Today’s Readings:
Isaiah 49:8-15
Psalm 145:8-18
John 5:17-30
SOMEONE, recently, challenged me to pray to God for justice concerning the recent elections in Nigeria. I could detect a tone of despair in his words. Honestly, you cannot be unaffected by the veil of evil that has spread itself over our world. But this should not turn us away from God. If anything, it should reinforce our conviction that there is no one else to turn to but Him. But does He listen to us? Will He answer our prayers?
GOD IS OUR FATHER and He cares for His children. We know this from His Word. Through the Prophet Isaiah He says, “Does a woman forget her baby at the breast, or fail to cherish the son of her womb? Yet even if these forget, I will never forget you.” God knows and hears our every thought, word and desire. He hears our prayers and answers them better than we can ever imagine. Although, we desire a straight “Yes” to our prayers, God sometimes wants us to walk with Him (a sign of our faithfulness) and work out the answers we seek (as proof of our godly character).
JESUS SHOWS US HOW TO RELATE WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
He says that:
He is in the world to do the Father’s work (Do your actions glorify God?)
He does what He sees the Father doing (Are you imitating God in your daily actions?)
The Son gives life to everyone He chooses (Are you drawing life from Christ through prayer, the Scriptures and the sacraments?)
The power of judgment is conferred on the Son (Are you holding others accountable for their choices and decisions or are you settling for what everyone is doing even when it is wrong?)
The Son offers us Eternal life (Are you looking to God for your salvation or to man?)
The Son does only the will of the Father (Are you doing God’s will or yours?).
THE ON-GOING BATTLE between God’s children and the children of the Devil is won or lost on the basis of our individual choices. God’s kingdom wins in our lives every time we refuse to compromise with the devil and his children on grounds of morality and right values and on the basis of money and opportunities. The crowning of our good deeds is eternal life in heaven forever.
PERSECUTIONS ARE BOUND TO COME YOUR WAY. You will miss opportunities; you will lose money and friendships. Your life may even be threatened. But you must remember who your daddy is. He is the King and Ruler of the whole world and you are His child. He will never allow evil crush you or cause you to fall into despair. He will give you all you need to take care of yourself and more. But you must prove your loyalty and never compromise with evil. Your character must be that of a true child of God.
BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, I pray you receive strength and courage to say “yes” to God the Father today and always, and He will continue to fight for you and grant you victory. He will show Himself faithful to you and deliver you from every evil. Never settle for less. Remain in the presence of your heavenly Father always and trust in Him.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for being our heavenly Father.
Thank you for all the benefit we enjoy in Christ Jesus.
Heavenly Father, I trust in you. Fill my heart with your loving presence and help me to bear witness to you by my choices and decisions today through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Father visit Christian homes that are hurting at this period, comfort them, and meet them at their points of need, in Jesus name.
O Lord, unite your Church in love, and harmony of purpose, in Jesus name.
Komentar