All-round Strength

Text: Isa. 40:28-31
More Lessons: II Cor. 12:9-10
Bible Reading in One Year: Ezekiel 25-27

God does not hold back His blessing but gives to all men liberally and upbraids not. He always gives His best and His all, for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance: Rom.11:29. He was not satisfied with His Spirit coming upon man intermittently in the old covenant, so He came up with a new covenant where His Spirit permanently dwells in man. In the same way, God gives all-round strength to His people. Finding no one to send for man's redemption, He came down Himself, And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth: Jn 1:14.He gave all of Himself to rescue man from the shackles of sin.

After accomplishing this task on the cross of Calvary and it was time to return to the Father; He never left us comfortless, He puts in us the totality of Himself in the Holy Ghost to abide with us forever (Jn 14:16-17). Thus,...we all, with unvailed face, the glory of the Lord beholding in a mirror, to the same image are being transformed, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord: II Cor 3:18 (YLT).

Part of our heritage in God through the work of salvation is all-round strength because there is no iota of weakness or fainting in God, He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength...:Isa.40:28-29. This is to say that God gives all-round strength to those who don't have. God is able to bring increase to your life from nothing as He did at creation when all things were made from things that can’t be seen (Heb 11:3). He has equally given to us all things that we need for godly life through the knowledge of Him, and has shared His glory with us and given us all-round strength (II Peter 1:3-4).

However, you may sometimes experience some moments of weakness in one area or the other in your life and quickly jump into conclusion that you have weakness in such area, forgetting that all-round strength is a function of knowledge and not feelings,...the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits: Dan 11:32. Also, II Peter 1:3 clarifies this truth. Even then people become strong after being weak (Heb11:34). Indeed, the strength of God is made perfect in weakness, so that when we are weak, then we are strong (II Cor12:9-10).This manifold wisdom is paradoxical, and cannot be understood by the devil; for if he had known, he would not have crucified the Lord of glory (I Cor 2:8). Though the resurrection of the dead is sown in weakness, it is raised in power (I Cor. 15:42-43). All-round strength is not a myth after all, but the expression of God’s divine nature in us through His knowledge. I Jn 4:17 makes it more explicit...as he is, so are we in this world. In this year of season of glory, Jehovah's everlasting strength will be manifested in every area of your life.

Prayer/Action
* Declare that God’s strength will be sufficient for you.
* Ask for God’s strength to be made manifest in your weakness.
* Declare all-round strength.

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Looking unto Jesus

Text: Heb.12:1-13
More Lessons: Jer .1:1 1-12
Bible Reading in one Year: Ezekiel 22-24

A true friend is one who loves you and is with you in adversity, pain and difficulty. Jesus is a true friend. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends: Jn.15:13. Jesus loves us so much that he died for us, rose from the dead for us and even now, He intercedes for us in heaven. He is ever with you in joy or sadness; in peace or trouble. He is sufficient for today and tomorrow, that is why we need to look to Him. Looking to Jesus means keeping Jesus in sight. Your sight determines your destination. It also means living unto him, focus on him, this is the number one purpose for every man in life. You must do everything to stop the distractions around you that hinder a steadfast looking to Jesus.

Secondly, your sight determines your direction. Only a man with correct sight can get to a place of fulfilment. Everything about you cannot be fulfilled until you see it. See it and get it. Jer .1:11.Your sight helps your focus and when your focus is sustained, all you need to do can be accomplished. Matt 6:22 makes it clear that a man's sight is his brightness. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body will be full of light. Thirdly, your sight determines your future therefore, mind what you see and be careful what you watch. Looking unto Jesus means seeing the victory of Jesus and all he has gone to prepare you for heaven. No wonder he said, Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also: Jn.14:1-3.What tremendous promises to keep our sight on.

Anything that will become bigger than Jesus, keep your sight away from such including the discouragements of men and their fears. Think about positive things and your fears will disappear. Keep Jesus in sight!

Prayer/Action
* Father, forgive me for not keeping my focus on Jesus.
* Henceforth, I will keep my focus on Christ and I will reach my desired destination in Jesus name.
* I destroy all distractions that hinder me from seeing well.

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The 37th Psalm II

Text: Ps. 37:11-27
More Lessons: Ps.34:11 – 22
Bible Reading in one Year: Ezekiel 19-21

Still on the vital lessons from this Psalm of instruction. Today, we will consider the attitudes that enable the righteous to do well in the land. The first attitude to consider with the benefits attached is meekness. This is a fruit of the Spirit Gal.5:22 and the nature of Christ Matt.11:29. It is an essential key to prospering in this present world even though the people around us will think otherwise. Meekness here also contradicts the attitude of some in the world that says if you can't get what you want in peace; kill and destroy lives to get it by all means. A meek man rather will do what is right and walk in the fear of God to get what he wants in this world. Consider the rewards of meekness in today's text:...they shall inherit the earth... implying because they wait for God, he will put the world at their feet. The meek will delight themselves in abundance of peace and finally, the days of the meek are known by the Lord implying that God takes particular notice of them to help them and to bless them.

Another good attitude is contentment in righteousness Ps.37:16.The little that a righteous man has will bring him joy and gladness than abundant riches gotten by wicked practices. Also, a vital additional attitude is to show mercy to others. Ps.37:21; 26.A man who gives will never lack because God will be his source. See what the Word of God says about you as you give and show mercy to others” He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. The blessings of showing mercies are so tremendous that you and your generations of children eat from it. Be encouraged today to believe these inspired words of God that righteousness pays. Savour the summary of this blessedness:
i) The Lord upholds the righteous Ps.37:17.
ii) Their inheritance is forever Ps.37:18.
iii) They shall not fear in evil times Ps.37:19a.
iv) In famine they shall be satisfied Ps.37:19b.
v) God orders their steps and delights in them Ps.37:23.
vi) They are never forsaken and their children will never beg Ps.37:25.

These are just some of the benefits of righteous living in a world that cries against righteousness. Walk with God in righteousness and you will testify all day long as you shun all acts of wickedness. Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the end of that man is peace: Ps.37:37

Prayer/Action
* I receive power for righteous living as I step into this day.
* I will surely enjoy the benefits of righteousness and my portion, another man will not take from me.
Make a conscious and particular effort to do something good to someone today and add to your rewards of righteous living before the Lord.

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The 37th Psalm I

Text: Ps.37:1-10
More Lessons: Matt.13:37- 43
Bible Reading in one Year: Ezekiel 15-18

We have well aid out pattern for living no matter the shifting of the times. This pattern is in our ever living manual; the Bible. Today's Psalms is one of such patterns laying instruction procedure for correct and proper conversation in times like these. This Psalm clearly spells out two ways men live in the world: wicked living and righteous living. It distinctly outlines the portion of the wicked and the lot of the righteous, then urging us to make correct choices. In this world, there are men who glory in wicked practices, they are agents of Satan who lurk in darkness, kidnapping children for money, selling bombs for destruction of lives and collecting wages for wickedness. To such, there is a reward: For they shall soon be cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb. For yet a little while the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shall diligently consider his place, and it shall not be: Ps.37:2;10.

Several times, when we look around and see the world full of evil doers that flourish and prosper, on all levels we start to fret, to envy even their liberty to get wealth by unlawful means in the indulgence of their lusts; we are apt to fret at God for allowing such men to live, prosper and prevail as they do. Hear what the Bible above says about their end and cease to envy them. We are tempted to think they are the only happy people; and we are therefore tempted to share in their gains and join ourselves with them. The Bible strongly warns us against such behaviour lest we share in their eventual destructive end if they refuse to repent.

The flourishing of a righteous man is like that of a fruitful tree Ps.1:3 but that of the wicked man is like grass, which is short lived. The triumph of a wicked man is short but his weeping and wailing will be everlasting. Instead of envying the wicked, we are to do the following
i)Trust in God and do good. Ps.37:3.
ii)Delight in God and He will give you your desires without you needing to cut corners or exploit others for it.Ps.37:4.
iii)Ask God daily for where your daily bread is and He will lead you there. Ps.37:5.
iv)Rest in the Lord in contentment with what He provides and patiently wait for what He is yet to bring to fulfilment in your life. Ps.37:7.
v)Do not allow bitterness at others deprive you of the joy of life
vi)Thank God daily for His mercies.Ps.37:8

Prayer/Action
* Lord, I choose the way of righteousness because it is the way to peace and joy. I refuse to envy or imitate the wicked so that I will not perish like him.
* My portion will be given to me as I go out today and the rod of the wicked will not rest on my portion.

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