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Send your light and your truth to guide me, to lead me to your holy mountain, to your home. Psalm 43:3 ERV

Light brings the brightness of daybreak, stimulates sight and makes things visible. It’s also God’s rays of revelation-truth that comforts and gently leads onto His radiant presence. Our text reveals the power of the Light.

Beloved, Light enlightens, corrects, directs, illumines, reveals and guides. Your degree of enlightenment, determines your degree of right actions and excellence. God’s holy mountain is the mount of His holiness where His terbernacle is, which is His dwelling place. Until you find your way to this sacred place of the burning presence of the exuberant and magnificent God, you can’t receive enlightenment and can’t sing your thanks with a harp in worship of Him. The power of the Light is revealed in its ability to lead you to this sacred place of His holy presence, which is only where deliverance from ignorance is received and understanding, knowledge, and power to do the mind of God are gained [James 4:13-16]. It’s takes the power of the Light to experience deliverance from ignorance, be wise and not to take advantage of the poor, thereby insulting their Maker, but to honor Him by being kind to them. Only the power of the Light can make you a wise person and not a fool [Proverbs 14:31-33]. Though the Light is always available, but being guided and led by it is impossible without knowing, receiving and allowing it to lead you, which involves a deliberate choice.

Grace upon grace!
Team Treasure

PRAYER: Ever-Living and changless God, thank You for Your light that’s always available to illumine my path and lead me into Your radiant and exuberant presence so that I’ll always excell in life. Today and always, help me to crave for and never reject, but receive the ministry of this light, that I’ll always dwell in Your presence and excel in everything I do, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Welcome to November. Allow yourself to always be lead to excellence by the Light of God.

Brothers and sisters, don’t ever grow weary in doing what is right. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 TPT

Becoming weary is losing heart, slacking off, getting, feeling or showing extreme tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion. Our text reveals why and how never to get weary in doing what’s right.

Beloved, the ability to continue in well-doing without weakening, wearying or slacking off is a product of an individual choice of seeing what’s right as a duty. This warning wouldn’t have been necessary without the existence of a very huge challenge and high risk of giving up doing what is right in moments of challenge, great crisis and controversy, either at home or workplace. Doing what is right implies practically getting rid of everything that is not right, always acting with humility, assuming the best and not jumping into conclusions, as well as never betraying a confidence [Proverbs 25:4-9]. It spreads the Master’s message and fulfills His desire for it to be preached in every corner of the earth [2 Thessalonians 3:1]. Praying for your leaders, following their example of love, never giving up and pulling your weight are practical ways of doing right [vv. 2-3,5,7-9]. The truth remains that its only the Spirit that knows what’s right and helps a person to do it, because He’s the only One that brings into the new covenant, therefore you must always rely on Him, so as never be weary of doing right [Jeremiah 31:31-34].

Grace upon grace!
Team Treasure

PRAYER: Thank You that my past is forgiven and forgotten, that I can know You, and that You’ve put Your Spirit into my heart. Today and always, give me wisdom and perseverance, and guide me so that I may always do the right thing that the peace and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ will be with me. Help us in our church community to get rid of the dross in our hearts, to act with humility towards one another and to always seek to do the right thing, regardless of the circumstances, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

So then, dear family, stand firm with a masterful grip of the teachings we gave you, either by word of mouth or by our letter. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 TPT

Backsliding also known as falling away or committing apostasy, is a term used to describe a process by which an individual who has converted to Christianity reverts to pre-conversion habits and/or lapses or falls into sin, when a person who has been near Jesus, moves/turns away from Him to pursue personal desires. Our text reveals how to avoid backsliding.

Beloved, departure from a good confession of faith and from the ethical standards prescribed for God’s people in the Scriptures, isn’t a commendable thing. ‘Stand firm’ implies that there’s a powerful enemy force that fights against your standing, is always attempting to push you back and break down your rank. Not backsliding means your succeeding at all cost and all times, in standing strong and firm, against falling back or breaking rank. Registering such success is only possible through having a masterful grip of the teachings of the Lord. The temptation to fall away and backslide usually begins with our hearts and eyes. Therefore, getting a firm grip on your heart and your eyes and turning them to the Lord are non-negotiable to not backsliding [Psalm 119:36 –37a]. Secondly, taking delight in the Word guarantees being led in the path that pleases God and holding firmly to the truth of the gospel [vv. 2,3]. Thirdly, stand firm together as a strong family and community —God never intended you to fight your battles alone. He called you to be a part of a strong, healthy, vibrant, growing family of His people. Together you can stand firm, not only resisting backsliding, but moving forward [Hebrews 10:25; Jeremiah 30:20]. Standing firm must be till the end, else there’ll be no victory [Matthew 24:13].

Grace upon grace!
Team Treasure

PRAYER: Ever-living Father, thank You that I am loved by You and that one day, I will share in the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to find delight in Your words, turn my heart away from selfish gain and my eyes from worthless things, so that I may be able to stand firm, holding onto the truth of the gospel despite opposition, so that I may not backslide but stand firm to the end, with joy and thanksgiving. Today and always, as I devote myself today to being close to You, may my love continually deepen and increase, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

So do not listen to your prophets or to those who claim to predict the future by divination, by dreams, by consulting the dead, or by practicing magic. They keep telling you, ‘You do not need to be subject to the king of Babylon.’ Jeremiah 27:9 NET

The future is a period of time following the moment of speaking or writing; a time regarded as still to come, something going or likely to happen or exist in time to come. Our text reveals God’s good plan for your future.

Beloved, the future is the brain behind all human endeavors, but is usually hidden from humanity. However some are so obsessed with knowing what it holds for them, that in this obsession, revealing their lack of trust in the Lord and ignorance, they listen to anyone, — spiritualists, futurologist and fortunetellers through horoscope and others, literally do almost anything, to have access to it and end up being deceived and destroyed. Amazingly, only the One who holds the past, present and future, truly knows the future. Though much of your future is hidden from you, there are certain things about it that God tells you, as a believer. Your future is freedom, therefore choose to run in the path of God’s commands, for He has set your heart free [Psalm 119:32]. It is secure, because Jesus is coming back and this coming is the most important thing to know and believe. It changes everything about how you live your life now, and infuses every moment of the present with hope. God gives you everything you need, and makes you everything you’re to be, but your response to the gospel determines your future [2 Thessalonians 1:2,10]. Your future is hopeful and very good. It doesn’t matter how bleak and hopeless it may seem, therefore you don’t need to consult anyone except the Lord concerning it [Jeremiah 29:11; 27:9].

Grace upon grace!
Team Treasure

PRAYER: Loving Father, thank You so much that You’ve great plans for me, and that my long-term future is secure in You. I thank You also that You’ve a path of freedom for me and that, in times of struggle, I can turn to You and be strengthened and saved. I turn to you now and speak honestly with You concerning….. Today and always, as I trust and seek You with all my heart, help me to make the most of my life here – to grow in faith and love, walk in Your paths, fulfil the purpose You have for me and bring honour to Your name, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I am a stranger and a temporary resident on the earth; hide not Your commandments from me. Psalm 119:19 AMPC

To be different is to be dissimilar, distinct, partly or totally unlike in nature, form, or quality. Our text reveals how and why to be different.

Beloved, a stranger is an alien, a sojourner, foreigner, temporary resident, visitor or one who’s in a place for just a little while. His most important need is clear direction, guidance or tutoring, which ensures being at the right place, doing the right thing and not getting into trouble. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t quite fit in with those around you at work or in your neighbourhood or your values and lifestyle seem to be a little different or divergent, leading you to sometimes face scorn and contempt, then you’re on the right track. As a servant of God, you’re called to live like a stranger in order to be different from those around you [vs.19; Hebrews 11:13; 1 Peter 1:17]. The degree of revelation of the Word you’ve, equals the degree of difference from others you’ll be. To be different from the world around you, you need have a soul that’s starved and hungry, ravenously insatiable for God’s nourishing Word. This will make you not to be like others, or run away from darkness, but be a shining light in it [I Thessalonians 5: 4, 5a, 6], be day not night as the children of the day [vs. 5], and be awake not asleep [vs. 6-7, 10], as well as be sober not drunk [vs. 8]. Your lifestyle must be totally different from those of the unbelievers around you else you’re not of God.

Grace upon grace!
Team Treasure

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I thank You for the examples of those who were willing to dare to be different from those around them, even to the point of being sentenced to death. Thank You also that Jesus died for me that I may live together with You. Today and always, give me courage to dare to be different, to speak the words You tell me to say, and to live as a stranger on earth. Help me to avoid every kind of evil and live a life of love, kindness, joy and peace, as well as be consumed with longing for Your Word, and to meditate on what You say. Open my eyes every time, that I may see wonderful things in Your Word and live victoriously by it, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

And now, beloved brothers and sisters, since you have been mentored by us with respect to living for God and pleasing him, I appeal to you in the name of the Lord Jesus with this request: keep faithfully growing through our teachings even more and more. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 TPT

More is a determiner that reveals a greater or additional amount or degree of something than before, average or something else. Our text reveals the desire or hunger for more.

Beloved, the desire, drive or hunger for more is a propelling force of life to contend with, because, the more you have what you want, the more you’ll be left with a vague feeling of unfulfillment, questioning where’s the rest? — the more you’ll want more. The desire for more is always born out of the desire for fulfilment, though you’ll always be left with a vague feeling of unfulfillment, despite all your desires for more and the degrees of seeking pleasure for yourself. This is because what really will satisfy your spiritual hunger and thirst, and the things that you should seek more and more are, living to please God and loving each other [verses 1, 9–10]. However, you can’t live to please God without desiring and having more wisdom from Him, which aids you to judge impartially, speak honestly, stay loyal, show restraint and work hard [Proverbs:24: 25-26, 28-29, 33-34]. Similarly, you can’t have more wisdom from God without listening to His holy words [Jeremiah 23:9,29]. The call and craving to love God and others more and more, can’t be fulfilled without giving dignity to your body, because God is concerned about your body as well as your soul [vs. 3-5 ], living a beautiful and holy life [vs 7-8], loving each other and minding your own business [vs. 9-11], getting a job if you can and enjoying an endless hope, because no one can live well until he can die well [vs. 11-14].

Grace upon grace!
Team Treasure

PRAYER: Everlasting Father, thank You for Your Holy Spirit who is at work within me, and who helps me to live a life that pleases You more and more. Help me in my weakness to live a holy life, of love, sexual purity, right ambition, hope and encouragement. Also help me to spend more and more time listening to and hearing Your Word, to grow in wisdom, impartiality, honesty, faithfulness, restraint and industry, as well as to daily live a life more and more loving, holy and pleasing to You, that’ll compel I others do the same, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

And if you have supported others, don’t we rightfully deserve this privilege even more? But as you know, we haven’t used that right. Instead, we have continued to support ourselves so that we would never be a hindrance to the spread of the gospel of Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:12 TPT

Influence is the act, capacity of causing or power of producing an effect in indirect or intangible ways, without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command. Our text reveals how to maximise your influence.

Beloved, thinking of yourself as being too little or insignificant to bring an influence, because of fewness in number or littleness in appearance is an error, ask anyone that has spent a night with just one mosquito. An African proverb captures it excellently: ‘If you think you’re too small to make a difference, you haven’t spent the night with a mosquito’. The mosquito certainly makes a difference in an annoying way, implying that one person can stop a great injustice, be a voice for truth, or show kindness that can save a life. The Holy Spirit puts it this way: it only takes a minute amount of yeast, you know, to permeate an entire loaf of bread [Galatians 5:9 MSG]. Your life certainly has been influenced by so many people, parents, peers, teachers, friends and family. You’ve also inevitably been a positive or negative influence to others, by what you do and say. God called and chose you like He did Israel, to be a blessing — an influence. You’ll fulfill this through creative and innovative worship as well as witnessing [Psalm 96:1-3,10]. Like Paul, you must absolutely be passionate about preaching the gospel and be determined to maximise your influence for good, by putting up with anything, sacrificing your rights, rather than give anyone an ammunition to discredit you or impugn your motives, thereby hindering the gospel [vv.12b,15]. One wise person can save a city, also one sinner can destroy much good [Ecclesiastes 9:13–18], Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot are historical glaring examples of the later principle. You must positively maximize your influence today.

Grace upon grace!
Team Treasure

PRAYER: Thank You Gracious Father for the calling upon my life to be a blessing. Help me to always follow the example of apostle Paul to maximise the impact and influence of the preaching of the gospel by making it available free of charge and to put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. Help me also to use my influence for good and not for evil, and to make the most of every opportunity that You’ve put before me, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Put the trumpet to your lips and give the warning. Be like an eagle over the LORD’s house. The Israelites have broken my agreement. They have not obeyed my law. Hosea 8:1 ERV

A broken heart is a state of extreme grief, intense emotional stress or pain, despair, disillusionment and devastating sorrow, one feels, especially from disappointment in love, the death of a loved one or the ending of a romantic relationship. Our text reveals how the breaking of God’s heart.

Beloved, every child of God has a high capacity to bring great joy to Him and can also bring Him a broken heart and grief, —a foolish child griefs, upsets and brings bitter sorrows to the parents, and vice versa [Proverbs 17:25]. The degree of brokenheartedness a disappointment brings is always a reflection of the depth of love involved. The rejection of God’s promises and rebellion against His teachings, the breaking of His covenant, defying of His revelation, and revolting against His law, gives Him a broken heart, and causes the enemy to swoop down or descend on the Lord’s temple and people like a vulture [Hosea 8:1]. Every child of God as His mouthpiece, is to set the trumpet to his lips, announcing and warning of the danger and impending judgment of breaking God’s heart! Knowing who you’re, that you’re deeply loved by God and that He’s deeply disappointed and heart broken when you disobeyed Him, should be the basis of your confidence, security and hope, as well as driving passion to always please Him, —you’re no longer to live according to the sinful nature, but according to the Spirit, who leads you to stop setting your mind on what the sinful nature desires but rather on what the Spirit desires [Romans 8: 4-6].

Grace upon grace!
Team Treasure

PRAYER: Abba Father, thank You for the amazing privilege of being Your child. Thank You that Your Spirit living within me testifies with my spirit that I am Your child. Thank You that my future is secure – that I am Your heir and co-heir with Christ. Help me to always be a wise and faithful child who pleases You and never gives You a broken heart, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not! Matthew 23:37.

God’s plan and desire is to GATHER Jerusalem (His own people) under His wings just as mother hen does to her chicks, BUT His own rejected and keeps rejecting the offer. Mother hen gathers her chicks to provide them warmth during cold, shelter from rain, a nest to rest in and shelter from danger and harm. Under the wings there is salvation. The wings of Mother hen are always there, but the chicks MUST choose to go under them before they could enjoy the above benefits. Also it is the Mother Hen that KNOWS when the chicks needs the shadow of her wings. It could be by day when d heat is so intense or its raining, it could be after having sourced for food for a long while and rest is needed, it could also be at night. The duty of the chicks is to make use of what has been provided. Similarly the Lord knows all you need and what is best for you at any moment. The Psalmist said, ”there is the snare of the fowler and the perilous pestilence, the terror by night and arrow by day; pestilence in darkness and destruction at noon” 91:3-6. These are all meant to destroy. The only protection against them is ”The Refuge” which is under the His Wings where His feathers becomes a covering. This protection is available always YET most time His people like Jerusalem of old, still falls prey and are overtaken by danger and destruction, because the refuse and reject the shadow of His wings in preference to the light of their provision. Friend in your profession, marriage, family, work, church, academics, investments, etc What ”light” have you chosen in preference to ”the Shadow of His Wings”. Will you continue like Jerusalem to reject the warmth, and shelter He has given you to your detriment? Take a bold step today.