THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF PRIDE!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY MARCH 15, 2020.

SUBJECT : THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF PRIDE!

Memory verse: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." 

(Proverbs 16 vs 18.)

READ: Psalm 101 vs 5;  Proverbs 11 vs 2; 13 vs 10; 16 vs 5; 29 vs 23: 

Psalm 101:5: Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy, the one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, him I will not endure.

Proverbs 11:2: When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.

13:10: By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.

16:5: Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; though they join forces, none will go unpunished.

29:23: A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.

INTIMATION:

Pride is inordinate self-esteem or conceit; disdainful treatment of others. Pride, in the Scripture, also denotes being boastful, haughty, vainglory, presumptuous, and puffed up. Many people are lofty in their thoughts. Even many Christians always believe that to surrender to Jesus Christ is all that is required, and all other things will by itself fall into places. A humble and contrite spirit, which are the major requirements for believers, are grossly lacking in them. That is the consequence of pride.

Pride is the inner voice that whispers, "My way is best." It is resisting God's leadership, negating His concepts, and believing that you are able to live without His help. Whenever you find yourself doing this, or wanting to do it your way and looking down on other people, you are being pulled by pride. Only when you eliminate pride can God help you become all He meant you to be. Proud people take little account of their weaknesses and do not anticipate stumbling blocks. They think they are above the frailties of common people, but they are always caught in that web. In this state of mind they are easily tripped up. Ironically, proud people seldom realize that pride is their problem. 

Pride leads to disgrace, punishment, destruction; it produces quarrels, ends up in downfall, and brings one low. The proud attitude heads the list of seven things God hates: "These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren." (Proverbs 6 vs 16 - 19.)

Pride and lies go hand in hand. The proud will always seek to defend their actions, requiring to put up a defense. Such defense are fraughted with lies in other to drive home their points. We may be tempted to believe that some lies are relatively harmless, even useful at times, but God does not overlook lies, flattery, deception, or boasting. Each of these sins originate from a bad attitude that is eventually expressed in our speech. 

When people are driven by pride into wrong doing, they try their best to rationalize their actions, using such words as; "He spoke to me harshly and I gave it back to him," "I was provoked to anger, and I reacted the way I did." It is often their desire to return evil for evil, tear people down verbally or get back at them, if they feel hurt. But this is ungodly, God encourages us to pay back wrongs by praying for the offenders, to seek peace and pursue it. If we love life and desire to see good days, we should eschew evil and do good.

For the proud, "I am wrong" or "I am sorry" are difficult phrases to utter because they require humility. Pride is an ingredient in every quarrel. It stirs up conflict and divides people. Examine your life truthfully, and you will acknowledge that pride has been leading to quarrels. Guard against pride. If you find yourself constantly arguing, always trying to rationalize your actions and behaviors, examine your life for pride, Be willing to admit your mistakes, and be open to godly advice of others, and ask for help when you need it.

Avoid pride when God prospers you, and makes you powerful. If God has given you wealth, influence, popularity, and power, be thankful, but be careful. God hates pride. While it is normal to feel elation when we accomplish something, it is wrong to be disdainful of God or to look down on others. Give God credit of what you have, and use your gifts in ways that pleases Him. Remember, no matter what your position in society, God expects you to honor, worship, and obey Him. It is true that "pride goes before destruction."  

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with a humble spirit, that I may constantly examine my ways, thoughts, and actions to eliminate any form of pride. Give me the grace to admit my faults, my wrongs, and to boldly say "I am sorry," in Jesus' Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE CONFESSION OF SIN OF A CHRISTIAN!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY MARCH 14, 2020.

SUBJECT: CONFESSION OF SIN OF A CHRISTIAN!

Memory verse: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (First John 1 vs 9.)

READ: First John 1 vs 5 - 10:

1:5: This is the message which we have heard from Him and declared to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 

1:6: If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 

1:7: But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1:8: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1:9: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1:10: If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

INTIMATION:

When we were without Christ, we were dead in sin and condemned before God. But when we believed in, accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins on the cross of Calvary, and confessed Him as our Lord and Savior we became Christians. We thereby establish relationship and fellowship the Lord. Yet, even after we become Christians, we still sometimes sin and still need to confess. Though we have a relationship with the Lord as His adopted children, but our sins deny us of the privilege of continued fellowship with Him. 

Consequently, Christians must continually and humbly keep on acknowledging their sin (Psalm 32 vs 5). This is the nature of walking in the light. In other words, one who is walking in the light is continually confessing his or her sin. Reference here is to a demeanor of life. It is natural for the one who walks in the light to recognize and confess his or her sin to God. This is the condition upon which one receives the continual cleansing of sin by the blood of Jesus. Sin refers to transgression of God’s law, and thus confession of sin is to God, not to man. Confession of sin is the nature of those who walk in the light. It is the evidence that they are in the light. 

God’s attributes of being faithful and just is inherent in His promise of forgiveness because He is righteous and just. God is proclaimed righteous because He has offered the sacrificial atonement for sin through the blood of Jesus (Roman 3 vs 25). He is faithful because He did not create man a free-moral being without a plan of atonement for man’s problem of sin (Ephesians 2 vs 8 - 12). He is thus just because He has offered atonement for all humans through the cross, for no one could atone for his or her sins by either law-keeping or good works. God both forgives and cleanses. Forgiveness refers to forgetting (Hebrews 10 vs 17). Cleansing refers to sanctifying one’s soul in order that he or she be able to approach God. 

Therefore, the confession of sin by a Christian is not offered to gain God’s acceptance, but to remove the barrier to fellowship that our sin has put between the Christian and Him. Broken fellowship does not break the relationship, but it mars it and robs of its richest blessings and benefits—fellowship with the Lord. We need not fear revealing our sins to God, He knows them already. He will not push us away, no matter what we have done. Instead, He will draw us to Himself. He has given an ‘Helper’ in the person of Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit has given us the way to restore broken fellowship in the epistle of John. This short epistle was written to tell us how to maintain our fellowship and how to restore it when it is broken.

God is light, and as long as you are in fellowship with Him, you are in light. But the instant your fellowship is broken, you go into the dark. As long as we walk in the light; as long as we are in fellowship with Him, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses all the blunders and mistakes that we make. But if we sin, we are out of fellowship with Him and we are walking in darkness, deceiving ourselves. The moment we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and cleans us from all unrighteousness. The broken fellowship is restored.

Prayer: Abba Father, my utmost heart desire is to continually be in full fellowship with You. Though the human factors my cause the fellowship to be impaired from time to time, I pray that You endue me with the spirit of constant and immediate confession of any sin I may commit so as to ever restore my fellowship with You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

BREAKFAST BY THE SEASIDE
Life's Punchlines... (Volume 3).
❤🇳🇬🇳🇬 Year 2020🇳🇬🇳🇬❤.

Preacher: Priest Godsknight O.J

Topic: Offering Time.

Text: 2 Tim 4v6" For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand."

There are four essential rites that every human should perform on Earth, namely: Child Christening, Birthday celebration, Wedding ceremony & Funeral rites.

Each of these will come, as part of life. However, people always desire that those who passed into eternity should be sent back. When it's their offering time, let's respect it (Gen 5v24 ).

Offering in this Sense, connotes laying everything into His hands because He designed our entrance into this world & exit, not like Jesus need lives as sacrifice to remain God 🤷🏾‍♂(Jn 3v16).

Apostle Paul said, "To live is Christ, to die is gain". Don Moen sang, "I Offer My Life". No one can decide to wake up today, it's Jesus that woke you up (Prov 27v1).

Death is inevitable, life is irreplaceable. All we can crave for His God's standard of death (1 Cor 15v50-58), to compliment the life He already offered at Calvary (Eph 2v5-6 ).

Years ago, I went to drop my Music Studio 🎼keys with an apprentice, so he could open. As we were talking, he staggered & made a loud noise like a cow & collapsed. An arrow had hit him.

His family tried to resuscitate him to no avail, he passed 🙆‍♂(Ps 23v4). Seeing the scenario, I jumped their fence in, laid hand on him & called on Jesus. He came back to life, & had much to share😂(Rev 12v11).

It wasn't his offering time yet, the devil 😈 only wanted to snatch it by force. Hence, to implicate me 💪🏿(Jn 10v10).

I pray for you, you'll live longer than your enemies thought, you shall live to the fullness of time in Jesus Name (Ps 91v16).

When armed forces👨🏾‍✈ pay last respect to fallen colleagues, you'll appreciate exit time (1Kings 2v10). May we grow old before Souls' offering time in Jesus Name (Eccl 9v4 ).

God bless you🤝.
Instagram: @PriestGodsknight.

GOD’S GRACE ELIMINATES WORRY!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY MARCH 13, 2020.

SUBJECT: GOD’S GRACE ELIMINATES WORRY!

Memory verse: "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8 vs 32.)

READ: Matthew 6 vs 31 - 33: 

6:31: Therefore do not worry saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 

6:32: For all these things the Gentiles seek. For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 

6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

INTIMATION:

Understanding the concept of God’s grace eliminates worry in the life of every believer. It helps us comprehend God’s love nature—His willingness to give us everything we need to live for Him. God created the world—you and I and everything therein—for His predetermined purposes. His love nature makes Him give grace (unmerited favor, blessing) to the humble; those who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Him, not on their own ability, schemes and devises, or even on their own great wisdom, knowledge and faith to achieve His purposes. 

It is by God’s grace that we live, and even become believers (Ephesians 2 vs 8). He owns the universe, and created it for His purposes. His plan and counsel stand forever (Isaiah 46 vs 10). He graciously gives us anything we have (John 3 vs 27), we can only receive what He pleases according to His purposes for us in this world. And He will not withhold anything that you need to live for Him—according to His predetermined purposes for you. All inconsistencies we experience in this life is due to our being outside the plan of God. He is in control of all things and very circumstances in this world. Such knowledge of Him eliminates worry, knowing that we can do nothing outside of Him to achieve His predetermined purposes for our lives.

It is noteworthy that all our needs are already known to God (Matthew 6 vs 32), hence His counsel to us not to worry. The same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life, and that He will graciously and delightfully give you all things you need to live for Him according to His predetermined purpose for you. And you can have all you need when you delight in Him. It’s only in trusting and delighting in the Lord that the desires of your heart is granted to you (Psalm 37 vs 4). The Scripture notes, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory, no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84 vs 11). 

To delight yourself in the Lord starts with humbling yourself under His mighty hands. When you humble yourself before God, you will never worry about anything, but rather ask the Lord for what you need and then wait humbly on Him to provide it as He sees fit, knowing that His timing is always perfect. It means to be still and know that He is God, and that He knows what is best for you in every situation of life. It means to stop trying to make things happen yourself and allow the Lord to show you what you need to do to co-operate with His plan and purpose for you. It means casting all your worries upon Him because He cares for you (First Peter 5 vs 7).

Carrying your worries, stresses, and daily struggles by yourself shows that you have not trusted God fully with your life, and this is being prideful. It takes humility, however, to recognize that God cares, to admit your need and lay them at the feet of our Messiah. Sometimes we think that struggles caused by our own sin and foolishness are not God's concern. But when we turn to God in repentance, He will bear the weight even of those struggles. Letting God have your anxieties calls for action, not passivity. We display lack of knowledge of God when we think of everything we did wrong and figure that it automatically disqualifies us for any of God's blessings. 

If God could bless only perfect people, then He could never bless anyone, because we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3 vs 23.) Consequently, none of us supposedly deserves any good thing from the Lord. But while we are yet sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5 vs 8), And since the fact that we are sinners did not keep us from receiving His glorious salvation, why then should it keep us from receiving His manifold blessings?; ‘If He didn't spare or withhold even His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all other things?’ (Romans 8 vs 32).

The person who really understands the grace of God will not worry. Why? Because worry is a work of the flesh. It is trying to figure out what to do relying on oneself, rather than trusting in God in all circumstances. The individual who is living in constant worry is not receiving the fullness of God's grace, because just as perfect love casts out fear (First John 4 vs 18), so God's grace expels all traces of worry and anxiety.

Walk in the grace of the Lord and you will not fulfill the work of the flesh.

Prayer: Abba Father, my desire is to walk in Your grace all the days of my life, that I may eliminate any form of worry in my life, and trust completely in You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD! 

BOLDLY DECLARE GOD’S WORD WITH FAITH!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY MARCH 12, 2020.

SUBJECT : BOLDLY DECLARE GOD’S WORD WITH FAITH!

Memory verse: 

"

And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, 'I believed and therefore I spoke,' we also believe and therefore speak."

 

(Second Corinthians 4 vs 13.)

READ: Acts 14 vs 1 - 3

:

14:1: Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.

14:2: But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.

14:3: Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

INTIMATION:

Bold declaration of the Word of God with faith is agreeing with Him, and only in so doing will God work with you. Prophet Amos asked the very important question, "Can two walk together, unless they have agreed?" (Amos 3 vs 3.) You agree with God by believing and boldly declaring in faith what He says in His Word. The Bible says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11 vs 6.) Faith must act in faithful obedience to the will of God expressed in His Word. 

This is obediently giving oneself over to faith in the Word of God.

If one truly believes then be or she will speak forth the word of God. The faith that one must have is not worth having if one is not willing to boldly declare, and even ready die for it. When you speak lack, sickness, fear, defeat, and inability, you are disagreeing with God because He says, ‘He is your shepherd, and you shall not want’ (Psalm 23 vs 1), ‘He supplies all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4 vs 19). ‘By His stripes you are healed’ (Isaiah 53 vs 5), and ‘He sent His Word and healed you, and delivered you from your destructions’ (Psalm 107 vs 20), "’For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind’ (Second Timothy 1 vs 7). 

As 'Believers' we should boldly be speaking the words of our Father in unquestionable faith, and the power in the Word will manifest in your lips as though is the Father speaking them. It is not you or in your power, but God who hastens to perform His Word (Jeremiah 1 vs 12). As a child of God, and a believer in Christ's work of redemption for you, God, "Has given you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist" (Luke 21 vs 15). 

How do we agree with God? We agree by saying what God says while disagreeing with the wicked, lying devil. Know it that when your word is not in agreement with God's Word, you weary Him with your word. (Malachi 2 vs 17). Our relationship with the Lord should be in humility, obedience, and trust. It should not be of weariness and harshness in words. 

In our memory verse, the apostle Paul reveals that the release of power of God is consequent upon our bold declaration of His Word in faith. Now that you know, begin to declare boldly the Words of your Father. 

It should be in the heart of all Christians to walk closely with God. The Bible records the testimony of Enoch that he walked with God (Genesis 5 vs 24). Enoch wasn't the only person who could walk with God, you and I also can walk with Him. Hebrews 11 vs 5 says that Enoch "pleased God" by agreeing in faith with God. We can walk just as closely with God as Enoch did if we choose to agree with Him in faith.

Prayer: Abba Father, You have magnified Your Word above all Your Name. Confirm my bold declaration of Your Word with signs following, in Jesus' Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

BREAKFAST BY THE SEASIDE
Life's Punchlines... (Volume 3).
❤🇳🇬🇳🇬 Year 2020🇳🇬🇳🇬❤.

Preacher: Priest Godsknight O.J

Topic: Gradual Healing 🚑.

Text: 2 Tim 4v20" Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletus sick."

"We Care, God Heals", Doctors submit. They acknowledged the divine power that heals, because they've seen miracles happen in hopeless situations.

Any form of divine healing is a miracle, except you don't have a grateful heart. God decides what form it should take; gradual or quick ( 1 Pet 2v24)

Being restored to health can't be trivialized, many never survived a slight fever or headache. Be grateful to God you're recovering (Ps 50v23).

Not every sick person that met Paul, recovered immediately. It doesn't suggest low anointing, healing has divine principles guiding it.

Paul wasn't ashamed that he left someone on the sick bed to embark on more missionary journey. He testified about it, because there'll be good reports afterwards.

The Great Physician already took over the matter, Paul had to excuse himself. Today, people complain that pastors didn't visit them regularly while on sick bed, divine visitation is utmost 🤷🏾‍♂.

Our job is to pray, God's job is to answer ( Jn 14v13-14). I prophesy, every ailment in your body that defies healing shall be consumed by Holy Spirit fire 🔥today in Jesus Name (Ps 107v20).

I was greatly ill at a time & it affected my brain🤦🏻‍♂. Jesus could've healed me instantly, He knew gradual healing was what I needed. Jesus won't neglect you (Heb 2v11), you're coming out stronger.

After being healed, I struggled to live a balanced life for a while, didn't remember how to make money💰. I spent 2years studying business people 🤔, & now I'm on track again.

No sickness is permitted to end your life or ruin your finances (Ps 105v14-15). The LORD that healed me will bring gradual healing with benefits 🌝to you in Jesus Name (Ps 104v15).

God bless you🤝.
Instagram: @PriestGodsknight.

WHEN GOD ANSWERS NO!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY MARCH 11, 2020.

SUBJECT : WHEN GOD ANSWERS NO!

Memory verse: "The word of the Lord came to David saying, 'You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight' (First Chronicles 22 vs 8).

READ: First Chronicles 22 vs 9  - 10:

22:9: Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.

22:10: He shall build a house for My name, and he shall be My son, and I will be his Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.

INTIMATION:

God’s doesn’t answer yes at all times to our requests, even when the requests are intended for good. When our request is outside His plan and purpose for your life, He will answer no to you. You may have sometimes prayed with good intentions, only to have God say no to your request. This is God’s way of redirecting you, and most times, to His a greater purpose in your life. Accepting God’s no requires as great faith as carrying out His yes. Our humility in accepting God’s no, and allowing Him to rearrange your schedule, demonstrates your level of obedience to, and faith in Him. Remembering that God, who made all things according His predetermined purposes, knows the end from the beginning.

King David, in the passage we read today, was a man described by God Himself as "a man after My own heart" (Acts 13 vs 22). He was worried that while he was dwelling in a beautiful palace of cedar, the Ark of the covenant of the Lord, which is a symbol of the presence of God, sat under tent curtains. David expressed his displeasure to Nathan the prophet. The prophet urged him to do all that is in his heart. But God refused that David should build a temple for Him. God told David that his job was to unify and lead Israel and to destroy its enemies. This huge task would require David to shed a great deal of blood. God did not want His temple built by a warrior. 

God has done many things in David’s life, and He plans to do even more! This is so in the life of some of us. Like David, we should humble ourselves and give glory to God, even when He says no, saying, “O LORD, there is none like You.” David went and sat before the Lord and humbled himself in prayer, praising God, recognizing God's blessings and accepting God's decision, promises, and commands. The righteousness of David was manifested in his response to God’s denial of His building a temple. He submitted in humility, knowing that the eternal plan of God must be worked out in the affairs of men. He was not presumptuous against the plan of God, and by faith he submitted to God’s will in his life. 

Though David thought well, his request was good, but God said no. This does not mean that God rejected David. In fact, God was planning to do something even greater in David’s life than allowing him the privilege of building the temple. Sometimes God says no to our plans for His own reasons, and purposes. When He does, we should utilize other opportunities He gives us. His response is an example of those who would walk by faith, not sight. Though we do not understand all of God’s plans, we understand enough to walk by faith, trusting that He will perform His promises. 

However, God told David that his son Solomon will undertake the task of building a temple for Him instead. David graciously accepted this "no" from God. David made the plans and collected the materials so that his son Solomon could begin work on the temple as soon as he became king. He was not jealous of the fact that his son would have the honor of building God's temple, but instead made preparations for him to carry out his task. David responded to God's refusal with deep humility, not resentment. He accepted his part in God’s plan and did not try to go beyond it. 

It’s noteworthy that although God turned down David’s request, He promised to continue the dynasty of David forever. David’s earthly dynasty ended four centuries later, but Jesus Christ, a direct descendant of David, was the ultimate fulfillment of this promise (Acts 2 vs 22 - 36). Christ will reign for eternity—now in His spiritual kingdom, and in heaven, and later, on earth, in the New Jerusalem (Luke 1 vs 30 - 33; Revelation 21).

Prayer: Abba Father, You are my all in all. Whatever You cannot give me, let me never have it. Whatever You cannot do for me, Let it remain undone forever. Endue me with a humble spirit; to acknowledge, obey, and trust in You at all times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!