FORGIVE AS GOD IN CHRIST HAS FORGIVEN YOU

 

RBT: Amos 1-4

TEXT: Ephesians 4:17-32

HYMN: BH 348: Let Others See Jesus in You 

Golden Text: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

A part of the “Church Covenant” of the Nigerian Baptist Convention reads: “To be slow to take offence, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Saviour to secure it without delay.” The emphasis is to remind the Christian that forgiving one another is necessary and is the only way to ensure a peaceful society. This is the focus of today’s Scrpiture.

The virtues mentioned in today’s Scripture are needed to ensure peaceful coexistence in a Christian fellowship and in relationship with one another. Some of them include: the need to avoid bitterness, anger, slander and malice. One other virtue mentioned is forgiveness. Forgiveness is necessary between husband and wife, siblings, parents and children, brethren in the same fellowship, and people in the bigger community. 

How beautiful would our society be if towns and villages that have been in conflict with each other for many years can forgive? Forgiveness will definitely reduce many court cases related to divorce; splitting the church as a result of quarrels will become a thing of the past if we practise forgiveness. Some people will not take their own lives or lives of others due to their unwillingness to forgive. As a believer in Christ, forgive other people, just as in Christ, God forgave and still forgives you. Perceive: To err is human, to forgive is divine.

PONDER: Are you being hunted by unforgiveness?

PRACTISE: Allow Christ to possess you and discard unforgiving spirit and acts in your life today.

PRAYER: Lord, purify my heart from every act of unforgiveness.

Pray for these ordained ministers and members of their churches: Afolabi Joshua, Erin-Ile; Ibor Daniel, Lagos; Abednego Yohanna M., Karara; Daniel Chibeze, Warri; Ojo Olumide, Lagos; Adeniji F. Olusoji, Gombe; Adeyemo A. Samuel, Kano; Kayode William, Cote D’Ivoire.

Prayer: - Lord, shatter all doors that is not opening before us.

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OBEDIENCE SHOWS WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT

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RBT: RBT: Hosea 5-9

TEXT: Deuteronomy 4:1-14

HYMN: 260: Trust and Obey

Golden Text Observe [the laws and decrees] carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. Deuteronomy 4:6, NIV

Andrew Murray said, "Just as a servant knows that he must first obey his master in all things, so the surrender to an implicit and unquestionable obedience must become the essential characteristic of our lives. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons."

Moses told the Israelites that by their obedience, they would show their wisdom to the nations who would then marvel at how wise and understanding they were. God has good intention for giving rules and regulations that will guide His people. Any violation of these rules and commandments is bound to result in trouble. Giving the commandments was God's way of guarding the people's hearts and acts towards glorifying Him in the sight of surrounding nations. He expected them to obey the rules and govern themselves by the moral precepts. Their devotion and obedience would become a model for others to see and practice. This would show them as possessing wisdom and discernment. How can we identify a Christian life governed by wisdom and discernment? It is through total obedience to God. Whereas there are societal evils, natural disasters, and satanically-motivated challenges against people, many of the challenges facing humankind are as a result of violating God's rules. One who cannot manage himself may not be able to manage others. One who lacks personal discipline is bound to suffer many misfortunes. Live a godly life to enjoy the goodness of God. And your life will become a model to people around you.

PERCEIVE: Obedience to God shows wisdom and discernment.

PONDER: Are you obedient to the instructions of God?

PRACTISE: Resolve to live an obedient life to God, your spiritual leaders, parents and others.

PRAY: Resolve to live an obedient life to God, your spiritual leaders, parents and others.

Pray for these ordained ministers and members of their churches:

 Ishola-Esan H.E., Eku; Laniyan K. O, Ila-Orangun; Eebo Kayode, Ado-Ekiti; Popoola Olufemi, Lagos; Olagbenro A. D., Atan-Ota; Danlami Mutane, Kaduna; Amole M.S., Ogun; Ojameruaye Elizabeth, Delta; Ajibike T.O. Lagos; Damson I. I., Kumo; Iyanda A. Samuel, Suleja; Sunday Okungbowa, Edo; Adeola Adegboye, Ogbomoso; Ogundeji Z. O., Iwere-Ile; Ola-Oke O. Moses J., Ondo; Ishaya Daniel, Kaduna; Uiyasu Kunat, Gombi; Onifade A.J.,Ibadan.

Prayer: Lord, give my life a divine recognition.

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HEAR MY PRAYER, O LORD

RBT: GENESIS 13-17

TEXT: PSALM 5

HYMN: BH 334: I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR

1. I need Thee ev'ry hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.

Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Ev'ry hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

2. I need Thee ev'ry hour,
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r
When Thou art nigh. [Refrain]

3. I need Thee ev'ry hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain. [Refrain]

4. I need Thee ev'ry hour,
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill. [Refrain]

Golden Text: Listen to my words, LORD, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my king and my God, for to you I pray. Psalm 5:1-2, NIV

In his book, reaching for the invisible God, Philip Yancey points out that when crisis comes, we have two choices: fear crisis or fear God. Believe the crisis is bigger than God or that God is bigger than the crisis.

David, the writer of this psalm, expressed with confidence his need for God’s help. Though his crisis is real, he believes that God is bigger than the crisis. His desperation to get God’s attention can be felt in the plea: “Give ears to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my king and my God”. The psalmist adored God because of His holy character, which is in contrast to people who are evil. He reverenced God through genuine worship, and then asked for God’s direction. He offered this prayer with confidence, knowing that God is faithful, merciful, and has always answered the prayers of His people.

Just like the psalmist, our attitude in the place of prayers must show that we have no other option besides Him. When we come in faith before God, showing our need of Him in life’s entire journey, and especially in times of distress, He is ever ready to hear us and listen to our plea and then show Himself mighty in our situations, no matter how dire they are. As psalmist sought God early in the morning, we must also make God priority as we seek Him first thing in the morning. God wants to be the first port of call in our lives at all times.

PERCEIVE: Putting God first in one’s life is important.

PONDER: Do you still run to other sources outside God for help?

PRACTICE: Remove distractions that block your fellowship with God.

PRAYER: O Lord, keep us alert at observing our differences and be quick at mending fences. We pray for the unction to function effectively for all staff members of NBC Headquarters Ibadan and for protection and provision for them and their families.

Dear Father, help me to deepen my fellowship with you through regular prayer.

 

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KNOWING GOD’S WILL

RBT: 1 CORINTHIANS 10-13
TEXT: ROMANS 12:1-2; 9-21
HYMN: BH 443: IN CHRIST, THERE IS NO EAST

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is:- His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2, NIV
How can I know the will of God? How can I know God’s purpose for my life? Does God really have a master plan for my life? If yes, how can I discover it? These are some of the age-long questions that believers often asked about God’s will. How then can we know God’s will?
One condition for knowing God’s will as seen in today’s text is renewing our mind. God has made enough provision for His children to know His will, which is clearly stated in the Bible. One way to renew our mind daily is to spend time in God’s word. As the manual for our faith, it is sufficient to guide believers to knowing God’s expectations. In today’s text, Apostle Paul listed some expectations of God to us. Part of God’s will is for believers to love sincerely, to keep being fervent spiritually, to be faithful in prayers, to endure trials and persecution while blessing our persecutors. He added that believers who have been transformed would not revenge, be proud, curse but trust God to repay everyone’s actions as they decide to overcome evil with good.
Our knowledge of God’s wills is dependent on much of time we spend on God’s word. We become transformed when we devote time for the word of God, prayer, meditation and worship. God does not want you to simply know His will; He wants you to do His will. Closeness and conscious effort to understand God’s word is a sure way to know God’s mind for daily living.

WISDOM: 

A renewed mind knows the will of God.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: 

Do you know God’s will for your life?

FOLLOW-UP ACTION:

 Meditate more on God’s word to renew your mind.

PRAYER:

O Lord, I receive more grace to think and live by Your words daily.
Father, grant me grace to discern and do Your will in the remaining days of the year.

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