Galatians 5:22 (KJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
What exactly does joy mean? What was the writer of Galatians saying when he was talking about this fruit of the spirit?
Joy can be defined as gladness and delight. It can also be said to be a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.
Going through the bible, we can define joy to be a feeling of good pleasure and happiness. This feeling is dependent on who Jesus is, not on who we are or what we are experiencing around us.
Joy comes from the Holy Spirit, abiding in God’s presence and from hope in His word.
Dear children, understand that joy is not found in possession, activities or other people. Joy is found in God, in His presence, in His spirit and in who He is.
As children, learn to be joyful in all circumstances. Never allow your countenance to be down. You should always exhibit this priceless fruit of the spirit wherever you find yourself.
As parents, let us learn to affirm our children as this will also be a source of encouragement to them even as they strive to be more joyful, by the spirit.
Prayer: Lord, help me to live a life of joy; Amen.
Action point: Ask for the spirit of joy
Declaration: I am a joyful child. I have the spirit of joy in me.
As children, we must learn to accept discipline or correction, no matter how it comes. Any child who refuses correction will soon be destroyed.
See what the bible says about being corrected.
A wise son accepts his father’s discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. – Proverbs 13:1 (NET)
When your father or mother corrects you, see the good in it.
You are being corrected because they want the best in you. Your parents will not be happy if you don’t turn out well, so the best you can do is to listen to them and cooperate with them.
As parents, we always want our children to be obedient. No parent will smile when the child flouts an instruction. The joy of parenting is that our children listen and obey when we speak.
Likewise, parents should pray for Grace to instill the right kind of discipline into their children.
Today, we will continue from the storyline we started with yesterday; the story of Prophet Samuel, learning from his birth.
Despite one of his wives being barren, Elkanah never gave up on God. On a yearly basis, he would go up to offer sacrifices to God and seek His face.
3 Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. 4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. –1 Sam 1:3-5 [ESV]
The lesson here is that despite what you are going through, never give up on God. The promises of God are yes and amen.
2 Cor 1:20[NKJV] For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
Though it may take a while, keep your faith high.
What had God promised you? It will come to pass.
Don’t begin to throw tantrums at your parents, siblings, classmates, and everyone around you because what you are believing God for has not yet happened.
Maintain a positive attitude and you will see the salvation of the Lord your God.
God bless you.
Prayer: Oh Lord, help me to stay faithful to you. Amen
Before we delve into learning from Prophet Samuel, I want to wish a Happy New Month to all partners and members of KHC. This month, your dreams shall become a reality.
From the first to the third of March, we will be waiting on God in fasting and prayers. If you are in Ibadan, Nigeria, join us by 6 pm at Shouts of Grace Center, Joke Plaza, beside Trans Amusement park, Bodija-Ui road, Ibadan.
This morning, I want to take us on a journey into the life and times of one of the greatest prophets in the land of Israel; prophet Samuel.
He was so great that the bible records that none of his words fell to the ground. This means that all he ever said came to pass.
But before we delve into Prophet Samuel, let’s take a look at his family history.
There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. 2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. – 1 Sam 1:1-8 [ESV]
It wasn’t
One would naturally feel for Hannah because she had no children.
Are you somewhat in the shoes of Hannah? Are there things you need and you don’t seem to have?
Are there certain areas you want God to intervene in your life?
Could it be your parents? Are they going through issues that seem to defy help?
Join me in this series as we see what Hannah did eventually that led to the birth of Samuel the prophet.
Prayer: Help me to learn what I need to know. Amen
Dear children, I want to show you something I found exciting in the scriptures. I believe it will excite you as well. Do you yet understand the reason for your creation?
I know you might have sometimes wondered why you were brought forth to this earth. Your mind might have wandered far and near as to the reason God made you.
You might have even wished to be born into another country, home, or some other parents.
Hey, listen to me! You are here for a reason. You are here for a purpose.
See what the bible says about you.
My children and I are signs and proofs for the people of Israel. We have been sent by the Lord All-Powerful, who lives on Mount Zion. – Isa 8:18[ERV]
Did you see that? Did that excite you as much as it did me?
You are here as proof of God’s faithfulness.
This means every time someone looks at you, he or she is reminded that God truly exists. Wow!
That neighbor of yours might have been having it rough in school, but merely looking at you gives him hope to forge ahead.
You were sent to the earth by the Lord All-powerful. Which devil can stop you from excelling?
The moment we refuse to step into what God has designed us to be, we are simply short-changing our divine abilities for something less.
I want you to ponder on this verse throughout today.
Read it in several translations so as to have a better understanding of what is being said.
May God give you more understanding in Jesus name, Amen.
Prayer: Oh Lord, make me a wonder to my generation.
