SATURDAY JUNE 6, 2020
TOPIC: DON'T LOSE HOPE!
TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 1:1-13
KEY VERSE: "And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore" (1 SAMUEL 1:10).
Perseverance pays. God knows where we are hurting and He is always moved by our tears of sorrow as a compassionate Father. The story of Hannah is a classic example of God's faithfulness to those who trust Him. Although it seemed her journey to Shiloh yearly yielded no dividend, she continued. She was always part of the worshippers, though with a heavy heart. Only God knew how much she must have cried for the blessing of the womb.
Each time she went to Shiloh, she had one special request - that God should touch her womb. To make matters worse, Peninnah, her husband's second wife, was always in the habit of deriding and reminding her of her barren status. In spite of this, Hannah persevered because she knew only God could change her situation.
Her life challenges us not to lose faith in times of adversity. A songwriter wrote, _"It's always darkest before the dawn... "_ It is always at a point when it seems all hope is lost that miracles usually take place. Moreover, as believers, we must not join issues with those who employ offensive words against us based on our present status.
Instead, our prayers should always be channeled to the Lord. Some have had to employ criticism against men of God, while others have embraced blasphemy to show their level of frustration over some challenges in their lives. These actions are wrong. Prayer changes things, and God is waiting for us to show a little more commitment to Him. He has promised to bless us and change our night into day if we call upon Him.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Faith will win the victory everyday.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 SAMUEL 6-7
HIGHER EVERYDAY
SATURDAY JUNE 6,2020
TOPIC: FORCE OF ENVY
TEXT: JOHN 12:9-11
MEMORY VERSE: "But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus" (JOHN 12:10, 11).
John Mason, said, "When you make your mark in life, you will always attract erasers." He was talking about envy, which means discontent aroused in others by your fortune or success. The fallen nature of man attracts envy. This is why it is common with those yet unsaved. However, Wellins Calcott advises, "Take heed you harbour not that vice call'd Envy, lest another's happiness be your torment, and God's blessing become your curse." When Cain envied Abel because God honoured the sacrifice of Abel and his was rejected, the result was torment in his heart leading to the first murder (Genesis 4:8).
Today's text exposes the envy of the Jews for the Lord Jesus Christ because He miraculously raised Lazarus from the dead. In fact, they wanted to kill Lazarus in order to destroy the evidence of Christ's miracle. You see the force of envy? A joyful event was almost being turned into sadness due to envy. You should be happy at your friends success and promotion. If you are not, then you must be born again to have God's nature of love and peace.
QUOTE: The fallen nature of man attracts envy.
CHALLENGE: Envy kills its host before its target.
PRAYER: O Lord, give me a pure heart to love.
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