MORNING
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Author : Bishop Julius Okarike
Verse Of The Day : One thing I have asked of the LORD, that I will seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to see the LORD’s beauty, and to inquire in his temple. Psalms 27:4
LISTEN : To seek after God is the greatest pursuit of the wise. Real wisdom is to know God. This we ought to make our top priority. Beloved, what is your top priority? Is it to please, honour, worship and glorify God with your life? Or to do otherwise? Friend, whatever you have in life, minus God, equal to nothing. Yes! When you neglect God in your life, you have rejected your own source ; and he who rejects his source will forfeit his inheritance (blessing). This is a mystery that can only be understood by divine wisdom. When you pursue the so-called good things of life at the expense of God, you will lose all at your own expense. You gained nothing when you reject and ignore God. My dear, there is no top priority than the desire to please God. Every other thing should queue behind it. You are sure to succeed when God is your top priority. (Matthew 6:33). Like David, the desire to please God should be paramount in our lives. David said, “One thing I have asked of the LORD, that I will seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to see the LORD’s beauty, and to inquire in his temple.” (Psalms 27:4). Beloved, learn to seek after God. Let the desire to serve and worship Him consume your heart, and He will grant you the desires of your heart. Be wise!
Having read today’s devotional, what is expected of you?
1. No matter your desires in life, make the desire to please God your top priority.
2. Do not pursue pleasures at the expense of God, because it will hurt you in the end.
3. Examine your relationship with God and improve on it daily.
4. Live and also encourage others to live in obedience to God.
Prayer : Everlasting Father, I thank you for your words today. Help me to love and worship you. May the desire to seek after you consume my heart, amen.
Reflection : No matter your gain, you gained nothing when you reject and ignore God.
Quote : “He who neglects God rejects his own source ; and he who rejects his source will forfeit his inheritance (blessing).”
Faith Confession : Today, I confess that the desire to seek and please God is paramount to Him. Therefore, I will strive to be faithful to Him and grow in faith, amen.
Biblical Fact : Did you know Prophet Samuel judged Israel all his life? (1 Samuel 7:15).
Today In History : October 18, 1921 Russian Soviets grant Crimean independence.
Stunning Fact : Did you know New Zealands first hospital was opened in 1843?
Prophetic Declaration : You will make a difference. Today I prophesy to you, may God bless you. May the desire to seek after God consume your heart as long as you live, in Jesus’ name, amen.
EVENING
Thursday, October 18, 2018
TOPIC : WATCH LEST YOU FALL
Bible Verse : Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation and a trap and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 1 Timothy 6:9
LISTEN: “Watch your desires lest you fall. Son, your desires could mean your fall or your rise.” This was exactly a father’s piece of advice to his son. Beloved, in the same way, watch your desires, because people are often entrapped and ruin by their own desires. If your desires are good and godly you are sure to succeed, but if selfish and self-centered, watch it, before you ruin your life. No doubt, wealth is everyone’s dream. Ask around and people will tell you they wish they had more money and possessions to their names. Beloved, we must be careful in our thoughts to avoid inordinate desires for wealth. Wealth is good when it comes from a right source (Proverbs 10:22). Anyone who is desperate to be rich has opened himself up for Satan’s manipulations and disasters. Let us avoid greed, because it will leave us at the mercy of the devil. My dear, do you want to be rich? Do you wish to experience abundance? Then, determine to love God and seek out contentment in Him, and you will receive the blessings you seek. When you show commitment to doing the will of God, shun laziness, determine to work hard and rely on God’s grace, His blessing will surely locate you. Friend, seek to do the will of God and He will bless you beyond measure. (Matthew 6:33). Be wise!
PRAYER POINTS
1. Thank God today for His grace, protection and provision in your life.
2. Ask Him for forgiveness and restoration.
3. Pray for grace to do His will and live with contentment.
4. Cancel every plan of the devil against you, and ask for divine protection.
PROPHETIC DECLARATION
Today, I prophesy to you, may God strengthen you and guide you to make the right decision in every situation, in Jesus’ name, amen.
