Monday, 23^rd October 2023

Bible Reading: Psalm 9: 9-10

Memory Verse: God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1 (HCSB)

I celebrate the grace of God upon Evangelist Shola Mike Agboola. The opposite of ‘IN’ is ‘OUT’. The opposite of ‘COME’ is ‘GO’. Applying the principle of simple logic, the opposite of ‘INCOME’ should be ‘OUTGO’. Incidentally, that logic does not stand because the correct opposite of ‘INCOME’ is ‘EXPENDITURE’ not ‘OUTGO’.

Now, this is what I am driving at. It is often said that, “a life without CHRIST is a life FULL of CRISIS.” To a large extent, this is an admissible fact. However, it will be an act of overstretching the logic to say, “a life with CHRIST is a life FREE of CRISIS.” No! The logic does not hold water.

Our Lord Jesus Christ said expressly in John 16:33 – “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.” (AMP).

Jesus did not promise us crisis-free lives. What He promised is requisite and sufficient grace to handle life crises. What God promised us is His presence (even in trouble), and His intervention. “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.” (Psalm 91:15).

We all face sundry crisis at varied points in our lives – spiritual, medical, marital, emotional, ministerial, relationship, financial, professional etc. The only difference is in the nature, magnitude and extent of our individual crisis. Somebody said: “In life, you are currently facing an issue, just getting out of an issue or about to enter into an issue.”

Therefore, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” (I Pet. 4.12; NIV). In other words, you are not necessarily in crisis because you live in sin as some extreme folks wrongly allude to.

This is my admonition, and this is drawn from what the Bible teaches us. In life, don’t allow what you are GOING THROUGH stop you from where you are GOING TO. Please cheer up. Flash your teeth. Laugh at the storm. You will get to your place of rest in Jesus’ name. Shalom!

Quote: When God is the boat, your storms becomes awaiting testimonies.

Prophetic Decree: Receive the Spirit of boldness and courage to travel through life, in Jesus name.

Prayer Focus

1. I repent of any way I might have disappointed God with the words of my mouth and thoughts of my heart because of my transient circumstances

2. I receive strength to journey through life with courage, in Jesus name.

3. Any foundation of perennial problems, collide with the Rock of Ages, in Jesus name.

4. O Lord, please strengthen me to forge ahead despite my challenges, in Jesus name.

5. I receive grace to laugh at my storms, in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: John 7-8