FRIDAY JULY 3, 2020
TOPIC: DECLARE YOUR TRIUMPH
TEXT: PSALM 118:15-26
KEY VERSE: "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD" (PSALM 118:17).
The ability of man to speak and express himself is one of the greatest gifts he has received from God. This gift distinguishes man from other creatures and gives him a tremendous potential for both good and evil. Our words have the ability to determine the future, either for good or bad. Our words are life-giving. They have creative abilities. God used words to create everything we see around us. He only said "Let there be..." and there came into reality everything he spoke.
The psalmist knew the effect of the spoken words. He declared that the voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacle of the righteous. He had suffered the Lord's sore chastisement, but with faith and the spoken word, declared life and not death.
There is certainly great blessedness in the proper use of the tongue. Over the ages, men with their tongues have changed the direction of their lives from trials to triumphs, sourness to sweetness, and bitterness to betterness as in the case of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:10. Man, therefore, is the determinant of his lot through the use of his tongue and not the devil. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof" (Proverbs 18:21).
The Scriptures reveal the account of heroes and heroines of faith who despite tough situations, maintained a positive outlook and confessed positively. Some of such people are Caleb and Joshua; the Shunammite woman, and the woman with the issue of blood. You may be going through tough times; all the odds may just be against you and things may not be working out in your favour. But you can determine today to hold out. Let your confessions remain positive and you will emerge triumphant.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Say it and have it.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 KINGS 7-8
HIGHER EVERYDAY
FRIDAY JULY 3, 2020
TOPIC: READING CULTURE REVIVAL
TEXT: ESTHER 6:1-3
MEMORY VERSE: "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine" (1 TIMOTHY 4:13).
A wise man once said, "Where you will be in 5 years' time will be determined by the friends you keep and the books you read." Salient points in reviving reading culture include: creating time for reading, daily self-discipline to read (no matter how small), and setting goals for work towards achieving the planned objectives. Start by reading small and interesting books. It gives you a sense of accomplishment and serves as an encouragement to read more.
In our text, King Ahasuerus took quick action on the book read to him. Respond to your reading by acting on and utilizing the information you get from reading in a positive way. Be discriminatory. Avoid reading junks such as books on occultism, romance and false doctrines. These are not beneficial to your destiny. Build your own library. Any book worth reading is worth buying. With technological advancement, there are many good and useful books in PDF format that you can download and read, especially those in your professional area of interest. Make reading part of your daily routine. Remember, the best book to read is the Bible.
QUOTE: The best book to read is the Bible.
CHALLENGE: Reading is for life.
PRAYER: Help me Lord to achieve my goal of reading daily.