Don't act as teachers of law

 DAILY SHOWER August 26, 2022 Devotion and Declarations

Prayer before the Word:

 _ O God, my King, my Your name be highly glorified for the gift of life. Forgive my trespasses. Please, show me Your way, and assist me to follow it to the end in Jesus name, Amen_

TODAY’S TOPIC: Don't act as teachers of law  

Text: Mark 2:13-17 (NIV):

"2:13. Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them.

2:14. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

2:15. While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.

2:16. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"

2:17. On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

SHOWER (Reflection):

There are many takeaway from today's scripture. First is that the heavenly race is an individual thing, not a nuclear or a extended family affair. 

Therefore, you need not to judge people around you. God looks at heart not physical. In fact, you must mind your business at every material time. The teachers of law didn't know that. They had the opportunity to follow Him but refused, and were rather busy condemning those who made the choice and the choice they made.

The tax collectors made their choice by following Jesus when He called on them. Yes. Levi was one of them. They did not waste time. There are people like Teachers of law around us. You will call for salvation they won't come out. If you call for a project, they won't contribute money or time to execute it. All they do is to find a fault or how to see the downfall of another.

They would rather start discussing evil of those who made a right choice to follow Jesus. If you find yourself in this type of scenario, never you mind them. Be focused on God you have decided to follow. If you are the one preaching, emulate Jesus Christ by replying them that the sick needs the doctor. Yes. The son of man needs the sinners. Stand up and search for them...with fervent prayers, sermon and good character, you will succeed in winning their souls for Christ.

PRAYER/DECLARATIONS

1. O Jesus, I thank You for coming and dying for us, the sinners. I pray for Your grace to keep marching on without hesitation in Jesus name, Amen.

2. Christ Jesus is in me. I am in Him. He is my solid rock. Therefore, there is nothing anyone can say or do to make him abandon me. I too cannot abandon Him in Jesus name, Amen. 

3. As I move about my duties today, God will send His unmerited favour after me. My desires and prayers will locate me by fire in Jesus name, Amen.

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Beware of friend enemies

 DAILY SHOWER August 27, 2022 Devotion and Declarations

Prayer before the Word: 

 _ O God, my King, my Your name be highly glorified for the gift of life. Forgive my trespasses. Please, show me Your way, and assist me to follow it to the end in Jesus name, Amen_ 

TODAY’S TOPIC: Beware of friend enemies 

Text: 2 Samuel 16:15-23 (NIV):

"16:15. Meanwhile, Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him.

16:16. Then Hushai the Arkite, David's friend, went to Absalom and said to him, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"

16:17. Absalom asked Hushai, "Is this the love you show your friend? Why didn't you go with your friend?"

16:18. Hushai said to Absalom, "No, the one chosen by the LORD, by these people, and by all the men of Israel--his I will be, and I will remain with him.

16:19. Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you."

16:20. Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give us your advice. What should we do?"

16:21. Ahithophel answered, "Lie with your father's concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench in your father's nostrils, and the hands of everyone with you will be strengthened."

16:22. So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he lay with his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

16:23. Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel's advice."

SHOWER (Reflection):

They may appear to you submissive, appealing or humane. But if you look down well, you will discover their true colour. Ahithophel was a friend and adviser to King David. When Absalom took over through a house coup, he pitched interest with him. But not as a good adviser. He became a bad one, one of those who led to his downfall too. That is a price you paid for fighting your elder or father. And also a lesson to beware of people you mingle with at every time. 

PRAYER/DECLARATIONS

1. O God, make me to understand my immediate environment so as to distinguish between and among my friends in Jesus name, Amen.

2. O God do not allow me to be deceived my friends into causing commotions at home or anywhere in Jesus name, Amen. 

3. I move on today to conquer and prosper in Jesus name, Amen.

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Repentance opens door

 DAILY SHOWER August 25, 2022 Devotion and Declarations

Prayer before the Word: 

 _ O God, my King, my Your name be highly glorified for the gift of life. Forgive my trespasses. Please, show me Your way, and assist me to follow it to the end in Jesus name, Amen_ 

TODAY’S TOPIC: Repentance opens door  

Text: Acts 2:29-39 (NIV):

"2:29. "Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.

2:30. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.

2:31. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.

2:32. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.

2:33. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

2:34. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand

2:35. until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." '

2:36. "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

2:37. When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

2:38. Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

2:39. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."

SHOWER (Reflection):

God works wonders to His lovely children. Peter, in this scripture, reeled out God's plan to the mankind, how His son Jesus Christ came and died for us and other good things. And they were marvelled. Hence, they asked him what is the solution. He told them that it is repentance! Our Lord Jesus demands nothing but repentance from us. Once you allow Christ to rule over your life, you will see His powers, goodies and upliftment. Give Him a trial and get convinced. 

PRAYER/DECLARATIONS

1. O God, I give You my life this day. Take whole of me, pieces and remold me, and direct me accordingly in Jesus name, Amen.

2. God has stand up to fight for me. I will reciprocate by living a Holy life. I move now to conquer the world for Him in  Jesus name, Amen. 

3. All I need to live and prosper have been deposited in me. I move on to possess my possessions in Jesus name, Amen.

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Jesus, the greatest healer

 DAILY SHOWER August 24, 2022 Devotion and Declarations

Prayer before the Word: 

 _ O God, my King, my Your name be highly glorified for the gift of life. Forgive my trespasses. Please, show me Your way, and assist me to follow it to the end in Jesus name, Amen_ 

TODAY’S TOPIC: Jesus, the greatest healer 

Text: Mark 1:29-34 (NIV): 

"1:29. As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.

1:30. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her.

1:31. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

1:32. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.

1:33. The whole town gathered at the door,

1:34. and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was."

SHOWER (Reflection):

God works in the house of those who are working in His vineyard. When you work in the God's house diligently and faithfully, He will surely meet you at your various points of needs. You can see how Jesus visited the home of Simon and healed his mother-in-law. So, distance cannot be a barrier. Once you are noticed, your household are also noticed before Him. Again, God heals those who make selves available. That is why in verses 32 to 34, people gathered at the door with sick people and so on, and He healed all. What is that your problem? Come to God in prayers and/or fasting. He will make you right and healthy. 

PRAYER/DECLARATIONS

1. O God, the greatest healer is here to see us through. I am waiting on Him, and I cannot go home without Him healing me today in Jesus name, Amen.

2. God has recognised my existence and exigencies. I believe, I trust and I stand before Him and accepted that He has taken over all that concerns me in Jesus name, Amen. 

3. I stand to be celebrated today. My celebration must surely waoh my friends and enemies in Jesus name, Amen.

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Don't be discouraged when tested

 DAILY SHOWER August 23, 2022 Devotion and Declarations

Prayer before the Word: 

 _ O God, my King, my Your name be highly glorified for the gift of life. Forgive my trespasses. Please, show me Your way, and assist me to follow it to the end in Jesus name, Amen_ 

TODAY’S TOPIC: Don't be discouraged when tested

Text: 1 Peter 1:3-12 (NIV): 

"1:3. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1:4. and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you,

1:5. who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

1:6. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

1:7. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1:8. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

1:9. for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1:10. Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care,

1:11. trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

1:12. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things."

SHOWER (Reflection):

When God allowed your faith to be tested, do not be discouraged. It is not meant to stop you but to encourage you to work harder and serve Him much better. It is like an iron, they go into the fire to be reshaped by the blacksmith. So, get ready to see it come. Get faith; it is assurance of things hoped and evidence of things not seen.

PRAYER/DECLARATIONS

1. O God, I want to build my faith in You. Help me to stand firm amidst temptations and challenges of life in Jesus name, Amen.

2. Great God is alive. I shall always overcome the challenges. The temptations are building me to become great and do exploit in life in Amen. 

3. Today is my day to go and return in fruitfulness. I hereby receive favour in Jesus name, Amen.

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Punishment to the pretenders

 DAILY SHOWER August 22, 2022 Devotion and Declarations

Prayer before the Word: 

 _ O God, my King, my Your name be highly glorified for the gift of life. Forgive my trespasses. Please, show me Your way, and assist me to follow it to the end in Jesus name, Amen_ 

TODAY’S TOPIC: Punishment for the pretence 

Text: Jeremiah 9:20-26 (NIV): 

"9:20. Now, O women, hear the word of the LORD; open your ears to the words of his mouth. Teach your daughters how to wail; teach one another a lament.

9:21. Death has climbed in through our windows and has entered our fortresses; it has cut off the children from the streets and the young men from the public squares.

9:22. Say, "This is what the LORD declares: "'The dead bodies of men will lie like refuse on the open field, like cut grain behind the reaper, with no one to gather them.'"

9:23. This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches,

9:24. but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

9:25. "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh--

9:26. Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab and all who live in the desert in distant places. For all these nations are really uncircumcised, and even the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart."

SHOWER (Reflection):

Our God hates pretence. He is a practical God. When you worship Him in truth and honesty, He will reveal Himself to you. Our God is calling on us to return to Him in prayers and action. He will punish those who are not circumcised in heart (not genuinely accepted God). That is those not truly born again. This calls for a sober reflection. Ask yourself question and respond to yourself accordingly. 

PRAYER/DECLARATIONS

1. O God, I surrender totally to You. Please use me to bring more souls to Your vineyard in Jesus name, Amen.

2. By the mention of the name 'Jesus,' every knees, trouble and challenges of life must bow and give way for Christ manifestations in my life, Amen. 

3. I am an overcomer. I am a champion. Therefore, today and this week are dedicated for my success in Jesus name, Amen.

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Give as you will be gifted

 DAILY SHOWER August 21, 2022 Devotion and Declarations

Prayer before the Word: 

 _ O God, my King, my Your name be highly glorified for the gift of life. Forgive my trespasses. Please, show me Your way, and assist me to follow it to the end in Jesus name, Amen_ 

TODAY’S TOPIC: Give as you will be gifted

Text: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (NIV): 

"9:6. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

9:7. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

9:8. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

9:9. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."

9:10. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

9:11. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

9:12. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

9:13. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

9:14. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

9:15. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"

SHOWER (Reflection):

Giving is a special teaching you will love to listen to. The philosophy behind it is that it makes you a leader. A giver is always on top just as your hand is always up when giving. Again, when you give, you will receive as well. Hence, bible says we should not make it a must to people to give. Meaning we should allow people to make up their minds go give or not. And allow people to give whatever their hearts urge them to give. Give this a thought. Give it a trial. You will be surprised to learn a lot and go higher in life. 

PRAYER/DECLARATIONS

1. O God, make me a giver with faith so that I receive bountifully in Jesus name, Amen.

2. I shall always give. My gifts shall uplift and make ways for me in Jesus name, Amen. 

3. Jesus give His life for me to be redeemed. Therefore, I will not lack anything good I desired in Jesus name, Amen.

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