Today’s Readings:
Psalm 100
Isaiah 40:1-11
Revelation 22:1-9
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God; it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise be; thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endured to all generations.” (Psalm 100:1-5 AKJV)
Psalm 100 is an invitation to always joyfully approach the presence of God. Why? Because His faithfulness extends from generation to generation, even to generations unborn, if Jesus tarries. We are to worship Him with gladness and adore Him. We are to acknowledge that He is God and supreme over all. He has created us, we have not existed of our own accord, and we are the sheep of His pasture (v. 3). Many people live as though they are the creator, and centre of their own little world. This type of mindset leads to greedy possessiveness, and if everything were to be taken away, there would be a loss of hope. But when we realise that whatever we have is bestowed generously to us by God, we would be generously willing with our giving to others (2Corin 9:8). Then peradventure all is lost, we still have God to hold on to, and all He has given us (v. 4).
The psalmist gave thanks to God for so many blessings they have experienced, as individuals and as a nation. They give thanks, particularly in their words – ‘His faithful love endures forever.’ They also give thanks through their actions, by presenting to him thanks offerings, making festival processions, and importantly through their fight against sin and evil, in the name of God. For all believers, our thanksgiving too should be by words and by our actions.
When we have the mind of Christ, our thoughts will be filled with His praise, adoration, and thanksgiving. When we start to complain, we open many doors to the enemy to afflict our lives. Therefore, complaining either by thought or words makes us spiritually weak, and powerless and can sometimes bring physical illness. To live a life of power, then, praise God always and be thankful to Him. Know that complaining is a failure and death principle; but being joyful in God and being thankful continuously, is a life principle that brings joy to our life and environment always.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
Prayer:
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High.
Father, strengthen my faith through Your righteousness, in Jesus' name.
O Lord, multiply Your grace, peace, and favour in my life through my knowledge of You, in Jesus' name.
Create in me O God, a clean heart, renew a right, the teachable and humble spirit within me, in Jesus' name.
Cast me not away from Your presence, O God and take not Your Holy Spirit from me, in Jesus' name.
Our Father and God, we surrender our children, youths, and young adults to your fatherly love and care; let them thirst for Your love, and hunger for your love, in Jesus' name.
Father, unite the body of Christ in love and in harmony of purpose, in Jesus' name.
O Lord, instil Your fear in the lives of our leaders, that they may serve the nation with love and the fear of You, in Jesus' name.
O Lord, rebuild and fortify the walls of Jerusalem and Israel, and secure their gates, in Jesus' name.
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