ODM May 5, 2019
TOPIC: THE ‘2 BOXES’ OF GOD: REJOICE BY FORCE ( By Bishop Dr Chris Kwakpovwe)
BASIC SCRIPTURES: Philippians 4:4-6; Matthew 11;25-30
Consider the write-up, titled: “THE 2 BOXES OF GOD”: “I have in my hands two boxes, which God gave me to hold. He said: ‘Put all your sorrow in the black box, and all your joys in the gold.” I heeded His words, and in the two boxes, both my joys and sorrows I stored. But though the gold became heavier each day, the black was as light as before.
With curiosity, I opened the black box because I wanted to find out why, and saw, in the base of the box, a hole, through which my sorrows had fallen out! I showed the hole to God and mused. ‘I wonder where my sorrows could be!’ He smiled a gentle smile and said, ‘My child, they’re all here with me.”
I asked God why He gave me the boxes- Why the gold and the black with the hole? And quickly came the reply: ‘My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings, the black is for you to let go” And that’s what heaven is saying to a user of today’s devotional. NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH, GOD WANTS YOU TO COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS! Yes, the year 2019 is already in the 2nd quarter, but in the midst of the battles of life, find time to remember the blessings! There are always roses in the midst of thorns! There is always a honeycomb attached to every deadly lion.
Ask Samson! A man was blaming God that he had no shoes, till he met a man that had no feet! There is always something you can thank God for! If you can’t thank God for what you have, then thank Him for the things you don’t have, e.g. death! Lots of people died last night/today, but you are still alive for a purpose. There are visible reasons for your life when the only tangible thing you can see as your reason for thanking God is the GIFT OF LIFE and isn’t that wonderful reason?
AND NEVER FORGET THAT YOUR BLESSING IS BECAUSE HE TOOK THE BURDEN! He took your sorrow on the cross and that’s why He says in today’s 1st scripture Vs 4: “Rejoice in the Lord always (delight, gladden yourselves in Him)…”
The emphasis lies in the words: “IN THE LORD and “IN HIM.” Wow! Your rejoicing should be because of Him- Because of what He Has done, not necessarily because of any testimony or breakthrough! REJOICE BY FORCE! REBEL AGAINST EMOTIONS OF DEPRESSION, heaviness/sorrow, anxiety or worry! Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS and even now! Start laughing now! Laugh at the devil now!!
Today is the continuation of the 7-Sunday programme titled: 55 Secrets of uncommon success- the Story behind the Glory. Venue: Manna Mountain, Ogudu Ori-Oke Lagos. Lekki Mountain will always be connected.
Time: 8.00 a.m.
ODM Prayer Point for today
(Take Song 2: Count your blessings …)
- No matter what you are going through, lift up your hands and start rejoicing IN THE LORD now. Pray for the sick today.
- Pray about today! Pray generally about your life and ministry as led. Laugh at the devil now!
Count Your Blessings | Johnson Oatman, Jr.
- When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.- Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
[*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]
- Refrain:
- Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by. - When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy] Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. - So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Am blessed today because I can’t count what the Lord has done for me
I’m so blessed today
I’ve learnt to give God thanks in all situations
Amen. Wow….I can’t count my blessings they are too many. I thank God for this word. God bless you Bishop for the work you are doing. Amen and Amen.