Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (Psalm 127:1, NKJV).
If we rely on our own efforts to accomplish the plans we set for ourselves, all our efforts will amount to nothing. We are only successful when our plans have God’s blessing. This holds true in all areas of our life.
“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15, 16, NKJV).
When God calls us, we are to step away from the crowd. As Christians charged with doing the job He assigns us, we are set apart from the rest of the world, even while we’re living in it. Everyone should be able to see God reflected in our actions and conduct.
“But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches” (1 Corinthians 7:17).
God gives each one of us special gifts and talents, and we are to use them to serve His kingdom. When He calls us into service, we will feel that calling in our hearts. When we use our talents and abilities the way He intends, we are bound to succeed.
Memorise: For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalms 30:5
Read: Psalms 30:1-5, (KJV)
1 I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
3 O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
4 Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Bible in one year: Jeremiah 16-18, Psalms 48
MESSAGE
Joy is a positive human condition that wells up from deep inside the soul and usually reflects in human action. The Bible uses joy both as a feeling and an action. Joy as a feeling is called forth by well-being, success, or good fortune. A person automatically experiences joy as a result of certain favourable circumstances. This kind of joy cannot be commanded, something must happen to activate the feeling of Joy. For example in Matthew 18:13, the shepherd had a feeling of joy. when he found his lost sheep. In Luke 13:17, the multitude was joyful when Jesus healed a Jewish woman whom Satan had bound for 18 years. Also in Luke 24:52, the disciples returned to Jerusalem rejoicing after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven. Furthermore, Paul mentioned his joy in hearing about the obedience of the Roman Christians in Romans 16:19. All these confirm joy as a feeling. 3 September 2016 open heavens
On the other hand, joy as an action is the kind of joy that the Scripture commands. The kind of joy can be engaged in, regardless of how a person feels; the Bible calls it the joy of the Lord. In Psalms 137:1-4, the Jews on exile were unable to entertain their captors with music because of their obvious sadness; their feeling was contrary to joy. You could experience the joy of the Lord regardless of your personal feelings and in whatever circumstance you may find yourself. Jesus instructed His disciples to rejoice when they were persecuted, reviled, and slandered according to Matthew 5:11-12. James 1:2 tells Christians to count it all joy when they fall into various trials because such trials produce endurance. Therefore, this makes joy in adverse circumstances possible only as a gift of God for God’s children. In this regard, Psalms 30:5 says: Open Heavens 3 September 2016:- Joy Cometh in the Morning
“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
The coming of joy in the morning is such a powerful concept considering what night and morning stand for. Night symbolizes a period of darkness, evil, insecurity, and uncertainty. Morning signifies a new beginning and renewed hope. The morning light uncovers events of the night and provides opportunity and for renewed daily activity. Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us that God’s love, mercies, favour and compassion are made available for the benefit of Christians daily. I therefore decree; despite what you may be passing through, your hour of darkness will soon pass away, and joy will become your permanent companion in Jesus’ name.
Prayer Point
Father, please let there be a new dawn of joy, peace and prosperity in my life in Jesus’ name.
Memorise: Thou art the God that doest wonders: Thou hast declared thy strength among the people. Psalms 77:14
Read: Psalms 107:1-9, (KJV)
1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
8 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
Bible in one year: Jeremiah 13-15, Psalms 47
MESSAGE
The Bible presents the name of God as the cumulative self-disclosure of God to His people. Therefore, the name of God and the person of God are inseparably related. As a matter of fact, wherever the Scripture mentions God by any of His names, it is an attempt to invoke God in His fullness. When we call on the name of God, God is worshiped and adored (Genesis 21:33), when a people forget the name of God, they lose His presence (Jeremiah 23:27), and when we take the name of God in vain, God personally profaned and offended (Exodus 20:7). Open Heavens 2 September 2016:- His Almightiness!
‘The Almighty’ is one of the popular names ascribed to God to showcase His divine strength. The strength of God is made known in creation, providence, redemption, and the empowering to believers to do exploit in this world. Psalms 19:1 says: 2 September 2016 open heavens
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handy work.”
The Bible reveals that the almightiness of God could be clearly seen in nature and understood through the complex design of the things that were created. It is a wonder to observe the world with its archaeology, geography, animals and human inhabitants. It is more breath-taking to consider the design and operations of the universe as a well ordered whole, where celestial bodies of humongous sizes and weights are revolving around their stars at a frightening and accuracy. One cannot help but imagine the awesomeness of the Almighty designer and creator of the universe.
All power in Heaven and on earth belongs to God, and He is unquestionable. His almightiness in providence gives Him the prerogative to do as He pleases. Psalms 135:6 says;
“Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.”
The book of Daniel 4:35 went on to proclaim that,
“And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?”
God is Almighty in redemption according to Exodus 6:6 and Ephesians 1:19 which both talk about the exceeding greatness of His power that delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt and raised Jesus Christ from the dead. His Almightiness is further revealed in Revelations 6:15:
“And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains.”
Everything in creation is subject to His Almighty power and He has made these available to all that will accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Are you faced with challenges beyond your ability? Ask for the divine support of the Almighty.
Prayer Point
Father, please let your awesome power begin to work in my favour today in Jesus’ name.
