THURSDAY JULY 02, 2020
TOPIC: JUST PRAISE THE LORD
TEXT: PSALM 118:27-29
KEY VERSE: "Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee" (PSALM 118:28).
A medical doctor turned missionary shared his experience as a medical doctor. According to him, he had a number of patients who complained about their physical ills. They were never positive about themselves. It was from one complaint to another. But on the other hand, he also came across patients who gave thanks to God for every aspect of their lives, including the medications. And he discovered that such patients got healed faster than their complaining counterparts. In fact, it was in the course of the investigation that he became saved.
This is what the psalmist emphasised in our text today. God has shown us the light of salvation through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. He is our God and we must give praise due to Him. As we sing praises to God either in joint congregational worship or during personal worships and devotions, we must do it with good understanding of who He is. His greatness and majesty, whose Kingdom is everlasting and spans through the length and breadth of the entire universe.
Many people know how to ask and receive but do not know how to show appreciation. Yet, there are many things for which you need to be grateful to God. First, God brought you into existence; gave up His only begotten Son so that your soul will not be lost. He keeps protecting you day and night. He provides you with food, clothing and shelter. He fights your battles and heals you when you are sick.
Today and always, you have a reason to praise God. Develop the habit of praising Him; and as you do this always, His glory and power will be revealed in your circumstances.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Praise God for who He is.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 KINGS 5-6
HIGHER EVERYDAY
THURSDAY JULY 2, 2020
TOPIC: READERS ARE LEADERS
TEXT: 1 TIMOTHY 4:12-16
MEMORY VERSE: "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine" (1 TIMOTHY 4:13).
Harry S. Truman said, "Not all readers are leaders but all leaders are readers." Bill Gates of Microsoft fame, was described as "a voracious reader"; and Guy Kawasaki, the American marketing specialist, author and evangelist, was said to 'adore' books and read voraciously.
Reading enables us to learn from the experiences of unlimited number of successful leaders. Reading good books elevates us above our current situation, puts us on a higher pedestal, and allows us to fellowship with great minds and achievers. Reading enriches our life's experiences as it enables us to build on the experiences of successful people. Jeff Rose says, "Through reading, we are exposed to other people's thinking and perception of events and processes that lead to being a better rounded thinker." Reading also makes us to avoid the mistakes made by others.
Youths who desire to excel in life must avoid junks and injurious books and magazines that will not promote godliness and righteousness. Good books are mentors that reveal skills and lessons that can help someone to quickly climb the ladder of success. In all your reading, read the Bible.
QUOTE: Good books are mentors.
CHALLENGE: Be a reader if you want to be a leader.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to rekindle my passion for reading.