Today’s Readings:
2 Kings 5:1-15
Psalm 42:2-3,42:3-4
Luke 4:24-30
We are seeking acceptance whenever we enter into relationships, make new friends or reconnect with old flames. We want to love and be loved in return. And when we feel unaccepted or unappreciated, we either settle for what is available or we rebel. No one should ever feel rejected because we all are created by God and He loves us. Some people will feel offended that they are put in the same WhatsApp group as people they perceive to be lower than them. The Jews in Nazara were livid with Jesus when he said “No prophet is ever accepted in his own country” (Luke 4:24). To their minds, God loves them and would do anything for them. Jesus said that God loves those who are disposed to receive His love even if they are outside the covenant and this is true.
Do not exclude others from God’s mercy because of your biases about their lifestyle, their ethnicity or even their faith. No one is beyond redemption, not even the one who is so swallowed up in sin and has sold his or her soul to the devil. It is for our redemption that Christ paid the ultimate price by shedding His blood on the Cross, died and was buried, and rose from the dead. By dying, He destroyed death. And by rising, He has restored us to life.
So, I want you to make the following affirmative claims today in faith:
I am wonderfully, and fearfully made.
I am good and beautiful.
I am worth more than silver and gold.
I am worth dying for.
I am a child of the King.
I shall never be mastered by sin.
I shall abound and remain in the grace of God.
I shall never submit to the works of darkness.
I shall never write anyone off or wish them ill.
I shall always accept the truth and make changes in my life.
I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forevermore.
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 believe and surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart, keep me from all evil, and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank You, Lord! If you said the above short prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest, as the case may be.
Prayer:
May God’s blessings follow me always and remain with me forever. Amen.
Thank you, Lord, for loving me and dying for me.
Help me never to settle for less than Your love for me in all my friendships and relationships. Help me to love others unconditionally. Amen.
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