Merit Word

Submit To Him

noreply@blogger.com (Hassan Oluwaseun) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0000

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Romans 1:28

The book of Romans chapter 1 declares that our unregenerate human nature is self-willed and resents God. The sin principles are still operating in believer life (Rom. 7:15-19). Even though we are new creatures in Christ, the sinful tendencies remain.

Proverbs 3:6 says "In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight". This shows us that there is a great need for us to submit ourselves to God. We do not need to do our things just the way we want but the God wants.

I have seen part of friends that call themselves a Christian on facebook that clicked ‘like’ on a Demon's fan page

Some people might think that a Christian cannot intentionally do wrong. But the Bible clearly indicates that every believer experience a struggle between the flesh and the indwelling spirit (Gal. 5:16-17). That is why we must determine to submit to Him, for He gives us a desire to follow righteousness. Such deliberate surrender will keep us from going the wrong way by accident on purpose.

Bible In One Year

Psalms 17; Psalms 35;

Psalms 54; Psalms 63

Be swift to hear, slow to speak

noreply@blogger.com (Hassan Oluwaseun) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:(KJV)
James 1:19

Children, employees, Apprentice, would you like to cope more effectively with your parents’ or your boss rules and correction? If so, all you need to do is to improve your communication skills. And how may you do that? The first step is to listen. Rather than being quick to justify yourself, and also, always try to control your emotions and absorb what your parents or boss have to say. Focus on what is said, not on how it is delivered. Then, rephrase your their comments in your own words and respectfully repeat their remarks back to them. Your doing so will reassure them that you heard what they said.

What if you want to give an explanation for your speech or actions? In most cases, it is wise to ‘keep your lips in check’ until after you have complied with your their wishes.(Prov.10:19) Once your they see that you have listened to them, they will be far more inclined to listen to you. Such a mature approach proves that you are being guided by God’s Word.

Bible In One Year
1 Samuel 9-12

Guilty To Justified

noreply@blogger.com (Hassan Oluwaseun) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 02:40:00 +0000

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (KJV)

Romans 3:23

The Bible states clearly in the book of Romans 3:23 that "all have sinned." Everybody is Guilty, either by birth or by choice. All are therefore under condemnation of death, both physical (separation of soul from the body) and spiritual (separation of the soul from God).

The charge of 'Guilty' can be removed, however, by faith in the Lord Jesus. He died on the cross to pay the penalty our sin demanded; and because He was so perfect Son of God. God grants forgiveness on the basis of his atoning death. Anyone who has not accepted Jesus can do so t today. His offer of free salvation still stands. He will change your verdict from guilty to justification (Rom. 5:1)

Bible In One Year

Numbers 31-32

Evil communications corrupt good manners

noreply@blogger.com (Hassan Oluwaseun) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.--(KJV)

1 Corinthians 15:33

People can easily adapt with people in their environment especially children and everybody here will agree with us that bad associations spoil useful habits. Let us take Jacob's daughter Dinah as an example. Dinah got into a serious trouble because she associated with worldly companions. She was in the habit of associating with the young Canaanite women in the area where her family dwelled.

The Canaanites did not have the same high moral standards as God’s worshiper (Gen. 34:1, 2, 19) And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw Dinah, he took her and lay down with her and violated her. This account teaches us that we simply cannot socialize with unbelievers and hope to suffer no ill consequences.

On the other hand, association with people who share your beliefs, your high moral standards, and your love for God is a safeguard. Such good association will encourage you to act wisely.

Bible In One Year

Numbers 28-30

The Best Request

noreply@blogger.com (Hassan Oluwaseun) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 02:17:00 +0000

Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?--(KJV)

2Chronicles 1:10

Despite the fact that Solomon was a king, he wanted more than mere knowledge. When the Lord Said to him, Ask! What shall I give you"? (2Chronicles 1:7). Solomon made only one request. He asks for insight and ability to judge God's people righteously. God gave him this and he also added wealth and honor as a bonus.

Must people often ask for wisdom in order to achieve wealth and honor from God, but God doesn’t work that way. He gives it to those who will honor him. All we need to do is to search our hearts and ask, “why do I want wisdom?" When we get our priorities straight, we can then claim the promise of James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him”. It is always appropriate to ask God for wisdom when our heart's desire is to honor Him.

Bible In One Year

Numbers 26-27

A soft answer turneth away wrath

noreply@blogger.com (Hassan Oluwaseun) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 07:00:00 +0000

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. (KJV)

Proverbs. 15:1

Aways Pray for God’s help to rid your heart of hurtful feelings. Let God’s spirit transform your mind and heart to conform to his will. All you need to do is to take practical steps. If you find yourself in a tense situation and you sense anger building inside you, it may help to leave the scene, thus always giving your emotions time to settle. (Prov. 17:14)

If the one with whom you are speaking starts to get angry, make an extra effort to speak graciously. Making an aggressive remark would add fuel to the fire even if it is delivered in a gentle voice. So when a situation tries your self-control, be “slow about speaking, slow about wrath.” Pray for God’s spirit to help you to say good things, not bad.

Bible In One Year

Numbers 23-25

Defeating Goliath

noreply@blogger.com (Hassan Oluwaseun) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.--(KJV)
1 Samuel 17:45

We all know that Goliath was a giant and David won his spectacular victory over Goliath only through God's help. Goliath was a giant and also a first-class warrior that frightened the Israelite and the Philistines made him leader. He wore armor that weighed about 125 pounds and wielded a spear with an iron point that weighed 15 pounds, indeed, without help from God, David could not have killed Goliath, and also without faith in God, David would not have dared to confront the giant.

As the Christ's followers, Our Goliath is Satan, because we are engaged in war with Satan everyday by day, a supernatural being far more powerful than Goliath. But we can have faith; God is the most powerful. He who helped David to kill the Giant can help us defeat the devil and is messengers. We may face situation beyond our reserves, but never beyond God's resources.

Bible In One Year

Numbers 21-22

Vision Is The Bed Rock Of Success

noreply@blogger.com (Hassan Oluwaseun) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 02:38:00 +0000

The future is not only clothed with imagination, it is also decorated with ornaments of reality. This may not seem strange to you, since the past and present mental pictures of thought obviously unfold into the realities of the future.

Examine yourself. What do you want to be or achieve by next year? In two years time? In three years time? Let the vision take shape in your mind. Vision is the ability to think about or plan the future with great imagination and wisdom. It is a dream of preferred future because dreams of today are the realities of tomorrow.

One exciting thing about children is their way of life. They live a carefree life. Majority of them don’t think beyond tomorrow; they focus on what they can see and enjoy. On the contrary, you are the architect of your future, therefore, it is left for you to determine what it will be. The mental picture of what you aspire to be or achieve must first take shape within your mind before you start to pursue it. Vision is therefore the awareness of your destination before the journey or pursuit actually begins.

A visionary sees opportunity in adversity. This involves seeing one’s future the present. Take a leaf from this great man. Martin Luther king (jr) who in the midst of discrimination, segregation and racial prejudice upheld and worked for a dream which has put a smile on the faces of all blacks in America today.

A person’s thoughts are like water in a deep well, but someone with insight can draw them out. The wise can see where they are going, having an insight of their future aspiration; without this, your life dreams will end like a lamp that goes out in the dark. It is like trying to chew with a loose tooth or walk with a crippled foot.

The book of proverbs tells us that, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” It is obvious that hope lies on ‘future’ and the future depends on ‘vision’; thus, a man who is living without a vision is chasing shadows. He is living an unrealistic life and therefore, will end up completely at sea.

It is not surprising to hear that even an insane person (for example a mad woman) in the course of her duty (madness) works with a vision irrespective of the outcome of her effort. Although, the result might seem useless to you as reasonable person, yet she is always satisfied with accomplishing her mission.

Vision is the foundation of success. It identifies direction, purpose, and gives you the sense to plan ahead. Knowing how to charm a snake is of no use if you let the snake bite first. If your axe is blunt and you don’t sharpen it, you have to work harder to use it. Take ants for instance, they are very tinny, but are one of the cleverest animals on earth that work with vision and plan.

The saying that “the future does not exist for one who does not have a present” implies that your future starts today. Your decisions as regard to your future (vision) determine your destiny. That is why we say that today’s decisions are tomorrow’s realities. John Mason tells us, “Every accomplishment, great or small, starts with a decision.”You must know what you want in life. “When you determined what you want, you have made the most important decision in your life. You have to know what you want in other to attain it, “said Douglas Lurtan”. The decision you take, whether right or wrong, will make or mar your career.

Vision is a glimpse of your destiny. Richard Bach made us understand that you are never given a dream without the power to make it come true; though you have to work for it. Jim Williams added that vision for your future is the road map of what God wants to accomplish in and through you.

If You Would Build High You Must Be Low

noreply@blogger.com (Hassan Oluwaseun) — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000

And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.—(KJV)
Genesis 11:4

Those rebellious souls were determined to make a name for themselves. The tower symbolized their unity and opposition to God. They said, “let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth” (v4). But God stopped them by breaking down their communication system and thwarting their self-centered, God-defying objectives.

Even though we are Christians, sometime we get caught up in making a name for ourselves by climbing business, religious, or social tower that deny God His rightful place. If we do, will eventually be brought down because God is still at the top. True greatness dose not lie with those Who strive for worldly fame; but it lies instead with those who choose To serve in Jesus' name.

Bible In One Year
Numbers 16-17