Tuesday, 28th May 2024
Bible Reading: Songs of Solomon 2:15
Memory Verse: Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom. Songs of Solomon 2:15 (NIV)
Thank God for the role of the Church. Infact, if not for the role of the Church, perhaps some countries would have been overturned by the sons of the bond woman. The primary purpose of the Church is fellowship. The Church is a place of succour, spiritual renewal, spiritual transformation, and spiritual education, amongst other things. The Church has also gone ahead to empower her members through her various interpersonal skills programme.
However, we must watch out for some of the little foxes that spoils the vine in today’s Church. Let’s address the use of phones. Pastor Nathaniel Bassey said: Every now and then I find myself making this statement when we are about to worship and the room is awash with phone-lifted hands and selfie snapping folks. And one may tend to understand the euphoria that comes with seeing someone whose songs you love standing right in front of you and you just want to catch the moment for keeps or for the gram. And for some, they just want to capture themselves in the “glory” in the third heavens.
Hmmm, but the glory we know about in scripture is the sort that when it truly was in the room, no one could stand. Every one was faced down, Priests could not minister, talk less of lifting a phone to film. But today, our “glory” is selfie compliant and browsing conducive. Lord have mercy! Well, this is a soft, friendly and love-laced reminder to us all, myself inclusive, never forget at the end of the day, it is not about the minister on stage, neither is it about our pleasure or enjoyment. But for the One and true living God – Yahweh. Our true enjoyment is delighting His heart and ministering to Him. And to achieve that, focus in worship is THE KEY. Distractions become counter productive in worship. And these smart devices are masters at that.
As we grow in our worship, intimacy and ministration to Him, His glory is revealed and we then begin to experience divine ecstasy and joy that supersedes any amount of earthly pleasure we could ever have. Let’s add this to our bucket list. A deliberate and conscious effort to lift your hands, as we raise our hearts in worship. That said, sometimes we are asked to shine our lights using these devices which create a beautiful sea of light and a spectacle that beautifies the room and in some instances, become prophetic actions of some sort. And then, reading scripture or jotting an inspiration as they come. Other than these, when it’s worship time, never forget – LIFT YOU HANDS, NOT YOUR PHONE.
Quote: A sacred moment shouldn’t be turned to a jamboree.
Prophetic Decree: Let the grace for perfection fall upon the Church of God, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
1. Thank you Father for the rod of correction.
2. O Lord, deliver my soul from worldliness, in Jesus name.
3. My Father, please teach the 21st century Church decorum, in Jesus name.
4. We receive grace to hallow your name and presence, O Lord, in Jesus name.
5. We cast out the spirit of worldliness from the Church, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 111-118