Good News of Great Joy

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As we come together on the first Sunday of the month of December, and we are preparing for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, I feel compelled by the Spirit of God to lead our thought on the message of the angels to the shepherds: “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:9-11). 

Do you remember how you jumped shouted and danced around when you received an alert from your Bank credited by your Employer who owed you eleven months salary? This time it comes with promotion and incentives you never expected. You just couldn’t wait to get home, to find that friend or loved one, and blurt out the good news? You burst through the door, a big grin on your face, and you said: “guess what!” I declare this day; you shall receive great news of joy for your family to celebrate in Jesus name. Joy erupted in heaven and the overflow engulfed the earth so powerfully that the shepherd in the filled was terrified. Bu the angels said, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people…” 

It is no more a news that life in Lagos and Nigeria at large is not just easy. The country is in full blown recession and cost of living is attaining unimaginable height. a bag of rice during same period last year was just ₦7,000 but today its ₦22,000 while minimum wage of workers remain ₦18,000. Industries are laying off workers while some are relocating to nearby countries due to difficulty in doing business. There is security challenges everywhere and church attendance dwindling. There are the struggles, difficulties, pains, untimely death, etc. Sometimes we even feel the pain more severely during the Christmas season. Expectations are dashed while frustration and depression set in. I have a message of hope from the throne of grace you, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2: 14. The favor of the Lord which passes the political favoritism rests on you for hope and breakthrough in Jesus name.

Sometimes we fail to differentiate between happiness and joy. Happiness results from situations when we get our salary, or get a bonus, or when we are out with friends, or when we go on holiday. We feel happy when we can enjoy good food or drinks. But feelings of happiness come and go.  And sometimes happiness turns to disappointment especially when the source of happiness exhaust like the wine in Cana of Galilee during wedding. This is not so with joy which is far deeper than happiness. It does not depend upon the circumstances or the situation. Stop depending on mundane things for happiness and turn to the person who is able to fill you with joy. Psalm 43:4; Psalm 16:11; Psalm 98:4; Isaiah 35:10; John 15:11; Acts 13:52; Galatians 5:22

PRAYER POINTS

Lord I thank you for releasing your Son Jesus Christ to the World especially me

I thank you Lord for divine favour received through Jesus Christ

I renounce every burden of sin and Satan that is hindering my joy in Jesus name

O Lord; arise and break all yokes of sadness in my life in Jesus name

I surrender my worries and burdens to you Lord. Lift up my head for greater testimonies in Jesus name

Every agent of sad news turn away from me in Jesus name

Lord; visit me with unprecedented breakthrough in Jesus name

Abundant Grace Mission International: DILIGENCE: KEY TO GREATNESS

Abundant Grace Mission International: DILIGENCE: KEY TO GREATNESS: G. S. Adeyemo TEXTS: - Jeremiah 31:16 “Thus says the LORD, "Restrain your voice from weeping And your eyes from tears; For your...

DILIGENCE: KEY TO GREATNESS

G. S. Adeyemo

TEXTS: - Jeremiah 31:16 “Thus says the LORD, "Restrain your voice from weeping And your eyes from tears; For your work will be rewarded," declares the LORD, "And they will return from the land of the enemy.” 

Proverbs 10:4 “Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.” 

 Definition 

Diligence and hard work are words we use interchangeably. They are associated with assiduity, persistence, determination and consistence. However, I will like to stick to the former.  Diligence means that we are continually working toward our goals, making use of what resources and opportunities are available. We are vigilant to avoid errors and to stay focused on the task at hand. Our diligence provides a basis for people trusting us with jobs that are tricky or complicated and also important to them. Miguel De Cervantes says, “Diligence is the mother of good fortune, and idleness, its opposite, never brought a man to the goal of any of his best wishes.” 

Observations 

God rewards diligence. Whatever you do, never shrink or lag. It may be inconvenient at a start but God is watching and will never overlook every drop of your sweat. The word of God says, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.” Proverbs 21:5.  Those great men and women of the Bible are rewarded for their diligence search and service for God. Though we are saved by faith yet we are challenged to be diligent in service. 1 Kings 11: 28; 2 Chronicles 24:13; Ezra 5:8; 2 Corinthians 8:11; 1 Timothy 5: 17; Proverbs 10: 4; 2 Thessalonians 3: 10

Rewards of Diligence

A diligent hand rules others Proverbs 12: 24

Harvest of Riches Proverbs 10: 4

Diligence brings favour Proverbs 11: 27

Application

How to be Diligent 

1. Remove distractions.   Stay focused and do not be distracted by your phone, internet, television, friends and anything that will not contribute to your goals. 

2. Keep yourself organized. Keep your diary or calendar of activities closer to you. You are advised to have to-do-lists. Learn to plan well and stick to your action plans except when it is stringently necessary to alter it.    

3. Put first thing first. Prioritize your activities in order of importance. The word of God talks about precept upon precept and line upon line. I am sure you have heard of putting the horse before the cart and not the other way round. 

4. Maximize your time. This is one thing we cannot recreate or expand. Both the rich and the poor have the same numbers of hours per day. Use your time efficiently. Do not spend too much time on what cannot add value to your status. Chatting without gaining is self destroying. 

Conclusion

Activities do not bring productivity but intensity and assiduity will earn you favour. Diligence does not remove faith but activate it. Without diligence you cannot study the word of God effectively. Prayers will be lifeless without diligence. Therefore take heed to Divine instructions from the Bible that says, “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders. Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.…” 1 Timothy 4: 14-16. 

Remain blessed in Jesus name.

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