You must learn how to show appreciation. Tobi looked at the money in his hand, glared at his father in unbelief. What will five thousand naira fetch him at school as pocket money? Is this man from another planet, he thought? He murmured a “Thank you” to his father before storming away. I will just put it under my pillow and not go to school, he said to himself. That was exactly what he did.
Tolu, his twin brother, thanked their father profusely, prostrating as he did. He calculated how he was going to spend it to ensure that it lasted him for one month. A business idea even came to his mind. He smiled as he thought of the idea.
This much relates to the story of talents in the bible. We read how each was given an amount, how each spent it, who was praised, and who was punished.
God expects us to be grateful first for everything we have through our parents or others.
He also expects us to keep well everything we have. We should keep our rooms neat and tidy, ensure our clothes are washed and well arranged. We should handle our toys, shoes, books, and all we own well. Whatever we don’t use anymore, we can give out to someone else. He expects us to save our money or put it to good use.
Are you like Tobi and the ungrateful servant? Or you are like Tolu and the two servants who used their talents well?
Each had a reward? Which reward would you like to have?
The good –
“The master said, well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling the small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!”(NLT)
Matt.25:23
The bad –
“To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.” (NLT)
Matt 25:29
Be grateful for all you have and use them well.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for everything I have. I am grateful for my parents and all the people you have used to bless me. Teach me how to take care of my things. Help me make good use of them, in Jesus name. Amen.
Declaration: My children are grateful. They are not like the foolish servant who hid his talents. They make good use of what is given to them.
Do you know what to give this season? The bible tells us that we are wonderfully and beautifully made by God. Can you imagine yourself as beautiful and wonderful? Do you see yourself as ordinary? Do you see yourself as someone with no talent or gift, with nothing to give or share with others?
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Ps 139:14, KJV
God couldn’t have made you so beautiful and wonderful then leave you empty. No. You are a masterpiece from the Creator’s hands. Even the stones He created give praise to His name when you admire them. When you look at the rainbow in the sky and smile, you are praising God
Your Creator didn’t create you without something to give. No one should complain that they have nothing to give. You have something to give. It could be a thing or an action.
You have a lot to give, children. More than you can ever imagine. You could give out your clothes if you’ve outgrown them, your toys, shoes, or books. Do you know that your smile could be a gift to someone who is down and just needs someone to notice and smile at them?
Your time is also a gift you can give to teach a friend or classmate who is struggling to understand lessons at school.
Praying for others is another thing you can give. You can pray for your parents, guardians, friends, siblings, pastor, teachers, neighbours, classmates, and so on.
Helping your parents or guardians at home is another good way to use your time.
Whatever it is you plan to give to others, ensure you tell your parents or guardians.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for how you made me. I am glad that I have more than I give. Teach me new ways to give to others. Enable me to be a giver, to the glory of your name, amen.
Declaration: My children learn to give. They do not withhold more than necessary.
Do you know who you are in Christ? The bible tells us that we are wonderfully and beautifully made by God. Can you imagine yourself as beautiful and wonderful? Do you see yourself as ordinary? Do you see yourself as someone with no talent or gift, with nothing to give or share with others?
Ps 139:14, KJV I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
God couldn’t have made you so beautiful and wonderful then leave you empty. No. You are a masterpiece from the Creator’s hands. Even the stones He created give praise to His name when you admire them. When you look at the rainbow in the sky and smile, you are praising God
Your Creator didn’t create you without something to give. No one should complain that they have nothing to give. You have something to give. It could be a thing or an action.
You have a lot to give, children. More than you can ever imagine. You could give out your clothes if you’ve outgrown them, your toys, shoes, or books. Do you know that your smile could be a gift to someone who is down and just needs someone to notice and smile at them?
Your time is also a gift you can give to teach a friend or classmate who is struggling to understand lessons at school.
Praying for others is another thing you can give. You can pray for your parents, guardians, friends, siblings, pastor, teachers, neighbours, classmates, and so on.
Helping your parents or guardians at home is another good way to use your time.
Whatever it is you plan to give to others, ensure you tell your parents or guardians.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for how you made me. I am glad that I have more than I give. Teach me new ways to give to others. Enable me to be a giver, to the glory of your name, amen.
Declaration: My children learn to give. They do not withhold more than necessary.
Today, we would be looking at how to believe the Word Of God. In some parts of the bible, we find places where the author writes “…saith the Lord.”
And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
Ex 4:22 KJV
At other places, God Himself speaks, saying “I will…”
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Isa 43:19 KJV
These are words that tell us about the promises and power of God.
When you come across such phrases in the bible, what comes to your mind? Do you think these words are still applicable today? Is God still saying “I will?” Are the words written by those writers still in effect? Do they mean that God is still saying?
Everything written in the bible is still as powerful as they were in bible times. God is still saying the same thing. His promises are continuous. He hasn’t changed. Nothing about Him has and never will.
When next you come across such words, believe that God is still saying them to you and everyone. If it is a place where God made a promise, claim it for yourself and others. That is how to believe and enjoy His promises. He even tells us that He honours His words more than His name.
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
Ps 138:2 KJV
He wants us to believe in Him and His words. We are greatly rewarded when we do so.
What a wonderful God we serve!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your words are still the same. They are eternal and powerful. I claim every promise you made to me even before I was born. I am grateful in Jesus name, I pray, Amen.
Action plan: Try to find two instances each for where a writer records, “…says the Lord” and God saying “I will.” Read the full chapters and meditate on them.
Declaration: My children are studious. They read, study, and meditate on God’s word daily.
Do This First Everyday. When you wake up in the morning, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Or what do you do first? Do you reach first for your phone or the television’s remote? Or join your family for morning devotion?
God wants to be the first person you speak to and spend time with every morning. How do you do this? By praying immediately, you wake up. Begin with praises and thank Him for another day. Move on to committing your day to him. Thank Him for your family members, ask Him for protection and provision. Tell him anything that is on your mind.
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
Psalms 5:3, KJV
Regularly doing this helps you develop closeness with God and He will bless you for it.
So, tomorrow morning, when you wake up, start to talk to God immediately. He is waiting to hear your voice.
Prayer: Dear Father, I want to start my day with you before anything else. Guide me as to how to pray to you when we meet at the place of prayer. Thank you.
Action plan: Prepare the night before for your morning time with God. Tell your parents or siblings about your new decision. Ask for their help to wake you up early. You can also set your alarm to the time you want to start praying.
Declaration: My children understand the place of communion. They spend their morning productively communicating with the Father.
