Tabernacle of Peace-MCN, Adigbe

EXCERPS FROM TODAY'S SERMON

TOPIC
Maintaining the unity of the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:1-4, Philippians 2:1-4

METHODIST DAILY REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Monday, 21st August, 2023

THEME: A Lasting Faith

PASSAGE: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Lasting faith is faith that does not give up. Faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1). Saint Peter was writing at a time the some wicked people like Emperor Nero (AD 54-68) saw Christians as useful scapegoats to be blamed for anything that went wrong in the society. They were thus persecuted with some being burned alive or thrown into arenas to be eaten by wild animals. Peter tended to find answers to how the truths concerning salvation and faith apply in such circumstances.

As Christians in the midst of persecutions, poverty, sickness, ethnic conflicts, gender- based issues and human animosity – all which often translate into violence, we need to endure suffering before glory can be received (1 Pet1:11). Jesus, our role model, endured persecution and died on the cross like a criminal though He was sinless.



As believers, our sufferings serve to confirm the genuineness of our faith which, at last, will bring us praise, glory and honour at Christ’s return (1 Pet1:7).

In our country as well as some countries of the world, Christians are persecuted on a daily basis by unbelievers. Churches are being burnt while worshippers are harassed, maimed and murdered in cold blood. Even those at the helm of affairs politically appear nonchalant about the situation. All these, according to Peter, should be seen as sharing in the persecution of Christ Himself who endured to the last. Why? It is because a crown of glory, of righteousness and everlasting life awaits us in heaven. (2 Tim. 4:8)

As we go out today, let us be resolute that our anchor is on Jesus Christ who is the Author and Finisher of our faith.

MEMORY VERSE: 1 Peter 1:7 “That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

HYMN: MHB 402 (8.8.8.8 and refrain) FAITH of our fathers living still

PRAYER: O Lord my God, grant us grace to have lasting faith as we journey in this life, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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*METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA*

DAILY REFLECTION FOR

_SUNDAY AUGUST 20, 2023_

*_TEXT: JEREMIAH 15:16-19_*
¹⁶ Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.
¹⁷ I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers, Nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because of Your hand, For You have filled me with indignation.
¹⁸ Why is my pain perpetual And my wound incurable, Which refuses to be healed? Will You surely be to me like an unreliable stream, As waters that fail?
¹⁹ Therefore thus says the Lord: "If you return, Then I will bring you back; You shall stand before Me; If you take out the precious from the vile, You shall be as My mouth. Let them return to you, But you must not return to them.

*THEME: _REPENT AND LIVE_*

*THE MESSAGE*
The people of Judah made God angry by forsaking Him, and worshipping Baal, the god of their neighbours. They mocked Prophet Jeremiah, calling him “Prophet of doom” because he saw nothing good among the people of Judah.

For these and other sins, God promised to cast them out of His sight, cause them to die of the sword, and gave them famine and all kinds of death. However, in our passage we see Jeremiah still pleading with God to forgive. Therefore in Verse 19 God says, if they return to Him, He will make them stand before Him.

In the story of Peter’s denial of Christ in His most trying moments, we see the failing of man when he relies on his strength to perform a task even in everyday moments. Samuel Davies of blessed memory and composer of MHB 356 wrote, “Who is a pardoning God like Thee or who has grace so rich and free?” However, forgiveness and restoration come with repentance. Though the flesh fails man when relied upon, the love that God has for man does not fail when we fall. Peter truly loved his Lord but made the mistake of showing this love on his own strength. Without the strength that comes from the Holy Spirit, we are prone to stray from the God we love (MHB 417vs.3).

But we take assurance from the promise of God who keeps covenant. Though we struggle with sin in our everyday activities, we must continue to rely on the Holy Spirit strength to overcome every temptation and satanic attack.

If we say we do not have sin we deceive ourselves (1John 1:8), but we have a faithful High Priest who knows our failing and is pleading for mercy at the Throne of Grace. When we repent our redemption is assured.

*HYMN: EMHB 356* _(8.8.8.8. & refrain)_
1. Great God of wonders all Thy ways
Display the attributes divine;
But countless acts of pardoning
grace
Beyond Thine other wonders shine:

_Who is a pardoning God like Thee?_
_Or who has grace so rich and free?_

2. In wonder lost, with trembling joy
We take the pardon of our God;
Pardon for crimes of deepest dye,
A pardon bought with Jesu's blood:

3. Pardon from an offended God!
Pardon for sins of deepest dye!
Pardon bestowed through Jesu's
blood!
Pardon that brings the rebel nigh

4. O may this strange, this matchless grace,
This God-like miracle of love,
Fill the wide earth with grateful praise,
As now it fills the choirs above

_MEMORY VERSE:_
Jeremiah 15:19a “Therefore thus says the Lord: "If you return, Then I will bring you back; You shall stand before Me.”

*PRAYER:*
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your gracious presence in my life. Help me to feel your forgiveness when I confess my sins and erase them completely with the blood of the Lamb. Amen.

_Read -_
Day: Gal. 1-2
Night: 2Chro.5-6

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METHODIST DAILY REFLECTION FOR:

Saturday, 19th August, 2023

THEME: The Efficacy of the Word

PASSAGE: Psalm 119:9-16
9. BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

10. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

12. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

13. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

14. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

15. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

16. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

*THE MESSAGE*
An old man spoke about an event in the past and it was found to be true and detailed. When asked how he obtained such fact and knowledge, he responded that he was an eye-witness. When the Bible began with the word “In the beginning God said” Genesis 1:1, some people asked who was there that could write such vivid account of creation? The answer came in John 1:1&2 when John revealed that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. So the Word had been with God from the beginning and He has the key to the door of eternal life. Without Him, we can achieve nothing (John 15:5).

Throughout the scriptures, the Word was an explanation of the love and power of God for His creation. Because the Word was at the beginning and the Word was God, the power displayed in creation came from the Word. So, the Word is power because there is ultimate Power of God behind the Word.

When the Word is spoken, it carries with it the authority of Him who spoke. When we follow the Word as detailed in the Scriptures, it has the power of making our lives orderly and peaceful. That is why the Psalmist could say “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Ps. 119:105). When one has light in a dark place, it makes one to move faster and safer than where and when darkness envelopes everywhere.

So the Word has authority because the God who spoke it is the Creator of the whole universe and everything created by Him obeys His Word. He defends it with all His authority and power. Believe in the efficacy of the Word and whatsoever you desire from God shall always be granted.

MEMORY VERSE: Psalm 119:11 “I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”

HYMN: MHB 303 (7.6.7.6.D) O WORD of God Incarnate
1. O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high, O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky, we praise thee for the radiance that from the hallowed page, a lantern to our footsteps, shines on from age to age.

2. The church from her dear Master received the gift divine, and still that light she lifteth oer all the earth to shine. It is the golden casket, where gems of truth are stored; it is the heav
drawn picture Of Christ, the living Word.

3. It floateth like a banner before Gods host unfurled; it shineth like a beacon above the darkling world. It is the chart and compass that oer lifes surging sea, mid mists and rocks and quicksands, still guides, O Christ, to thee.

4. O make thy church, dear Savior, a lamp of purest gold, to bear before the nations thy true light, as of old. O teach thy wandring pilgrims by this their path to trace, il, clouds and darkness ended, they see thee face to face.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, when life seems complicated and difficult, help me to rely on the promises in Your Word and hear my prayers, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

7.6.7.6

METHODIST DAILY REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Friday, 18th August, 2023

THEME: Don’t Join Them

PASSAGE: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

When we were young, we used to join in the celebration of the “Ogun festival” in which we freely ate things sacrificed unto the Yoruba god of iron (ogun). It was when the Word of God that we heard then condemned it that we stopped.

The Corinthians of Paul’s day were possibly like this. They joined unbelievers to celebrate some idolatrous feasts and other things that were inimical to their heavenly goal. Some Christians still take part in such idolatrous feasts such as new yam festival, worship of the goddess of rivers, asking the god of their village or foundation to protect their children! This is a steady march towards apostasy! Beware!!

John was a believer who truly tried to live his faith. However, he worked in a government organisation where corruption was a culture. He was always under pressure to do things that were opposed his faith. His colleagues hated him for not taking actions that will threaten his faith and his rights and privileges were always denied him. However, whenever the top managers of his organisation were looking for efficiency and righteousness they did not look far before they got to John. For standing firm in his faith, and diligence, his organisation promoted him above his fraudulent colleagues.

This case of Brother John is the scenario believers face in a world. When the world is asking you to do things that do not honour God, do not join them. Separate yourself from them and cling tenaciously to your father in heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, and you will surely overcome.

The flesh is always prompting us to follow the way of the crowd which Jesus describes as the “broad way”. But it takes a firm character for believers to stand alone. So stand firm in faith. And do not join them to do what is wrong. God has never abandoned those who trust Him indeed.

MEMORY VERSE: Isaiah 52:11 “Depart depart go out from there. Touch not unclean things. Come out from them and be pure, you who carry the vessel of the Lord.”

HYMN: MHB 461 (C.M.) O FOR a closer walk with God

PRAYER: Merciful God help me to successfully navigate all storms of life without any stain or wrinkles, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

*HURRAY!*
It's a day to celebrate with our son - *Darren Idowu*

We pray God continue to abide with you now and forever.

May your light so shine for the world to see and may the goodness of God never depart from you.

*Happy Birthday*
_From all of us @ TOP_

METHODIST DAILY REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Thursday, 17th August, 2023

THEME: Do not Harden your Heart

PASSAGE: Hebrew 3:12-19

Apostasy, which is total falling away or abandonment of the Christian faith. it does not happen in a day, but begins gradually in stages such as refusal to hear the Word of God, hardness of one’s heart, rebellion against God or His ministers, prayerlessness, and having no repentant heart.

The heart or mind is supposed to be the origin of all thoughts and actions. The heart is the place where one’s conscience dwells. Like a computer’s CPU, the conscience is influenced by what it takes in either from word or the environment. The intake into the mind influences the action of the individual. When the mind is filled with wrong influences, actions taken by such individual are sinful. Prov. 4:4b says, “Let your heart retain my words; keep my commandments (in your heart) and live.”

The Word of God, when preached, intends to remove all wrong thoughts that are not in conformity with the dictates or the will of God. When our sinful acts are pointed out in the course of our everyday actions, we will do well to check out where we have gone astray according to God’s Word and His will concerning such acts.

When we accept correction, we are restored and forgiven. However, the deceiver (the devil) may prompt us to harden our heart to these timely warnings and when we do that we are steadily moving along the path of destruction. We should always ask ourselves in every given situation “What will Jesus, the Author and finisher of my faith and role model, do if He were in my position”? We should always open ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit in all our actions. He knows the end from the beginning and beginning to the end of everything.

So let Jesus, rule our hearts or minds and it will always be well with us.

MEMORY VERSE: Hebrews 3:14 “We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.”

HYMN: MHB 553 (L.M.) COME, Holy Ghost all quickening fire

PRAYER: Dear Father in Heaven, help me to be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in all I do or say, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

METHODIST DAILY REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Wednesday, 16th August, 2023

THEME: Grow Up Well

PASSAGE: Hebrew 5:11-14

When a child of three years cannot talk of walk, there is bound to be serious concern by the parents. When one begins a new life in Christ, it is termed a spiritual rebirth or simply “Born Again” (John 3:3). But when a Christian of say ten years cannot quote a portion in the Bible or teach, his pastors will cry out.

At birth whether physically or spiritually, we are at a very vulnerable state; and we need the care and nurturing experience of those instrumental in bringing about our existence either spiritually or physically. In the physical form, our parents care for us by feeding us with milk which is easily digested in the child’s system. At a point in our development, our parents introduce solid food to us which, in their estimation, will make us stronger and healthier. There is no parent that will introduce solid food to a newborn child. It will cause serious developmental crises. The same is true in our spiritual development.

Those who brought about our spiritual life would and should not abandon us at the point of birth. Rather, they should feed us with the food the spirit needs i.e. the Word of God. The simple truth of the Kingdom is initially introduced to us and gradually, as we grow, more hard facts of the kingdom are brought to our attention. So we need nurturing until we are able to stand and handle the Word on our own. If, however, we show stunted growth either by not feeding with the right food or having no food at all, it becomes a serious tragedy. When believers are open to all kinds of teaching, especially as orchestrated by men of God, we show sign of stunted growth. How we handle the truth of the Word will definitely make or mar our growth in the spirit.

MEMORY VERSE: Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food is for the mature who can by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

HYMN: MHB 554(S.M.) O COME and dwell in me

PRAYER: Dear Father in heaven, help me to remember that You are still working in my life towards perfection so that I can be like your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

METHODIST DAILY REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Tuesday, 15th August, 2023

THEME: Give Room for the Word

PASSAGE: Matthew 13:3-9

Christ indicates four major types of the heart of man, when it comes to receiving the Word of God. One of the four types of soil which invariably represents the condition of man’s heart is a good one. The heart, like the good soil where the seed was sown, received the Word, allowed it to germinate, absorbed the Word, acted on the Word. The explanation of Jesus Christ as seen in 18ff gives a full meaning of the parable.

Indeed, the parable is a true picture of the church of God today especially at this end time. The church of God is full of the people that lack the basic understanding of the Word of God today. A typical example of the seed that fell by the way side is when there is a dichotomy in such hearts between the disposition of the Word of God and the erroneous beliefs on a given divine instruction.

The rocky heart represents the man or woman that received the Word but some challenges like delay in marriage, joblessness, childlessness, sickness, delay in promotion, etc, expunge and deflate the divine seed that was sown in the believer’s heart.

These points are the reasons a once vibrant brother/sister has now become a truant in the house of God. Please check your heart’s condition now. Regardless of worries and other challenges of life, a seed sown on a good soil will yield bountifully. So also any heart that gives room to the Word of God will yield quality and quantity harvest. Such heart will withstand the test of time as Jesus demonstrated and conquer the devil in the desert of temptation.

Dearly beloved, give enough room in your heart for the Word of God today and the rest of your life. Water it daily and you will find out that Satan will be afraid of you.

MEMORY VERSE: Colossians 2:6 “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.”

HYMN: MHB 303 (7.6.7.6) O WORD of God incarnate

PRAYER: O God, I yield my heart Your Word, help me to model my life after Your Son, Jesus Christ, in holiness, righteousness and humility forever. Amen.

7.6.7.6

Let's celebrate with our beloved Brother as he is a year older today - *Bro. Shokunbi Abidemi*

As you celebrate today, may your days be filled with grace and favour in abundance.

_*Happy Birthday to you Sir.*_

From a of us @ *TOP*

METHODIST DAILY REFLECTION FOR:

Monday, 14th August, 2023

THEME: God is not Limited by Nature

PASSAGE: Joshua 10: 1-14
1. Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;

2. That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty.

3. Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,

4. Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.

5. Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.

6. And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.

7. So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour.

8. And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.

9. Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night.

10. And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.

*THE MESSAGE*
Today’s text speaks volume of practical demonstration of God’s power. Scientifically speaking, it is the earth that travels or revolves around the sun which suggests that the sun always stands still. However, we must not doubt the miracle and the terminology used in today’s passage. After all, we are not confused whenever someone tells us that the sun rises or sets. A preacher once gave a–down-to earth preaching on this matter. He assumed that the miracle of Joshua’s day accounted for the month of February being shorter than other months!

The fact remains that God stepped into the matter of the day on behalf of Joshua and his people to prolong the day for them to have an overwhelming victory over their enemies, the warlike and dreaded Amorites. The unusual miracle of the day justifies the veracity of today’s consideration that “God is not limited by nature”.

This kind of miracle was reflected in the lives of Abramham and Sarah. After they have lost hope of child bearing due to their natural body metabolism, God visited them and proved the natural order wrong. Lions became friendly to Daniel instead of tearing him, which is their nature towards their prey.

Are there life-threatening issues and challenges in your life? Are you thinking of committing su***de? Have you been told to hurriedly prepare your will because of the death lurking around you? Is your medical report a concern to you and your family doctor? Have you been married for years with no child? Please go on your knees, and, if possible, declare days of fasting and prayer with holiness and humility and see God of wonders in action. As you believe in God’s power when God steps into your matter the irreversible becomes reversible, the impossibility becomes possible, the most unqualified becomes qualified, human protocols are suspended or broken, and the law of nature is suspended.

MEMORY VERSE: Joshua 10:14 “And there was no day like that before it or after it that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of man, for the Lord fought for Israel.”

HYMN: 335 (8.5.8.5 and refrain) PASS me not, O gentle Saviour
1. Pass me not, O gentle Savior, hear my humble cry; while on others thou art calling, do not pass me by.

Refrain: Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry; while on others thou art calling, do not pass me by.

2. Let me at thy throne of mercy find a sweet relief; kneeling there in deep contrition, help my unbelief. [Refrain]

3. Trusting only in thy merit, would I seek thy face; heal my wounded, broken spirit, save me by thy grace. [Refrain]

4. Thou the spring of all my comfort, more than life to me, whom have I on earth beside thee? Whom in heaven but thee? [Refrain]

PRAYER: O Lord, I thank You for accepting to step into my precarious situation. Let those waging war against me and my family be annihilated, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

8.5.8.5

EXCERPS FROM TODAY'S SUNDAY SERVICE

Today, we celebrate with our beloved brother - *Bro. Opeyemi Bello*

We pray God in his faithfulness grant you all your heart desires.

May this new begining bring God's favour and grace to you now and forever.

Happy Birthday to you Sir

_From all of us @ TOP

METHODIST DAILY REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Sunday, 13th August, 2023

THEME: The Unprofitable Messenger

PASSAGE: Jeremiah 23:28-32

Every Christian is God’s messenger. As Christ reconciled man back to God, so it becomes important for those who accept the Lordship of Jesus to know that they have the mandate of God to run errands for His Kingdom expansion. To this end, today’s message explicitly tells us God’s displeasure against the unprofitable servant(s) both the prophets, pastors, ministers and every church member.

The major features of any unprofitable servant are unfaithfulness and deception. It is, however, saddening that some of our altars today are engulfed with the cankerworms, starting from the higher to the lower ebb of the church administration. No aspect or organ of the church can be exempted, be it the clergy or the laity. These had affected the operation of the church adversely. It has also almost watered down the effectiveness of the priests, regardless of rank.

Some ministers have forgotten that sharing the Word of God is a great responsibility because the way you share and live by it will encourage people either to accept it or reject it. We are to accurately communicate and live God’s Word. We must know that as ministers our members will also want to find out if we practice what we preach. Unless it has changed us, why should they let it change them?

We preach integrity but when last did you return the left over on your expenses of the trip you made on behalf of the church? Why do we often change the title of our God-given sermon? Is it because of a high-profile member of the church you cannot afford to offend?

All these and others are the characteristics of an unprofitable servant which require us to work on especially the priests. We must not forget that we are ministers of God and we must set good examples to those we lead or teach.

MEMORY VERSE: Jeremiah 23:32 “Behold, I am against those who prophecy false dreams”, says the Lord, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by theirs and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all” says the LORD.”

HYMN: 475(6.4.6.4 and refrain) I NEED Thee every hour

PRAYER: I thank You for opening my eyes to see myself in the search light of Your Word Lord, forgive my past misdeeds as I promise to make amends henceforth, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

6.4.6.4

METHODIST DAILY REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Saturday, 12th August, 2023

THEME: The Fullness of Christ

PASSAGE: Ephesians 4: 1-16

Our study today can be safely divided into two parts: (i) Reasons for Christians’ unity: Apostle Paul admonished us to walk worthy as followers of Christ. We are to do so with “lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. There should be no division because there is only one body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord (Jesus Christ), one faith (gospel doctrine), one baptism and one God.

(ii) The gifts of Christ to oil the unity in diversity: He gave some grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. He gave some apostles, some prophets and some evangelists and some pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the saints and for the work of the ministry to the body of Christ. All these gifts, according to Paul, are for Christians to attain the fullness of Christ, who is the Lord of all.

A critical and spiritual searchlight into the reasons why the components of the body of Christ are endowed with these gifts are to faithfully and holistically serve others until the fullness of Christ is realized. For instance, the carriers of these gifts must not lord themselves over others, nor consider themselves having a better advantage than the others.

The attainment of the fullness of Christ is possible when, for example, a pastor does not see himself/herself as the ruler of the church but just an ordinary servant of the church. This principle is applicable to all the classes and categories of the listed fivefold ministry. After all, Christ, the central figure of the Church, though He is our Lord, came to the world to serve and not to be served (Mark 10: 43 - 45).

Are Christians united today? No. The mundane things of life are those pursuits which keep separating them from the love of Christ. Let us guard against these, in order to attain the fullness of Christ.

MEMORY VERSE: Ephesians 4:13 “Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

HYMN: 555(7.7.7.7) WHEN, my Saviour, shall I be

PRAYER: O God, help me daily to become mature in the knowledge of Your Word until the fullness of Your Son, Jesus Christ, is found in me. Amen.

7.7.7.7

METHODIST DAILY REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Friday, 11th August, 2023

THEME: The Unfaithful Nation

PASSAGE: Jeremiah 2: 1-8

In our text for today, God made a strong case against the people of Judah including the priests and leaders. They fed fat and forsook God who had seen them out of all their troubles in their 40 years wandering experience in the wilderness and through a land of deserts, of pits, of drought and of the shadow of death. Unfortunately, in spite of all God had done for her, the nation of Israel failed to reciprocate by remaining ever-faithful to God. They forgot God completely.

Brothers and sisters, has God not been faithful to us either as individuals or as a nation? Some of us can remember our years of agony when we cried unto Him either to rescue us from the enemy, sickness, wretchedness, penury, joblessness, barrenness, fruitlessness and other problems that were capable of destroying our future. Then, in the agony, we promised to serve Him faithfully.

Many of us promised then that if God could offer us employment, we would faithfully pay our tithes, play active part in every activity of the church either by giving voluntary donations or by regular attendance at church programmes. Have you been faithful to your promises?

Nigeria, the giant of Africa, with the abundant human resources, intellectual gifts, good weather, good vegetation, the faithfulness of God to us has been so great that there was nothing we planted that did not bear fruit. Regrettably, instead of us to respond appropriately, we defiled our land with shedding of innocent blood, ritual killings, banditry, power tussle even among church leaders, covetousness, nepotism, jealousy, hatred, character assassination, etc.

It is appalling that the priests that are supposed to call people’s attention to the vices are sometimes engaged in unwholesome rivalries and character assassinations because of positions and mundane things of life. Can we ask for God’s benevolence in sin? God forbid. Let us think deeply about it and amend our ways.

MEMORY VERSE: Jeremiah 2:5 “Thus said the Lord, what iniquity have your fathers found in Me that they are gone far from Me and have walked after vanity and are become vain?”

HYMN: MHB 746 (10.7.10.7 and refrain) I AM Thine, O Lord

PRAYER: O Lord, please forgive me of every act of unfaithfulness and from today redirect my path, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

10.7.10.7