Saturday, 6th April 2024
Bible Reading: Galatians 5: 17
Memory Verse: Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. Matthew 16:24 (AMP)
Do not think it will be easy to let go of your personal desires and ambitions for God to take all the glory over your life. Believe me, beloved, many times it is an ever continous war between your spirit and your flesh. Let’s continue with the testimony of Daddy Mike Bamiloye we started yesterday. “I didn’t want to stop writing those theatrical dramatic pieces; I didn’t want to stop writing those adventurous and investigative novels that profited the Heavens nothing. That morning, in tears, I prayed and promised the Lord, I would stop writing those unchristian literary drama and poetic pieces. I told God I would release my gift to Him for His use. I restrained for a while, but I soon backslid and went back writing those secular drama, poetic pieces and novels again. It was like I was drugged. It was like I was addicted to writing those plays, poems and novels. I was like a drunkard addicted to drinking. I was like a smoker addicted to smoking. I would write till my fingers began to hurt, and I would get someone to sit down and be writing for me, while I dictated. So, I backslid into writing again, what I told God I would not write again. In order to convince God otherwise or please Him, I adopted another strategy: I began writing Bible stories in dramatic form but with traditional secular themes, that had no reference to God or any spiritual lessons. One of such stories was the story of David and Uriah, but written in traditional war-drama, without any reference to God, Biblical or spiritual matter. The script became very theatrical and highly academic that one of the famous educational publishing company rated it presentable and approved for the 100 level University Yoruba Literature Class. Two other ones were already being proofread in other publishing houses. I was glued to this gift. It had become an idol to me. I found it difficult to submit it at the feet of Christ. I could not do what the Lord was demanding from me. I loved writing plays and poems that had nothing to do with Christ or the Kingdom of God, though I was a sound believer, a child of God. Brethren, what are you struggling to submit at the Cross of Jesus? What talent, what gift, what anointing, what inheritances? Is there anything you have that you haven’t received from the Lord, the giver of all good things?
Quote: It is better never to have a talent than to use it to profit the devil or yourSELF.
Prophetic Decree: Receive grace to lay your talent at the Cross of Jesus, in Jesus name
Prayer Focus
1. Spirit of self deceit, die in my life, in Jesus name.
2. I reject the spirit of self illusion, in Jesus name.
3. Holy Spirit, please separate me from sin, self and pride of grace, in Jesus name.
4. O Lord, break me and mould me; fashion my gifts and talents to your taste, in Jesus name.
5. Oil of divine submission and absolute surrenderness, fall upon my heart, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Judges 19-21