TO THE BIBLE: Psalm 90:12 MSG

“Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!”

LET’S TALK

The Bible lets us know that one day the heavens will pass away and the earth and everything man made will be burnt up (2 Peter 3:10). By that time, we will all be with the Lord and each of us will have to present our works before Him. Life has no extra time, and it’s imperative that you make each day count by doing those things that’ll impact people’s lives and advance God’s Kingdom. I remember the prayer of a dear minister years ago, who said “Lord, you know I only have one life to live—don’t let me waste it; help me live it for you!” What a prayer! It ought to be your conscious thought that you have only one life to live.

I made up my mind years ago to invest my life in soul winning. As a young chap in school, many people thought I was wasting my time as I went from hostel to hostel preaching the Gospel. The years have come and gone and the Lord has given me greater platforms to reach the whole world for Jesus! Perhaps you’re thinking, “I’ve still got time; I’ll preach when I graduate.” No, don’t think that way. You’re not too young to do anything significant for the Lord.

You’ve been given the same number of hours each day as everyone else, but what you do with yours is what’s important. Moses had this in mind when he prayed to the Lord to “…teach us to number our days…” (Psalm 90:12). Some people have regrets about their lives because they wasted time doing insignificant things. If you would invest your time in anything, let it be in touching lives for Jesus. Let spreading the gospel of Christ’s salvation be the one thing that propels you, and gets you up and about each day. That’s really the only thing worth living for.

Go Deeper

1 Corinthians 9:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:2

Pray

Heavenly Father, I have only one life to live, help me live it right. Help me invest my time, energies and resources in only those things that will bring glory and honour to you in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR

John 11:1-16, 2 Kings 10-12

TWO YEAR

Mark 12:18-27, Numbers 26

Act

Make up your mind to share the gospel with at least two people today.

TO  THE  BIBLE    Proverbs 14:17 CEV

“Fools have quick tempers, and no one likes you if you can’t be trusted.”

LET’S  TALK

Numbers chapter twelve gives God’s testimony of Moses as being the meekest man that lived on the face of the earth (Numbers 12:3). He couldn’t hurt a fly, so to speak. However, the one time he got angry, it cost him a whole lot, including his ministry. God had told him to speak to the rock to bring out water for the children of Israel (Number 20:8), but in his anger at the stubbornness of the Israelites, “…Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly…” (Numbers 20:11). The Lord’s response to Moses’ quick-tempered behaviour was that he wouldn’t lead the Israelites into the land promised them (Numbers 20:12). He got a “red card” for losing his temper.

One of the things the Lord seeks to accomplish in your life is to have His love fully expressed through you, such that you’re patient, meek, kind, and not easily provoked to anger. He knows that, as you go about your daily routine, interacting with family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, etc., situations may arise that could get you really upset. The Scriptures say, “People with a hot temper do foolish things; wiser people remain calm” (Proverbs 14:17 GNB). Being hotheaded could cause you to do silly things or make remarks that you’d regret later on. Instead of responding in anger, do what the Bible says: “…Be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry” (James 1:19 CEV).

God wants you to be slow to anger, because no one with a bad temper ever succeeds permanently in life. So, take charge of your emotions, and let God’s love fill your heart and be fully expressed through you.

Go Deeper

Ecclesiastes 7:9, 1 Corinthians 13:5, Ephesians 4:26

Speak

I’m patient, kind, full of mercy, and not easily provoked to anger. God’s love is manifested in me today in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR

John 10:22-42, 2 Kings 8-9

TWO YEAR

Mark 12:13-17, Numbers 25

Act

Do a study on 1 Corinthians 13, and the next time something or someone upsets you, take a deep breath and respond in love instead.

TO THE BIBLE: 2 Timothy 2:15 AMP

“Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.”

LET’S TALK

Living a joyous, beautiful and fulfilling life depends completely on how much of God’s Word you know for yourself and live by! You’ve got to know God’s Word like the back of your hand. You see, people who don’t know the Word never fulfil God’s plan for their lives. The Word of God created you, and so you’ve got to live and be sustained by the Word. It’s that vital ingredient you need for life. You will not be the ‘you’ that God made if you live outside of His Word.

This is why God’s Word is still being taught today; it’s the reason we encourage God’s children to be persistent students of the Word. Don’t just accept that something is from God because someone said it or because it sounded good or nice to you. Remember, Jesus said “Search the scriptures…” (John 5:39 KJV). What a privilege we’ve been given to study God’s Word for ourselves, understand it, and live accordingly. Wow, what a blessing!

The extent to which you enjoy God’s blessings largely depends on how much of His Word you imbibe and act on. It’s got nothing to do with how long you’ve been a Christian, but how much you apply the Word. Thank God we have the Holy Spirit who helps us understand the scriptures; you can depend on Him to guide you in your study of the Scriptures. Give the Word your attention and time. Study and put your heart in it. If you want to live a life that’s beyond the ordinary, it’s by the Word, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Go Deeper

Mark 12:24; Acts 17:11

Pray

Dear Father, I thank you for letting me know the importance of knowing your Word for myself. As I study and meditate on your Word, which is crucial for a victorious Christian walk, I fulfil your desire and plan for my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR

John 8:48-59, 2 Kings 1-3

TWO YEAR

Mark 11:12-26, Numbers 22

Act

Study and meditate on 2 Timothy 2:15, and begin following the Daily Bible Reading plan, if you haven’t started already.

TO THE BIBLE: Colossians 3:2-4

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

LET’S TALK

“I’m not of this world; I’m from above!” Tyler declared boldly and loudly while praying. Marty, his kid brother, overheard him and later asked, “Hey, Tyler, you said you’re not of this world; does that mean you’re an alien?”

“No Marty, I’m not an alien, but you see, when you’re born again, you become a citizen of God’s heavenly kingdom. That’s why I said I’m not of this world, but from above, just like Jesus.”

The Lord Jesus Himself said, “…My kingdom is not of this world…” (John 18:36), which means He actually does have a Kingdom. By virtue of the new birth, you’ve become a citizen of that spiritual kingdom of God, and this is where God expects you to function from.

This world isn’t your permanent home; you’re here only temporarily. According to the Bible, we’re only going to be in this world for a while, because the whole earth will be replaced with another one soon (Revelation 21:1). Therefore, you must set your focus on those things that truly matter, and not on the fleeting pleasures of this present world (Colossians 3:2-4).

Until, and unless you come to that level in your life where Christ is your focus, you’ll be living an empty life. Let nothing compete with your love for the Lord. Get to that point where your love for Jesus and the expansion of His kingdom are all that matter to you.

Go Deeper

Galatians 2:20; Philippians 3:20 GNB

Pray

Precious Father, I thank you for the privilege and honour of being a vital member of your spiritual Kingdom. Loving and living for you is all that matters to me; and I’m committed to expanding your Kingdom with the Gospel, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR

John 7:1-24, 1 Kings 15-17

TWO YEAR

Mark 10:23-31, Numbers 18

Act

Share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those in your neighbourhood today.

TO THE BIBLE: Galatians 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.“

LET’S TALK

A young lady once wrote to me, lamenting: “I’m always influenced by other people’s decisions. I’ve never been bold to make mine. What can I do?” This is a challenge faced by most people who haven’t come to terms with who they are. They lack self-esteem and aren’t bold enough to even air their personal views, or make decisions for themselves. They always have to concur with what others tell them.

We all make decisions every now and then. As a young person, you’d most likely decide which course to study in the university, the career you want to pursue afterwards, the kind of people you want to meet, and so on. To make the right choices, however, it’s important that you understand who you are. What’s your identity? If you don’t know who you are today, you can’t have a clear picture of what you should be tomorrow.

As a Christian, one of the essential premises upon which your identity is defined is the Lordship of Jesus, because you’re identified with Him. Hence, your first response to the question “Who are you?” should be “I am one over whom Jesus is Lord!” Hence, whatever decisions or actions you take, either in the choice of career, friendships, lifestyle or dressing, should be based on what Jesus wants. That means He’s the focal point and inspiration of your life. And you can only accept ideas that are consistent with His Word.

Go Deeper

1 Timothy 6:12; Romans 6:4-5

Speak

Christ is Lord of my life; hence, my declarations, actions and decisions are inspired by Him. He is number one in everything I do, my first consideration in every matter. He’s Lord and Master of my soul, and I’m totally identified with Him. I know who I am.

Act

Meditate on the theme scripture for today.