The Benefit Of Upholding Positive Character
[1/3, 6:13 AM] Navy Man: OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL..
DATE: Wednesday, January 3RD 2024
THEME: NEW YEAR RESOLUTION II
MEMORISE: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Matthew 7:7
READ: 2 Kings 2:19-20
19 And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.
22 And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.
MESSAGE:
I started what you may call my 'New Year resolutions' yesterday and I will be discussing the second resolution on my list today. This year, I will open my mouth and tell God exactly how things are with me. I have discovered from experience that many people have become so good at pretending that all is well when all is not, even before God, the One who knows everything.
In our Bible reading today, the men of Jericho revealed the true state of their city to Elisha and God used the prophet to put an end to the problem in their land.
Come to think of it however, Elijah, the spiritual father of Elisha, walked among the people of Jericho for years, but it was not recorded in the Bible that they informed him of the problems they were facing. They suffered for so long because of their silence! This year, I have decided that I am not going to suffer in silence. I am going to tell the Almighty God what my problems are: I am going to tell Him everything because I know that He will solve them all. I will not wait until I am about to lose things that are precious to me before l cry out like the widow in 2 Kings 4:1-7 did.
I visited one of my uncles many years ago and his wife served me pounded yam about the size of a baby's fist. If l had intended to stay for one day, I would have kept my mouth shut, but I was going to stay for one week and pounded yam of that size will not satisfy me at all. I was very young, and I had a healthy appetite. So, I called the woman, "Excuse me ma'am, am l welcome here?" She said, "yes, of course you are." I said, "In that case, this pounded yam cannot satisfy me; please Iet me have some more." She went into her bedroom, did not know what she told her husband, but l heard them laughing. I couldn't have cared less; as long as she came back with more pounded yam, I was fine.
This year, ensure that you do not pretend or form as the youths will say, before God. Tell Him exactly where the shoe hurts. Make up your mind like me to ask for His help more than ever before and He will surely answer you (Mathew21:22).
KEY POINT
Stop suffering in silence, tell God all your needs this year.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 9-12
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 8: I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR
1 I need Thee ev'ry hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Ev'ry hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
2 I need Thee ev'ry hour,
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r
When Thou art nigh. [Refrain]
3 I need Thee ev'ry hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain. [Refrain]
4 I need Thee ev'ry hour,
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill. [Refrain]
[1/3, 6:43 AM] Navy Man: SEEDS OF DESTINY DAILY DEVOTIONAL BY DR PASTOR PAUL ENENCHE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 03, 2024
TOPIC: THE BENEFIT OF UPHOLDING POSITIVE CHARACTER
SCRIPTURE: Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
Psalm 112:4.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Righteousness brings brightness and unrighteousness invites darkness.
Yesterday, we saw that character is an essential requirement for going through this year successfully. The longevity of a person is tied to his integrity because sin cuts a person’s life short.
Now, why is it necessary to uphold positive character?
Character guarantees divine guidance and direction.
One essential necessity of life in this New Year is Divine guidance and direction. You need divine direction to know where your blessing lies; you need divine guidance to avert the plot of the evil one in this New Year. And one thing that guarantees divine guidance and direction is positive character. Iniquity on the other hand brings confusion.
Proverbs 11:3 says,
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
Integrity brings guidance. Character supplies direction.
Proverbs 21: 29 says,
A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
Uprightness brings direction.
Again, Psalm 112:4 says,
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
So, righteousness brings brightness and unrighteousness invites darkness. A sinner will never find his way in life as long as he remains in sin. Character is key to guidance. Character is key to divine direction.
Beloved, in this New Year, refuse to live in darkness. Connect to divine direction by the power of positive character.
REMEMBER THIS: Righteousness brings brightness and unrighteousness invites darkness.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Refuse to live in darkness and confusion in this New Year.
2. Make up your mind to access divine direction by upholding positive character.
PRAYER: Lord, I refuse to live in darkness and confusion this year. I ask that You flood my life with light as I live right, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: The Power Of Positive Character (Part 3).
QUOTE: The integrity of Joseph was responsible for the supernatural supply and Divine opportunities he had. Culled from the book, “21 Uncommon Keys To Financial Overflow” by Dr Paul Enenche.
DAILY READING: Genesis 11-15.
AMAZING FACT: Honey is incredibly healthy and includes enzymes, vitamins, minerals. It is the only food that contains “pinocembrin”, an antioxidant associated with improved brain functioning.
DECLARATION/WORD: The Lord flood your path with light and direction as you uphold godly character in this season in Jesus Name.
