YOUR DAILY DOSE OF GOD

Good morning Scripture reading: 1 Peter 5:6-11 Worship song: If It Had Not Been   Meditation:      Recently, during my leisure time, I watched a wildlife documentary and was dumbfounded by the vicious way in which these animals attack and bring down their victims. Most of all, I was startled yet captivated by the hunting techniques displayed by the lions and how they captured and slew their prey. No wonder Peter describes the devil as a roaring lion prowling about seeking whom he may devour. At no time should we let down our guard because the devil is always on the lookout, waiting for an opportunity to launch his attack. We are to be sober, vigilant, and watchful with our drones on the lookout and our antennas alert and ready to send off signals of impending danger. We should be armed and ready for defense at all times, lest the devil catch us off-guard. The devil is cunning and crafty; therefore, we cannot resist him if we are not completely submissive to...

Good morning Scripture: St. John 6:60-68 Worship song: I Go to the Rock   Meditation:      Who do you turn to when friends, loved ones, family, and those you are acquainted with turn their backs on you? Who do you run to when the pressures of life become unbearable? Who do you turn to when you have no one to lean on? Who do you turn to when you are struggling to overcome the hurt, the pain, and broken promises when you are grief-stricken? Who do you run to when the tempest is raging, and the billows are tossing high? You might be stigmatized, condemned, rejected, and cast aside, but rest assured you are not alone. Jesus, who knew no sin, who came to redeem mankind from sin, who spent his time healing and ministering to the sick, the lame, and the spiritually blind, was rejected, abused, and crucified for doing good. Whatever your situation, whatever storm is raging in your life, you can find shelter in the arms of the master of the ocean, sky, and earth. Wh...

Good morning Scripture reading: Matthew 22:8-14 Worship song: Worthy   Meditation:      To be considered worthy, you must have and display the abilities that merit recognition for the specific purpose to which you are required to serve.  Jesus, in his deliberation, likened the Kingdom of Heaven to a king preparing a wedding ceremony for his child. Spending time and resources preparing for any function or celebration to appease the invitees is something that every caterer looks forward to with great delight. Normally, preparation is made based on the number of expected participants. But as illustrated in the scripture, there is the possibility that all your sacrificial effort and labor might be taken for granted and overlooked.  Jesus prepared a wedding ceremony and is continuously making appeals for us to join in the festivity, but many are too busy with the cares of this world to accept His offer. But if we continue to ignore the plea to come to th...

Good morning   Scripture reading: Psalm 107:1-9 Worship Song: I Look Down the Road and I wonder (Medley)   Meditation:      O wandering heart, driven by selfish desires, searching and meddling in things that displease the Lord, do not kick against the pricks. The pricks, also known as goads or cattle rods, are long pointed sticks used to guide or spur oxen pulling a loaded cart. The pricks keep the oxen humble, and if they began to rebel by kicking out at the pricks, it would result in the pricks being driven into their flesh, causing more suffering. Paul, whose name was Saul, like the ox, was rebelling against God. He was on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christians when he had a blinding encounter with Jesus. It is foolish and futile to resist God's will. It is much better to heed God’s voice, to listen, and to yield to the pangs of conscience. By resisting God’s authority, we are only punishing ourselves. Do not allow the spirit of stubbornness ...

Good morning  Scripture reading: St. Matt. 11:28-30 Worship song: Draw Me Closer   Meditation:      Are you shackled by a heavy burden? Is sin weighing you down? Why not surrender it all to Jesus Christ? To surrender means the act of yielding totally to one's will or giving up the possession of something, especially into the power of another. To surrender all to Jesus Christ means we have forsaken everything and have decided to live by His will. There is a point in every person’s life when they need to stop resisting God and yield and surrender to Him. When you forsake all and surrender your heavy burdens of unconfessed sin unto God, your heavy burdens will be lifted, and you will be set free. If iniquity is in your heart, put it far away from you and let God have his way. When we allow God to order our steps and direct us, our burdens will be lifted, and the raging storms will be calm and treacherous seas controlled. Surrender all to Jesus Christ and ...

Good morning Scripture reading: St. Luke 21:6-28 Worship song: If Not for Grace   Meditation:      There are various things taking place in society nowadays that are cause for concern. People are busy altering God's creation to satisfy their egos. We have seen the rapid change in events and the behavioral patterns of people that leave us astonished yet aware that these things must come to pass. Men are leaving the natural use of women, burned in their lust, men with men working that which is unseemly and the women doing likewise. More and more, there is evidence that people are enticed and blinded by worldly pleasures. They have become so consumed by unrighteousness, immoralities, covetousness, maliciousness, envy, hatred, and deceit that they do not realize they are governed by their reprobate mind. Idol worshipping and self-satisfaction have caused many to drift away from the commandments of God. They have become haters of God, unmerciful, despiteful, pro...

Good morning  Scripture reading: Joshua 24:14-15 Praise song: Mighty One   Meditation:      Joshua declared that all those within his household would serve the Lord. Joshua witnessed the power of Almighty God as he led the children of Israel through the wilderness, and therefore he was able to declare that he and his household will serve the Lord. Joshua encouraged the Israelites and advised them to serve the Lord sincerely, seek him earnestly, and forget about the gods whom their forefathers served. They had a choice to choose whether or not they wanted to serve the Lord. When you come in contact with the creator of the universe, the God who created you in His own image and likeness, you can't resist the desire to serve him wholeheartedly. Serving the Lord is an open invitation freely offered to all persons. No one can force you to choose whom you want to serve. However, remember, the choice you make today will determine your eternity. As you make you...

Good morning Scripture reading: St. Luke 18: 35-43 Worship song: He Will Carry Meditation:      When the blind man heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing through Jericho, he cried out without fear for Jesus to have mercy on him. He knew he had a condition that only Jesus could fix. His concern was not about those who wanted to shut him up but about his deliverance. Giving sight to the blind and bringing people out of darkness into his marvelous light was the reason why Jesus came, and he did it willingly. Jesus came not for the righteous but to help sinners and grant them the peace of God. Jesus, the Light of the world, fulfilled the messianic prophecies of bringing freedom for prisoners of darkness and recovery of sight for the blind. There are many blinded by their sinful deeds, meddling in that which displeases God. There are those who are bound by addiction, deception, and indulging in iniquities, but if you cry out to Jesus, He will help. His overwhelming, ...

Good morning  Scripture reading: 1 Thess 5:16-28 Worship song: Pray On   Meditation:      1 Thess 5 reminds us to 'pray without ceasing'. Prayer should be our main priority. Daniel knew the importance of prayer, and so he prayed to God three times per day, even when the new law signed by King Darius forbid praying to any god or man unless they were praying to him. Jehovah God does not force us to pray or set limits about how often we pray, but we should take into consideration that prayer is the way to communicate with our Heavenly Father through the leading of the Holy Spirit. The decision to pray and how often we connect with God through prayer is a decision that each person should make. We also can determine what, when, and where we will pray. Many people have the concept that prayer is done only in the morning, at night, before meals, during church services, or when we are in trouble. Prayer can be done at any time and as often as possible. We shou...

Good morning Scripture reading: St. John 14:6-11 Worship song: The Way   Meditation:      Probe Ministry carried out a new survey in 2021, which revealed a shocking statistic showing more than 60% of born-again Christians between the ages of 18 and 39 believe that Jesus is not the only way to salvation. There is no record in the scriptures to prove that there is any other way we can receive salvation except through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ told Thomas that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one can come to the Father but through Him. He is the only gateway to salvation. We are reminded in Acts 4:12 that there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved, but through Jesus Christ. There is only one true God, and there is only one way people can reach God, and it is through our mediator, Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus Christ is the only Savior and Lord, and all people everywhere are called to place their faith, ho...

Scripture reading: Deut. 31: 6 Worship Song: I Will Fear No More Meditation: Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or a threat. Fear is often caused by unpleasant experiences or trauma. Fear has the power to paralyze people to the point where they are rendered incapable of doing anything or achieving anything. It is an overwhelming, disturbing force that has the power to sway, distort, and rupture the human mind. For most of us, it would be best if we never encountered fear a day in our lives. Fear does not come from God; it comes from Satan. The devil intends to keep us repressed by fear, to keep us from doing God’s will, and to keep us from being used by God. Fear will keep us from praying for someone and from believing that God can work a miracle in our lives. Fear will keep us from witnessing to others, afraid of what people might think or say. Fear will keep us from giving to God, afraid that we won’t have e...

Good morning Scripture: St. Luke 10:25-37 Worship song: Someone to Care   Meditation:      There are many priests and Levites among us, but we also have some good Samaritans. We all deal with our own issues that can leave us feeling downcast at times, and it is tempting to look the other way when we see someone else who is hurting. It might be tempting to walk on the other side and keep going, but we cannot say we love God if we refuse or fail to render assistance or show mercy to those in need. If we say we love God and hate or disregard the needs of our brothers and sisters, we are perceived as liars. We cannot say we love God whom we cannot see and hate or mistreat those we encounter. The love we display towards others reveals our love for God. Jesus says, anything you do for the least of my people, who have done it unto me. Our love for God and man is best expressed in showing mercy to people in need. Take time to show you care.  Let us pray:  ...

Good morning Scripture reading: Ephesians 4 Worship song: Let Go Meditation:     Life comes with many challenges, disappointments, hardships, hurt, pain, etc., which sometimes result in someone becoming angry, resentful, and bitter. Some people who are consumed by anger find it difficult to let it go. Most people, if not all, including Christians and non-Christians, struggle to let go of the pain and hurt someone has caused. We sometimes refuse to forgive those who hurt us or caused us grief. But did you know that if you forgive not those who trespassed against you, neither will your Heavenly Father forgive your trespasses? It, therefore, means we have to forgive others to be forgiven. Forgive, you might say, after all that he or she has done to me. Yes, forgive. Unforgiveness is a prison to the soul that locks the unforgiving person in their self-made prison. Don't get comfortable, contended, and complacent with sin that you fail to realize and acknowledge the danger it...

Good morning Scripture Reading: St. Matthew 11:27-30 Worship Song: Come as You Are   Meditations:      We often resort to music, entertainment, social media, and books to drown out misery when we become and feel burdened, overwhelmed, and frustrated by the day-to-day struggles, trials, and temptations that we try desperately to endure. We tend to rely on our strengths, but most times, we fail to win the battle. Satan's orchestrated plan is to defeat our purpose and put a stumbling block in our path to impede us. When our responsibilities become unbearable when we labor and are heavily laden, it is best to take it to the Lord in prayer, and he will give us rest. Let us approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Let us cast our burden upon the LORD, take it to the altar, and let the Lord sustain us. We have a high priest, Jesus Christ, who is touched by the feelings of our strugg...

Good morning Scripture reading: St. Luke 15: 11-32 Worship song: You Still Love Me   Meditation:      The story of the prodigal son is one of the many parables taught by Jesus that captures the minds of its readers. The truth is we are all prodigal sons and daughters who have wandered away from God and have adapted to living a wasteful and extravagant sinful lifestyle. We walk away from that which is holy to partake of the glitter and the glamour that the world has to offer. We capitalized on our free will choices by making decisions that rebelled against and displeased God. When we have wasted all our substance on careless, ungovernable living, only then will we realize all that is left to partake of is the husk of our sinful deeds. When you acknowledge that your worldly choices are unacceptable and your selfish decisions have caused irreversible harm that cannot be corrected by you, run to the Father, who is waiting patiently for your return. Return hasti...

Good morning Scripture reading: Philippians 3 Worship song: Draw Me Close   Testimony:      There was a time in my life when I did not understand fully what it meant to serve the Lord. I was drifting far from shore, yet still, I was searching for an anchor, to be at a place where I could find peace and rest for my weary soul. I was desperately searching for solitude and a better life. The life I once lived was no longer appealing. The things that I once found pleasure in I began to detest. There was this urge to know more about this Jesus who died for my sins, about His love and plans for me. On the flip side, there was also the desire for earthly gain and worldly pleasures. Sin is sweet and enticing, but when the hand of God is upon your life, what used to be sweet becomes bitter. The bottom line is that I was faced with two choices: the spiritual and the fleshly. Either I surrender totally to God Almighty and live by His commands or heed Satan and his coh...

Good morning It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 Worship song: All Because of Mercy   Let us pray:      Sovereign God, clothed in splendor and majesty, we draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in times of need. Lord, I am amazed by how you have shown us mercy. Father, we could have missed our way, fallen by the wayside, living as the scum of the earth, but it is all because of you that we are still standing undefeated. It is all because of your unmerited love, grace, and mercy that we who are so unworthy can stand in your presence. Lord, I am grateful to you for showing us mercy, and I pray that we will find it in our hearts to extend mercy and let it triumph over judgment. Almighty God, I am grateful that you are not a partial God but a God who is merciful and just, slow to anger, and ab...

Good morning Scripture reading: Exodus 3 Worship song: Destiny   Meditation:      There are many stories revealing Bible characters whose destiny demonstrates their purpose and how their purpose serves as their divine compass, pointing them toward God’s unique plan for their lives. The children of Israel were held captive by an oppressive ruler, but God's divine plan and purpose exceeded their circumstances, one that led them to their intended destiny. Abraham was chosen to be the father of many nations because of his obedience and his unwavering faithfulness to God. David worked as a shepherd boy but was later chosen by God to reign over his chosen people as king. Moses was a murderer, a tender of Jethro's flock, and became a great leader, leading the children of Israel out of bondage. And Joseph was sold to a slave master, falsely accused of a heinous crime, then moved from prison to Pharaoh's palace. A famous preacher once said that your destiny is not d...

Good morning Scripture reading: Romans 3:23-26 Worship song: Bring Me Down   Meditation:      It is human tendency to place the rich, the famous, the hierarchy, and the scholars on pedestals, grouping them in a class above all others, but as created beings, we all have one thing in common, and that is we are tainted with sin. The world we live in classifies people according to race, color, creed, cultural status, etc., but in reality, we are all equal in God's sight, created in His likeness and image. Regardless of human differences, whether you are among the upper-, middle-, or lower-class groups, we are all sinners in need of a Savior. No matter our economic, ethnic, or social affiliation, we stand accused as disobedient and equally guilty sinners before our Creator. As part of Adam's race, we are all born spiritually dead in sin and at enmity with God. We are all condemned to die and have fallen short of the glory of God. Nevertheless, we are all granted...

Good morning Scripture reading: Matthew 18:21-35 Hymn: The Old Account   Meditation:      Jesus, in speaking to one of His disciples, explained to him the importance and merit of forgiveness. Jesus used the scenario of the king and the debtor to refer to kingdom expectation as it relates to forgiveness. The debtor and his household were to be sold to cover the debt he owed the king, but after much pleading and persuasion, the king had compassion on him and granted him additional time to clear his arrears. Being pardoned of his debt, he went on his merry way, rejoicing. Though the debtor received his request for a pardon from his master, his heart was hardened against those who were indebted to him. He refused to negotiate with his debtor and instead rendered unto him evil rather than kindness. This ought not to be so, for those who expect to be forgiven of their trespasses must likewise forgive those who trespass against them. If we forgive not our debtors,...

Good morning Scripture reading: St. Luke 22:55-60 Worship song: Calling My Name   Meditation:      During the feast of unleavened bread, with his disciples, Jesus informed his followers that the devil desired to sift Peter as wheat, but He prayed for him so he would not lose faith. Peter later crumbled in the face of pressure, valuing his safety over loyalty to his master. Peter's faith was put to the test, but he failed, hung his head in shame, and wept bitterly. Peter was chosen to walk daily with the Lord, yet at the appointed time, when he should stand with Jesus, instead, he became fearful of being prosecuted. He denied Jesus, not once but three times. Jesus, however, restored him fully, thus setting him on the path to be used powerfully. Peter gained his composure, rose up in victory, and did the master's will. When he was converted, he became the tower of strength for his brethren. Like Peter, many have denied Jesus Christ, not once, not twice, but man...

Good morning Scripture reading: 1 Peter 1:13-21 Worship song: Make Me Over Again   Meditation:      It appears that people are having trouble accepting their physical appearance. They place great emphasis on their appearance and will take drastic measures to achieve and accomplish their desire for a complete body makeover. Many are spending thousands of dollars to reconstruct their appearance by using Botox treatments. There is nothing wrong with enhancing our outward appearance because caring about our physique is self-love. But when a person goes to the extreme to change and modify what God has designed to suit their ego, it says a lot about their deprivation of personal self-esteem and lack of appreciation for God's creation. We do not need a physical body makeover; what we need is a complete spiritual makeover. Do not try to blend in with the world nor conform to the things of the world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may pro...

Good morning Scripture reading: 1 John 2:2-5 Worship Song: Without Him   Meditation:     There is a difference between knowing about someone and truly knowing someone. To know Jesus goes beyond just knowing his biography. It is more than knowing about the miracles he performed, more than just reading about him, listening to someone speak about him, or believing that he was a good teacher. It is more than gathering information about him. Knowing Jesus is not just a partial acquaintance but a deep, intimate knowledge. It is about having a personal relationship with Him and choosing to follow him.       Those who know Jesus put their faith in him, trust him, acknowledge their need for him, recognize him as the redeemer of sinners, accept him as their Lord and Saviour, and realize that they cannot do without him. Knowing Jesus is experiencing His love, His grace, and His mercy in our daily lives. Knowing Jesus makes you do things differently by chang...

Good morning Scripture reading: St. John 4:1-15 Worship song: Thirst for You   Meditation:      Jesus departed from Galilee and entered the city of Sychar in Samaria. Weary and tired from his journey, he sat on a well that Jacob dug. While he was relaxing, a woman from Samaria came to draw water from the well. Jesus knew the appointed time the woman would arrive at the well to draw water. It was not the normal custom of the Jews to associate with Samaritans. Jesus, however, looked beyond tradition to rescue her perishing soul. Without hesitation, Jesus asks the woman to draw water for Him. Jesus approached her not for the sole purpose of obtaining water from the well but to offer her living water. The woman hurried to the city to spread the good news of the Messiah. Many Samaritans received Jesus Christ through the ministry of the woman at the well. There is no partiality when it comes to salvation and winning souls for Jesus Christ. Neither gender barrier,...

Good morning  S cripture reading: Genesis 1:26-31 Worship song: Redeemer   Meditation:      Creation is not the work of random chance; God simply spoke the universe into existence. Everything was created by the master designer, purposefully and intentionally for his glory. When God created the heavens and the earth and everything therein, he knew the only thing that would complete his creation was man's existence. Therefore, he made man in his image and likeness. His first human masterpiece (Adam) was a sculpture formed from the dust of the earth. In His infinite wisdom, God formed and fashioned humans and gave them dominion and power over the earth and everything in it. God found great pleasure in all that He created, and when he looked at all that he had done, God beheld it and declared that it was very good. We are all products of God's handiwork, fearfully and wonderfully made, created to fulfill His purpose here on earth. Ever since God created th...

Good morning Scripture reading: Hebrews 11:1-6 Worship song: We Come This Far By faith   Meditation:      When we encounter difficulties, our first instinct is to give up, but how can we turn back now that we have come this far by faith? We were never told that the road to salvation would be easy. We were never told that there wouldn't be obstacles in our path. We were never told that we would not be tempted and tried. We were never told that we would not face tribulations, but we were told that nothing would be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Once you become a child of God, be prepared to face persecution and tribulations. Be prepared, for the enemy will launch his fiery darts at you. He will try to defeat your purpose, but fear not, nor be dismayed; the Lord will strengthen you and help you to overcome all your challenges. He that is with you is more than anything that you will encounter. Be strong and of good...

Good morning Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:58 Worship song: My worship   Meditation:      Consistency is the steadfast adherence to the same principles, course, form, etc. or always behaving in the same manner. It is perceived as the ability to sustain continuous effort despite external forces. For example, for athletes to be successful in accomplishing their goals, every drill, sprint, exercise, and practice is tailored to individual needs to maximize efficiency, increase speed, and improve strength. They train vigorously and consistently to maintain fitness and shape. As children of God, we must obtain a standard, a disciplined mindset, and a desire for consistency. Like athletes, Christians must show a level of perseverance and consistency in worship, prayer, and the word, as well as fellowship, and be steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of God. Consistency and commitment lead to spiritual growth. Be constant in prayer, worship, ...

Good morning Scripture reading: Joshua 24 Worship song: I will serve thee   Meditation:      Joshua was concerned about the well-being of the children of Israel and their future commitment to service. He wanted to ensure they were fully aware of their purpose and expectations and that serving the Lord was not an exception. Therefore, he called the congregation together and spoke to them. To encourage and inspire the Israelites for future service unto the Lord, Joshua took time to expound in detail their history and expatiate on what happened throughout the years. He then encouraged them to fear the Lord, put away the foreign gods from among them, and serve the Lord sincerely. Joshua knew the significance of serving the Lord and the consequences the children of Israel would face if they chose to disobey the commandments of the Lord and serve other gods. After listening to Joshua, the children of Israel decided that they would serve and obey the Lord.  ...

Good morning Scripture reading: Psalm147:1-7 Worship song: Friend of a Wounded Heart   Meditation:      She dragged herself hopelessly. She had given up on life and cared not what befell her. Her situation left her disappointed and discouraged, and she felt like a hopeless failure. Her family and loved ones tried to comfort her, but she locked herself away in the comfort of her room, stuck in isolation. She lay in solitude across her bedroom floor, in the stillness of the night, thinking about where she had gone wrong. She scanned the bookshelf nervously, searching for a book to drown her sorrows, noticed the Bible on the bottom shelf, and picked it up aimlessly. Her heart melted as she read about Jesus' love for mankind. Tearfully, she cried, Jesus, if you are hearing, and you really love me, mend what is broken. You might be going through some rough times; friends have let you down; loved ones may have abandoned you; you may feel as though all hope is lost ...