David’s call for patriotism about Jerusalem was a demonstration of his belief in the extra ordinary status of this wonderful city.
 
As a king, David made Jerusalem his “stronghold” and “fortress.” He made Jerusalem the capital city where he ruled Israel from. He believed Jerusalem is “the city of God” and has a spiritual significance. He also believed that peace is necessary in Jerusalem for peace to be in the world.
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But as believers today, does that belief still hold and is the command to pray for the peace of Jerusalem with its attendant blessing on those who pray for it is still binding on believers?

When Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God in the prison – miracle happened. 

Don't be ashamed to praise God in any situation you are. Rather than give in to self-pity or bitterness, use the season to praise God as Paul wrote in 1Thes 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” This means praising Him is what God wants you to do in situation like this and that was exactly what Paul and Silas did.

Paul and Silas didn’t praise God out of just fulfilling religious expectation, otherwise the prisoners would not hear them. It was something that came from their heart. Guess who also heard them? God! And he responded appropriately.
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Praise belongs to God as he “dwells in the praises of his people.” Praise moves mountains. 

In our texts above (Acts 20:35), we are told to labor to support the week knowing that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Finding Rest and Profit in God
But when we look at our labor through our jobs, rising early and 9-5, it can be difficult to support any other people when we can hardly support ourselves. But we should be encouraged by the words of Jesus in Mat 11:28: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

We must understand that rest is in God, not in how much we labor to get a deserved vacation. He promised to give us rest, just as he said is he is the one that teach us to make profit. Isaiah 48:17 says, “Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.”

If God is our rest and profit, our focus should be on Him not in our work. Only when we do this can we support the weak, knowing that He is our supply and provider.

Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath
In the story of prophet Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, there was famine in the land and no one had anything to eat. The woman only had the last meal for herself and her son to eat and die. But Elijah, the man of God showed up hungry with no food or place to live. But God told him to go to the woman. “So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.”

Doesn't that sound callous and insensitive in such a dire situation, especially the widow’s condition. But the woman obeyed. However, in yet another “insensitive” stunt by the prophet, “And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand” (1Kings 17:11). 

The woman thought, this was getting too much and she replied, humbly though: “, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” That was the truth. The situation was that bad. She expected the prophet to be prophetic enough and understand.

But how did the prophet respond?

“And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son” (1Ki 17:13).

Doesn’t the dynamics of blessing and fulfilment in life defies the law of life itself! The way to the top is down. If you want a great harvest, you need to bury your seed. If you want a great dividend, you need to pay premium. Many times, it is not convenient. Many people bought certain shares when it was not convenient but over the years, it has become so big they forgot the pain and sacrifice of the initial purchase. So, it is with God and anything of God.

Giving What You Have to Get What You Need
God does not want you to consume everything you have on yourself. The doctrine of “me first” does not profit but then “others first” sound ridiculous as we are to love others like we love ourselves. But in the overall, God comes first. And since we can’t see God, whoever or whatever he chooses to represent him comes first. In God’s standard, the weak, the poor, the widows, the fatherless are priority. James calls it “pure religion and undefiled before God.” Jas 1:27. Book of Provers 21:13 says, “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.”

The widow of Zarephath did exactly what the prophet Elijah requested from her in such critical circumstance; she gave up on her dream to just eat and die. She didn’t have to eat her last meal with her son and die, she gave and live. Her obedience paid off. She was so blessed that all the barrels and jars in her house was filled with so much food and water according to the prophesy of the prophet. “Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper” (2Chro 20:20).

Abraham was another example. He was called to give up his only son, whom he loved. In obedience, he gave up one son to get a nation of Israel (Gen 22). God also gave up His Son, Jesus to get a cloud of witnesses. They all could hold on to what they had, but they would never get what they needed.  

To Live is to Give
To secure a bountiful harvest, you need a sacrificial planting. To have a sumptuous dividend, you need a great premium.

Living requires sacrificial giving. If you want to have treasures in heaven, you need to give here on earth. You need to give to others and not eat all you have. If you eat alone, you die alone. God wants us to remember the weak, the poor and the vulnerable. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Rom 15:1).
Remember the words of wisdom in Proverbs 19:17: “He that hath pity upon the poor lends unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”

Even though we labor in our work, our survival is from God not from our works, and God wants us to remember that and from what he has given us, to support the weak and the poor. As difficult and crazy as it sounds, he wants us to trust him that he is our supply. Will you do that?

Would you give and live or rather eat and die?

Let’s always practice the habit of praising God, not only with our thoughts but verbalizing it. Let’s do what David did that made him “the apple of God’s eyes.” He was always praising God by singing, dancing, even among the people despite he was king. He danced so much that his wife scolded him, but David persisted and told her he was dancing to the God that preferred him to her father, king Saul (2Sam 6:14-23). What a word!

​Let nothing, no one, or any situation stop you from praising God.  

Remember, no demon from hell, devil, or Satan himself can stop our praises. They may be able to stop our prayers but not our praises because only God is all praises is due. Praise belongs to him, and no one can take it. God lives in our praise.

Also remember the words of Apostle Peter:
​“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1Pet 2:9).

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Let's reflect on all the Lord has done and we would see reasons to give thanks for all his blessings. Today is a perfect day to do just that. It is a time to express our gratitude to God for His love, provisions, protection, and mercies.

Let's take a moment to remember some of the reasons to be thankful to him today, for only the living can give him thanks.

Reasons to be Thankful:

1. Our relationship with God - We have been saved by grace and have the opportunity to know and love our Lord.
2. Our relationship with people - We are not outcast, separated for health, mental, psychological or reasons from our loved ones.
3. Our family and friends - The people who support us, encourage us, and love us unconditionally.
4. Our health - Good health is a blessing that allows us to live life to the fullest.
5. Our home - A place of comfort, security, and peace.
6. Our work - An opportunity to serve, contribute, and provide for ourselves and our loved ones.
7. And many more...

Only the reasons can praise him and give him thanks.

Let's mutter words of thanksgiving from him as a sacrifice from our lips. We may be thankful from our hearts but let's verbalize it in words. "Life and death is in the power of the tongue" the bible says. Our confession is powerful. Book of Revelations says, "They overcame by the blood of the lamb and the words of their testimony."

Jesus says, "you shall say to this mountain..." He didn't say "you shall imagine" or think about this mountain and it shall be removed. There is power in saying. So, this time, say to the Lord in words and let your ears hear it that you are thankful to the Lord. 

What about the victory He's given you and you are yet to see? The battles he fought and won for you and you are not even aware of. The evil judgment he revoked concerning you. 

Many times, our focus is on what we are yet to receive and not what we already have.  
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Here are a few Bible verses that can help you to appreciate and thank God:

1. Colossians 3:15 - "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for as members of one body you are called to peace. And always be thankful."
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
3. Psalm 107:1 - "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."
4. James 1:17 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
5. Ephesians 5:20 - "And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

​In this moment of thanksgiving, let us give thanks to God for all that He has done for us and all that He continues to do. Let's pray, asking God to help us to be more grateful every day and to bless those who are in need.

THANKSGIVING PRAYER
Dear Lord, Thank you for all the blessings you have given us. Help us to see your love and goodness in all things and to always be thankful.

​May our hearts be filled with gratitude and may we never forget to give you the thanks and praise you deserve.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

The Bible teaches us to "bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal 6:2).

As believers, we are free from the law written in stone, but bound to the law of Christ written in our hearts (2Cor 3:3). This law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus offers no condemnation and is described as the doctrine of love, grace, and selflessness.

So, what exactly is the Law of Christ?

​Simply put, it is the teachings and commands of Jesus Christ in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and the new standard of righteousness for Christians. This includes new standards set by Jesus such as the teachings on adultery, divorce, loving your neighbor, and forgiving your enemies.

In Galatians 6:2, Paul says we should "bear one another's burdens." Here are five ways to fulfill this law of Christ by "bearing each other's burden."

1. Listen actively and empathize: By truly understanding and feeling the struggles of those around us, we can offer comfort and support (1Cor 1:3-4).
2. Offer help and assistance: This can be as simple as lending a hand or providing practical support, or as complex as offering financial or emotional assistance (James 1:27).
3. Speak words of encouragement: A kind word can go a long way in lifting someone up and helping them to feel supported (Heb 3:13).
4. Be present and available: Letting others know that you are there for them, and making time to be with them, can provide a sense of comfort and security (Mat 25:41-43).
5. Practice forgiveness and understanding: Forgiving others for their mistakes, and seeking to understand their perspectives and motivations, can help to reduce tensions and resolve conflicts (Mat 6:14-15).

As believers, we have two choices when it comes to our burden: bear it alone (not recommended) or share it with brethren (recommended). There are fellow believers ready to support and share your burden with you. Don't hesitate to reach out to them.

In conclusion, the Law of Christ is an important part of our faith as Christians and can be fulfilled by "bearing each other's burden." By actively listening, offering help, speaking words of encouragement, being present, and practicing forgiveness, we can fulfill this law of love, grace, and selflessness.