Sunday, 31st July, 2022
Bible Reading: Hebrews 4:16
Memory Verse: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1 (NKJV)
Imagine if you’re the person concerned in our yesterday’s devotional. You fell into sexual sin, you told your leader/president/pastor as a worker under his authority, and he openly disgraced you, stripped you off your position as an executive, and left you in the cold wind of life for Satan and his cohorts to batter. What would you do? Brethren, can we be sincere with ourselves, it is going to be quite a very difficult moment in one’s life. But the Saints of old once survived it; so you can!
A similar thing happened to Rev. Uma Okpai in his early days as a Christian. But today, he is still bouncing strong in the Lord. Permit me to reiterate this for the umpteenth time: What happens to you is not as important as how you handle it. See God in your mess. Your mess can still be turned to a message if you will allow the Holy Spirit bind your broken heart.
Take it or leave it, anybody could be wrong, but, you must not lose your own personal salvation for any reason. The just shall live by his own faith, and not by his Pastor’s faith. How deep are your personal convictions and revelation about Jesus? When your father and your mother forsake you, will you still stick to Jesus? Every man and woman will get to a stage in life when you will have to stand alone. David got to a stage where he had to stand alone. 1 Samuel 30:6c says, “David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”
Daniel got to a stage in his life when he had to stand alone. Never build your relationship with God around any mortal man no matter how anointed. Sir/ma, we are all humans. Proverbs 24:10 (NLT) says, “If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small.” On such occasions, run to the throne of God’s grace for mercy. Reject condemnation. Reject guilt. It was guilt that killed Judas. Perhaps Jesus could have still come back for him. Ask for mercy. Make up your mind to serve any punishment given to you without leaving your Church in rebellion.
Hard dealings when successfully endured usually leads to great uncommon glory coupled with toughness of one’s character. Such seasons could be hard, but it can be surmounted. Isaiah 43:2 (CSB) says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you.” Receive strength in your inner man, in Jesus name.
Song: Beyond Me by Yadah
Quote: Guilt sometimes kill faster than poison.
Prophetic Decree: All the mechanization from the pit of hell to rubbish your faith shall not stand, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
1. O Lord, I’m sorry for those seasons my leaders punished me and I acted in pride.
2. Help me Lord to make necessary restitutions, in Jesus name.
3. I break the spirit of guilt and self-condemnation, in Jesus name.
4. Door of great mercy, open unto me, in Jesus name.
5. I receive mighty inner strength of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name.
6. My faith shall not fail in times of trouble, in Jesus name.
7. I receive humility to accept the rod of correction unto my perfection, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 59-63