Contributor: Ngozi Roberts

INTRODUCTION
In our study of Genesis Chapter 1 we saw the emphasizes on the power and authority of God as the Creator of the universe. It highlighted the intentional and orderly nature of creation, the inherent goodness of all that God has made, and the special role of humans as stewards of the earth. It describes the creation of the world by God over six days. It presents a systematic and ordered account of how God brings the universe into existence and sets the foundation for life.
Before beginning with Genesis chapter 2, we should go back to the end of Genesis chapter 1, which, when rightly divided clearly ends with the first 3 verses of chapter 2.
Genesis Chapter 2 elaborates on the creation story, focusing more specifically on the creation of humanity and the Garden of Eden. It highlights the intimate relationship between God and humans and sets the stage for the events in the following chapters.

Completion of Creation - Genesis 2:1-3
So as pointed out in the introduction, these first three verses should actually end chapter 1.
God ended his work on the sixth day and He rested on the seventh. God didn't rest because He was tired, but because his activity was finished at the time. Note that when the Bible records that Jesus Christ ascended into the heavens and sat down, the same word "rested" is used. His job was finished. In Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost, the spirit sat on each of the believers, the same word "rested" is used. The word "rested" is often used in the Bible to represent a work that is finished.
So, these verses conclude the creation narrative from Chapter 1. God finishes His work of creation and rests on the seventh day, blessing and sanctifying it.

Creation - Genesis 2:4-6
This passage shifts from a broad overview to a more detailed account of the creation of the heavens and the earth. It describes the state of the earth before the creation of man, with no shrubs or plants yet because there had been no rain and no one to work the ground. We see here that God wanted someone to till or serve the ground, but there was no one. So God sent up a mist from the whole earth to water the ground.

Creation of Man - Genesis 2:7
God forms man from the dust of the ground and breathes into his nostrils the breath of life, and man becomes a living being.
The Hebrew word for "formed" is yatsar, which means "fashioned out of something already in existence."
The term "man" is adam, meaning "red earth," indicating that man's body is composed of the same elements as the earth.

The Garden of Eden - Genesis 2:8-14
God plants a garden in Eden, placing man there. The garden contains all kinds of trees, including the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A river flows from Eden, dividing into four headwaters: Pishon, Gihon, Tigris (Hiddekel), and Euphrates.

Here we have mention of the Garden of Eden or paradise. Paradise is a heaven on earth where God was with man and could talk to man. There was no sickness, sin, or death. Paradise is always a place on earth according to God's Word. So we find "paradise" in Genesis Chapter 2 and never again until Revelation 21, when there is a new heaven and a new earth. This verse tells us that this is where God originally put man whom He had formed - in paradise here on earth. This brings us to one important point which is the relationship between new heaven and a new earth in chapter 2 and new heaven and a new earth in Revelation 21.
21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

So when we look at these two new heaven and new earth, we see some sort of relationship:
• Restoration of Paradise
• God's Presence .
• Fulfilment of God's Plan

Verse 9 talks about the trees that God made to grow in the Garden of Eden. Now here is an occurrence where the Word makes mention of the "tree of life" and the "tree of knowledge of good and evil". Two significant trees are mentioned, representing life and moral choice.
"And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil".
These trees introduce themes of obedience and free will.
Some scholars interpret it to be another Figure of Speech called HENDIADYS - "Two words used, but one thing meant." The phrase "of good and evil" literally means "of evil enjoyment."
They believe that this does help us in understanding more about this tree. Apparently, it was the source of some type of pleasure that God did not approve of. However it is the lesson that is important. What is this lesson? We note that God gave Adam and Eve all they could ever want and asked them not to do one thing! The enemy is a master of deception and the only thing that defeats him is the rightly divided Word of God.
When living in the renewed mind of a believer, the Word of God allows us to live as more than conquerors.
Romans 8: 37 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
You've got to know the genuine ‘Gods’ word’ to be able to recognize the counterfeit [part truths and half-truths.]. that is why 2Timothy2:15 tells us to:
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth

Man's Role and Command - Genesis 2:15-17
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

God places man in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. God assigns Adam the task of tending the garden, highlighting the value of work and stewardship indicating purposeful labour. He commands man to freely eat from any tree in the garden except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, warning that eating from it will result in death.

Here we are introduced to the concept of free will and morality. "Death" referred to is a spiritual death, meaning a separation from God. So what died the day Adam and Eve ate of this tree? Did Adam and Eve die? No, they went on to live for a long time. This is where it is crucial to understand the difference between body, soul, and spirit as defined from God's Word.
Remember in verse 7, God formed the body of man and made his soul. Then back in Genesis 1: 26 we learned that God created man in his own image and we know that God is Spirit and that God created Spirit for man. That is what died when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. they lost their spiritual connection with God and were now just body and soul. So we can say that God took the Spirit back or that man spirt became unregenerate or degenerated which is a state of decline, deterioration, or corruption, often implying a return to a less ideal or morally degraded condition. So God drove them out of the garden of Eden as we will see when we study chapter three.
Remember, the Bible was written for the believer, not for the unbeliever. As a result of this sin by Adam and Eve, every person is still born into this world today as a BODY and SOUL person with an unregenerate spirit. They must confess Jesus Christ as Lord in their life and believe that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead to be born again of God's Spirit or regenerated Spirit and therefore become body, soul, and SPIRIT. This transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit, who brings new life to the individual's spirit, making them spiritually alive and connected to God.

The Creation of Woman - Genesis 2:18-25
God recognizes that it is not good for man to be alone and decides to make a suitable helper for him. After creating various animals and bringing them to the man to name, God causes the man to fall into a deep sleep, takes one of his ribs, and creates a woman from it. The man and woman are described as one flesh, highlighting the unity and partnership in marriage.
The term "helper" (ezer) implies a companion who complements and supports. And the unity of marriage is emphasized with the phrase "one flesh."
Verses 18, 19 and 20.
18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” 19 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam] no suitable helper was found.

This is after Adam had given names to all of God's creatures. Notice that it is brought up that there was not yet found an help meet for Adam. He was lonely and needed someone to keep him company and to help or assist him.
We may wonder why so many marriages fail today when God is usually last and not first in the married couple's life. God spells out many details of how we should conduct ourselves in a Christian marriage relationship in His Word. And way back in Genesis, God, our Heavenly Father, says, in regard to man, "I will make an help meet for him." There are definitely two parties involved here, but in this case, God is saying that a woman should bring the best out of a man through assistance. That is so important but unfortunately, we see the opposite often times. And yes, men also do the same. Ecclesiastes 4:12 talks about a Godly marriage as a three-fold cord that is not easily broken. The three cords that are interwoven are God, man and woman. When God is first in both people's lives, that marriage relationship is like a rock. The winds may blow, but it stands -- it can't be moved.

Verse 21-22 -21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
Here seems to me to be a case where God was finally able to get something done for a man of God because the man was in a position where he had to "let go and let God". He was asleep! Have you ever noticed that most times it is when we stop worrying about a problem and relax in believing God, that is when solution come! Oftentimes, our doubts, worries, and fears hinder or limit God. The creation of woman from man's rib underscores the complementary nature of the sexes and the foundation of marriage.
Isn't it just wonderful how God works with us? He waited for Adam to be deeply asleep when He performed quite a major operation. He made a woman out of the long rib of man and He brought her unto the man. Could you picture the reaction of Adam? God wants to bless us His children and meet our needs. He knew Adam had a need and a want that were equal in intensity. That is one of the requirements we must meet to receive anything from God.

Verse 23-23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”
And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man. Here is another beautiful illustration of the Holy Spirit's marking as to what is important in His Word. God wants to grab our attention and make us stop, think, and take notice by emphasizing - This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh - Though the bone and flesh of Adam were changed and made into Eve, yet the name of the original source, "bone" and "flesh" is retained.
Psalm 139:13-14 Highlights the intimate involvement of God in the creation of each person.
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

Verse 24 , 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
We see that it is also repeated almost word for word in Ephesians 5: 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’
and Matthew 19: 5. , ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh
Note that the verse is not saying that a man is to forsake and no longer love or care for his parents. There is a simple but important figure of speech used here called HYPERBOLE or Exaggeration -- "when more is said than is literally meant."
Note also, the phrase "one flesh" used at the end of the verse. A married couple with God first in their lives will eventually reach the point where they have unity of purpose in all that they do. They learn to work together and in cooperation with one another. They put aside all conflict and live according to God's Word manifesting positives (joy, peace, patience, trust etc.) in their marriage relationship. This takes time. Obviously, the phrase "one flesh" is a figure of speech.

So, the chapter concludes with the theme of unity in marriage, as man and woman become one flesh. This verse highlights the intimate and covenantal nature of marriage, reflecting God's design for human relationships. In Mattheew 19:4-6, Jesus reaffirms the sanctity of marriage as instituted in Genesis.
Verse 25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame indicating a lack of embarrassment or guilt. They had nothing to hide before God. Man knew his sonship rights with right standing fellowship with God. Just as when we are without condemnation before Christ as rightly said in Romans 8: 1 -- There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. We will see later, in chapter three, that man, after the fall, became sin-conscious. It became a sin broken fellowship.

CONCLUSION
Genesis Chapter 2 is rich with theological significance, detailing the creation of humanity and the establishment of the Garden of Eden. It emphasizes the intimate relationship between God and humans, the role and responsibilities of humanity, and the foundations of marriage. The chapter sets the stage for the events that follow, providing essential context for understanding the narrative of the fall in Genesis Chapter 3. God bless us all in Jesus name Amen.

Contributor: Alex Alajiki

INTRODUCTION:
The book of Genesis is the first book of the Bible, and sets the stage for the entire biblical narrative. It describes events of creation to the relocation of Jacob’s (Israel’s) family in Egypt. It is divided into two main parts, with chapters 1-11 telling the story of God and the whole world, and chapters 12-50 focusing in on the story of God, a man, and his family. Moses is believed to be the author of Genesis, which is supported by the New Testament; for example, Jesus in Matthew 19:1-8, quotes the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy), which by the time of Christ was considered a unified work (of which Genesis was a part). We shall start with the study of chapter one.

1. The Emergence of Light (Verses 1-5)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The 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. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day. 

Genesis 1:1 opens with the declaration, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This establishes God as the sovereign Creator of all that exists. The creation declares the glory and power of God and “proclaims His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1) and the creation cries out both night and day and “reveals [this] knowledge” (Psalm 19:2) to us. The act of creation emphasising God's omnipotence and self-sufficiency. We can see that His Spirt was actively involved in creation, bringing order out of chaos.
God creates through His Word ("And God said..."), highlighting the power and authority of His speech. This theme is echoed in John 1:1-3, where Christ is identified as the Word through whom all things were made. We know that God is both light and the light of the world (John 1:4). The light was made before either the sun or moon was created. God affirmed that His first creation was good, so, the earth was created perfectly from the beginning.

2. Formation of Sky and Earth (Verses 6-10)
6 Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” 7 Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day. 9 Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good 

On the second day, God forms an expanse named “sky”, separating waters above and beneath it. The third day sees the gathering of waters beneath the sky to reveal dry land, which God named “earth”. God also creates the “seas”. The sea and rivers were divided from those waters that are in the clouds, which are upheld by Gods power. We know that God commands the seas to go to such a certain place and they can go no further (Prov. 8:29). God commended His work that they were good

3. Birth of Vegetation (Verses 11-13)
11 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 So the evening and the morning were the third day.

God then commands the earth to sprout vegetation, seed-bearing plants, and fruit trees. Notice that the provisions for both man and beast and fowl had to be created first, so as to sustain them. The text appears to show that God created the earth in a mature state because the herbs were already yielding seed and the trees were already bearing fruit. He observes that this is good.

4. Creation of Celestial Bodies (Verses 14-19)
14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. 16 Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. 17 God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

On the fourth day, God creates the sun, moon, and stars to distinguish day from night and to serve as signs for seasons, days, and years. The heavenly bodies serve as signs of divine order and the passage of time. The word “rule” means to have dominion and the word “give” can be translated “shine” because, as noted before, light was already in existence before the creation of the sun, moon and stars. In a sense, these lights do separate night and day in that one cannot see them except at their appointed time. If the sun is not visible, it is still night. Notice that these lights were placed by God in the firmament of the heaven.
For he looks to the ends of the earth, and sees under the whole heaven; (Job 28:24)

5. Inception of Marine and Avian Life (Verses 20-23)
20 Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” 21 So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

On this fifth day of creation, God focused His activity to the creation of those creatures that would fill the seas and the heaven above the Earth. It would have been easy for God to finish creating all living creatures, but He chose to do these animals in a specific manner, in a specific order, and at a specific time. This demonstrates God's creative power and His care for all forms of life.
God blesses the creatures to be fruitful and multiply, reinforcing the theme of God's desire for creation to flourish and expand.
It is he that sits upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretches out the heavens as a curtain, and spreads them out as a tent to dwell in (Isaiah 40:22)

6. Emergence of Terrestrial Life and Humanity (Verses 24-25)
24 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so. 25 And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

On this final day of creation, God creates all the living creatures that will dwell on the Earth. Like the sea creatures and fowls in the above verses, the phrase “after his kind” is repeated and so everything that ever walked or crawled, swam or flew was created at this one creation time. Any type of insect or animal or sea creature or fowl that is alive today has descended from these original critters, and any change in their form or structure has been due to genetic information being lost or damaged over time. There cannot be any new species as the genetic material God created in the beginning is all that there is. It cannot be added to. Snakes are still snakes and butterflies are still butterflies even if a change in size or colour has occurred. Man cannot create life. He can only manipulate the genetic codes within the cell, and apparently, this has been occurring (the sheep, Dolly)

7.The Creation of Man (Verses 26-31)
26 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.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. 30 Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. 31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

God commanded the water and the earth to bring forth other creatures: but of man He says, “Let us make…” signifying that God creates as a community and the “us” is surely the Three Persons of the Godhead doing the creation in unison, harmony, and cooperatively. The image and likeness of God in man might be explained in Ephesians 4:24 where originally, before the fall, man was in “the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” When a person is born again, there is a “new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4:24).

How is it that God blessed them? - There was no woman yet so how can he be fruitful and multiply? We must remember that God looks at things that are not yet as though they already are (Isaiah 46:10).
How could God tell the creatures to “be fruitful and to multiply” unless He had created them with that propensity? That is, it is by the virtue of His spoken word that He gave the ability to His creatures to reproduce. God never commands what He first does not enable. Phil. 2:13.
“For thus says the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he has established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:18

CONCLUSION:
Genesis 1:1-31 is a profound and multifaceted text that lays the foundation for biblical theology. It reveals God as the sovereign Creator, emphasizes the goodness of creation, and establishes humanity's unique role and responsibility. Its themes of order, purpose, and divine authority continue to inspire and challenge readers today. Whether approached as history, poetry, or theology, this passage remains central to understanding the biblical worldview. The New Testament identifies Jesus Christ as the agent of creation (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2). This connects Genesis 1 to the redemptive work of Christ.

Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai

INTRODUCTION
We have come to the final part of this year’s Proverbs Challenge, and in today’s study we shall be looking at the synopsis of chapters 21-31. These chapters contain a wide array of wisdom on practical living, justice, relationships, and virtues, culminating in a focus on the virtuous life looking at main topics such as diligence, humility, and godly fear.

DAY 21 - CHAPTER 21
Scriptures (Verse 16): “The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.” NLT
(Verse 21):“The lovers of God who chase after righteousness will find all their dreams come true: an abundant life drenched with favor and a fountain that overflows with satisfaction.” TPT

Revelation: You can never go wrong with following after righteousness, but you can never be right following after foolishness.

Application: If there was ever any motivation for following after righteousness these two verses spell them out. More than ever before we must follow after righteousness. It’s not that we will never do wrong but when we do, it will not be on purpose.

DAY 22 - CHAPTER 22
Scriptures (Verse 10): “Say goodbye to a troublemaker and you’ll say goodbye to quarrels, strife, tension, and arguments, for a troublemaker traffics in shame.” [TPT]

Revelation: Unhealthy relationships create undue stress and tension

Application: Be decisive about severing toxic and unhealthy relationships. Never give anyone the power to manipulate you.

DAY 23 - CHAPTER 23
Scriptures (Verses 17-18): “Don’t allow the actions of evil men to cause you to burn with anger. Instead, burn with unrelenting passion as you worship God in holy awe. Your future is bright and filled with a living hope that will never fade away.” TPT

Revelation: Anger displaces us from our God given purpose and future

Application: We have an assured future in God. We must continue to channel our passion towards the worship of God instead of burning in anger to the wickedness of the world

DAY 24 - CHAPTER 24
Scriptures (Verses 30-34) “I walked by the field of a lazy person, the vineyard of one with no common sense. I saw that it was overgrown with nettles. It was covered with weeds, and its walls were broken down. Then, as I looked and thought about it, I learned this lesson: A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.” [NLT]
(Verses 33-34 )TPT says: “Professional work habits prevent poverty from becoming your permanent business partner. And: If you put off until tomorrow the work you could do today, tomorrow never seems to come.”

Revelation: There’s always a lesson to learn from every situation even if it’s how not to do something but it takes effort

Application: We must never allow a learning opportunity slip by always being aware, open to learning and sensitive to the Holy Ghost

DAY 25 - CHAPTER 25
Scriptures (Verse 13): “Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing!” MSG 

Revelation: The ear mark of reliable friendship is meaning and doing what one says

Application: Lord Jesus, please surround me with reliable friends and grant me the grace to be a reliable friend myself

DAY 26 - CHAPTER 26.
Scriptures (Verses 4-5) “Don’t respond to the stupidity of a fool; you’ll only look foolish yourself. Answer a fool in simple terms so he doesn’t get a swelled head.” MSG

Revelation: Never stoop low to the level of fools in order to make a point or retaliate.
A quote by George Bernard Shaw is fitting here:
“Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pig likes it.”
To wrestle with a pig is to engage in a struggle with an opponent that benefits from the struggle even without winning it

Application: We must always be the bigger person and not respond to the words of a fool with more foolish words. Instead, we should answer with words of wisdom seasoned with salt and grace.

DAY 27 - CHAPTER 27
Scriptures (Verse 17): “As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].” AMP
“It takes a grinding wheel to sharpen a blade, and so one person sharpens the character of another. “ TPT

Revelation: The more we have “spiritual interaction” with one another the more we are sharpened, strengthened and encouraged.

Application: For iron to sharpen iron in this context, there has to be “friction” and “pressure” that’s why two knives for instance can’t sharpen themselves but a sharpening
tool (file) can sharpen a knife. It is not a matter of two people massaging each other’s ego but instead introducing different points of view, challenging our resolve with objective interpretation of scriptures. We must be willing and open to interacting with those who are “stronger”, “more mature”, those who are not afraid to tell us the truth. It takes a “harder” material to sharpen a blade

DAY 28 - CHAPTER 28.
Scriptures (Verse 23): “If you correct someone with constructive criticism, in the end he will appreciate it more than flattery.” TPT

Revelation: A genuine and God-fearing person would appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery.”

Application: We must always be future-thinking and concerned about what truly matters and not become people who massage another’s ego or expects someone to massage ours. So we must tell, expect and accept the truth even if it hurts now for the sake of the future (Psalms 15:5 MSG, Ecclesiastes 7:8

DAY 29 - CHAPTER 29
Scriptures (Verse 17): “Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad.” NLT

Revelation: Discipline a child early enough in life to avoid heartache in the future. Indulgence is not a mark of love but a bait for destruction

Application: Severally in the book of Proverbs we are admonished to discipline our children. Many restrain from discipline and indulge them indiscriminately because they think they love their children too much but Proverbs 13:24 says:
“If you withhold correction and punishment from your children, you demonstrate a lack of true love. So prove your love and be prompt to punish them.” TPT
Proverbs 19:18 “Don’t be afraid to discipline your children while they’re still : says TPTyoung enough to learn. Don’t indulge your children or be swayed by their protests.”

CHAPTER 30 -DAY 30
Scriptures: (Verse 5): “Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.” NLT

Revelation: Every Word of God is tried, tested and proven true

Application: Psalm 12:6 tells us that the Words of the Lord are pure Words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. We must never doubt God’s Words; especially what it says about us. We must pray that the Lord grants us the grace and strength to continually trust in His unfailing Word

DAY 31 - CHAPTER 31
Scriptures (Verse 4): “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol.” NLT

Revelation: Respectable people should steer clear of all sorts of intoxicants. Read Proverbs 23: 31-35. If you have the ambition to become somebody in this life then you must refrain from certain actions.

Application: There are consequences for all actions we take. Although this verse refers to wines and strong drinks, the same applies to things that will impact your judgment, your resolve and your reputation. Because as long as you remain a nobody no one cares. But as soon as you get out there, ready to or already making an impact in the world then people will go searching for mud to sling at you. And if by your actions either as a youth or past adult life you have by the lack of self-control engaged in anything scandalous, it will come out in the open.

CONCLUSION
The book of Proverbs serves as a comprehensive guide for navigating the complexities of daily life, offering practical wisdom that is both timeless and profound. It paints a multifaceted picture of wisdom, described in terms such as instruction (Proverbs 1:2-3), insight (Proverbs 2:10-11), wise dealing (Proverbs 3:21-22), discretion (Proverbs 5:1-2), learning (Proverbs 9:9), prudence (Proverbs 8:12), guidance (Proverbs 11:14), understanding (Proverbs 4:7), teaching (Proverbs 6:20-23), and knowledge (Proverbs 18:15).
Through these aspects, Proverbs teaches us how to relate with God (Proverbs 3:5-6) and others, and how to care for ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually (Proverbs 4:20-22). The lessons extend to managing relationships with friends (Proverbs 17:17), neighbours (Proverbs 27:10), strangers (Proverbs 25:21), spouses (Proverbs 31:10-12), children (Proverbs 22:6), and even the poor (Proverbs 19:17).
A recurring theme throughout the book is the importance of recognizing the consequences of our actions and inactions. Righteousness brings life and blessing (Proverbs 10:16), while foolishness leads to ruin (Proverbs 14:1). Hard work is rewarded (Proverbs 13:4), but laziness results in poverty (Proverbs 6:9-11).
Proverbs reminds us that wisdom is not only about knowledge but about applying it in our everyday lives, ensuring that our paths are directed by understanding and guided by the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). And that should be our prayer and desire, today and everyday of our lives.

Contributor: Adewale Abiona

CHAPTER 11
Vs 1,3 - The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but He delights in accurate weights. Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.
Here we see the benefits of righteousness and the pitfalls of wickedness in various aspects of life (vs 6-7). Vs 21 talk about beauty without discretion is like gold in the snout of a pig. Vs 25 explained that the generous will prosper and be refreshed, just as their good deed is refreshing to others.
The actions of the godly leave a positive impact on the people and in the community but the wicked is not so, people rejoice at their demise. (vs 10-11, 29-31)

CHAPTER 12
Whosoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid(vs1). The diligent will get the reward they deserve(vs24). Hash words break relationship, but a careful and a thoughtful word brings healing(vs18).
This chapter present the difference in character of the wise and the foolish. The wise are those that are disciplined and happy when corrected. It shows the contrast in the behaviour of the wicked and the righteous and what will be their end. One important thing and an encouragement for everyone who stand for the truth is that lies will soon be exposed(vs19). It also highlights the importance of a godly wife (vs5).

CHAPTER 13
In this chapter we more of the consequences of our choices. If we are going to get the best out of life and fit into God’s plan and purpose for our life, we are encouraged to follow path of the righteous.
Godliness guards the path of the blameless, but the evil are misled by sin (vs6). The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened. The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out (vs8-9). Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble (vs20).

CHAPTER 14
When we look at this chapter, it is very clear that the mouth of the fool is a rod that beats them(vs3). Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains(vs13). In other words, pain the ungodly might be hiding with a big smile, you may not understand. Vs19 goes further to say, “Evil people will bow before good people; the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly”, that is evil will never prevail.
In vs26-27 is a clear distinction of what those who fear the Lord get compared to the ungodly. “Those who fear the Lord are secure; he will be a refuge for their children. Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death”

CHAPTER 15
In this chapter, we can see the impacts of the godly (wise) and the ungodly (foolish), wherever they are, in the family, community fellowship or the nation at large. Godly people are a treasure, bringing peace and harmony while the ungodly brings trouble. There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble (vs6). Vs3 The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good, and in vs8 it says The Lord reject the sacrifice of the wicked and honour the prayer of the upright. Vs 17 sum it all up for us, it is better to dwell where love is than where riches abound with wickedness. “A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate”.

CHAPTER 16
This sum of this chapter is that God determines what will happen. Yes, we can make plan as man and set thing in motion, but the outcome will only be according to His plan for his own children. But for the ungodly, it will be according to his principles. (vs1, 33). Isaiah 3:10-11 As a godly person, when the motive is right and are in line with His plan (vs2), then you will ask a thing or plan something, and it will come to pass because your heart was guided by Him and that you have taken counsel from His word. Even when there are oppositions of the wicked, vs7 says when your lifestyle pleasant to Him, even your enemies will be at peace with you. When we consider Vs 18 & 25 pride goes before a fall…& there is a part that seems right to man, but it ends in failure, you will see that both is saying the Lord determines how everything will end. The pride will fall from their horse back and those who think they are wise in their own eyes will definitely fail.

CHAPTER 17
This chapter show how our personality in terms of the words of our mouth and the thought of our heart affects our life and relationships. It Start by showing us what privilege and favour wisdom can bring to us, access to what we have no right to. Vs 2 A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son and will share the inheritance of the master’s children and ends with vs 28 a fool is considered wise because they understand when to silent.
Just one example in vs 9 “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends”. Both our mouth and heart are required in the fulfilment of the above verse. With your heart you will forgive and with your mouth you will proclaim it. By doing, what the verse is saying, you will keep your relationship intact and give yourself a peaceful atmosphere.

CHAPTER 18
Verse 1-6 list some of the things a foolish person delights in, but will also ruin themselves with their own mouth vs7.
Vs 21 The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Through this chapter we understand that wisdom is profitable to direct, especially when it comes to engaging other people. Vs 18 says “Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents”. Leaving an argument can preserve life just as engaging in some can destroy. Again, we see how the life of the wise can be preserved and how a fool can endangered their own life. It also mentions in vs 16 that a man’s gift(wisdom and godly character) will make room for him and position them for favour, including good wife/husband
A fool delights in his own opinions. The name of LORD is a strong tower. A gift opens the way. The tongue can bring life or death.

CHAPTER 19 - 20
There is a call for us to make a wise choice; honesty over dishonesty (19 vs 5, 9, 28-29). To be generous instead of being stingy (19 vs 17),
To be diligent rather than being lazy (19 vs 15,24; 20 vs13) because laziness tend to poverty and the poor are alone(19 vs 4,7)
To discipline children when they are much younger than indulging them (19 vs18)
These is because people ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord (19 vs 3)
To be sober and of an humble spirit than to be fill with wine and alcohol and be led astray. (20 vs1)
It is emphasised once again that the Lord sees the heart of everyone, and He will expose the hidden thing, therefore we need to purify our heart.
Wisdom suggests that we let go and let God since He will determine the outcome (20 vs 24) The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendour of the old. (20 vs29). It is advisable that the young once allow themselves to be guided (19 vs 2)

In conclusion, there is wisdom for everyday living, covering every aspect of our life. The choice is ours, to be wise and be saved or to be fools and reap the consequence that comes with it.
Whatever your choice is, it will show in your character, conduct. (20 vs 11) “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death” (14:12).

Contributor: Tobi Morakinyo

Introduction
Proverbs are truths expressed in a somewhat obscured or coded way—short sayings filled with wisdom. The Book of Proverbs is one of the “Wisdom” Books in the Bible, alongside Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. King Solomon authored Proverbs during the early years of his reign after receiving the gift of wisdom from God and before turning away from Him. The book is like an earthly father’s letter to his sons. Given the spirit of wisdom (God) in Solomon, he was writing the mind of God to His children, as an earthly father speaks to his son. The primary purpose of the book is to teach multifaceted wisdom for living, reaching not only the young and inexperienced but also the learned. May the Lord open our understanding as we study this book afresh this month in Jesus' name.

Chapter 1 –The Benefit of Proverbs, the Enticement of Sinners, &the Warning of Wisdom
The Benefit of Proverbs: Proverbs 1 has three broad themes, starting with the usefulness of Proverbs. For instance, verse 4 states, “To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.” This implies that though wisdom can be acquired through experience, young people can, by listening to the wise and heeding their instructions, gain wisdom that would otherwise take time to acquire. This saves time and enables them to achieve desired results. Some life lessons do not necessarily need to be learned through personal experience; we can leverage the lessons from others to lead effective, productive, and kingdom-focused lives. As the Bible says in Romans 15:4: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

The Enticement of Sinners (Proverbs 1:8–19): Righteous (not merely moral) living is uncommon, which makes it easier for believers to be enticed (verse 10). As sons of God, we must resolve not to consent. The embellishment of "gain" is a common tool for enticement, leading to manipulations such as falsification of records, murder (including character assassination), and other forms of wrongdoing to maximize profit. Many fall victim to Ponzi schemes, which promise gains that seem too good to be true, and greed for gain can ultimately lead to loss of life (verse 19). Enticement (temptation) will come; however, it is not sinful to be tempted—yielding to temptation is the sin.

Wisdom Warns (Proverbs 1:20–33): The tone changes here as Wisdom speaks in the first person, extending a loud and open invitation. Despite her efforts, she receives no response. She warns of a time of reckoning when she will be sought but unavailable, saying, “I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh…” (verses 26–28). However, she promises, “Whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from the fear of evil” (verse 33). Wisdom personified is Jesus. It is eternally dangerous to reject Him, as He is always calling and not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). The key point is to heed God’s instructions diligently, ensuring He is our ally as we step into the new year.

Chapter 2 – The Pursuit of Wisdom
Having understood the benefits of wisdom and the dangers of rejecting it, this chapter reveals the extent we must go to pursue wisdom. For example, verse 4 encourages us to seek wisdom as silver and search for her as hidden treasure. It further emphasizes that the Lord is the giver of wisdom (verse 6), meaning we must seek Him, the custodian. As 1 Chronicles 28:9c says, “…If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.” God hides Himself to be found by intentional and diligent seekers, for He is “a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.”(Heb. 11:6). Wisdom is one of the rewards of diligent seeking and delivers its recipients from evil ways (verse 12), crooked paths (verse 15), and strange women (verse 16).

Chapter 3 – The Blessings (Rewards) of Wisdom
This chapter highlights nuggets for living, such as “bind mercy and truth around your neck” (verse 3) to obtain favor from God and men; “trust in the Lord and lean not on your understanding” (verses 5–6); and “despise not correction from the Lord” (verses 11–12). Each principle carries individual benefits. The chapter shows that wisdom attracts blessings such as longevity (verses 2, 16), favor with God and men (verse 4), internal and external peace (verse 17), love and grace (verse 22), and protection (verse 23). Verse 35 sums up the benefit of living by godly wisdom: “The wise shall inherit glory.”

Chapter 4 – The Father’s Instruction
This chapter begins with a father’s admonishment to obey his commandments, as blessings are tied to obedience. This parallels other conditional blessings in Scripture, such as Deuteronomy 28:1–13 and Isaiah 1:19: “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” The chapter also emphasizes guarding one’s heart diligently, as it is the source of life’s issues (verses 20–23). Actions stem from the heart, and the sum of these actions determines life’s outcome. Therefore, we must guard our hearts carefully.

Chapters 5 & 7 - Warning Against Strange Women
Both chapters focus on the danger of adultery and the importance of marital fidelity. The father to his son describes the cunningness of a “strange woman” who through sweet mouth (5:3; 7:1-8) and warns that transactions with her will ultimately lead to destruction. “Let not thine heart decline to her ways; go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.” (vs 25-27). For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life (6:26). The Father subsequently encourages young men to be satisfied and faithful to the wife of their youth, avoiding by all means the walking on the path with a strange woman. Similarly, we should beware of strange gods, messages, doctrines, and counsel, as they can deplete our faith and strength in God.

Chapter 6 – Parental Counsel.
It provides more nuggets for various aspects of life, including financial responsibility, work ethics, and relationships. For instance, it encourages diligence and hard work following the example of ants, emphasizing the importance of preparing for the future and avoiding laziness (6:6-11). Another important aspect can be found in vs 16-20, which highlights the seven abominations that the Lord hates - A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. (vs 16-19). May we not be involved in what the Almighty hates.

Chapters 8 & 9 –Wisdom Calls for Hearing and Wisdom's Invitation.
Both chapters contrast between wisdom and folly, both personified as a woman. Proverbs 8 – 9:12 portrays a feast prepared by wisdom and her effort in inviting people to her banquet, especially the simple (young and inexperienced). Accepting her invitation yields longevity. On the other hand, folly similarly prepares her banquet and sends out an invitation targeting the simple with a catchphrase “stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is sweet” (vs 17). But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell (vs 18).

Chapter 10 –Contrast of the Righteous and the Wicked.
The chapter contrasts the lifestyle and outcomes of the wise and foolish. Overall, wisdom is portrayed as a source of blessing; prosperity and protection while foolishness lead to destruction and adversity (vs 8, 21). It also emphasizes the importance of speaking wisely and truthfully as opposed to gossip and spreading lies (vs 13, 18-21). It also encourages hard work and diligence as conditions for success and abundance (vs 4,22). May the Lord help us to be doers of His word in Jesus' name.

Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai

INTRODUCTION
We have come to the final topic of this year’s Bible Study, themed: "A Closer Walk with God." Walking with God demands for a lot of things, like knowing who He is (Dan.11: 32), knowing His attributes (Ps.24:8, Ps.23:4), separation from certain things, agreement with Him (Amos 3:3), total trust in Him (Job 13:15; Ps.27:3), etc. and by consequence, His blessings will follow. Our text in Gen.17:1 is not just a call to Abram, but a timeless invitation for believers to walk faithfully and closely with the Almighty God. Throughout the course of this year, we have considered rudiments that if adhered with will help sustain our closer walk with God. The topics were broadly based on who we are (The Godly), who God is (His Attributes & His Word) and the benefits of walking closely with Him (enjoying divine faithfulness, healing, righteousness, etc). As we conclude this year’s study, we would consider Abram’s call to walk with God and use it as a yardstick to measure our walk with our Father.
In Genesis 17:1 God called Abram to walk before Him. Before we delve into the text, we would first consider what it means to “Walk Before God”

• WALKING BEFORE GOD
When God calls us to walk before Him, He calls us to intimacy and obedience. It implies living (dwelling) in His presence, maintaining a consciousness of His gaze, and aligning one's life with His will. The Bible in Micah 6:8 summarizes all that it would take to walk before God. The scripture says: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (NIV)

(a) To Act Justly: This means to live in a way that reflects fairness, integrity, and righteousness in one’s actions, relationships, and decisions. It is about treating others impartially, upholding truth, and ensuring that one's conduct aligns with God's principles of justice as revealed in Scripture (the Word of God). (Leviticus 19:15, Proverbs 21:3)

(b) To Love Mercy: To love mercy is to imitate God, to cherish and actively demonstrate compassion, kindness, and forgiveness in relationships with others. It is more than performing merciful acts; but instead it reflects a deep, heartfelt delight in showing grace and extending God's love to others. It gladdens you that you are able to extend God’s love to others. Whatever you do is not out of compulsion but pleasure. (Exodus 34:6, Luke 6:36)

(c) To Walk Humbly with Your God: It is important to note that it is not just about being humble but walking humbly with God. To walk humbly with God means to live in a close relationship with God characterized by reverence, submission, and a recognition of His greatness. It involves aligning one’s life with His will, depending on Him, and maintaining an attitude of humility in all aspects of life. If you are able to walk humbly with God, there is no way you will not be able to walk humbly with man.
Psalm 15:1-5a (TLB) says of the one who wishes to walk closely with God:
“Lord, who may go and find refuge and shelter in your tabernacle up on your holy hill? 2 Anyone who leads a blameless life and is truly sincere. 3 Anyone who refuses to slander others, does not listen to gossip, never harms his neighbour, 4 speaks out against sin, criticizes those committing it, commends the faithful followers of the Lord, keeps a promise even if it ruins him, 5 does not crush his debtors with high interest rates, and refuses to testify against the innocent despite the bribes offered him”

• KEY SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR WALKING WITH GOD
Our text in Genesis 17:1 says: “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.’” (NIV)
From this text, we will observe three key elements that I believe are essential for a successful, rewarding and fulfilling walk with God.

1. Revelation/Knowledge (I am God Almighty)
The knowledge of the supreme power and sufficiency of One (El Shaddai) who calls us to walk with Him the key foundation for walking closely with Him. A deep understanding of God's character fosters trust and dependence. In Exodus 6:3: God reiterates this name to Moses, connecting it with His covenant faithfulness to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And in 2 Corinthians 12:9, the apostle Paul tells us that God's grace and power are sufficient for our weakness, affirming the ongoing relevance of trusting in God Almighty.

2. Faithful Obedience (walk before me faithfully)
Obedience is the outward expression of an inward trust in God. It shows that we believe in His wisdom, promises, and plan. Faithful obedience involves surrendering our own desires, plans, and understanding to align with God’s will. (Jesus, in Luke 22:42). It also often requires perseverance through challenges, trusting that God’s way is always best. (Job 23:10-12, Daniel 3:17-16)

3. Blameless Relationship with God (and be blameless)
To be blameless before God means to live a life of integrity, uprightness, and wholehearted devotion to God. It is not about being sinless (as only Jesus was sinless) but about striving for righteousness, walking in obedience to God, and maintaining a sincere heart that seeks His will. For believers, obtaining a blameless stance with God comes from God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who imputes His righteousness to believers. Ephesians 1:4 says: "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." but because a relationship is not a one day “incident”, we need to sustain this “blameless stance.”
Psalm 24:3-4 says: “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”

CONCLUSION
The same call God made to Abram, He’s made to one and all through the ages. Abram’s call was not just about blessings or land but about walking closely with God in a personal relationship. It was a call to be set apart, to leave his old life. Today, God calls us to be holy and distinct from the world. 1 Peter 2:9 says: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Just as Abram responded with faith and obedience, we are invited to do the same, stepping into God’s eternal purposes and promises. Remember, our walk with the Lord is for as long as we are alive, not just for a moment or a period of time. So, before we go on our merry ways, let’s pause and reflect.What steps have you taken, or will you take to walk closer with the Lord, for the rest of your life.

Contributor: Odutola Ekundayo

INTRODUCTION
In our study last week, we were taught that only God is the sure refuge. One thing that is common with the examples we learnt last week was that all the people referred to were all doing the work of God. They trusted God even to the point where they said even if God would not deliver them, yet they will still trust HIM – they “abandoned” themselves to God under all and every circumstance of life that appeared to them. There are several ways God can send help from above, but this week we shall be studying how God can send help from above by watching and keeping us. As we continue in our study, may the Lord bless us in Jesus name.

1. GOD IS THE ONLY SURE GUIDE
Ps. 121:5a – The Lord is your keeper. When God guides, He surrounds His own with wall of fire, which will destroy all the weapons of the enemies. He will also lock the door against such enemies. Which implies that you don't need to fear anything.With God you are assured of your safety, what else can we as children of the Most High trust in if not God Almighty?
Ps. 125:2-3 says “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever...”.Wherever we are, at any time, God is our sure guide just as He has assured us in the above passage.
Zech. 2:5 – For I,’says the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst’.

• God as Our Helper
Psalm 121:1-2 says “I will lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth”
Looking up to the mountains symbolizes something greater than an individual or human, and affirms that help comes from the Lord. It’s a reminder that while earthly resources may offer some relief, the ultimate source of help is God Himself, the Creator of all. In the moments of uncertainty or fear, one thing we can do is to remind ourselves that God, the Creator, is actively involved and able to bring resolution and peace. It is therefore wise, to develop a habit of turning to God first in times of need and at all times (Hebrews 12:2 – Looking unto Jesus…).

• God’s Strength in Our Weakness
Someone may ask, but how about when my strength is failing or it has already failed, what is the next thing to do? 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says “…My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”. Sometimes we may have “thorn in the flesh”, just like Apostle Paul, and how despite his prayers, God did not remove it. Instead, God provided him the strength to endure, assuring all Christians that divine strength often shines brightest when we are at our weakest point or moment. Recognizing that help from above doesn’t always mean immediate relief from trials, it confirms that God’s help is displayed when He strengthens us to endure and grow through difficulties. Proverbs 3:5 encourages us to trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. When we are weak, that is when we should trust GOD with everything we are. Isaiah 26:4 says 'Trust in the Lord forever, For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.')

• God’s Protection in Times of Trouble
When we are faced with a crisis, we have to remember that God is our refuge. We should therefore find time in His Word and in prayer to “rest” in this refuge, allowing His peace to renew our strength. Psalm 46:1-3 says “'God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling”
This reminds us that God is not only willing to help us in times of troubles, but also ever present to help in times of distress. With this in mind, we should be encouraged to completely trust in God, because He remains steadfast even when the world seems chaotic.

• God’s Provision for Our Needs
Philippians 4:19 says “'And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. This is an assurance to believers that God, who is rich in glory, will provide for all our needs. It is worthy to note that God’s provision goes beyond physical and material necessities, and reaches into areas of emotional, spiritual, and relational needs. Trusting in God’s provision, even when resources seem scarce. Reflect on times when God provided for you in unexpected ways, and let this strengthen your faith in His continued support. Ps. 56:4 says 'In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?'

2. OTHER GUIDES ARE IN VAIN
Some trust in chariot, some in horses, while others might put their trust in charms or evil covenants. But all these are vain; God is the only true guide. As parents or guardian, we expect our children/wards to trust us for their daily provisions, so also God said to all His children in Jeremiah 17:5-8 'Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit”.
The passage above spells out the consequences of trusting in flesh, and the abundant blessings of trusting in God;

• The Consequences of Seeking Help Outside God
God clearly emphasises on the consequences of His children trusting or seeking help outside Him. Isaiah 31:1-3 states that 'Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord! Yet He also is wise and will bring disaster, and will not call back His words, but will arise against the house of evildoers, and against the help of those who work iniquity. Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out His hand, both he who helps will fall, and he who is helped will fall down; they all will perish together”.
He is a jealous God and does not want to share Himself with anyone in any way.We should also not forget that “unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain”, (Psalms 127:1), and also remember that “those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever”. (Psalms 125:1).

• God Cares for All Areas of Our Life
Ps. 20:6-8 'Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright.',
God’s care extends deeply to our souls. In 2 Thessalonians 3:3, Paul writes, "But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." This aligns with Psalm 121:7, which promises that the Lord will keep us from all evil. While life presents challenges, the keeping hand of God ensures that no weapon formed against us shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). Just as Jesus prayed in John 17:15, "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one,"
We see that God’s protection encompasses both our daily battles and our eternal destiny.

• His Assurance
Jesus promises His disciples that the Holy Spirit, the Helper, will be with them, guiding, comforting, and reminding them of His teachings, John 14:26. This reassurance points to a personal and constant support system God provides for each believer.
As His children, we are expected to develop a closer relationship with the Holy Spirit through prayer, and pay attention to His guidance. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to understand God’s Word and apply it in our life.

Psalm 34:17-19 says that “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. ”
This psalm expresses that God hears and delivers His people when they call upon Him in faith. God’s help is not always immediate, but He is always attentive and involved, working for the good of those who love Him.We should then cultivate a habit of bringing our troubles to God in prayer, trusting that He hears and will act. Practice patience and faith, knowing that God’s timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed.

CONCLUSION
Finally, God’s guide is enduring, lasting from eternity to eternity. Psalm 121:8 confirms this promise, "The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore". Also on our part, Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to trust in Him with all of our heart for Him to direct our paths, knowing He is watching. His care is not limited by time or circumstance. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 10:29-31 that even the sparrows are under God’s watchful eye, and we are worth much more to Him than many sparrows. This assurance of divine vigilance invites us to walk confidently, trusting that our Keeper never fails nor falters. Let us therefore hold fast to His promises and live in gratitude, knowing our help indeed comes from above. Amen.

Contributor: Wilson Imade

INTRODUCTION
Last week we looked at the tree planted by the river side, as a benefit of walking closely with God, symbolising the life of a man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful: but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law doth he meditate day and night. We saw that this man shall be blessed indeed and he shall blossom and prosper, but for the ungodly the same does not hold. Today we shall be looking at “Help From Above”, as another benefit of walking closely with God. “Help from Above” simply means help that can only come from God and that is divine. As we continue in this study, may the LORD bless us richly in Jesus name.

Text: "He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber." Psalm 121:3 (KJV)
This verse is split into two parts and they would form the core of today’s study.

1. HE WILL NOT SUFFER THY FOOT TO BE MOVED
God in His ability has the power to deliver and to keep us from falling. God will not only deliver you from the threats of the enemy alone. He has the power to deliver you from yourself equally. In Daniel 6:10-22, we see a mighty deliverance from Daniel’s enemies who wanted him dead, instigating him being thrown into a den of lions but we see in verse 23 that Daniel came out without been hurt.

Other examples of those who experienced God’s mighty Deliverance
• Peter: Peter was arrested and kept in prison, with chains and guided by four quaternions of soldier's. Acts 12: 1- 11.
• Paul and Silas: In the case of Paul and Silas, God didn't need to send His angel. From His throne He thundered and there was an earthquake. (Acts 16: 23 - 30.)

There are several key requirements for a close walk with God. Let us consider some of them briefly.
a) Trust
One thing we must build in our close walk with God is trust. The Word of God admonishes us in Psalm 125:1 to trust in God.
"They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever."
A few examples of those who trusted God. (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – Dan 3:16-28)

b) Belief
We must believe in whom we serve. Abraham believed God deeply to the point of him willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Genesis 15:6 says: “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”

c) Intimacy (Close Relationship) with God.
There must be intimacy between you and God. This is a very important requirement if we are to walk closely with God. We must develop a deep, personal, and relational connection with Him.
Here are a few examples of people who walked in deep, intimate relationship with God.
• Abraham (Friend of God): James 2:23 – "And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God’s friend."

• Moses (Spoke to God Face to Face): Exodus 33:11 – "The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend."

• David (A Man After God’s Own Heart): 1 Samuel 13:14 – "The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people."

2. HE THAT KEEPETH THEE WILL NOT SLUMBER
2 Chronicles 16:9 says: “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.”

The One who keeps watch over us is the Sovereign God!
• He does whatever He pleases. Psalm 115:3 “Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.” (Psalm 135:6)

• He is in in control of everyone and everything Psalm 47:7-8 “For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. 8 God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.”

• He has made the heaven and the earth by his great power and outstretched arm. And nothing is too hard for him. Jeremiah 32:17

CHALLENGES AS BELIEVERS
Job 1:8-10 tells us that God has put a put a hedge around us, our household and everything we have. Isaiah 41:10-16 is another scripture of assurance of God’s ever abiding presence with His people. Zechariah 2:4-5 tells us that God Himself will be unto us a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of us!

But sometimes people face challenges that to the ordinary eyes, it may appear they have been forsaken by God. But God’s Word is Yea and Amen! There are several reasons for this.

a) A Trial of Faith: As we see in Job’s case. The Lord allowed the enemy to afflict Job as a trial of his faith (Job 1:12, Job 2:6)

b) A Fall from Faith: A fall from faith leads to an individual falling out of alignment with God and therefore a change in position. In Eccl. 10:8 the Bible says: “He who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent.” An individual could bring a change in position or fall from faith on themselves by drawing back, partial obedience, or showing a nonchalant attitude.

o Drawing Back: Proverbs 29:5-6. “A man who flatters his neighbour spreads a net for his feet. 6 By transgression an evil man is snared, But the righteous sings and rejoices.”

o Partial Obedience: 1Samuel 15:2-23 tells us of Saul’s partial obedience to the command of God and he became rejected as king of Israel.

o Nonchalant Attitude: This refers to someone who is relaxed, casual, complacent and unconcerned. The key word being “unconcerned.” It often implies a lack of strong interest, or emotional involvement in something. But Amos 6:1a says: “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria,” 1Samuel 2:27-30, 1Samuel 3:11-18 These two
verses of scripture gives the unfortunate account of Eli’s nonchalance and its consequence.

c) An Attack of the Enemy: The enemy could also be the bedrock to the fall of a believer. John 10:10a says: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” Acts 1:15-17 & 20 (Judas).

CONCLUSION
Help from above is help from the LORD, and He has promised us, believers in Matthew 28:18-20 that He will be with us always, even unto the end of the world. This is an assurance of divine help to everyone who has a close walk with God. This is why our obedience to God must be total and not partial. Actively walking closely with God does not imply only in church activities, but in all of our endeavours in life. In Proverbs 16:7 the Bible tells us that “When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” The Lions were at peace with Daniel, all the keepers in the prison came crawling to meet Paul and Silas after Paul told them not to take their lives when they saw all the prison doors open. And they asked Paul what they must do to be saved.

Contributor: Clem Roberts

INTRODUCTION
Psalm 1:1-3 serves as an introduction to the entire Book of Psalms, setting the tone for a life that seeks and cherishes God’s presence and guidance. It’s a contrast between the life of the righteous and the life of the wicked and invites us believers to pursue righteousness and promises spiritual fulfilment for those who do so.
1. Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

Verse 1: The Blessed Man
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful."

• "Blessed": This Hebrew word ("’esher") means “happy” or “fortunate.” It denotes a state of spiritual well-being and contentment derived from God’s favour.

• "The man": The psalmist uses a singular term, emphasizing the individual’s choice to live righteously.

• "Walks not in the counsel of the ungodly": "Walking" implies following the advice or ways of those who reject God’s moral standards. The “ungodly” refers to people who live apart from God’s direction.

• "Nor stands in the path of sinners": Standing indicates a more deliberate or active engagement in sinful behaviour. The “path of sinners” refers to a lifestyle or conduct contrary to God’s ways.

• "Nor sits in the seat of the scornful": Sitting suggests a settled state of comfort among mockers, those who actively deride or disrespect God and spiritual truths. This depicts a downward progression: from listening to ungodly advice, to adopting sinful practices, to fully participating in a life that ridicules righteousness.

The verse underscores the importance of avoiding all stages of involvement with sin and sinful influences.

Verse 2: Delight and Meditation
"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night."

• "His delight": The blessed person takes joy and pleasure in God’s law. This is not an obligation but a deep desire and love for God’s teachings.

• "The law of the Lord": Refers primarily to the Torah or God’s revealed instructions. It can also symbolize God’s entire word and will.

• "Meditates day and night": Meditation implies deep, focused, and continuous reflection. It means filling one’s mind and heart with God’s Word, allowing it to shape thoughts, attitudes, and actions. The repetition of "day and night" emphasizes a continual and habitual practice, signifying a life centered around God’s Word.

This verse emphasizes that true joy and spiritual fulfilment are found in engaging deeply with God’s instructions.

Verse 3: The Righteous as a Flourishing Tree
"He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."

• "Like a tree planted by the rivers of water": This metaphor illustrates strength, stability, and constant nourishment. A tree planted by streams has a continuous source of sustenance, representing a life grounded in and continually refreshed by God’s Word.

• "Brings forth its fruit in its season": Fruitfulness signifies productivity and spiritual maturity. The righteous person’s life yields positive, godly outcomes in the right and appointed time, as directed by God.

• "Whose leaf also shall not wither": This points to resilience and enduring vitality. Even in adverse conditions, the righteous remain spiritually vibrant and flourishing.

• "Whatever he does shall prosper": This prosperity refers not only to material success but to spiritual and moral well-being. The righteous person aligns with God’s purposes, and thus his endeavours bear lasting impact and fulfil God’s plans.

Summary
1. Blessedness and Righteousness: The passage introduces the idea that true happiness is found in a life separated from sin and dedicated to God. It highlights the blessings that accompany a life lived in obedience to God.

2. Spiritual Discipline: Meditation on God’s Word is central and essential. The psalm encourages believers to find joy in Scripture and to let it guide every aspect of their lives, resulting in spiritual growth and intimacy with God.

3. Contrast with the Wicked: The imagery of a flourishing tree contrasts with the implied barrenness of the ungodly. The righteous thrive because they draw from the unending source of God’s wisdom, while the wicked, who are not rooted in God, face spiritual drought.

4. Fruitfulness and Stability: The promise of prosperity and fruitfulness underlines that a life rooted in God’s Word will be effective and steadfast. The prosperity mentioned reflects God’s blessing on a life lived in harmony with His will.

CONCLUSION
Overall, Psalm 1:1-3 presents an invitation to pursue a life anchored in God’s ways, offering a vision of true blessedness and the flourishing that comes from a deep, meditative relationship with God.

Contributor: Alex Kokobili

INTRODUCTION
Today’s study focuses on our dependability on God for the manifestation of our wholeness in life. Abiding could be a pain-sticking process that a person requires in other to attain perfection. A person who is independent of God’s authority love, stewardship ship, etc. will be considered an independent spirit in Spanish “espíritu independiente”. Such a person would be in danger of spiritual barrenness despite the evidence of any material success (Jeremiah 17:5-7 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is". The more we abide in Him, the more we attain stature and capacity for our completeness in God. It is through His light that destinies become enlightened to fulfil His will in our lives (John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men). The more we stay in Him through fellowship – prayer, word, sanctification, etc., the more our imperfection is transformed into His perfection and then we can bear fruits of righteousness and manifest good works (Phil 1:11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God., Ephesians 2: 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do).

CONNECTING THE VINE AND BRANCHES AND ATTAINING COMPLETENESS

1. The branch depends on the vine for its survival or else it would become desolate if it breaks away without the capacity to bear fruit.
It is the Holy Spirit that enables us as the branch to bear fruit because we are expected to be connected to Jesus the vine and nourished by His word. (John 15:1-2 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:5. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing".

The vine and branches (s) are both from the same parent plant and coexist for the overall fruitfulness of the tree. As long as the branch is aligned and properly nourished by the vine, it is expected to bear fruits by the Holy Spirit. Just as the Vine depends on the vine dresser so also do we as the branch depend on the vine (John 10:30 I and My Father are one, - John 17:21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me).

The branch is attached to the vine so also are we engrafted to Christ through faith in His Word. The branch connects to the vine for life and drives its ability to function and the capacity to do the things it cannot do by itself. The vine carries the weight of the vine, while the branch is expected to bear fruits. When the branch breaks away from the source, it breaks away from life (John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them). It is the vine that connects the entire system to the roots which absorbs the nutrients, water, and carbon dioxide required for the survival of the plant. This means that we are deficient in ourselves but need to depend on the virtues of Christ in other to attain perfection in God.
Romans 11: 17 -23 "But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again."

2. To abide in God is to stay in His love with Him. You are incomplete without the love of God.
God requires us as the branch to stay connected to the vine (faith in Jesus Christ) and this requires that we keep His commandments “John 15: 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love; even as I kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love”. (God expresses His love for humanity through His Son – His love and redemption plan for humanity so that by adoption through faith in Christ we also can become sons of God – John 1:12). The love of God is required to help us love our neighbours and it is this love that brings us into perfection because God Himself is love (1 John 2:5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this, we may know that we are in him).

3. The Holy Spirit enables us with divine power to abide in Him.
1 John 4: 13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.

4. Faith in God gives us victory through the storms of life just like the branch holds on to the vine at all times despite the storms.
We need to continuously activate the word with faith to align with God’s purpose. The word of God gives us faith to stay in His presence and follow His will (Romans 10: 17 So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God). Faith is spiritual and it is the vehicle we need to access God’s promises through the help of the Holy Spirit.

5. As the branch, our lives must portray God’s life (Glory) through good works so that we can bear fruits that are pleasing unto God!
Hebrews 2:10 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them". We must never forget that our existence as the branch is to bear fruits and as long as we are connected to Christ as the source, we manifest His glory in the marketplace, governance, family, etc.

6. The branch is imperfect without the vine. Perfection starts through our dependency on the Holy Spirit admitting the frailty in our humanity.
Though some people might claim to read the Bible, without the revelation of the Holy Spirit their understanding will be shallow or best as if they are reading Shakespeare; (2 Corinthians 3: 5- 6 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life). Christians who only go to church without doing what the Bible says would be best described as churchgoers and cannot gain mastery of spiritual insight through the help of the Holy Spirit.

7. God expects us to be in harmony with Him (Full obedience) if we desire perfection.
1 Corinthians 12: 21-27 "And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually".

8. Abiding in God sets the pace for us to ask His will without asking amiss.
When you come to God’s presence don’t be too in a hurry to ask God to meet your needs but first take time to enjoy His presence and until He is glorified then you can ask God anything without asking amiss; (John 15: 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you). This starts with thanksgiving, meditating on His word for direction, fasting, prayers, learning to work in humility, discipleship, etc, then you get to a certain level where you can ASK anything according to His will for you.

9. The grace of God helps us to abide in Him unto perfection without getting weary.
2 Corinthians 12: 8-10 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

CONCLUSION
Our desire to live in perfection should not just be a one-off experience but as God’s nature and desire for all believers (Matthew 5: 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect). Philippians 3:12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.

HYMN: Complete In Him
Verse 1
It’s Not By Works Of Righteousness; But By His Grace Alone. (Repeat x2)
And We Are Complete In Him.

Chorus
Complete, Complete, Complete In Him. We Are Complete In Him. (Repeat)

Verse 2
There’s Nothing More That I Can Do For Jesus Paid It All (Repeat x2)
We Are Complete In Him.