A little deviation from our wisdom series this morning, I want to show us one way we can maintain our sanity in this present world.
The devil aims at filling our minds with negative things, that is why almost everywhere you look, there is one form of sad news or the other.
Social media, print media and other forms are equally not helping matters. One can almost begin to wonder why you were born in this generation.
The plan of the devil is to weary us till we become sick, tired, and even suicidal. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory in Christ Jesus! Hallelujah!
There is an age-long, profound, medicine found in the bible that I want to prescribe to you this morning. Whenever you feel down, depressed, sick, angry, unloved, or any negative feeling, just use this medication and I assure you, you will be fine.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. – Pro 17:22
God wants you quick, alive, and active. The devil wants you depressed, gloomy, and broken. The scripture tells us laughter is good. It is healthy. It has some curative powers.
Sometimes, just take off your gaze from the test you failed, the bully in school, the teacher that hardly smiles, the stress of the assembly ground, and just laugh out loud.
As a matter of fact, it has been proven that children are more prone to laughter than adults. Do you also know that God himself laughs?
In heaven the Lord laughs as he sits on his throne, making fun of the nations. – Ps 2:4 [CEV]
So what is your excuse? When last did you have a good laugh?
Go ahead and laugh over that situation because you have the victory already. Glory!
PRAYER: Father in Jesus name, always give me reasons to laugh.
ACTION PLAN: Go ahead and laugh out loud
DECLARATION: I choose to laugh always. I am not depressed, sad or gloomy. The joy of the Lord is my strength.
Dear child, one of the benefits of being a child of God is being directed by him. How cool is it to have God tell you how best to do something, and then you realize it turns out right?
God loves to direct his children. God loves to give us instructions that help us arrive at the right answer all the time.
See what the bible says;
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. –Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
There are conditions to having God lead and direct you, it’s clearly written in this verse. Let me show you.
1. To have God direct you, you have to trust him. Trusting God means that you do not doubt what he says to you and regardless of the instruction you are given, you have to believe that since it’s God who is asking you to do it, it means it will turn out right.
2. For God to direct you, you have to lean on his understanding, not yours. This means that you rely totally on God’s wisdom and not yours, God has to be sure that you believe he knows better than you do, and that his wisdom is ultimate.
3. The last thing is to acknowledge God. Acknowledge that there is a God that is all-powerful and all-knowing, who watches over us all. God is keeping an eye on every person in the world and he is guiding and shielding us all at the same time.
After we have done these three things then God will direct us. How will God direct you?
1. Through the Bible
2. Through the Holy Spirit in you
3. Through your Parents
Trust God today and he will direct you, and tell you the right thing to do all the time.
PRAYER: Oh Lord, help me to trust in you
ACTION POINT: Pray to God for direction.
DECLARATION: I trust the leading of the Lord for my life
As believers, one of the greatest things that can happen to us is being born again. The next to that is being baptized with the Holy Ghost. Now, don’t go with the popular notion you might have had about Holy Ghost baptism. Patiently follow these teachings with an open heart to learn, re-learn and possibly un-learn some things you might have known about the Holy Ghost and baptism.
The believer who is baptized in the Holy Ghost is operating under a blessing. Unfortunately, many don’t know.
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. – Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
The moment you are baptized, a new power comes upon you, according to the scripture above. This power has the ability to transform you into another man. Your life before the baptism should be different from your life after the baptism.
I must state that this baptism is not only for adults. As a matter of fact, it is good when you are baptized in the Holy Ghost from a very tender age like yours.
One of the advantages you have over others when you become baptized in the Holy Ghost is that you communicate with God in another dimension. You no longer speak with Him in this realm. When you do this, the devil cannot hear or understand what you are saying.
That looks like what a superman can do. Well, you are a superman.
I will continue some other time on the other advantages you derive from this wonderful relationship.
Talk to your parents, teachers, or guardian to get you filled with the Holy Ghost today. You sure will enjoy the experience.
“What do you want?” is probably the most important question you must ask yourself as a person.
Everyone should have something they want. Even animals have needs. Plants have needs as well. God, our father, has needs too. He needs us to believe, trust, and obey Him amongst other things.
The blind man in (Luke 18:38) called out to Jesus “… Jesus, Son of David! Please help me!”
Note the exclamation marks at the end of his words. Even when people told him to keep quiet, he didn’t listen to them. He still raised his voice, crying out to Jesus for help (vs 39). And he got what he wanted the most because Jesus heard him and stopped.
Jesus stopped and said, “Bring the blind man to me!” when he came near, Jesus asked him, what do you want me to do for you?” He said, Lord, I want to see again.” Jesus said to him, “Then see! You are healed because you believed.” – Luke 18: 40-42 ICB
The man got what he wanted because he knew what he wanted. When you know what you want, you can have it.
Imagine if Jesus asked the man what he wanted, and the man had nothing he wanted. That would have been a waste?
Know what you want and pray about it. Jesus hears you and will stop to ask you what you want.
God bless you.
Prayer point: Lord, Jesus, thank you for hearing me and stopping to ask me what I want. As I tell them all to you, I receive the answers to my prayers in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Action point: It pays to have a list of what you want and pray along with them.
Declaration: I will be specific with my requests. I will have what I ask for. God will honor me.
We are still talking and learning wisdom from the life and times of King Solomon. The truth of the matter is that we can never know it all.
Why do we keep on talking about wisdom? We do this because we learn everyday.
See another thing Solomon has to say about wisdom
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.” –Proverbs 9:10-12 (NIV)
Children, I want you to know that God abhors mockers. Mocking is a serious sin before God. Do you know that God destroyed some Israelites because of mockery?
Furthermore, Solomon’s father, King David, warned us about mockery. He told us no mocker will be blessed.
a BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. – Ps 1:1[AMP]
This tells us there are places you should not find yourself as a believer. There are gathering of mockers you are not meant to be found in. There are certain locations that should not be traceable to you.
I believe you want to be blessed even as you advance in age, then never give room to mockery. The resultant effect is that you will suffer alone.
May that no be your portion in Jesus name, amen.
PRAYER: Lord, help me not to be a mocker in Jesus name.
ACTION PLAN: List out associations you should do without.