on me or what He allows in my life?

Those in whom God’s divine love reigns in their hearts would not be apt to perplex themselves with needless doubts in life. Their state of conscience and calmness of mind is reckoned the chief point of a joyful life. Whoever would depend upon anything else, save God Almighty, would from time to time be trembling at every little occurrence in life. However, the people who primarily have peace in life stem from the love of God’s Word—the anchor of their life.

All who lean not upon God’s Word are miserably distressed, depressed, and tormented. They are driven about to and fro by their own depraved passions or by the caprice of other men. Those who are not devoted to God are miserable, for although they may applaud themselves for a time, they will meet with many stumbling blocks which will drive them suddenly off course.

The godly, it is true, are also tormented or distressed, however, 2 Corinthians 4:8–9 says, We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. The power of God which resides within wipes away sorrow and enables them to overcome all stumbling blocks, for His Word which dwells within revives and reanimates them. Thus, to love God and His Word, you are brought to the safest shore in life, and you would faint not; for the lord is your strength and peace. The Word of God, which the people of God love and uphold with reverence, empowers and guides them to fulfill their destiny joyfully in life. Great peace which surpasses all understanding, all human wits, and all afflictions shall always attend to those who love God and His Word.

O, this day, let us reflect on the true inward peace from the prince of peace, Jesus Christ, who is exclusively the repository of everlasting peace. This peace has eluded the world, but it is the sole prerogative for people who love God and His Word. Beloved, give God the glory! May you have His everlasting peace, not the transient peace of the world, which is of no value, and soon withers away. Amen!

Suggested further reading: Proverbs 16:7; Philippians 4:7

Prayer

Father Almighty, You are my peace! Father Almighty, those whose love are set upon Your Word would have great peace, and nothing in life shall cause them to stumble. Thank You, Father, for Your Son, Jesus Christ, the fountain of my peace. Again, thank You, Father, also for Your Word and Your Son, that through Him and by Your Word, peace reigns and rules in my heart and life. I honour and glorify You, Father. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

JANUARY 5

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

GOD’S WORD—OUR DIVINE GUIDE IN LIFE

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:105

The Word of God is like a torch or lamp that man holds in thick darkness, and it shows him the pathway of life. It therefore prevents him stumbling in life and steers him away from wandering off onto paths which could easily lead to destruction. If the Word of God is rightfully applied, it turns him away altogether from dangerous terrain and onto the rightful path of life.

… And a light unto my path. The Word of God is a light which shines on the road that a man treads so that he may see the path, and again also he may see any danger which may be in his path. He who makes the Word of God his guide and observes the teachings is on the right pathway of life. He will clearly see the road map of life, be able to mark the road on which he ought to go, and circumvent the path which could easily lead him astray. He will see any obstacle which may lie in his path and any downward slope or abyss which may be near in a dark night that one might fall. Man needs a guide, and the Bible is such a guide. The whole Scripture is a light shining in a dark place, a lamp or torch to be carried in the hand of anyone who so desires while he passes through this dark world. By the light of this lamp, the way of truth and godliness are made manifest in which man should walk. The rays of this light which shines, he may see and shun the stumbling blocks in his way and escape falling into pits and ditches. The Word of God for this dark world is a lamp and a light to shine forth to all, more especially for the Christian to see distinctly the maneuverings and deeds of the dark forces of this world.

1 John 5:19 says, … And the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. The Word of God is a lamp kept burning with the oil of the Spirit. It is like the lamps in the sanctuary that outshine everything within; so, it is with us to expose the inner sanctuary of hearts and minds. It must be not only a light to our eyes, but a light to our feet and to our path to direct us in the right ordering of our conversation, direction in life, and the way of life in general. What the world judges as right is often crooked, perverse and subjective. However, God’s Word absolutely judges right and perfect. The judgment of God, according to His Word, approves no other manner of living than that which is framed according to the rule of His Word. Unless the Word of God enlightens men’s paths, the whole of their life is enveloped in darkness and obscurity. They cannot do anything else than miserably wander from the right way.

But when we submit ourselves with meekness to the teaching of God’s Law as a light to our path, we are in no danger of going astray. Life is too full of perils for a man to trust his own eyesight, instinct, and wisdom. Life is full of landmines planted in our way of life by the forces of darkness, however, life-perils can be passed safely through with the help of God’s lamp—the Word of God. It gives the man general principles, moral strength, and also precise counsel, guiding actual conduct in every sphere of life. It is the lantern held down close to the feet, so as to direct our next footstep in life.

The Bible is a safety-lamp which God has invented for every purpose of life. Thus, the acronym—BIBLE (Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth) is quite reflective. The question to ask is this: What should those who have this lamp do with it, that is the Word of God? Use it themselves to chart the rightful path of destiny and send it to others to guide them toward safety shores of life? Today, may you hold and cling aggressively to His Word in order to outshine every uneven and darkest spot of life unseen. Let the light in you manifest in every sphere of your life activity to the glory of the lord. O, beloved, believe in the Word of God today, and let it keep shining in your pathway of life. Amen.

Suggested further reading: Proverbs 6:23; 2 Peter 1:19

Prayer

Father in Heaven, I thank You for Your Word, a lamp to shine forth in my pathway of life. Again, Father, thank You for Your Word, a glaring shining light to guide me through perilous times. Father, I pray that Your indwelling Holy Spirit may set my life ablaze for Your glory. Again, Father, I pray that Your indwelling Holy Spirit may crush, expose, and demolish all traps and ditches of the enemy. Thank You, Father, for hearing me. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

JANUARY 6

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

FEAR NOT—GOD UPHOLDS YOU IN LIFE

For I, the Lord, your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, Fear not, I will help you.

Isaiah 41:13

Satan is always trying to weaken our faith by fear; and fear is born of Satan, the great architect of fear. He is a great enemy of faith and knows the paralyzing effect of fear. Fear crystalizes thoughts, and Satan uses it as a catalyst to diminish faith in God. If he can get us to be fearful, he will stop our trust in God and hinder the very blessing we need which comes from faith and obedience to God. A child held in the hands of his parents need not be afraid of anything. Life crashes in, and we wish we could be children again and have someone to take care of us and protect us. In our confused and chaotic world, God reaches out and takes hold of our hands and comforts us with His precious words: Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous hand ( Isaiah 41:10 ).

God’s promise comes to us once again. Even when He seems distant, the echo of this thought can remind us that we are never alone or forgotten. The lord holds the right hand of His people, teaching them to walk with faith, leading them into His presence and keeping