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The Passing Summer
Song: We plead the power in the Blood of Jesus(2x) Power in the Blood We plead the power in the Blood of Jesus "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5). To be wise is to have or show experience, knowledge, good judgement and prudence in matters. We need wisdom to discern situations around us and act appropriately. Oh yes we need wisdom to understand God's leading and follow faithfully. Unfortunately, to many, it is easier to be wise after the event has happened, in other words when they have failed to see in advance. Wisdom is seeing in advance; understanding the future. However it is only when we fear and reverence God that we begin to be wise. God said to King Solomon after offering his sacrifice at Gibeon, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." (1 Kings 3:5). King Solomon then was the new king of Israel and Judah and God knew the great tasks and responsibilities that were ahead of him. King Solomon responded, "…Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" (1 Kings 3:7-9). The scripture records that the Lord was with King Solomon's request and said, "… I will do what you have asked. I will give you a WISE and DISCERNING HEART so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be…" (1 Kings 3:11-15). When you read through the whole text, you will discover that God added many more things that King Solomon did not request for. I pray that God will be pleased always with the kind of request with make daily. Wisdom comes with every other good thing you can think about - health, blessings, prosperity, intelligence, success, wonderful opportunities, breakthroughs and more. In the book of Proverbs 30:24-28, "Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise, Proverbs 30:25, ANTS are creatures of little power, yet they store up their food in the summer" , may God help us to be industrious like ant and be wise to save for tomorrow. May we make the most of every opportunity that comes our way. Oh God make us wise for futurity. 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Proverbs 30:26 CONNIES/ROCK-BADGERS are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags/rocks." May God give us the wisdom to use whatever we have to build a solid foundation that cannot be shaken. Proverbs 30:27 LOCUST have no king, yet they advance together in ranks." In unity lies our strength, may we remain united to both God and man; so that God's grace will continue to flow in us. Unity in the Body of Christ 1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6). “It is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18) Proverbs 30:28 LIZARD, can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in Kings' palaces." May God give us the wisdom to know that the house of success is built on the foundation of determination, diligence and discipline. “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.” (Proverbs 22:29) Matthew 25:1-13 The Parable of the Ten Virgins 1"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' 7"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 9" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' 10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' 12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' 13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. From the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, we may observe, a. Their different character, with the proof and evidence of it. b. Their character was that five were wise, and five foolish (Matthew25:2); and “wisdom excelled folly, as far as light excelled darkness”; so said Solomon, a competent judge, (Ecclesiastes 2:13). Note, Those of the same profession and denomination among men, may yet be of characters vastly different in the sight of God. Sincere Christians are the wise virgins, and hypocrites the foolish ones, as in another parable they are represented by wise and foolish builders (Lk. 14:25-33). Luke 14:25-33 The Cost of Being a Disciple 25Large crowds were travelling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' 31"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. True religion is true wisdom; sin is folly, but especially the sin of hypocrisy, for those are the greatest fools, that are wise in their own conceit,“The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.” (Proverbs 28:11 ). “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:21). And those the worst of sinners, that feign themselves just men (pretended to be honest) Luke 20:20. To be religious is to be wise; this is a thing to which it is necessary that we apply our hearts, and the matter requires and deserves a close application, to which frequent thoughts of the uncertainty of our continuance here and the certainty of our removal hence, will very much contribute. God Bless You Evang. John Bamidele Oseh |