Written by: Pastor Ade Adesina - Power House International Ministries
Psalm 48 v 12-14
Walk around Jerusalem and count its towers.
Notice how strong they are.
Look at the palaces.
Then you can tell your children about them.
This God is our God forever and ever.
He will guide us from now on.
Notes
At the time when Jerusalem and the king’s palaces were built, they were
the most magnificent of sights to behold. Nations and people travelled to Jerusalem
to observe the splendour and gaze upon the monuments. It was widely acknowledged
that their beauty and magnificence were as a result of an act of Almighty God.
To the Jew these icons stood to confirm God’s presence among them and
they related the tales of how it was built to generations to remind them of
their inheritance in God. Unfortunately, the buildings were destroyed due to
the sins of the Jews and the monument became a byword. Do you realise there
is a better building today which serves as a temple of the living God, a building
that tells of His mercy towards mankind, a building that is full of testimony,
and that building is you?
I consider that in times past all of us were buildings not worthy of mention; we lived in sin and enjoyed iniquity with all unrighteousness. However, when Jesus Christ came into our lives He reversed the curse of the law and removed the shame and reproach that seemingly plagued us. Now we are magnificent buildings set upon a hill and worthy of praise.
Every good that exist in us today is so because of the grace and goodness of God. We are symbols of God’s greatness. We are the living testimony of His grace and the light that shines in the dark corners of the community. We must declare to our children, siblings, friends and family what the Lord has done. The evidence of our salvation is our lifestyle among a dying generation therefore we point all to Christ through our testimony.
Keep yourself pure and you may for ever be a testimony of God’s grace.
Prayer
Father, I thank You for sending Jesus for my sake. Thank You for paying the
price for my freedom and thank You for saving me. Lord, help me to be a living
testimony and a light that shines in the darkness. Strengthen me in my journey
through life that I may never give in to acts of unrighteousness, but that
I remain faithful to the end. Thank You that You will use me to reach the
lost and to encourage the faint-hearted, in Jesus’ name. Amen
Psalm 49 v 1-4
Listen to this, all you nations; listen, all you who live on earth.
Listen, both great and small, rich and poor together.
What I say is wise, and my heart speaks with understanding.
I will pay attention to a wise saying;
I will explain my riddle on the harp.
Notes
One of the greatest problems of mankind, especially among the younger generation,
is the ability to listen to wise and sound counsel. The politicians don’t
necessarily listen to their constituents, adolescents have a mind of their
own, parents rarely listen deeply to the cries or anxieties of their children,
and least of all we don’t really listen to God’s voice as it
comes through His Word or other vessels that He chooses to establish communication
with us. Christ is the wisdom of God, all the wisdom we need to fulfil our
purpose on earth.
Wise counsel puts you on the path of life; it helps you to decipher between the good and not so good. The deeper the counsel within you, the more life you retain. If ever there are people who need counsel, it is those of us who are trying to live right in an ungodly society. “How do I order my life when there is a conflict between what I see around me and what I read in God’s word?” is the question many ask. The answer is in the wise saying of those who have overcome the trials of life and live as a testimony to assist all that may want to live victoriously.
“I will pay attention” highlights a willingness to give heed and a commitment to examine counsel closely. It places you on a good pedestal for growth, amidst the various invitations clamouring for your attention. Wise counsel sticks out like the moon among the numerous stars on a bright night. Paying attention is also an act of humility and a willingness to learn and be corrected. How different the world would be if we all had listening ears.
Prayer
Lord, I thank You for the holy Spirit, the teacher and counsellor in our day.
Please give me a heart that seeks after You. Touch my heart and make me understand
the wise counsel. Keep me from all wrong as I submit to counsel. Thank You
for answered prayers in Jesus’ name. Amen
Psalm 49 v 5-9
Why should I be afraid of bad days?
Why should I fear when evil men surround me?
They trust in their money and brag about their riches.
No one can buy back the life of another.
No one can pay God for his own life, because the price of a life is high.
No payment is ever enough.
Do people live forever?
Don’t they all face death?
Notes
I consider myself blessed knowing Jesus is my Saviour and a host of heavenly
angels surround me, a promise that comes to mind and that keeps me going
is that which says – the rod of the wicked will not rest on the portion
of the righteous (see Psalm 125 v 3). So much has happened in recent times,
remembering 7/7 and 21/7, these events have shaken the faith of many and
created fear in the hearts of many. Having God’s hand over my life
assures me of His divine protection.
It’s beautiful living by faith and not by fear. Many live in fear of the journey by train or bus and fear terrifies many because they have no assurance of divine protection. There is no alternative to salvation in Jesus. It’s walking in the reality of God’s love for us that delivers us from all forms of evil. In the day of evil we cannot bribe death or redeem life with money. However, there is a price that has already been paid that promises and guarantees protection for us and our loved ones. Therefore, you witness and testify about God’s faithfulness to those who currently live without Him. Keep yourself in the love of God.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for loving me, demonstrated by Jesus’ death on the cross.
I ask that You keep me from all evil, grant that Your angels cover me with
their wings, and that I be safe in Your arms. Lord, I pray for my loved ones
yet to receive You as personal Lord and Saviour. Grant that the Holy Spirit
leads them to You. Touch their hearts that they may understand Your love for
them. Thank You for answering my prayers in Jesus’ name. Amen
Psalm 49 v 10-15
See, even wise people die.
Fools and stupid people also die and leave their wealth to others.
Their graves will always be their homes.
They will live there from now on, even though they named places after themselves.
Even rich people do not live forever; like the animals, people die.
This is what will happen to those who trust in themselves and to their followers
who believe them.
Like sheep, they must die, and death will be their shepherd.
Honest people will rule over them in the morning, and their bodies will rot
in a grave far from home.
But God will save my life and will take me from the grave.
Notes
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and yet to lose his/her life?
Your legacy lies in your contribution, influence and impact in the next generation.
Why die when you can live? Though we all die, your impact and influence is
a tale of your life. To amass wealth while neglecting your family and those
around is a highway to destruction.
The Bible says we should seek the kingdom of God first and His righteousness and all other things will be added to us (see Matthew 6 v 33). Therefore, our duty is to make God our focus and to diligently seek Him. The closer we get to Him the better we are able to define accurately our priorities which determine our focus.
According to the passage, man shall not live for ever. It is helpful, therefore, to invest your life in things that matter and on things that are eternal with significant rewards. When God helps you to number your days then a heart of understanding enables wise and timely decisions. Find someone to be a blessing to, reach out to those who are hurting, say a prayer for the troubled and help someone reach their destiny; they will never forget you.
Prayer
Lord, I thank You for the Holy Spirit who continually leads me in the way of
truth. Help me. dear Father. to invest my life in things that matter. Help
me to understand and utilise the precious gift given to me that I may lay
up treasures in places that count. Thank You, Lord, for You lead me in the
way of truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Psalm 49 v 16-20
Don’t be afraid of rich people because their houses are more beautiful.
They don’t take anything to the grave; their wealth won’t go down
with them.
Even though they were praised when they were alive - and people may praise
you when you succeed - they will go to where their ancestors are.
They will never see light again.
Rich people with no understanding are just like animals that die.
Notes
Don’t be envious of what another man has, because to whom much is given,
much is expected!
There is a definite lure to lust after riches and fame, especially in this generation because of the perks that come with it. Many have sacrificed true friends, families, values and their integrity to make the “almighty buck” … for what? What does it profit a man if he should gain the whole world yet lose his very soul? (see Mark 8 v 36) This was Jesus’ view on the unbalanced pursuit of wealth. Wealth without purpose is very dangerous as it gives you the licence to destroy your own very life.
Put the love of money in its place … out of your life! Understand that all the money we amass here on earth cannot be spent in heaven. We need to find a way to convert the cash we get on earth into treasure that is useful in heaven, and we must do it before we get to heaven (there are no bureau de changes in heaven!). Since we cannot spend the money amassed on earth when we cross over to eternity, we need to know how to convert that currency into another currency that is viable in heaven.
Use your money to help people who are in genuine need, pay your tithes, give your offerings to the Lord, and contribute to the building of God’s kingdom here on earth by donations and other forms of financial support to worthy causes. In so doing, you are converting the cash in your hand (or bank account) into treasure that is in heaven. A rich man, without understanding this reality, gains the whole world yet loses his very soul in the process. Money should be mastered, not become a master!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I thank You that You were made poor that I might be rich, lacking
nothing. Help me to master money and not to be mastered by it. Grant me self-control
to give willingly and cheerfully when it is necessary. Lead me to the places
and people that will give me an opportunity to convert the cash in my hand
to treasure in heaven. Amen
Psalm 50 v 1-6
The God of gods, the LORD, speaks.
He calls the earth from the rising to the setting sun.
God shines from Jerusalem, whose beauty is perfect.
Our God comes, and he will not be silent.
A fire burns in front of him, and a powerful storm surrounds him.
He calls to the sky above and to the earth that he might judge his people.
He says, “Gather around, you who worship me, who have made an agreement
with me, using a sacrifice.”
God is the judge, and even the skies say he is right.
Notes
This is definitely a call and a reminder of the second appearing of our Lord
Jesus, when He will come to judge sin, for He hates sin. These days everybody
is too busy trying to make ends meet, too busy with careers. Righteousness,
the emblem of the Christian, has been thrown out into the wind in favour
of big bucks, status and prestige. We must stand for integrity knowing full
well one day that we shall stand before God to give account of things we
have done.
Many will say that things are not the same today as they were during the days of Jesus. Well, that’s true. However, certain things have not changed and will never change. God’s standard will never change. The best approach to life is to do right and damn the consequences! If the Lord appears when you have chosen right you will be rewarded for your faithfulness. It’s like Joseph who had no regrets about righteousness. The offer of immorality lay before him, but he refused the offer day after day. Joseph probably knew what lay ahead of him and therefore did not intend to compromise. Eventually he was rewarded for his faithfulness to God.
I have heard people say He will not come yet, or some will say: “I hope He doesn’t come yet; I am not ready.” Hey, guys, the good things we seem to enjoy here are nothing in comparison to the joy that awaits us in His kingdom. Therefore, living in a prepared state is important. Our hearts must daily seek God and yearn for His presence. Make your life count for the things of the kingdom. That way His appearing will not meet you unprepared, and when judgement takes place you will be on the right side of God’s law.
Prayer
Father, I thank You for loving me more than I could love myself. Thank You
for counting me worthy enough to send Your Son Jesus to die for me. Help
me this day to place You as the priority in my life, giving no room to the
deceptions of the devil. In this evil generation strengthen me to be able
to still be an example of right living like Jesus. Amen
Psalm 50 v 7-14
God says, “My people, listen to me;
Israel, I will testify against you.
I am God, your God.
I do not scold you for your sacrifices.
You always bring me your burnt offerings.
But I do not need bulls from your stalls or goats from your pens, because every
animal of the forest is already mine.
The cattle on a thousand hills are mine.
I know every bird on the mountains, and every living thing in the fields is
mine.
If I were hungry, I would not tell you, because the earth and everything in
it are mine.
I don’t eat the meat of bulls or drink the blood of goats.
Give an offering to show thanks to God.
Give God Most High what you have promised.
Notes
There is one thing expected of us daily: praise and worship. We were created
for Him and His purpose and nothing in His creation compares with us. The
heart that loves God worships Him for who He is. None other is deserving
of worship but He who holds all within His hand. All who praise God acknowledge
and love Him. God desires none other but to see His own people dwell in His
presence. All that there is in this world is belongs to Him. If He ever had
a need of anything, who would He ask?
How thankful are you? How much, if there were a cost implication, would we place on the air we breathe, or for the sun that shines upon us, or for the reflection of the moon which brightens those dark and lonely paths? How much should He charge you for your health? If all these are priceless, then God deserves thanks for His goodness and mercy on you.
When you make a promise to God, He expects you to make good these promises as it’s a personal commitment, entered into voluntarily. Hannah made a vow to God concerning a male child. God showed up and she paid her vow. The fulfilment of her promise became the springboard for further promises for her (see 1 Samuel 1). It is not compulsory to make vows, but when you do there is a requirement to fulfil it. Fulfilling it is a sign of gratitude to God for His favour and goodness towards you. It is quite possible that over time one may forget some promises. Nonetheless, on remembrance it must be fulfilled. It’s good to make promises, but make only those you will remember. That will not be too much to pay.
Prayer
Father, I praise You for who You are, who You’ve been to me and who You
promise to be. I acknowledge that I am a product of Your mercy and grace and
for this I am eternally grateful. I ask today that You bring me to remembrance
of every promise or vow that I have made to You that I might fulfil them. I
ask also that You give me strength and ability to “make good” those
promises that seem more difficult. I thank You in Jesus’ name, Amen
word-on-the-web uses the Scripture text
taken from the Youth Bible, New Century Version (Anglicised Edition) copyright
1993 by Word Publishing Milton Keynes