DCLM Sincere Milk 27 September 2023 — Do Not Be Discouraged

DCLM Sincere Milk  27 September 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Do Not Be Discouraged

Topic: Do Not Be Discouraged

Text: Isaiah 41: 10- 14

10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

11Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.

12Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.

13For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

14Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Key Verse: “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:13

Message

Discouragement means loss of confidence or enthusiasm. A discouraged person feels dejected and hopeless. When people are discouraged, they express grief. They are sad, withdrawn and may lose interest in matters that even affect them. Discouragement can lead to prayerlessness, backsliding, sicknesses, failure and untimely death.

Mary had just lost her chance to gain admission to a prestigious school because her parents could not afford to pay for the entrance examination. She became discouraged, thinking there was no hope for her again in life. She sobbed all day, she was no longer prayerful and soon her attendance in church services was no longer regular. Before long, God spoke to a family who provided Mary with all that she needed to get the admission. She did the examination and came out as the best candidate. She became happy again and grateful to God for His love and mercies in making her recover from her state of discouragement.

The remedy to discouragement is the word of God. Whenever you feel life is not treating you fairly, you must not give in to discouragement, rather, spend time on God’s word and pray. You will surely receive a lifting from the Lord.

Further Reading: Joshua 1:6-9

Prayer for today: Lord, help me whenever I am discouraged to look up unto You and be lifted up.

GOSPEL REALM: STEPS TO SALVATION
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)