Daily Devotional With Murphy Eyenike

Laying it all on the line, that's the focus of our discussion this morning. In a few days, we will be marking Easter. However, I want you to mark this one with a different meaning in your heart by understanding Jesus' sacrifice in choosing to die a shameful death. Easter is a day we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus from the grave. To do that, we should all remember that in Jesus' day,...

Our emphasis in today's devotional is; WATCH. Jesus said; "You must keep WATCH, because you don't know when the master of the household will return." Again, Jesus tells his disciples; "Keep WATCH and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. In both instance, Jesus seemed to be referring to a sense of alertness and preparedness. In my research as a counsellor speaking with individuals and...

The most important commandment is to love; love for God expressed in worship and love for other people expressed in giving and forgiveness. Jesus said; "No other commandment is greater than these." It is by far more important than trying to keep the dictates and requirements of the law.

I don't know why we do it but we tend to remember people better with their problems; blind Bartimaeus, the woman with the issue of blood, etc. What an individual Bartimaeus was! Despite his handicap, despite his blindness, he insisted he was going to see Jesus and he did see Jesus and was healed. I take these important lessons from his story. One, never allow anything or anyone stop you coming to...

We draw out two vital lessons from today's devotional; replacing God's word with the traditions of men and carrying your cross. Traditions are important and they have their place, but when they are used to negate the word of God, then that's a whole different issue. Someone once told me; "traditions will eat the word (the anointing, grace, etc.) for lunch. In other words, tradition destroys the po...

Today we read and learn about the importance of faith in receiving from God; a woman without anyone needing to pray for her receives her healing, Jairus receives his daughter back from the dead. However as important as the subject of faith is, we also learn the important lesson about unbelief, fear, and becoming too familiar with God, we see that empowering as faith is, these qualities can cut you...

Is Jesus in your boat? Jesus taught about the parable of the farmer sowing seeds, about the mustard seed, about the parable of talents, he taught the people many times with stories because it was one way to separate between those who were simply following him because of the actions, and those who were listening to make changes in their lives. It is so easy to be around Jesus so much and not listen...

Mark's account of the gospel of Jesus is so special, it is brief but rapid. It omits discussing the genealogy of Jesus of Jesus but focuses instead on what Jesus did. Mark has more miracles recorded than even teachings and parables. However, in chapter 2, Jesus says he is here not for those who think themselves good and righteous but for those who know they need God. I need you Jesus!

The Great Commission. The disciples who had just witnessed the death and crucifixion of Jesus were elated to hear that he was back from the dead, just as he promised. Would you have believed he was back if you were one of those who witnessed his crucifixion? Jesus gives his disciples, all his disciples, everyone that would come to believe in him, this matching order; "Go and make disciples of all...

Today, we read about the actions of two groups of people; the disciples who were forced to deny Jesus and the mob together with the pharisees who did everything to kill him. One group had no choice, the other plotted and skimmed until they got what they wanted. As Jesus' followers, the day might come when we are tested and have to stand up for our faith. All over the world, sometimes in nations th...

Going to wedding ceremony can be really interesting. Agreed some do not like attending wedding ceremonies at for a variety of reasons, for others, preparation is elaborate. Some go with just what they have, others buy Aso oke to commensurate with the bride and groom. Some go because it's an event to show off, others go because of the meal. However, one day, and very soon, all of will, whether we l...

You have heard before, please hear it again, Jesus is coming back again. In Matthew 24, Jesus addresses the event that will surrounds; the rapture, just before the antichrist is revealed, the tribulations and his eventual second coming. He also speaks about what people's attitude would be towards those days; partying and living carefree like in the days of Noah. If we don't want to be caught unawa...

It is simply a weakness of the human nature and the work of the flesh to put the spotlight on other people's failures and shortcomings while ignoring or pretending to, your own. Jesus has some harsh words for the Pharisees here who are unwilling to work hard to enter kingdom, but will then not allow anyone else enter by placing burdens on them that no human could fulfill; blind guides, hypocrites,...

Jesus wowed and confounded everyone that tried to entrap him, he solved problems with ease, recognized people's motives which allowed him strategically place himself where they could not accuse him. He did all these because he was filled with the Holy Spirit; he was also demonstrating the 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit; the Word of wisdom, the Word of Knowledge, the discernment of spirits or motives,...

What will determine our standing in the kingdom? In the people's understanding and based on their interpretation of the laws, it should be based on how rich you are here on earth. Jesus' response is confounding; "the first will be last and the last will be first". "Those who want to lead must become servants to everyone else". Does not make sense to the human mind right? However, listen to Jesus t...

God Expects me to! I hear people say, God can do anything, and in a sense, that is perfectly true. However, there are a few things God cannot or should I say, will not, do. God cannot, will not, forgive us our trespasses if we refuse to forgive others theirs against us. God cannot, will not, tell a lie, He is holy and righteous. Understanding this concept about God gave me a different perspective...

In chapter 16, we address one of Jesus' statements that has been controversial. Peter had just declared Jesus was the Messiah, the son of the living God. Jesus tells him he is blessed and that only the Father could have revealed that truth to him. The controversy starts from here because Jesus calls Peter a 'rock' (a reference to the kind of person he would become) and then say, "upon this rock (t...

Why did Jesus speak to the crowds in parables; with stories and illustrations? It was so that they couldn't forget. However, he adds a caveat, hearing the stories were not enough, one must seek to listen to understand so as to be able to put them to action. Today, many simply hear but do not listen. Some outrightly reject the word that it is not for them. But for those who listen, understand and a...

For the second time in the book of Matthew, Jesus heals a man by casting out a demon. The man is blind and dumb but instead of praying for him to receive his sight and for his tongue to be loosed, Jesus casted out the demon causing the man's condition so that the man both saw and spoke. A very profound lesson, not all ailments or disease conditions are naturally sourced. Lastly, Jesus tells us how...

Matthew chapter 10, Jesus sends out the 12 apostles to preach and to evangelise, laying the framework of the work of the church today. With this work Jesus told them will come persecution and the need to endure till the end. This work was going to attract a lot of hate and betrayal, some would literally have to make a choice between God and staying alive. I can tell you that it is going on even ri...

Jesus' teaching again here was confronting culture for all time. Take his teaching on the Golden rule, it seems simple and accepting; "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you." However, it is shocking that society denounces and rejects that formulae by creating a class-culture that says; "Some people are more important than others. And not all animals on the farm are equal." I know...

Jesus' teachings were not only remarkable, they were thought provoking and culture reforming. At the root of his teachings were; love for God and love for people. Jesus in essence was saying; If I loved God, it will show in the way I treated the people he created. The proof of love for an invisible God, is love for the visible person I interact with daily. .

The temptations of Jesus and the classic sermon on the Mount contains a treasure of knowledge, great lessons that will shape the life of anyone who pays attention to them. For the temptations, it was all about identity and whether Jesus recognized who he was. I have discovered that every single temptations the devil still uses, even today, follows this same template, identity, do you know who you...

The New Testament is a fountain of knowledge and truth that will bless you. The testament starts with the Epistles, 4 accounts from 4 different individuals about the ministry and life of Jesus. Matthew, Jew focused on presenting Jesus as the Son of God, Abraham and David. His was a perfect transition from the Old testament to the new. Mark's accounts were brief and a show of the personality that h...

Finally, we are reading the final book of the Old testament. The truth is, the only thing most people know about the book of Malachi is tithing, the book however had a lot more. Cast in the period after the exile, the children of Israel feel abandoned by God and that the covenant was not working anymore. God in turn tells them; "I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Ja...