TOPIC: Divine Help And Favour

Monday, August 31, 2015

TEXT: 1 CHRONICLES 12:16-22

KEY VERSE: “And they helped David against the band of the rovers: for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host” (1 Chronicles 12:21).

Most men are tempted to run away in despair when clouds of trials and temptations come their way. If believers would look closely at every situation through the eyes of faith, they would also see God’s angels of mercy coming to their aid to help in times of dire need.

David ran away from civilization as it were, to the strongholds in the jungle to avoid the persecution of King Saul and his repressive army. Ordinarily, men do not associate with failed escapades, but because David’s cause was just and righteous, God sent men to him to encourage and fortify him. Although, King Saul was a Benjamite, hordes of Benjamites trooped out to team up with David in the forest, despite the entreaties and blackmail of the king against them. This is what divine favour is all about.

In moments of trials and challenges, we are tempted to think that God has deserted us and left us to our misery. It is not so, for “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”. When God notices a moral defect in us, which will adversely affect His grand purpose in our lives, He might permit what we term “problems” to purge out such defects. David was called as God’s own General to subdue the Caananites and return dominion to Israel. All the troubles he went through were to toughen and make him combat ready for the job. In the midst of the crisis, God fortified him with men and materials, so that he would not fight alone. Throughout the challenges David faced, God did not forsake him.

In your hour of “trouble”, just believe God that innumerable angels and men are on standby to see you through those challenges. Elisha’s servant’s “eyes” were opened to see that “they that be with us are more than they that be with them”. As it was then, so it is today for everyone who dwells “in the secret place of the “Most High”.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: ESTHER 6 - 10

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: He who walks with God, will not walk alone.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclm.org/

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TOPIC: Stop Swearing!

Sunday, August 30, 2015

TEXT: MATTHEW 5:33-37

KEY VERSE: “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” (Matthew 5:37).

Traveling on a plane next to a salesman, Billy Graham asked him, “Are you paid anything for all the swearing you do?” “No,” was the startled reply, “I do it for nothing.” “Nothing?” cried the famous preacher. “You work cheap! You throw aside your character as a gentleman, inflict pain on your friends, break the Lord’s commandments, and endanger your own soul - and all for nothing! You certainly work cheap - TOO CHEAP!” Yes, swearing is not only a “cheap” practice in many ways, but also a terrible sin which grieves the heart of God!

Jesus, in our text, lifted all conversation in His Church to the level of sacredness. Everything we say out of our mouths should be a promise of truth that will never be violated under any circumstances. We should have such integrity that’s enough for people to hear our affirmation of yes or no and believe it to be so. Everything we say should be simple, straightforward, honest and true. When we speak the truth in every situation, it will set us apart from the world.

The world’s system is built on lies. The Church must be different. It all dates back to our childhood when we were kids. Telling the truth sometimes demanded that we swear. That kind of swearing and giving oaths is really a device of man based upon his basic dishonesty.

Hear what the venerable George Whitefield has to say about swearing: ”Among the many heinous sins for which this nation is grown infamous, perhaps there is no one more crying, but withal more common, than the abominable custom of profane swearing and cursing. Our streets abound with persons of all degrees and qualities, who are continually provoking the holy one of Israel to anger, by their detestable oaths and blasphemies...” We must put an end to swearing and cursing if we ever wish to be tolerated in His presence.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: ESTHER 1 - 5

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The world is a system built on lies.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclm.org/

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TOPIC: God’s Immense Love

Saturday, August 29, 2015

TEXT: PSALM 75:1-10

KEY VERSE: “All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted” (Psalm 75:10).

A teenager, Arthur Hinkley, was said to have lifted a 3,000- pound tractor with his bare hands, when a friend of his, Lloyd Bachelder, 18, was pinned under it on a farm near Rome, Maine. Hinkley was not a weight lifter, but because of the love he had for his friend, he could, somehow, lift the tractor well enough for Bachelder to wriggle out.

God, because of the love He had for the Israelites, delivered them from the evil devised against them by their enemies. The text, which was clearly expressed in symbolism, was a deep appreciation for what He did for His people. Their enemies had fought against many nations near Judah and won, but when they came against Jerusalem, the capital city of Judah, God fought for His people and the enemies lost the battle; God kept the temple and His people that lived near it safe. In a moment of ecstasy, the psalmist used symbolic expression to appreciate God’s wonderful help. The victory was an indication that God was still with them.

The psalmist recounted that when the enemies came against Judah, the Israelites felt as if “the earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved.” This, figuratively, indicated that they were terribly afraid. But God assured that even if it was an earthquake, He could stop the ground from moving because He could “bear up the pillars of it.” This symbolic expression equally showed that even in a war, God can stop the fighting. The psalmist further disclosed that their enemies could not use their horns, which symbolised power, because God cut them off, while the righteous became stronger and powerful.

God has placed high premium on believers. Love motivated Him to do it. He sent His only precious Son to the cross so that our sins could be forgiven. As you acknowledge Him in total repentance of sin and accept Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour, God will make you the apple of His eyes and fight for you in every battle of life.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: PHILEMON

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: God is the Defence City of the righteous.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclm.org/

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TOPIC: Brass For Gold

Friday, August 28, 2015

TEXT: 1 KINGS 14:21-31

KEY VERSE: “And king Rehoboam made in their stead brasen shields, and committed them unto the hands of the chief of the guard, which kept the door of the king’s house” (1 Kings 14:27).

Few things give more sense of fulfillment and pride than to watch your children improve on your attainment in life. Indeed, it is the prayer of every well-meaning parent that their children should conquer more grounds than they did. On the other hand, when children fail to measure up or even squander their parents’ fortunes, it brings disappointment and shame to parents and other concerned people. Such wasted heritage often attracts negative public comment.

One of the most pathetic cases of wasted heritage recorded in the Bible is that of Rehoboam, the son and successor of King Solomon. He had the best opportunities in life, as the grandson of the godly King David and son of Solomon (the wisest and richest man). His formative years coincided with the period when Solomon maintained a robust relationship with God. He had an opportunity of excellent education. Sadly, his seventeen years reign as king of Judah recorded nothing but unimaginable decline. Judah descended into gross idolatry and moral decay as vile as sodomy. Her sins estranged her from God and rendered her vulnerable.

Rehoboam yielded easily when Shishak, king of Egypt, attacked Jerusalem. Shishak carted away the treasures of the temple and of the king’s house, including the shields of gold that Solomon made. To replace the looted golden shields, Rehoboam made shields of brass – pitiable counterfeit! This was a manifest symbol of departed glory.

Many Christians, churches and whole denominations have surrendered the golden shields of the “faith of our fathers” and have shamefully made for themselves shields of brass. It often starts by gradual compromise that morphs into outright backsliding. Did you have the privilege of rich godly heritage? What have you made of it? We can learn from Rehoboam’s case and avoid descending from gold to brass.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: TITUS 1 - 3

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: We lose all if we fail to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclm.org/

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TOPIC: Judgment Against Babylon

Thursday, August 27, 2015

TEXT: REVELATION 17:1-8

KEY VERSE: “The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is” (Revelation 17:8).

Much early before the time of Jesus’ revelation to Apostle John, God declared to Isaiah that He would judge Babylon, the whore, for her sin. “Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know... Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them...” (Isaiah 47:11,13,14).

Now, Revelation 17 is announcing the coming of the fulfilment of this prophecy on Babylon. Cast in the figure of a woman well-dressed outside but full of abomination and filth within, sitting upon an equally colourfully-clad beast, the imagery is the story of the evil partnership between apostate religion and the corrupt political system of the world. They will pursue a globally unified religious arrangement wedded to a unified international political system. This is a satanic objective that will seek to repudiate all the basic tenets of the Christian faith. This scheme would wage a mortal war against those who are loyal to Jesus Christ and the word of God.

God abhors unholy unity that would desire to subject the Church to the control of the devil, the Antichrist and the false prophet. Unstoppable judgment will break upon them and those who share in their doctrines. God is urging: “Come out of her (the satanic world system), my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues” (Revelation 18:4). Avoid compromise and shun the path of least resistance in your pilgrim’s journey. The way of holiness is never cheap but grace is always available for those who dare to plod this glorious path.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: ZEPHANIAH 1 - 3

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself”

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclm.org/

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TOPIC: Giant Rants Of A Bully

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 17:1-11

KEY VERSE: “And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together” (1 Samuel 17:10).

There is wisdom in William Scott Downey’s observation: “The dog who barks the loudest is not always the best watcher; neither are braggadocios the most valiant.” This truth notwithstanding, it is customary for people to brag about their strength before any contest. Sports men and women do it in their pre-game speeches. Nations preparing for war spend a lot of money on propaganda. The chief aim of all these is to intimidate and weaken their opponents while boosting their self-image. However, many times, it backfires or ends up as empty rants.

Israel and Philistine pitched camps against each other in what was going to be a decisive battle. Goliath, the champion of the Philistine army stepped forward and did a pre-battle speech that had a crippling effect on the army of Israel and Saul. With bravado, he treated the army of Israel with contempt and demanded for a soldier from them who could dare fight him one-on-one to decide the battle. What else could anyone expect from an egotistic 11 feet 4 inches tall and heavily-built giant reputed for war mastery and armed with deadly weapons?

We have an enemy that employs similar bullying tactics. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The devil’s aim is to intimidate by barking, and if anyone in the army of the Lord gets terrified, he springs on him to ruin him. His first weapon is fear.

Are you hearing threatening or bragging from Satan’s camp? Are you worried about the roaring of the restless lion? If the Lion of the tribe of Judah lives in you, you will heed neither the giant rants nor intimidating looks of the enemy. Firm up your grip on Christ, fight and resist Satan.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: HABAKKUK 1 - 3

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: When Satan sends you an arrow of fear, respond with a shield of faith.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclm.org/

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TOPIC: Watch What You Eat

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

TEXT: LEVITICUS 11:21-28

KEY VERSE: “But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you” (Leviticus 11:23).

Many health challenges can be traced to eating habits. Those who failed to show discretion in the way they eat have had to pay seriously for it with their health. Also, those that have not been able to exercise control over their appetite have been known to have fallen victim of food poisoning and other spiritual attacks, in which the enemy uses food as bait. While as Christians, we have the liberty to eat whatever we like, there is the need for us to be disciplined and show discretion with regards to what we eat, when we eat and how we eat.

In our text today, the Lord specifically cautions the children of Israel on what they are to eat and not to eat. He strictly forbids their eating of certain animals. It is interesting to note that the same God who, at creation, gave man everything to eat (Genesis 1:29,30), had now restricted the children of Israel to certain foods. Those who tend to use their liberty without discretion and control, often suffer irreparable losses and damage. God’s laws and instructions are not without definite reasons which, ultimately, are for the good and well-being of man. Some of the creatures which the Lord considered unclean for the children of Israel were actually unfit for food because they were disease carriers. Besides, some were used for pagan worship and God wanted a clear distinction for His people.

Apart from the wisdom in exercising discretion in what we eat and the way we eat so that our health is not impaired, it is unthinkable for a Christian to, in the name of exercising his liberty in Christ, consume alcohol, tobacco or even eat foods sacrificed to idols. We cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table and the tables of idols. That will be abomination! In everything as well as in eating, Christians must exhibit their distinctiveness.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: NAHUM 1 - 3

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: It is a contradiction to be a Christian and be gluttonous.

Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclm.org/

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