DCLM Higher Everyday 5 April 2024 — The Blessed
Topic:The Blessed
Text: Luke 11:24-28
24When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
25And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
26Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
27And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
28But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Key Verse: “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it” (Luke 11: 28).
Message
In his book, “Life, the Truth, and Being Free,” Steve Maraboli wrote that, “God’s word is not just to be heard and repeated; it is to be breathed, lived, and emulated with each action.”
Our passage teaches about the power of unclean spirits and the importance of keeping one’s house (i.e., one’s heart) clean to resist the influence of evil. If a person allows sin to take up residence in his or her heart, it will become increasingly difficult to resist and overcome temptations. The key to avoiding this situation is to actively seek after righteousness and to be vigilant in keeping one’s heart clean by hearing and following God’s word.
“Blessed” in our text, refers to the state of being favoured by God or experiencing divine favour. According to Jesus, the actual source of blessings is not physical relationships or circumstances, but rather by hearing and following God’s word. This implies that blessings originate from connecting with God rather than external factors. If you know and obey God, you’ll be blessed with prosperity, good health, or simply happiness.
Quote: Know and obey God.
Challenge: To be blessed, practise righteousness and reject wickedness. like Jesus.
Prayer for today: Help me Lord to hear and obey Your Word. Amen
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)
