Friday, 23rd April, 2021
Bible Reading: Luke 12:1-3
Memory Verse: For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all. Luke 8:17 (NLT)
Sing the hymn “Have you been to Jesus” on page 103. A father of faith once shared a testimony. A man with a chronic illness came to him for prayers. He prayed, but nothing happened so he asked God why. God said he should ask the man about what happened at a particular stage of his life. When he asked, the man was shocked, and went ahead to open up on a secret he thought was well kept. Several years before, he committed a crime and was due to be convicted because to the testimonies of some witnesses. He knew this, so he hatched a plan. Since the witnesses were to come to court by boat, he arranged for their boat to capsize and they all drowned. He then made sure that alI the people he sent to wreck the boat were also killed. He was eventually acquitted of the initial crime and he lauded himself for covering his tracks excellently. It came as a rude shock to him when the incident sprang up again.
Obviously, he did not know of God’s word in Proverbs 11:21 which says: “Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.” He thought the crimes had been covered, but there he was suffering the repercussions. Everything you do today is a seed that will produce fruits in due time. It does not matter how you try to bury it, one day, it will spring forth and everyone will see the harvest of those secrets. Stop stealing. Stop adultery / fornication. Stop pornography, and put an end to every ungodly habit in your life today. No matter how hard you try to hide these sinful acts they will be revealed someday· Indeed, there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. In any case, the people you are pretending for do not have the power to send you to either heaven or hell. Whatever they think of you does not affect your eternity. The One who will Judge you at the end of time knows even the thoughts of your heart, so stop pretending and start disciplining yourself to always do the right thing always. He concluded: I would rather expose my sins to men and make heaven than look holy to men and end up in hell. Since I cannot hide my sins from God I would rather not commit sin at all. Make up your mind to stay away from sin today.
Reflection: What will you gain if everyone thinks you are holy on earth and you end up in hell?
Quote: A lie could go around for many years, but one day, the truth shall surely be revealed
Prophetic Decree: The Blood of Jesus shall wash away your past and beautify your future, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
1. Lord, I confess and renounce all my hidden sins, in Jesus name.
2. I receive grace to restitute where needed for my life to move forward, in Jesus name.
3. O Lord, deliver me from the lies I tell myself, in Jesus name.
4. Spirit of conviction and genuine conversion envelope my soul, in Jesus name.
5. My yesterday, refuse to destroy my today and my future by the mercies of God, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 1-2
HYMN: HAVE YOU BEEN TO JESUS.
1. Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb.
Refrain:
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb
Are your garments spotless Are they white as snow
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb
2. Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb
3. When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb
4. Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb!