Quiet Time

Scripture: Romans 1:20-21(ESV) Topic: God’s creation said “Thank You” by not honouring Him. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. FOR ALTHOUGH THEY KNEW GOD, THEY DID NOT HONOR HIM AS GOD OR GIVE THANKS TO HIM, BUT THEY BECAME FUTILE IN THEIR THINKING, AND THEIR FOOLISH HEARTS WERE DARKENED. Romans 1:20-21(ESV) You must say, “Thank you” to God for His greatness and His goodness. The world today has turned away from the living God. Instead of honouring Him and giving Him thanks for His greatness, they have turned away and worshipped the creature rather than the Creator.  Many people show ingratitude by not acknowledging the greatness of someone who has done great things.  Many fathers who are providers are taken for granted. They do not receive honour or thanks. In the day that these fathers are gone, th...

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 32: 24-25 (NIV)  Topic: People say “Thank you” by giving a proud response to their lover.  In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. He prayed to the LORD, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign. BUT HEZEKIAH’S HEART WAS PROUD AND HE DID NOT RESPOND TO THE KINDNESS SHOWN HIM; THEREFORE THE LORD’S WRATH WAS ON HIM AND ON JUDAH AND JERUSALEM. 2 Chronicles 32:24-25 (NIV) There are proud responses to good things. God has given you His good things and He expects you to respond like a child. What is the response of a child? A child’s response is a humble response. It is an excited, overjoyed, emotional and ecstatic response to the smallest good thing that is done to you.  Unfortunately, Hezekiah’s response was a proud response and it brought the wrath of God upon him.  What is a proud response? A proud response is when you do not lift your head up to speak. You cannot even turn your neck because it is as though your h...

Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:45-48 Topic: People say ‘Thank you’ to God by not being happy.  Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee: And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever. BECAUSE THOU SERVEDST NOT THE LORD THY GOD WITH JOYFULNESS, AND WITH GLADNESS OF HEART, FOR THE ABUNDANCE OF ALL THINGS; THEREFORE SHALT THOU SERVE THINE ENEMIES which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee. Deuteronomy 28:45-48 People say, “Thank you” by not being happy. Not being happy, not being joyful and not being glad are things that God takes note of. When you give something to someone, you look at his face to see his...

Scripture: Psalms 109:1-5 Topic: Wicked men say “Thank you” for your love by becoming your adversaries. For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause. FOR MY LOVE THEY ARE MY ADVERSARIES: BUT I GIVE MYSELF UNTO PRAYER. AND THEY HAVE REWARDED ME EVIL FOR GOOD, AND HATRED FOR MY LOVE. Psalms 109:1-5 There are those who repay your love by becoming enemies. I have appointed many pastors and bishops. I have appointed, ordained and consecrated several people into the ministry. That was an act of love. It was an act where I demonstrated confidence in these people. I told the world that I believed in them and that they were good people.  Some of these people whom I loved became my adversaries. On one occasion, one of my pastors told his friends that he was now my sworn enemy and he would live and work to destroy m...

Scripture: Psalms 35:11-14 Topic: False witnesses say ‘Thank you’ by accusing the one who cared for them. False witnesses did rise up; They laid to my charge things that I knew not. They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; And my prayer returned into mine own bosom. I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. Psalms 35:11-14 Some people say, “Thank you” by accusing you falsely and laying things to your charge. You can be accused about things you have no idea about. You may be accused of handling cocaine when you have never seen cocaine before. It is important that you do not repay good with evil. I remember some people whom I loved greatly. I defended them when they got into difficulty and fought for them when I needed to. But that was not how they repaid me for my good to them. They laid to my c...

Scripture: Proverbs 17:13 Topic: Those Who Repay Good With Evil "He who returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house."                                                                                                                              Proverbs 17:13 (NASB) One of the reasons why there is a curse in the earth is because of the way people say, “Thank you”. Indeed, one of the commonest ways for people to say, “Thank you” is for them to pay back good with evil. There are three expected responses when good things are done for you:  1. Say, “Thank you” to show that you are thankful. 2. Do somethin...

Scriptures: Job 14:2, James 4:14, Isaiah 40:7-8  Topic: You must redeem the time because your short life has an even shorter period of significance and fruitfulness. "He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not."                                                                                                                                                                                       ...

Scripture: Job 7:1-3 Topic: You must redeem the time because your life on earth is like a fixed contract. "Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? Are not his days also like the days of an hireling? As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work: So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me." Job 7:1-3 There is an appointed time for men on this earth. As I write this book, I am aware that my time is fixed. Sometimes I think to myself, “How long will I be here for? When will I go? How will I go out of this world?” These are questions I ask  myself all the time. I think about eternity because I know the date for my entry into eternity is already fixed. Every day takes me closer to that date when my contract for this life will be over. Are you aware that your date of death has already been determined? There are no new circumstances which are ganging up together to eliminate you fro...

Scriptures: Psalm 39:3-6, 12-13 (NASB), Job 14:1 Topic: You must redeem the time because your days will be few and full of trouble. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: "LORD, make me to know my end and what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am. Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight; Surely every man at his best is a mere breath. Selah. Surely every man walks about as a phantom; Surely they make an uproar for nothing; He amasses riches and does not know who will gather them. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; for I am a stranger with You, A sojourner like all my fathers. "Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may smile again before I depart and am no more. Psalm 39:3-6, 12-13 (NASB) "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble."                     ...

Scripture: Psalm 90:9-12 Topic: You must redeem the time because that is the only wise thing to do with your life. Unfortunately, many people do not treat time and opportunity as a special commodity. Time is something rare and precious, which God gives to all of us. It is the only thing you cannot regain or get back. When it is gone, it is gone forever. God’s admonition to us is to use the time we have on earth to do as much for Him as possible. We must work while it is day. The only wise thing to do with your life is to redeem the time for the work of the Lord. "For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.  Who knoweth the power of thine anger? Even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts un...

Scripture: John 9:4 Topic: Seven Ways In Which The Night May Come "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."                                                                                                                                                                                                 John 9:4 a) Sometimes night comes in the form of pregnancy and chi...

Scripture: John 9:4 Topic: You must redeem the time because the night is coming when no one can work. "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." John 9:4 “The night cometh, when no man can work” are the words of a man who knew that His life on earth was but a brief wisp of air, so transient in time that it was almost unrecognizable. The night cometh, but some act as though it will be day forever. Sometimes I play golf in the late afternoon and I am constantly aware that the night is coming. I can see the sun setting and I know I do not have much more time. I sense myself moving faster and picking up the pace because the night is coming. The night of your life may come in different ways. Credit: Excerpt from Many Are Called  Bishop Dag Heward-Mills 

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-17 Topic: You must redeem the time because it shows that you understand the will of God. "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:15-17 If you got locked in the large freezer I spoke about earlier , what would you do? What you do will show the depth of understanding that you have. Moving around would mean that you understand that your very life is at stake. Refusing to sit down at all would reveal that you understand that within moments you could lose your life. Jumping around, in spite of how tired you are, would reveal that you understand the desperation of your situation. It is quite clear that most Christians do not really understand what is at stake. The lukewarm half-hearted approach to things of eternal value reveals that they have no sense of danger. It is clear that most Christians do...

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-17 Topic: You must redeem the time because the days are evil. "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:15-17 Because the days are evil, you will find yourself engaging in evil activities as soon as you shift from activities that redeem the time. Indeed, we find ourselves in a hostile environment in which temperatures are below zero. You will quickly freeze to death in such an environment if you just sit down. Many years ago, our school was taken on a tour to the Tema harbour, one of the largest harbours in West Africa. Among the things we saw that day were these large cold stores, which were used to store fish brought in by trawlers. We went in and out of these huge cold warehouses because it was part of the tour. I always remember thinking to myself, “What about if one of us was left in there...

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-16 Topic: Redeeming the Time "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, REDEEMING THE TIME, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16 To redeem the time is to use your little opportunity on this earth as much as possible. Your time is a precious commodity given as a gift to you. Your years on this earth are the blessed opportunity given to prove your love for the Lord. "LORD, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am. Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing in Your sight; surely every man at his best is a mere breath." Psalm 39:4-5 (NASB) There are several ways you can redeem the time and make the most of your few years on this earth. You must do everything with as much urgency as possible. You must work with the mind that the opportunity to do something will soon be taken away from you. When that day comes, you will wish you could com...

Scripture: Ephesians 4:3 Topic: When you are under the influence of the Holy Spirit, you will unite with other Christians.    "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."                                                                                                                                        Ephesians 4:3   The Holy Spirit will influence you to be united with the rest of the body of Christ. Unity in the church is actually called “unity of the Holy Spirit”. Unity is brought about by a direct influence of the Holy Spirit.     ...

Scripture: Jude 19 Topic: When you are under the influence of the Holy Spirit, you will not separate yourself.     "These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit."                                                                                                                                               Jude 19   Time and time again, I have watched helplessly as evil spirits led dearly loved brethren away from the fold. People, who should have known better, followed demons as they led them out of the church.  The Holy Sp...

Scripture : Psalm 6:5 Topic : Giving thanks is the reason for staying alive.  "For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?"                                                                                                                                                                                Psalm 6:5 Perhaps, the master key to your staying alive is your thanksgiving. I know that you think that it is the vitamins you h...

Scriptures: Psalm 107:1, Psalm 118:1, 29 Topic : Thank God because it is a message from you to God, saying that He is a good person and not a bad person in your life.  "O GIVE THANKS unto the LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD: for his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 107:1 "O GIVE THANKS unto the LORD; FOR HE IS GOOD: because his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 118:1 "O GIVE THANKS unto the LORD; FOR HE IS GOOD: for his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 118:29 It is important to give thanks to the Lord, because we only say “thanks” to a good person. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His mercies endure forever.  Perhaps the most important reason for giving thanks is that you send a clear message to God that you think He is good. Thinking that someone is good shows love and appreciation.  God is actually good. Satan is the one who tries to make God out to be an evil person. Satan wants to tarnish the image of God and accuse God of doing bad things. This is why lar...