In His Presence

TEXT: PSALM 16:1-11

Key verse: “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).

Most men are obsessed with temporal carnal based activities. Only very few dare to plod the earthly terrain through eternal perspective. And because of blurred spiritual vision, not many appreciate the need to be in God’s presence than in any other place.

David is the writer of this Psalm. At the superficial level, it is a confession of his faith in the preserving power of God. An in-depth exam it for nation of the Psalm reveals its prophetic tenor. It opens itself to an extended theme - that of the Messiah.

Jesus, our Lord is that Messiah whose primary purpose is to save the lost. This prophetic thrust is implied here (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:29-36). This prayer is that of the Lord Jesus who envisions the gruesome and excruciating pain that is set before Him at the cross as He exclaimed, “now is my soul troubled: and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour” (John 12:27).

Our Lord saw the weight, pains and pangs of the cross but the Gethsemane prayer made Him see “the joy that was set before Him....” Beyond the cross, He saw the crown. Our concern in this Psalm today is the reaction of the Lord to the imminent suffering of the cross. He prayed “preserve me O Lord...”, He confesses positively the promises of God concerning His Life.

We too can take a cue from the responses of Jesus to trials, tests and trouble. Our afflictions are light when they stand beside Jesus. When next you are passing through a difficult situation, draw near to God. In His presence, you will find the fullness of joy.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: No where else to receive the fullness of joy than in His presence.

Tongue Of the Wise

TEXT: JUDGES 8:1-3Key verse: “...And what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him...” (Judges 8:3).

The tongue of man is a key to life or death. It can sow comfort, joy, peace and harmony or discomfort, sadness, turmoil and discord. The Bible calls it “a fire ...a world of iniquity” (James 3:13-18). Yet, when wisely used, it will douse the hottest contention.

Gideon was returning from a very great victory over the Midianites when the Ephramites angrily accused him of not involving them in his fight. But divine wisdom from the lips of Gideon pacified their anger and won them over when he softly and humbly venerated the Ephramites above his own people.

A closer look shows that Ephraim had no ground for their grudge against Gideon. Besides, normal patriotic zeal would have made them to volunteer their services at such a time. Cowards will want to seem valiant when the danger is over. It might be that they were piqued at not having shares in the glory of the victory. Instead of repressing their wounded pride, they used this occasion to bring out an old and deep-seated rivalry. But we should learn from the way their anger was pacified. Gideon with meekness and control over his passion, magnified their performances above his own victory.

His soft answer turned away wrath. Gentleness coupled with words seasoned with grace, will disarm the most furious. “By long forbearance is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone”. Tact in handling issues of life must be cultivated in order to maintain truth and good relationship. To avoid unnecessary offences and wrangling, Christians should learn to use positive and gracious words. There is need for crucifixion at Calvary for the tongue to be brought under the control of God’s Spirit. God’s grace is meant to change our lives including our tongues.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The righteous’ tongue is always with grace, seasoned with salt.

Prayer For New Week Folks

In this new week and month, declares the LORD Almighty, I will break the yoke off your necks and will tear off your bonds; no longer will foreigners enslave you. So do not be afraid, do not be dismayed, declares the LORD. I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of exile. You will again have peace and security, and no one will make you afraid . I am with you and will save you, declares the LORD. 
The same brothers who sold Joseph to slavery had to come bow down to him to get food! God will cause all the enemies in your life to bow down to you in the name of Jesus! Just as the enemies of Isreal worked to preserve the promise land for them , your enemies are working for you and all the wealth of the wicked shall be transferred to you because you are the righteousness of God!

All who devour you will be devoured; all your enemies will go into exile. Those who plunder you will be plundered; all who make spoil of you I will despoil. But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the LORD.

 Happy New Week from us ASB-World.

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A More Excellent Way

TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13
Key verse: “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity” 

(1 Corinthians 13:13).

The world’s notion of love runs at polar opposite to God-like love which transcends the loose definition and approximation of love in its filial, limited and selfish perspectives. God-like love is what a writer calls the “true love to God and man, a benevolent disposition of mind towards our fellow Christians, growing out of a sincere and perfect devotion to God”.

This chapter on charity (love) is a paradoxical homily, meant to deflate the oversized ego of the Corinthian Christians over their possession of spiritual gifts. The thrust of the message is that, a mere possession of those gifts does not necessarily portray a higher strand of spirituality. Gifts, not ministered with perfect love, is vain and worthless.
The essential virtue, capable of producing the greatest impact with spiritual gifts is charity. What are its components? It is patient, kind and never inflated with its own importance. It does not brag and knows no envy. It does not behave itself unseemly, never insists upon its right and privileges and it is never temperamental. This charity rejoices in the truth, finds no pleasure in evil-doing and does not hold on to the memory of any wrong against it. It is all enduring, absolutely trusting, bears everything with triumphant fortitude and, never for once, ceases to hope.

Every other gift will dry up and soon be forgotten, but love is convincingly permanent, overwhelmingly complete and incontrovertibly supreme. A writer once remarked that “faith without love is cold and hope without love is grim. Love is the fire which kindles faith and love is the light which turns hope into certainty”. The humble and sincere seeker, one who daily seeks after God, will never cease to pray until his/her soul, spirit and body are filled with God’s own kind of love.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Love is supreme; Jesus proves this.

Happy lovely new month to YOU :)

Every morning is a chance to forget the pains of yesterday, and see the change of a brand new day. To dance and laugh again, to make up for the wrong things done. And most of all, It's God's reminder that He is sending another blessing called 'LIFE.'

HAPPY NEW MONTH TO OUR FANS AND READERS, FROM ADENIKE SALAKO BLOG'S WORLD :)

The story of Jesus

The story is told of a 5 years old boy whose mother used to tell him about JESUS CHRIST saying: though you may not see JESUS, He is always with us in our home. ‘The boy believed this to the extent that he wanted a car seat for JESUS in their car. One day, one of his toys was broken and when his mother asked him who broke it, he said it was not him and his younger brother couldn't have because he was sleeping then, the father couldn't have because he was at work.

The mother persisted: are you sure you did not break the toy? The boy replied: there is someone else you told me about, who is living in this house with us. But I don't think He can do it because you told Me He is not a bad Guy. ‘The mother shouted ' who else is living with us? The boy responded JESUS! And his mum burst out in laughter......... Catch them young! Whatever you teach your young child about JESUS, he will not forget.

What formal education, affluence and the society cannot change, the word of God can, because it has the Power to transform, renew, equip and strengthen.