DAILY MANNA
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2020
TOPIC: LAZINESS IS EVIL
TEXT: Proverbs 24:21-34
KEY VERSE:
“I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.” - (Proverbs 24:30,31)
Laziness is a clear demonstration of foolishness and stupidity. When an individual sleeps when he is expected to be working, he will surely come to poverty, disgrace and despicable treatment by the neighbours.
Apart from giving admonition on good conduct of citizens in a society, our text counsels against idleness, slothfulness and laziness. Likewise, Proverbs 10:4 says, “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.”
Some people spend their time in unprofitable gossip and tale-bearing instead of engaging in profitable enterprises. Laziness brings embarrassment, disgrace and sorrow to a person. It brings reproach to God and shame to the relations and acquaintances. A lazy person loses respect and self-dignity. He does not receive honour from anyone. It is needful for everyone to seek and acquire some skill with which to be gainfully employed. If he has gone to school, he should prayerfully seek a good employment. With the help of God, even when things seem tough, he can still get a good job.
Every believer, therefore, needs to work hard to be able to feed his family, give for God’s work and help others so as to lift up the glory of God. God hates laziness and wants all His people to be busy doing something useful. True salvation through Christ and a close walk with Him will enhance the progress of such a believer “for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth...” (Deuteronomy 8:18).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Work hard to earn a good living.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Daniel 11-12
HIGHER EVERYDAY
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020
EDIFY YOUR HEARERS
BIBLE TEXT: Ephesians 4:28-32
MEMORY VERSE: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29).
In the words of Yehuda Berg, “Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble.” The Christian youth should edify his hearers by choosing his words carefully when communicating. Encouraging words can heal a broken heart.
The Bible makes us to understand that kind words can dispel wrath or anger. We should learn acceptable speech decorum so as to carry people along when communicating. Christ, our perfect example was a great Soul Winner because His approach to preaching was gracious. The approach He used to win The Samaritan Woman was friendship method, and He was able to introduce the gospel to win her soul. God expects you to win souls too, but you need to be a good communicator to achieve that goal. Appropriate communication skills are germane to winning souls and edifying our hearers.
QUOTE: Encouraging words can heal a broken heart.
CHALLENGE: Use words carefully.
PRAYER: O Lord, guide my lips to speak things that edify.