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Wednesday, 29 March 2023

YOU ARE NOT HOME YET.





After forty years of faithful service to the Lord as a missionary to Africa, Henry Morrison and his wife were returning to New York.  As the ship neared the guy dock, Henry said to his wife, "Look at that crowd.  They haven't forgotten about us".  However, unknown to Henry, the ship also carried President Teddy Roosevelt, returning from a big game hunting trip in Africa. 

Roosevelt stepped from the boat, with great fanfare, as people were cheering, flags were waving,  bands were playing, and reporters waiting for his comment, Henry and his wife slowly walked away unnoticed.  They hailed a cab, which took them to the one bedroom apartment which had been provided by the mission board. 
 
Over the next few weeks, Henry tried but failed to put the incident behind him.  He was sinking deeper into depression when one evening, he said to his wife, "This is all wrong.  This man comes back from a hunting trip and everybody throws a big party.  We give our lives in faithful service to God for all these many years, but no one seems to care." 
 
His wife cautioned him that he should not feel this way.  Henry replied "I know you're right, but I just can't help it.  It just isn't right."
 
His wife then said, "Henry, you know God doesn't mind if we honestly question Him.  You need to tell this to the Lord and get this settled now.  You'll be useless in His ministry until you do."
 
Henry Morrison then went to his bedroom, got down on his knees and, shades of Habakkuk, began pouring out his heart to the Lord.  "Lord, you know our situation and what's troubling me.  We gladly served you faithfully for years without complaining.  But now God, I just can't get this incident out of my mind..."

After about ten minutes of fervent prayer, Henry returned to the living room with a peaceful look on his face.  His wife said "It looks like you've resolved the matter.  What happened?"
 
Henry replied, "The Lord settled it for me.  I told Him how bitter I was that the President received this tremendous homecoming, but no one even met us as we returned home.  When I finished, it seemed as though the Lord put His hand on my shoulder and simply said, 'But Henry, you are not home yet!
It is not yet time to congratulate ourselves neither is it time for us to tell ourselves that we have done enough. Heaven is the home and as long as we are not yet there, we have to keep pressing on.
God help us!

Tuesday, 18 January 2022

                                                      The Essence of Praise

Introduction

In our day to day dealing with ourselves, thanksgiving and praises are considered very important especially when we receive any help from anyone. This show of appreciation usually acts as impetus to receiving similar assistance or gifts in future. We as Christians should know that God who is our father loves us even more than our earthly father does. The only thing we can do in order to show our appreciation is by praising HIM no matter the circumstances that come on our way. We must cultivate the habit of praising God and thanking HIM all the days of our lives. The first principle a Christian should learn, should be how to develop the habit of praising God (Psalms 105:1-3).

A.     Why should we praise God?

If we want our lives to be full of miracles and wonders, it is necessary for us to know that the formula is in praising God.

·         The attributes of God are sufficient reasons for us to praise HIM. That is one reason the angels praise God continuously (Isaiah 6:3).

·         God’s holiness is linked with his glory. He is glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders (Exodus 15:11).

·          When we praise God, we have victories over our enemies (Psalms 18:3).

·         We should praise God for HIS goodness and HIS wonderful works (Psalms 107:8)

·          if we praise God, He will take note and this will gladden his heart (Psalms 22:3).

·         God is righteous and HIS righteousness demands that we should praise HIM (Psalms 7:17).

·         God is a jealous God and HIS jealousy demands that we must show HIS sovereignty over all things by praising HIM (Exodus 34:14).

·         He is the only one and demands for HIMSELF alone worship and praises to which He has a right (Exodus 20:3-4).

·         Praise is an acceptable sacrifice before God (Hebrew 13:15).

B.     Acceptable Praise

Even though God is universal for all mankind, yet He accepts praise from those who draw near to HIM in holiness and repentance (James 4:8; Psalms 24:3-5). To offer an acceptable praise to God, it is necessary to be a child of God. We must confess our sins to God and repent from them (1 John 1:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5: 17). It is after this that your sacrifice of praise can be acceptable to God.

Conclusion

Praising God is the only thing we can do for HIM. It is an inevitable aspect of worshipping God.

My take on this that God inhabit the praises of his people. It is very ideal to give thanks always to God as it is the only thing God eats.

Source:  The Redeemed Christian Church of God Sunday School Manual written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

www.dcerccg.org