Today’s Readings:
Nahum 2:1,3,3:1-3,6-7
Deuteronomy 32:35-36,39,41
Matthew 16:24-28
What do you most desire in life? What you set your heart on can either be your source of salvation or your destruction. It is not that your desire is wrong or evil. But there is a way that your desires can shape your attitude and your attitude shapes your actions and your actions become your character and your character determines your destiny. If you fix the reason you desire your desires (pardon my playfulness), you will invariably shape your destiny. So, how do we fix our lives at its most fundamental level?
Jesus (our sure plug) says, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it, but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it (Matthew 16:24-25).
Let your desires lead you closer to God.
Do nothing that will bring you into enmity with God through sin.
Submit your plans and activities each day to God for approval.
Do not hope to gain anything by doing evil.
Do not be a party to evil and sin.
If what you do is good, it will sell itself and bring you repute.
If what you do is evil, even if you succeed now, it will not last.
See your work as a ministry, a place of service for God’s kingdom.
If you treat your gifts and their use as purely for economic gains, you will never find true joy.
Your desires will lead you to God if they are genuine.
Your desires will lead you away from God if they are self-seeking and selfish.
Destruction is the end of all selfish desires.
Salvation is the end of all sacrificial and Godly desires.
What you desire and why you desire it should be for the love of God.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to desire only You and nothing else.
Lord, I acknowledge that my gifts and my desires are from You.
Lord, fix my wrongful desires and remove negative and sinful people from my life.
Lord, help me to reflect the light of Your glory and never lead others astray.
Lord, bless everyone I come in contact with and draw them close to You.
Lord, give me the just rewards of my labour and free me from selfishness.
Lord, I place all my hopes and joys in Your hands. Amen.
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