NO LOOKING BACK

"No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God"  Luke 9: 62

Imagine a young man who started a high school education. He had some academic hold-ups along the line, and he decided to withdraw. Friends, relations and teachers will  laugh at him, and will not take him very seriously. Or think of a farmer who cleared a field to plant cocoa, coffee or wheat. Then, after clearing a few centimeters, he abandons the field. Such one is not ready to face the rigors of farming.

            Jesus in the proverb above talks about undertaking any business or starting a project. He does not want  anyone who has taken a decision to follow him  to begin to regret or look back. He has never failed to complete any project during his earthly ministry, and he does not expect that any should abandon the work of the kingdom because of the pleasures, wealth and honors of the world. Religion is everything or nothing. He that is not willing to sacrifice everything for the cause of God, he has nothing to offer.

 

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THE WHOLE MATTER

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12: 13)
King Solomon presided over Jerusalem after David his father's passing away. He was young when he took over the throne. Solomon knew it would be difficult, if not impossible, for anybody of his age to rule the great people of God without divine wisdom and backing. He therefore asked for wisdom and understanding to govern Israel. God was very kind to him by granting his request. God gave him wisdom such that he excelled in all areas of human endeavours.
            As a boy or a girl, you must know that you cannot have any breakthrough without salvation from sin. You need to repent of your sins, forsake them and accept Christ as your Saviour. After you have down that, you will now allow God to lead you in the battles of life, because there are so many of them you will encounter. You also need to pray like Solomon, and ask God to you give wisdom and knowledge to pursue your schooling to a successful end. As God granted Solomon all his requests, He will answer all your prayers in Jesus' name.
Challenge:       Remember now thy Creator.
Prayer:             Father, endow me with wisdom..
Further reading: 1Kings 4: 29-31
Quote:      Ask God to you give wisdom

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HEART OF THE WISE

“The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.”   (Proverbs 16:23)
Your heart can be viewed as the factory where characters and conducts are produced. It is the faculty of thinking, the seat of emotions, and the core centre of spiritual activities. The process of habit formation has its root in your heart. Your behaviours are good indicators of the state of your heart. Jesus confirmed that your heart is central to your communication activities. Your disposition and demeanour in your daily interactions within the society reveals much about your heart condition.
            A true child of God should keep his heart pure. Clean heart will produce clean character, and also keep your body healthy. The heart that is allowed to breed evils will lead you to bad behaviours. Do not allow impurity, filthiness and evil thinking in your heart. You are  to keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). If you will surrender your heart for purging and purification by the power of God, your life as a boy or a girl will become a model for other Christian students.
Challenge:              Your heart is the faculty of thinking
Prayer:                    Dear Lord, help me to keep my heart pure.
Further reading:     Matthew 12: 33, 34
Quote:           A child of God keeps his heart pure

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FORGIVE THEM THEIR SIN

"And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep."    (Acts 7:60)
On  Monday August 6, 2012 some terrorists attacked a branch of renowned Pentecostal church in a hilly town in Central Nigeria, and by the time they were through with their ungodly enterprise, 19 worshippers have been dispatched to the world beyond. The Church, as expected, officially condemned the premeditated shedding of innocents' blood. Thereafter, members of the Church across the globe embarked on prayers for God's intervention in this unfortunate carnage. They prayed earnestly for God to forgive the assailants and  convert them into instruments of righteousness. Imagine that extraordinary acts of forgiveness.
Christians, as followers of Christ, are expected to forgive their persecutors just like Christ preached and practised. In the Acts of the Apostles, Stephen at the point of death in the hands of his persecutors, prayed to God to forgive them.  Only a true saint can forgive his enemies. Can you pardon people who persecuting you? As a student, ask God to give you the loveliness to forgive those who may have offended you, including your parents, brothers and sisters, classmates,  teachers and neighbours. When you do, God will also forgive you when you ask him?
Challenge:                 Forgive that you may also be forgiven.
Prayer:                       O God, give me the grace to forgive.
Further reading:       Matthew 5:38-48
Quote:              Christians are commanded to forgive.

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HEALING FOR YOU

"And ye shall serve the LORD your God... and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee."    Exodus 23: 25
God is our Healer. He has power to remove all infirmities, plagues and sicknesses such as those which the Israelites had witnessed in Egypt. Sicknesses are sometimes regarded in the Scripture as chastisements for sin. It was never in the plan of God to plague man with any of the terrible calamities that befell the Egyptians because of their refusal to let the people of God go and serve Him. God does not want you to be sick. It becomes clear in this scripture that God wants you to have all things that are necessary for this present life.
God desires to heal you if you are sick. It is always His will to make you whole any time you are indisposed. If you come to Him in faith through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, your healing is guaranteed. Even, as a young person, God wants you to be healthy, spiritually and physically. The blood of Jesus can heal from every sickness or disease if only you will believe.
Challenge:       Healing is the children's bread.
Prayer:             Heal me today from every sickness, dear Lord.
Further reading: 3 John 2; Mark 9:17-29
Quote:             God is our Healer.

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No Failure With God TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 1:12-24

Key verse: “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

A 17-year old girl lay dying in New York, in the United States. Sustained by an oxygen tank with one lung completely dead and the other half-gone, this young Christian was told by her physician that tuberculosis had set in. The doctor, who is also a Christian told her the reason she must return home, “so that you can spend your remaining days with your family”. The girl and her mother were helpless and left hospital for home.
    In bed at home, the girl read the Bible, turning to 1 Peter 2:24: “Who His own Self bare our sins in His own Body on the tree that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness.” Stopping at this point, she started to praise God for saving her and for assuring her of eternity in heaven. When she went back to reading the Bible she concluded the verse:” By Whose stripes ye were healed”.
    At this point she declared: “Lord I just finished praising You for that first part, now I am giving You praise for the second part. You have already healed me. Jesus, I am sorry I won’t be seeing you right now. I plan on staying around here awhile”. She stayed. She got married and had four children. God had taken away her tuberculosis and given her new lungs.
    The Lord was faithful to His promise that when we call upon Him in faith for help over the challenges that come our way He will answer us. The girl believed the promise of healing in 1 Peter 2:24, claimed it and God honored her faith. “For all the promises in Him (Jesus Christ) are yea and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Every theme of Scripture breathes with promises that the Almighty is ever on our side as we face more perilous times now. They are available for the sinner who asks for repentance and for the believer who asks for more grace to continue to the end.

Thought for the day: God never fails.

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Oppressive Power! TEXT: PSALM 52:1-9

Key verse: “Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever” (Psalm 52:3,8).

Ancient Macedonian leader Alexander the Great had overrun much of the known world by the time he was 32 years old. From his base in the Greek city-state, this young adventurer pushed inward into Europe and Persia and captured territory after territory to list among the subjects of the vast Greek Empire. He was in Africa, easily conquered Egypt, and crossing the Euphrates and rampaging Babylon. Alexander planned to move into the premises of India and later added Carthage, Italy and Spain to his spoils.
    Alas, his successes turned his head. He commanded his subjects to pay him divine honors. Furiously drunk, he killed a man who had saved his life. He commanded that all those who entered his presence should bend the knee to him and kiss his feet. Alexander died of fever on 323 BC.
    His story is a sad recurring narrative of boastful man who does not recognize God as the Sovereign Lord behind any power. 739 years before Alexander, another man King Saul of Israel with Doeg his Edomite aide had constituted himself into a force that did not reckon with the infinitely greater power of God. Saul sought to kill David who was on the run. Doeg reported an encounter with David and the priests at Nob to Saul who promptly killed those servants of God.
    In today’s reading, the Psalmist, David says we who believe in God as the Supreme Lord of the universe should not be afraid of  power-drunk men. We should remember what our Lord Jesus says in Matthew 28:18 that “all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth”. And in Isaiah 52:12,  God asks: “who art thou that shouldest be afraid of man that shall die and of the son of man which shall be made as grass”. Who, then, is that strong man, bothering your life? Report him to God who promised to punish oppressor.

Thought for the day: Remember Pharaoh in the Red Sea!

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He Rewards the Faithful

TEXT: 2 TIMOTHY 1: 8-18
Key verse: “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me” (2 Timothy 1:16,17).

Writing from Rome as he approached execution at the hands of Nero, Apostle Paul is inspired by the Holy Spirit to dwell on the indispensability of steadfast endurance during the believer’s race to heaven. The epistle is addressed to young Timothy, the beloved apostle’s trusted co-laborer in the Lord’s vineyard. He expects Timothy to impart the teachings in this second epistle to the brethren in the Church at Ephesus, where Timothy has been ordained a Bishop.
    The topic of a consistent righteous living comes in handy for Paul who himself has had abundant grace from the Lord to endure the afflictions that have been his lot since he was saved. The prospect of death around the corner does not send him into a state of panic. He cheerfully declares: “For I am now ready to be offered (executed) and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
    Paul encourages Timothy and the Ephesian believers as well as all believers in Jesus Christ to follow  his footsteps by refusing to be lured by the gilded attractions of the world, which made some old companions (including Demas) to turn away from the faith.
    Onesiphorus did not turn away from Christ. He was not scared or discouraged by Paul’s predicament. He earnestly looked for the apostle in Rome and refreshed him, with a grateful Paul offering this prayer: “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day” (2 Timothy 1:16,18). May God reward your faithfulness as He did for Onesiphorus.

Thought for the day: The Lord rewards acts of mercy to the saints and the needy.

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GOD IS TO BE WORSHIP AND PRAISE

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessalonians 5: 18



The greatest fellowship we can have with God is to worship him. Believers are not to worry about anything, but to give thanks about everything. God does not want His children to be anxious or worried about the past, present or future events, but to give thanks. The Lord deserves our appreciations, especially gratitude coming from his children who are saved and sanctified. He is worthy to be praised. He is the only one we should adore all the time. Learn to say, “Thank You” to God every day of your life.

 

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Jesus Is Our Hope

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Romans 15:13  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

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CONTENTMENT IN EVERYTHING

"I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content"      (Philippians 4:11)

Apostle Paul before his conversion had everything at his beck and call. He had fame, influence and power. As a well trained lawyer, he had great prospects in the Jewish establishment. After his conversion, he took to tent-making alongside his evangelistic ministry so as to provide himself with basic necessities of life. He spoke in the passage above about his life of self-denial and contentment.

            As a young person, you can face a lot of challenging situations. All you need to do is to have a relationship with Christ. And you can do this by repenting of your sins and surrendering your life to Christ, if you have not done so. Remember also that God has promises for his children in all situations of life. Believe in God’s promises that proffer solutions to your present predicaments. The Lord is willing to save and deliver you from every unpleasant condition. You must therefore rise and claim God’s promises for your life.

Challenge:       Learn to be satisfied with what God has given you.

Prayer:             God, give me the spirit of contentment.

Further reading: 1 Timothy 6:3-12

Quote:      God has promises for His children.

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WORRY NOT

"Behold the fowls of the air for they sow not, neither do they reap... yet your heavenly father feedeth them.        "              (Matthew 6:26)

The birds are far lower creatures than man. They are not made in God's image. They do not possess eternal souls. Their existence does not go beyond this earth. Their lifespan is far shorter. They are not endowed with such sophisticated brain as man has. Yet, they are sustained by God. And not one of them is forgotten before God. No wonder, they do not bother themselves. What a challenge for boys and girls! You are created in God's image. If you have repented of sins and have Christ as your Saviour,  you can lay claim to heavenly inheritance.

            All that pertain to godliness has been freely made available to God’s children, one of whom is worth more than all of earth’s wealth put together. But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. If God cares for the birds, will he not help His children to pass their examination, pay school fees, or secure admission? Yes, of course. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Challenge:  Why not put your trust in God.

Prayer:        God, take away all anxieties from me.

Further reading: Philippians 4:19

Quote:   You are created in God's image.

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OPEN OPPORTUNITIES

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith"   (Galatians 6: 10)

Sam graduated with honours in History. When he could not find a job, he took to washing private vehicles in the premises of an international establishment, to enable him feed himself. One day, he was washing a car for a top female executives in the organisation. In a brief exchange with Sam, she discovered that Sam was a History graduate. Right away, she requested for Sam's curriculum vitae, and thereafter, offered him a good employment. Sam broke the jinx of joblessness.

            Opportunities abound for youngsters who are observant enough to see them; even create them, like Sam did. Opportunities are ingredients for success. When your Mathematics teacher suddenly leaves your school. Will you drop the subject? No. You can organise a small group where you can exchange knowledge until a new Math teacher is found. Even, when you experience a setback in an exam, it is an indication that you need to fine-tune your way of doing things, and then put in more efforts. In this instance, hard work and prayer will see you through in Jesus' name.

Challenge:       Opportunities are stepping stones to success

Prayer:             Help me to make use of every opportunity.

Further reading: Romans 12: 9-21

Quote:       Opportunities creates room for success.

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Godly Sorrow

Key verse: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

One day, students of the University of Virginia, United States of America, staged a riot that resulted in the attack of some professors, who tried to mediate on the issue. The following day, the university’s board called an emergency meeting to resolve the crisis. Thomas Jefferson, who was a member of the board, offered to address the defiant students. 

“This is one of the most painful events of my life,” Jefferson began. Suddenly, he could not contend his emotion and so, he burst into tears. Another board member, who took over, asked the rioters to repudiate their action. One after the other, they all did. Later, one of them said, “It was not Mr. Jefferson’s words, but his tears.” The preacher, who narrated this story, then concluded: “Just like the students were moved by Jefferson’s brokenness, so is God by ours. When we are truly broken and sorry for our sins, this leads to repentance.”

David, from our text, had such a contrite heart. When Nathan, the Prophet confronted him after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband, David admitted his guilt. He pleaded for mercy and asked for his sins to be blotted out. He acknowledged his sin, but noted he would not be able to deal with it without God. He did not blame the society or his fallen nature. Rather, he assumed full responsibility.

Some people, today, cover their sins. Once their pastor or spouses did not discover, they feel justified. Are you like that, covering your sin? You may succeed before men, but not before God. Remember that, “he that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). 

Thought for today: True repentance from sin begets total renewal.

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Morning Message For You

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
Psalm 27:4
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. (NIV)
Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (NIV)
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (NIV)
Proverbs 18:10
The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. (NLT)
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (KJV)
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (NIV)
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NLT)
Romans 8:31
If God is for us, who can ever be against us? (NLT)
Romans 8:38-39
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NLT)
1 Corinthians 13:12
Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. (NLT)
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (NIV)
Philippians 3:7-9
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith ... (NKJV)
Ephesians 3:17-19
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (NLT)
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. (NLT)
Hebrews 10:19-23
And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. (NLT)
James 1:2-4
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (NASB)

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Morning Wise Word

God has a purpose for each of us, a role to play in His cosmic drama of redemption for a lost world. Your role will be different from mine and, indeed, from that of anyone else. We are each unique. God has ordained a part for you that you alone can play. The tragedy is that so many people never discover their part until after the curtain call. God calls us to turn to Him for guidance. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3:5-6). Another way to render that last phrase is “He will direct your paths.”………..If we trust God and obey His will, He will bring us “onstage” at just the right time to play the “role of a lifetime” – a role He has been preparing us for all along.

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Best Morning Wishes...........Is For You

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.    Psalm 143:8

Father, I thank You for waking me up this morning. I am grateful for taking care of me through the night. Blessed be Your holy name. As I wake up this morning Lord, I pray You cause and make me to hear Your loving-kindness this morning. I live in a world of sin, a world filled with noises of hatred, violence and evil. But in the midst of this terrible situation Lord, cause me, make me, help me to hear what You alone are saying.

            I can hear some noises around me already. More will still come. None of these will bless me like Your love. Your voice calms my fears and takes away my pain. That’s why I want to hear You talk and speak to me. I trust in You Lord, so speak to me today in Jesus name.

            And please Lord, cause me to know the way I should walk today. Direct my life, my ways and my walk. I am prone to making mistakes so please cause me to walk in a way that will please You. Like David the Psalmist, I am surrounded by many angry people like Saul who do not want my progress and success. Please guide me and direct my actions today so that I will do only the things that pleases You alone. I am sure that if You guide and direct me today, no enemy will take advantage of me. And best of all, I would have spent this day doing things that honour You and make You happy. Dear Father, cause me to hear Thy loving-kindness in the morning and please cause me to know the way I should walk in Jesus name.

Wise Word: Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Prayer: Make me to wait on You and look up to You for instructions in all that I do today in Jesus name.

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Prayer For The Month Of December...............Claim it

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up                                                                                            Psalm 5: 3

David was a man after God’s own heart. God gladly spoke concerning him that, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will (Acts 13: 22). It is God’s will for you to wake up early in the morning to have communion with Him in prayer. In our text today, David expresses his commitment to pray at cock-crow. He decided to make God hear his voice early in the morning by directing his prayers to Him. David prefers to look unto God rather than looking unto man for help. This is highly profitable for every adolescent. The Psalmist declares, I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth (Psalm 121: 1, 2).

Prayer is an integral part of the Christian life. Each day must begin with prayer and end with it. The first things true believers do very early in the morning is to pray, read the Bible and spend enough time to pray during the period of quite time. Your quiet time is better observed in the dawn of the day before the mind is engaged in the day’s business activities. The Bible says, And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed (Mark 1: 35). You need a quiet and an undisturbed moment to really pray and study the Bible every morning if you will grow as a Christian. Believers who are careless with their quiet time at the break of day often find it difficult to overcome the temptations of the devil during the day.

Question: Does God know your voice?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be consistent in observing my quiet time for growth and strength.

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