January Focus: O Lord, Help Me – January 2026 Article

January Focus: O Lord, Help Me

Texts: Psalm 109:26; Psalm 40:13

 

Introduction: A Cry at the Gate of 2026

With grateful hearts, we welcome the year 2026 with joy, knowing that God’s grace has enabled us to accomplish everything we have achieved so far. The Lord safeguarded us through all our previous plans, some of which were accomplished, while others were postponed or abandoned. The beginning of a new year is more than an opportunity to celebrate the past; it is a sobering reminder that we will need divine intervention to navigate this one. As we embark on this new season, we rely on God for guidance in every area of our lives, including spirituality, health, emotions, finances, and relationships.

Saying a simple prayer like “O Lord, help me” reflects unshakable faith, not weakness. It means surrendering total control, admitting our limitations, and seeking God’s supernatural power, guidance, and focus for the journey ahead. David’s heartfelt cry in the Psalms captures this truth:

“Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy.” (Psalm 109:26)

“Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.” (Psalm 40:13)

  1. Recognizing Your Need for God’s Help

The first step in asking for help is humility. It is the realization that human strength is insufficient to meet the demands of life. Despite being a warrior, king, and leader, David constantly pleaded with God for help. He understood that without God, work and prosperity are meaningless. We cannot rely solely on ourselves to make it through the journey of 2026. Dreams, families, ministries, and careers all require heavenly assistance. As Rick Warren often emphasizes in his daily devotions, God’s help is not automatic; it is activated by dependence. When we recognize our need, God responds graciously.

The Nigerian Baptist Daily Devotional frequently reminds believers that putting God first helps us align our steps and avoid unnecessary struggles. Saying, “O Lord, help me,” acknowledges that God, not our circumstances, is our source.

  1. God’s Help Brings Strength, Direction, and Deliverance

God’s intervention is timely and intentional. In Psalm 40:13, the phrase “make haste to help me” expresses a sense of urgency. Delays may make people feel vulnerable, but God’s help always comes at the right time. God offers strength, as Isaiah 40:31 assures us when we are weary. He gives direction, as Proverbs 3:5–6 promises guidance when the path forward is unclear. He provides deliverance when enemies, fear, or sin surround us.

As Rick Warren explains, God’s help does not always come by removing challenges immediately, but by empowering us to overcome them. Because God strengthens our inner being, we can remain composed and move forward with confidence. As we journey through 2026, God’s help will guide your decisions, guard your heart, and grant you victory in both visible and invisible battles.

  1. Crying for Help Is an Act of Faith, Not Fear

Crying out, “O Lord, help me,” is an expression of deep trust. It shows confidence that God hears, cares, and responds to our prayers. Faith is not pretending to be strong; it is fully depending on God’s power. According to the Nigerian Baptist Daily Devotional, prayer is not a last resort but a lifestyle that should shape our daily walk with God.

When asking for help becomes a consistent part of our prayer lives, we adopt a posture of dependence and respond with obedience. As we surrender our hearts, we receive divine focus, enabling us to prioritize what truly matters in the new year: God’s will, His timing, and His glory.

Conclusion

Let our recurring prayer, “O Lord, help me,” remain simple yet powerful as we journey through 2026. This heartfelt cry invites God to intervene in every area of our lives. It keeps us hopeful amid life’s uncertainties, humble before God, and aligned with His will. God’s help prevails when human strength fails, and His mercy continually sustains us. Above all, the Lord Jesus Christ is the source of our greatest help. When we embrace Him as Lord and Savior and commit our lives to Him, we submit to His unfailing grace, guidance, and support, confident that He will never abandon those who trust in Him.

Reflections

Where do I need God’s help most as I enter 2026?

Have I been relying more on my strength than on God’s grace?

How can prayer become my first response rather than my last option?

Prayer

O Lord our God, we thank You for bringing us into the year 2026 by Your grace. We confess that without You, we can do nothing. As we begin this new journey, we surrender every area of our lives to You. Help us where we are weak, guide us where we are confused, and strengthen us where we are weary. Be pleased, O Lord, to help us and make haste to deliver us. May Your mercy surround us, and may Your purpose be fulfilled in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

References

The Holy Bible (KJV, NIV) – Psalms 40:13; 109:26

Rick Warren, Daily Hope Devotionals

Nigerian Baptist Convention, Daily Devotional

Warren, Rick. The Purpose Driven Life. Zondervan

 

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Jesus: The Revealing Glory of Heaven – December 2025 Article

Texts: Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 7:14

Introduction

Beloved, as we begin the sacred season of Advent and approach the celebration of Christmas, we are reminded that the birth of Jesus is far more than a historical event. It is a divine moment when the glory of heaven shines into the darkness of the earth. The eternal Word took on human form, not merely to visit humanity, but to reveal the very nature of God, His character, and His redemptive mission. Christmas, therefore, is the celebration of heaven’s glory revealed in human form.

Through the prophet Isaiah, God declared, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2). That Light is Jesus Christ, the One who dispels darkness and illuminates the path of life. He is the promised Emmanuel, meaning “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14). In Him, hope was born, and God’s presence became a living reality among humanity.

As we reflect on His coming, our hearts are filled with deep gratitude for God’s faithfulness and protection. He has been with us throughout the year, guiding us through challenges and renewing His mercies daily. As the year draws to a close, we can be confident that the same God who has sustained us so far will continue to uphold us in the days ahead.

The glory of heaven was revealed in Jesus. God’s love was made visible, God’s mercy was expressed, and God’s power became accessible to all who believe. There are three clear manifestations of heavenly glory revealed in Jesus Christ.

  1. Jesus Reveals the Light of Heaven

Isaiah 9:2 says, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.”

Jesus came as the radiant Light of Heaven into a world filled with sin, confusion, fear, and despair. His birth was not simply the arrival of a child; it marked the end of spiritual darkness and the beginning of divine illumination. In Christ, the light of heaven entered human history and shone where darkness once ruled.

He brings illumination that transforms every area of life. In times of confusion, He brings clarity and direction, guiding us onto the path of peace and life. In moments of despair, He brings hope, reminding us that darkness cannot endure where God is present. In a world filled with deception, He stands as the Truth, exposing falsehood and revealing the reality of God’s love and righteousness.

As Rick Warren often emphasizes in his devotionals, Jesus gives purpose, direction, and meaning to life, removing every form of darkness that threatens the soul. His enduring light still shines today, guiding families through uncertainty, healing broken hearts, restoring lost purpose, and strengthening the weary.

Christmas assures us that the Light of Heaven is neither distant nor unreachable. He is Emmanuel, God with us, dwelling in our lives, shining in our hearts, and illuminating every situation we face.

  1. Jesus Reveals the Love of Heaven

Isaiah 7:14 declares, “A virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

The birth of Jesus fulfills this prophetic promise and clearly reveals God’s deep love for humanity. Christmas is more than the celebration of a miraculous birth; it is the clearest expression of God’s personal concern for the world. Heaven’s glory is not only seen in brilliance or majesty, but in selfless and sacrificial love. That love entered human history through Jesus Christ.

Immanuel, meaning “God with us,” reveals the God who is not distant or indifferent, but present and involved in our lives. He is with us in our struggles, our victories, and our everyday experiences. Through Jesus, heaven reveals the God who draws near to His people.

Jesus came to share in our pain, understand our weaknesses, and walk with us in our suffering. He experienced human life so that no one would ever suffer alone. This is the compassion of heaven revealed on earth.

He also came to bring saving grace. Jesus did not come to condemn a broken world, but to redeem it, heal it, and restore it through love and sacrifice. His life, teachings, and ultimately His death on the cross demonstrate the depth of God’s love for humanity.

The Nigerian Baptist Convention devotionals rightly emphasize that Christmas celebrates divine love, a love that moved God to bridge the gap between heaven and earth. This love continues to comfort the lonely, forgive the guilty, strengthen the weary, and restore broken lives. Through Christ, God’s presence remains among us, and His love remains our greatest hope.

  1. Jesus Reveals the Salvation of Heaven

There is no doubt about the purpose of Christ’s birth: to save humanity from sin and restore the broken relationship between God and mankind. Heaven’s glory is revealed not only in the miracle of His birth, but in the mission for which He was born. Jesus came to save the lost, heal the brokenhearted, bring peace to troubled souls, and offer eternal life to all who believe in Him.

Christian writers and theologians throughout history, from the early church fathers to contemporary voices, affirm that Jesus is heaven’s greatest gift to humanity. He is the Savior who repairs what sin has destroyed. The manger and the cross are inseparably connected. Until we see the shadow of Calvary behind the cradle, we have not fully understood Christmas. Christ was born so that He might die, and through His death and resurrection, salvation was made available to all.

The salvation Jesus offers is complete, freely given by grace, eternal in nature, and available to everyone today.

Conclusion

Jesus is the visible glory of heaven: God’s Light shining in the darkness, God’s Love made flesh, and God’s Salvation freely offered to all. As we celebrate Christmas, let us move beyond admiration of the story to a deeper embrace of its meaning. The clearest response to this great gift is to surrender our lives to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

The King came in humility, yet He reigns with divine authority. Even today, when people encounter Him, hearts are transformed and lives are changed. The God who has sustained us from January until now remains faithful and unchanging. He will guide us through the days ahead with mercy, grace, and unfailing care.

May the glory of Christ fill our hearts, guide our actions, and remind us that heaven’s greatest gift is still alive and active among us. May Christ fill your home, your heart, and the closing days of this year with hope.

Reflections

Where do I need the light of Jesus to shine in my life this season?

How has God shown His love to me throughout this year?

Have I fully embraced Jesus as the Savior and center of my life?

In what ways can I reflect His glory to others during this Christmas season?

Prayer

Dear Father in heaven, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. You have brought salvation to our world, light into our darkness, and love into our pain. We are grateful. As we celebrate Advent, fill our hearts with renewed joy, peace, and gratitude. Continue to watch over us through the remainder of this year. May the glory of Christ shine in us and transform us. We pray in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

References

  1. The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV).
  2. Rick Warren, Daily Hope Devotionals, Saddleback Church.
  3. Nigerian Baptist Convention, Daily Devotional Guide.
  4. Stott, John, Basic Christianity, InterVarsity Press.
  5. Tozer, A. W., The Knowledge of the Holy, HarperCollins.
  6. Lewis, C. S., Mere Christianity, HarperOne.
  7. Wright, N. T., Simply Christian, HarperOne.
  8. Keller, Timothy, Hidden Christmas.

John Aderogba for ROPMI

 

 

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Thanksgiving: A Sweet-Smelling Sacrifice – November 2025 Article

Texts: Psalm 103:1–5; Psalm 107:22

Introduction

As the year comes to a close, Christians are called to a sacred time of reflection and thanksgiving. God has remained faithful, even though every day, month, and season has carried its own challenges and blessings. Psalm 103:2 reminds us: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all the good things He has done for you.”

We are encouraged to reflect on how God has blessed, provided for, protected, and sustained us physically, mentally, and spiritually. God has cared for our families, strengthened our work, preserved our health, and nourished our faith.

Therefore, thanksgiving is more than a polite expression of appreciation; it is a holy act of worship; a “sweet-smelling sacrifice” presented before God. It is an intentional offering of faith, devotion, and remembrance.

This article encourages Christians to pause and reflect on God’s goodness throughout the year and to trust His continued faithfulness in the days ahead. Our thanksgiving should be heartfelt, selfless, and unending, because the God who kept us yesterday is the same God who can keep us today and tomorrow.

  1. Thanksgiving as an Expression of Remembrance

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:2, NKJV).

To give thanks is to remember deliberately. Biblical thanksgiving begins when believers intentionally reflect on God’s goodness; His forgiveness, healing, redemption, compassion, and unfailing love (Psalm 103:1–5).

Warren (2019) notes that gratitude is among the most powerful feelings a person can cultivate. The more gratitude one expresses, the more one becomes aware of further reasons to be thankful.

Remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthens our faith and shapes our hope for the future. Forgetfulness, however, produces a spirit of complaint rather than an attitude of worship. Forgetting leads to ingratitude; remembering leads to praise.

When we intentionally reflect on God’s blessings, our hearts are filled with thanksgiving, offering a spiritual fragrance pleasing to the Lord. Every moment of remembrance becomes a testimony; a sign that God is active in our lives. Thanksgiving becomes a prayer that honors God for His constant goodness.

  1. Thanksgiving as a Sacrifice of Faith

“And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing” (Psalm 107:22, NKJV).

True thanksgiving is not reserved only for seasons of comfort or visible achievement. Some of the deepest expressions of gratitude arise in moments of confusion, hardship, or loss. Thanksgiving is sometimes a “sacrifice” because it requires us to surrender our comfort, expectations, pride, or tears.

According to the Nigerian Baptist Convention’s Daily Devotional Guide (2023), gratitude in difficult times “demonstrates faith in God’s sovereignty and unchanging nature.” A grateful heart in adversity reflects deep trust in God’s goodness and power.

Such sacrificial thanksgiving declares: “God is still worthy, even now, even here.” It rises before Him like incense from an altar of unwavering trust.

The prophet Habakkuk modeled this posture when he declared, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord” (Habakkuk 3:17–19, NKJV), even in the face of famine and uncertainty. Thanksgiving in such moments is not denial but proclamation, an affirmation that God remains faithful regardless of circumstances.

Many believers give thanks not only for what God has done but also for what He is yet to do; a sign of complete trust in His nature and promises.

  1. Thanksgiving Invites God’s Presence and Blessing

A heart of gratitude creates an atmosphere where God’s presence is welcome. Psalm 22:3 declares that God is “enthroned in the praises of Israel,” meaning He dwells in the worship of His people.

Warren (2002) notes, “God smiles when we praise and thank Him continually.” Thanksgiving not only pleases God; it draws Him near.

When gratitude becomes a lifestyle rather than a seasonal activity, it transforms our perspective. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what God has generously provided. This shift strengthens hope, joy, and emotional resilience.

A thankful heart opens the door to more of God’s blessings. A life marked by continual thanksgiving becomes a spiritual altar from which praise continually rises. In such a life, God’s peace, guidance, and favor become more evident, creating a cycle of blessings that sustains believers throughout the year.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving is more than spoken words; it is a fragrant offering from a heart filled with gratitude. As we reflect on the past months, we recognize that we have reached this point solely through God’s mercy and faithfulness. His provision, protection, and unfailing love are worthy of continual praise.

The God who guided us through challenges will also lead us into the future. Let today’s thanksgiving become an altar, an altar of remembrance for God’s past deeds, an altar of faith for what He will yet accomplish, and an altar of praise for His unchanging goodness.

May God bless us richly throughout the remainder of the year and beyond as we express genuine thanksgiving.

Reflections

  1. Have I intentionally focused on God’s blessings in my life this year?
  2. Do I express gratitude even in uncertain or difficult circumstances?
  3. How can I make thanksgiving a daily practice rather than a seasonal one?

Take a moment to list three specific things God has done for you this year, and offer Him heartfelt thanks.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness, mercy, and protection throughout this year. Forgive me for the times I complained instead of giving thanks. Today, I offer my thanksgiving as a sweet-smelling sacrifice. Let my heart overflow with gratitude for what You have done, what You are doing, and what You will yet do. As this year draws to an end, keep me and my loved ones in Your perfect peace. Guide our steps, strengthen our faith, and let our lives continually bring glory to Your holy name.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

References

  1. Holy Bible, New King James Version. (1982). Thomas Nelson.
  2. Nigerian Baptist Convention. (2023). Daily Devotional Guide. Baptist Press.
  3. Warren, R. (2002). The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Zondervan.
  4. Warren, R. (2019). Daily Hope Devotional.
  5. Psalm 103:1–5; Psalm 107:22; Psalm 22:3; Habakkuk 3:17–19.

 

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