Memorise:
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Proverb 8:17
Read: Proverb 8:17-18
8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
8:18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
Message:
From the encounter the widow of Zarephath had with God in 1 Kings 17:8-16, we learn that God knows how to reciprocate love. It takes deep love for God for you to be ready to give your very last meal for His sake. When in Proverbs 8:17 God said,
“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”
He meant every word of it. When the widow was told to go and first prepare food for Elijah, she looked at him and said, ‘I will do it. Not for you, but for your God and because of my love for Him”. Can it be said that you truly love the Lord? The testimony of genuine love for God is a great testimony every believer in Christ should have. After all is said and done, may it be declared concerning you that you loved the Lord.
Beloved, do you know that giving of first fruits is just a test of your love for God? By the grace of God, out of my love for God and to reach out to lost souls, I desired to convene a Holy Ghost Congress. The first Congress took place in 1977. I wanted to invite students to come together for this purpose, but I could not afford to feed them all. I had no money but I had a car, and without thinking much about it, I sold the car for that purpose. I did this with every sense of joy and satisfaction. At that time, some people thought I was mad, and really, I was madly in love with God.
When God says He loves those who love Him, He means it. When you demonstrate how much you love Him, He will reciprocate. Just recently, I announced to the congregation that I no longer had a need for cars, so nobody should give me a car as a gift anymore. When I got home that same day, four new cars were already waiting for me. I said I didn’t want any more cars, but God said I haven’t seen anything yet. I gave Him my first car and ever since, He keeps sending me cars. The widow gave God her last meal and God kept sending more meals to her. While everyone around her was either starving or dying due to famine, she and her household got more fattened. You may not believe this, but do you know that I gave the very first house I built in my life to the Lord? For me, it was indeed a pleasurable thing to do. I did not come into this world with a house. God built one for me and when He needed it, I gave it to Him out of love. I can tell you that He has been very faithful to me ever since. Are you still holding back lands, houses, money and other things that you could have given Him to demonstrate your love and provoke greater returns? Do you really love Him?
Action Point:
Pray that God will cause your nation to make progress in every sector.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 1-4
Hosea 14
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 1: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE
1. My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!
2. May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!
3. While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.
4. When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!
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