A seed sown in good soil

 DAILY SHOWER March 19, 2022 Devotion and Declarations

Prayer before the Word: 

 _In You, I trust, O God. Help me to be deeply rooted and committed to Your course in Jesus name, Amen_ 

TODAY’S TOPIC: A seed sown in good soil 

Text: Luke 8:5-15 (AMP Bible)

“The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road and it was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the sky ate it up. And some seed fell on [shallow soil covering] the rocks, and as soon as it sprouted, it withered away, because it had no moisture. Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out. And some fell into good soil, and grew up and produced a crop a hundred times as great.” As He said these things, He called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words.” Now His disciples began asking Him what this parable meant. And He said, “To you [who have been chosen] it has been granted to know and recognize the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that though seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. “Now [the meaning of] the parable is this: The seed is the word of God [concerning eternal salvation]. Those beside the road are the people who have heard; then the devil comes and takes the message [of God] away from their hearts, so that they will not believe [in Me as the Messiah] and be saved. Those on the rocky soil are the people who, when they hear, receive and welcome the word with joy; but these have no firmly grounded root. They believe for a while, and in time of trial and temptation they fall away [from Me and abandon their faith]. The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, but as they go on their way they are suffocated with the anxieties and riches and pleasures of this life, and they bring no fruit to maturity. But as for that seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word with a good and noble heart, and hold on to it tightly, and bear fruit with patience."

*SHOWER:*

Today, we behold the parable of sower. As stated in the parable, many of us have heard and unheard the word of God. What do I mean by that? There is single day a grown-up would say he/she had not heard the word of God. We hear it through our neighbours, friends, buses, megaphones, mobile preachers, fellowships, churches and online. What have we been doing with that is the main thing? The word of God is like two edged arrow sword; if utilised leads to eternal life, or misused and heads to hellfire. Is like careers or works we do. The choice is ours. I pray we don't miss the opportunity by chosing wrongly. 

*PRAYER/DECLARATIONS*

O God, I come You this morning to renew my stand. I have heard Your word. Help me to be a seed that fails in  good soil that will germinate and bear fruits in Jesus name, Amen. 

*1. I am the seed that fails on good soil. God has watered me. I must bear fruits forever.*

*2. By my fruits I shall be known. By my fruits many souls shall be won for Christ.*

*3. I hereby decree and declare that by the power of God in me, henceforth, I shall become a good sower of the word of God in people. And each must bear fruits so that His name alone will be glorified in Jesus name, Amen.*

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Why you must not drift away by false messages

 DAILY SHOWER March 18, 2022 Devotion and Declarations

Prayer before the Word: 

 _O God, I submit myself unto You today. Please, teach and guide me to follow You today in Jesus name, Amen_ 

TODAY’S TOPIC: Why you must not drift away by false messages 

Text: Hebrews 2:1-4 (AMP Bible)

“Give Heed For this reason [that is, because of God’s final revelation in His Son Jesus and because of Jesus’ superiority to the angels] we must pay much closer attention than ever to the things that we have heard, so that we do not [in any way] drift away from truth. For if the message given through angels [the Law given to Moses] was authentic and unalterable, and every violation and disobedient act received an appropriate penalty, how will we escape [the penalty] if we ignore such a great salvation [the gospel, the new covenant]? For it was spoken at first by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us and proved authentic by those who personally heard [Him speak], [and besides this evidence] God also testifying with them [confirming the message of salvation], both by signs and wonders and by various miracles [carried out by Jesus and the apostles] and by [granting to believers the] gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.

*SHOWER:*

We are by today's texts reminded that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore no one comes to His father if not through Him. It was through His death and resurrection the power over death, Dominion and others over other creatures were fully revealed to mankind. Also, it is through Christ we got the  Gospel, know the way and complete access to God. But are we utilising this access key? That is why God is telling us today to hold unto Him so as not to be drifted by so many messages we get from angles. 

*PRAYER/DECLARATIONS*

O God, I acknowledge Your kindness and messages of hope. I pray to be committed to Your things by listening and following Your son's Jesus Christ footsteps in Jesus name, Amen. 

*1. O God, in You I trust and live. Direct me, guide me and take me so that I won't misroad.*

*2. I am untouchable and can never be convinced or controlled by fake messages on earth.*

*3. I hereby decree and declare that I am for Christ forever. Therefore, everything about me shall speak volumes of Christ Jesus presence, Amen.*

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The sacrifice of a sinner saves a sinner

 DAILY SHOWER March 17, 2022 Devotion and Declarations

Prayer before the Word: 

 _O Lord, I thank You for enabling me to behold this day. Open my eyes to see new things, my ears to hear new things and become better Christian in Jesus name, Amen_ 

TODAY’S TOPIC: The sacrifice of a sinner saves a sinner 

Text: Luke 7:36-50(AMP Bible)

“ One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and He went into the Pharisee’s house [in the region of Galilee] and reclined at the table. Now there was a woman in the city who was [known as] a sinner; and when she found out that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume; and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began wetting His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and [respectfully] kissed His feet [as an act signifying both affection and submission] and anointed them with the perfume. Now when [Simon] the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, 'if this Man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching Him, that she is a [notorious] sinner [an outcast, devoted to sin].' Jesus, answering, said to the Pharisee, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Teacher, say it.” “A certain moneylender had two debtors: one owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they had no means of repaying [the debts], he freely forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I take it, for whom he forgave more.” Jesus said to him, “You have decided correctly.” Then turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house [but you failed to extend to Me the usual courtesies shown to a guest]; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair [demonstrating her love]. You gave Me no [welcoming] kiss, but from the moment I came in, she has not ceased to kiss My feet. You did not [even] anoint My head with [ordinary] oil, but she has anointed My feet with [costly and rare] perfume. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Those who were reclining at the table with Him began saying among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith [in Me] has saved you; go in peace [free from the distress experienced because of sin].”

*SHOWER:*

 Jesus was dining with a Pharisee that invited Him. A woman assumed to be a sinner came and began to anoint Jesus. The show of love angered and made the self-righteous among the crowd to suspect that Jesus was not a true son of God (true prophet). Can you see how the humans judge? We judge out of jealousy, envy, anger, emotion, and assumptions. This is why He told us judge not so that we won't be judged. When you study down to verse 40 to 50 of today's passage you will surely see how the sinner made heaven. For offering her care, love, trust and services to Jesus...her sin was forgiven. We are often confronted by this kind of situation. Some saw it as nothing when they came to church and meet thing unkept. What of those who see strangers who are suffering by the road, markets, etc. and refused to offer some help? Many have through this way lost God's blessings for them. Some do that for a good reason (this is evil days. Some may loose their lives in the process). I pray we become prayerful and full of Holy Spirit to know what to do and how to do it when confronted with this kind of situation. 

*PRAYER/DECLARATIONS*

O God I thank You for today. Please empower me with a discerning spirit so that I will always know what to do at all times in line with Your will for my life. In Jesus name, Amen. 

*1. The spirit of God is upon me for discernment and good life. Therefore, I will always know what to do at all times.*

*2. I shall always see opportunity to grow higher, move higher and become greater no matter the condition or situation.*

*3. I hereby decree and declare that my services and sacrifices to God will always make way for me in Jesus name, Amen.*

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Courage amidst the challenges

 DAILY SHOWER March 16, 2022 Devotion and Declarations

Prayer before the Word: 

 _O Lord, unto You, I commit my soul and spirit this morning. Help me to know You more and follow You accordingly in Jesus name, Amen_ 

TODAY’S TOPIC: Courage amidst the challenges

Text: Jeremiah 20:1-6 (AMP Bible)

“ Now Pashhur the son of Immer, the priest, who was [also] chief officer in the house of the Lord, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things. Then Pashhur beat Jeremiah the prophet and put him in the stocks that were at the upper Benjamin Gate by the house of the Lord. And the next day Pashhur brought Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then Jeremiah said to him, “The Lord does not call your name Pashhur, but Magor-missabib (terror on every side). For thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends; they will fall by the sword of their enemies while you look on. And I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon; he will carry them away to Babylon as captives and will slaughter them with the sword. Moreover, I will hand over all the riches of this city, all the result of its labor, all its precious things; even all the treasures of the kings of Judah I will hand over to their enemies, and they will plunder them, and take them away and carry them to Babylon. And you, Pashhur, and all who live in your house will go into captivity; you will go to Babylon, and there you will die and be buried, you and all your friends to whom you have falsely prophesied.’”

*SHOWER:*

 Jeremiah, like Prophets of the old, was in prison because of the gospel. When he was brought out by the enemy of the gospel, Pashhur, he didn't relent in prophesying doom to him. Apostle Peter, Paul, Stephen and others faced same tribulations at different point in time. But it didn't stop them from preaching the gospel. This type of courage is lacking in the modern time. Children of God have forgotten Him amidst challenges. Some of us forgot him mainly because we see quick pots of food, little contracts or money, delayed marriages, delayed birth/childlessness, joblessness, etc. But Psalmist said we should thank Him whether good or bad so that He will do more. That we are alive alone worth giving him thousands of Thanksgiving. For praising Him, you can see what befell Pashhur at the end. Repent now before is too late. 

*PRAYER/DECLARATIONS*

O God I thank You for feeding me this morning. Guide me, strengthen me and help me to diligently and courageously serve You so that Heaven won't elude me at last in Jesus name, Amen. 

*1. I have received the power and strength to serve God alone. Nothing, not even money or persecution will make me relent in serving God. *

*2. With God by my side, around me and within me, my services to God will be excellent. I will fear not a man or situations.*

*3. I hereby decree and declare total submission to the Will of God in my life. Therefore, my family and household, the world and my generation will know and worship God because they have seen God's goodness unpon me in Jesus name, Amen.*

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The faith that moves mountains

 DAILY SHOWER March 15, 2022 Devotion and Declarations

Prayer before the Word: 

 _O father I thank You for enabling me to see today. I pray You to help me study, understand and apply Your word in my life today and forever more, Amen_ 

TODAY’S TOPIC: The faith that moves mountain

Text: Luke 7: 2-11(AMP Bible)

“Now a [Roman] centurion’s slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and on the verge of death. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, asking Him to come and save the life of his slave. When they reached Jesus, they pleaded with Him earnestly [to come], saying, “He is worthy for You to do this for him, because he loves our nation and he built us our synagogue [at his own expense].” And Jesus went with them. But when He was near the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof. Therefore I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You. But just speak a word, and my slave will be healed. For I also am a man subject to authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” Now when Jesus heard this, He was amazed at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith [as this man’s].” When the messengers who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health. Soon afterward Jesus went to a city called Nain [near Nazareth], and His disciples and a large crowd accompanied Him."

*SHOWER:*

 In Hebrew 11:1, faith is described as assurance or evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. In today's scripture, we see how the faith of a Centurion heals his sicked slave. He had wanted Jesus to come in person but when his faith was rekindled, he forgot about it, and asked Jesus to speak a word and his sick slave could be healed. What situation have you found yourself that you think can only be solved when a pastor or priest visits your house? Do you think is until you come to church or ministry your prayers would be answered? No? You need to always remind yourself that God is ever faithful. You can pray yourself out without using anointed oil and others. There is nothing impossible before Him. Get up and pray your way out. 

*PRAYER/DECLARATIONS*

O God I thank You for Your words to me today. Help me to be a doerer and preacher of Your words inJesus name, Amen. 

*1. O God, I build my faith in You. Therefore, I strongly believe that there's nothing good I asked that I cannot get back.*

*2. My faith has grown to build others faith through the power of Almighty God.*

*3. I hereby decree and declare total freedom to myself. I am in God's hand. I will  Amen.*

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