DCLM Higher Everyday 28 January 2023 — Break from bullies
DCLM Higher Everyday 28 January 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Break from bullies
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TOPIC: BREAK FROM BULLIES
TEXT: 1 Samuel 2:12-17.
13And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
14And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
15Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.
16And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
17And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
Memory Verse: “And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force” (1 Samuel 2:16).
MESSAGE:
Cambridge International Dictionary describes a bully as one who hurts or frightens other people, often forcing them to do something they don’t want to do. Our text presents the sons of Eli as sons of Belial who knew not the Lord. Their attitude towards those who brought their sacrificial offering to the temple revealed that they were godless. They used their sacred position not only to intimidate worshippers, but also as opportunity for their selfish extortion and other ungodly acts. They were bullies.
Beloved, are you associated with bullies? Break from them. It is an unequal yoke. You have no part or portion with bullies. They are sons of Belial. They will influence your Christian character negatively and lower your zeal for God. Dear friend, are you a bully? If you are, it is a sin against God. Repent today and surrender your life to Christ. He will receive you and give you power to overcome sin, and grow in the fear and love of God. He will also give you power to live a holy life and make heaven at last.
Quote: Beloved, are you associated with bullies?
Challenge: Bullies can influence your Christian character negatively.
Prayer: Deliver me, Jehovah from every association with bullies.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
