DAY:
OPC THEME: Counting it All Joy SUB THEME: Beauty for Ashes
Mark 16:36 “and he said, Abba Father
all things are possible unto thee, take away this cup from me. nevertheless,
not what I will but what thou willth”
Although God was referred to as ABBA FATHER in the old Testament, Jesus’s
frequent use of this title brought about a whole new understanding of our
relationship with God. Jesus referred to God as his Father and also our father
too. This infuriated the religious Jews
who considered this as blasphemy to call God their father because they
understood what it meant to say that one is equal with God. We are instructed
to call God our Father, revealing the kind, gentle loving and Affectionate
nature of God.
The term “ABBA” is an affectionate
term that a young child calls his father which corresponds to our term “DADDY”.
It is a term used to express intimacy and affectionate fondness. It removes the
idea of God as a loving father, who cares, understands and is our best friend.”
Behold what manner of love the father has bestowed upon us, that we should be
called the sons of God” (1 john 3:1). We are sons of god by Adoption, Jesus
said to the Jews, ye are of the father the devil (John 8:44, Ephesians 2:3).Jesus
purchased us by his death and made us one with him. So that we will not just be
heirs but also joint-heirs with Christ. As such we should not act like
outsiders but as true children of our father God.
HUMILITY
Humility is
defined as “A quality by which a person considering his own detects has a
humble opinion of him and willingly submits himself to God and to others for
God’s sake, “St Bernard defines it as “A virtue by which a man throwing himself
as he truly is, abases himself.
Humility is
not thinking less of you are about yourself less?? Meaning the quality or state
of not thinking you are better than other people the quality or state of being
humble.
Live in
harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with
people of low position. Do not be conceited (Romans 12:16). When Pride comes,
then comes disgrace but with humility comes wisdom.
Humility is
the fear of the Lord, it wages are riches and honor and life (proverb 22:4)
Naaman the Syria leader was humble (II King 5) for the fact that he was a
leader, when the little maiden told her about the prophet in Samaria he did as
he was told due to humility and everything went well for him.
BY Deborah
TOPIC: TRUE LIVING
TEXT: Jeremiah 9:23-24
Life is not what many people think it
is. It is not about financial or material abundance neither is it about
physical endowments. Life is definitely not about power, achievement or worldly
wisdom. What is then life? Jesus answers this question in john 17:3 “and this
life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom
thou last sent
True life is knowing God and Jesus
Christ. God instructs us not to boast of our wisdom, might or riches. He said
if I want to boast in god. When we engage in such boasting, the essence is not
to flaunt your knowledge. Rather it is
to rejoice in the fact that God thus, revealed himself to you. Why should we take pleasure in knowing God?
Why should knowing God be something you should be proud of? Is it because
knowing God can do certain things in your life and in the life of the people
around you? “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall be corrupt
flatteries, but the people that know their God shall be strong and do exploits”
Daniel 11:32
By the Revelation of God given to
Daniel, we are made to understand that knowing God produces strength and
exploits. When you know more about God, you will not only have eternal life but
the blessings of God will be channeled through you to others. Endeavour to know
more about God by studying his word and praying
BY
THE CAPABLE LADY
