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. 

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.

Psalm 119 is not only reputed to be the longest chapter in the Bible, it also harbor in it’s 176 verses powerful gems of wisdom, knowledge, and quotes for believers – even unbelievers – to navigate the world.

From the 97th verses down through 105, David penned what can be called one of the most important eulogy about the law and the commandments of God, which in our today’s world can be simply called, the word of God, as we are no longer under the law but under grace.

Here in this passage are ten powerful benefits of meditating on God's word.

According to the passage above, there are several powerful benefits of meditating on God's word. 

This is Part 1 of the 2-Parts Series on ​10 POWERFUL BENEFITS OF EMBRACING GOD’S WORD.

Here in Part 1, let's explore five of the 10 benefits.

1.  It makes you wiser than your enemies.

• Imagine being wiser than your enemies.
• This means:
  • You’d always be a step ahead of them at all times and in all ways!
  • This means victory.
• Only the word of God can do that when we mediate on it “day and night” like God told Joshua to do.
• God told Joshua that if he did that, he would have ‘good success.’ (Josh 1:8).
• We will have “good success, too, if we meditate on the word of God ‘all day.’

2.  It gives you more understanding than all your teachers.

• This is divine! You understand more than, not one, or two, but ALL your teachers.
• Is this even possible?
• Well, David said he did. And if you read your Bible well, you know this is true. This is the result of not only reading the word of God but “Meditating” on it ALL DAY!
• There is power in the word of God through the Holy Spirit whom the Bible calls a “quickening spirit.’ he makes you to know and understand quickly beyond (Psa 143:11, Rom 8:11).

3.  It makes you to understand more than the ancients.

• Jesus at age 12 stood at the temple and expanded the words of prophet Isaiah who lived over a thousand years before him to the Pharisees who were older than him.
• Result? They opened their mouth wide.
• First, they couldn’t understand where Jesus learned the Greek language he was speaking with instead of Aramaic.
• Secondly, they were baffled where or how he knew anything about prophet Isaiah and what he said and how he fit in – that’s the power of meditating on God’s words – he will teach you all things (1Jn 2:27).

4.  He keeps your feet from every evil ways.

• Only the word of God can keep you from EVERY evil ways.
• This because Pro 4:12 says, “There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
• But the word of God keeps you from the claws of a strange woman and from the deceit of a cunny man.
• When you meditate on the word of God “all day,” it keeps you from falling into the trap, arrows, and schemes of the enemy.

5.  It makes you accept God’s sovereignty – His judgments.

• Not departing from the ‘judgment’ of God is to accept Him as sovereign in all things even when we don’t understand.
• Job did not call God a fool despite his predicament – he accepted the ‘judgment’ of God until God came through for him
• When we accept the plan, purposes, and programs of God in our lives as sovereign, we embrace his judgment

​Are you broken-hearted, disappointed, tired, confused, and lonely?
Or you are full of regret for the mistakes or path you have taken?

You can draw strength and comfort from the words of the psalmist in Psalm 34:18: “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” 

Jesus says in Mat 11:28-30: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Mat 11:28-30).

If you are weak and lonely, he is meek and lowly.

You don’t have to carry that burden of whatever it is on you when you can turn it over to him. He is asking you to do that and he promised to give you rest.

Trust him for what he says he will do. He is not a man that he should lie, and neither is he a sin of man that he should repent.
If you are done running, trying, or doing it alone or by yourself, you can come to him today; He is waiting and willing.
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He wants to strengthen, comfort, heal, and forgive you, and he can do all that if you will allow him to.

He is nearer than you think. Psalm 46:1 says, “he is your refuge and strength, “a very present help in trouble.”
Be encouraged with the following passages of scriptures:

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Being risen with Christ means seeking things above. it means to identify with Christ’s passion, including his suffering, death, burial, and resurrection. This has an upward effect in a believer’s life, he will desire to seek things that are heavenly.
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Desire is like a treasure indicator. Wherever your treasure is, that is where your desire or affection will be, heaven or earth (Mat 6:21).

In Col 3:3, we are told that, “Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” But many a time, we know that our desires and thoughts do not resemble that of a “dead man.” The dead don’t desire what the living desire. The dead don’t think about expensive cars, fancy mansions, get  angry when you hit them, or worry about what to eat, drink, or live like we do.  

How can I, as a believer, control my desires and thoughts so that I can seek the things which are above as if I am truly dead with Christ?

Finding Peace is not a function of money or things. 

Many have these things but are still looking for peace in all the wrong places

True peace is inner peace. People don't know where to get this peace despite all the possess. 

Some truly have peace in the world but do not have peace with God. What sense is in having peace for 100 years on earth and not having peace for eternity? All the things that gives us peace now will one day go and we will be left with emptiness.  

The best peace we can have is having peace with God and that can only happen through Jesus. 

Peace with God is the ultimate as it not only gives us peace here on earth but also in the after life. Jesus said, "My peace I leave with you not as the world gives." (Joh 14:27). 

True peace is the peace that transcends your own understanding and the understanding of any man or anything. 

Finding peace is not being afraid of tomorrow. It is not not being afraid of death and afterlife. 

Paul tells us in the book of Romans two ways we can have this peace.  

"Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Rom 5:1).

1.  Through Justification. This is through the death of Jesus did on the cross. We are pronounced "not guilty" because He took our place and died for the sins He did not commit. We are now justified by the faith we have in that finished works of Christ on Calvary. We can rejoice in that and that will bring peace into our hearts.

Justification not only give us peace in the world, but also peace in eternity with God. We can live the rest of our lives in peace knowing that we are not condemned. He does not condemn us but rather just justified us (Rom 8:1). Even when we commit sin, we have peace that if confess our sins, "... he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1Jn 1:9).

2. Hope of eternity. Many don't know where they are going when they die. But because we have been justified here on earth, we will be glorified in there heaven. That brings peace into out hearts knowing that we know where we are going when we die. Isn't that simply peaceful! That's why the Bible calls it a "hope of eternity".

​Paul says in 2Cor 5:1: "For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens" This means even if we pass through difficult time here on earth, our hope of eternity should keep us alive. 

Little wonder 1Cor 15:19 says, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." Our hope is in heaven, therefore our affection should be there. 

In the last line of verse two of our text, Paul asked us to rejoice in the hope of this glory.

Our finding peace is because of these two reasons above, among many others. 

Start rejoicing. Start to confess peace. Confess peace in your life, home, family, and so on. Confess peace over your children regardless of what the enemy is doing. Confess peace over your marriage despite the tide. He has given you peace on earth and peace after you die. 
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Rejoice, again, I say, rejoice. Always! Shalom!
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How to handle situations that may make your good be evil spoken of

Have you ever been in a situation where: 

• You go out of your way to do something that is not convenient for you for someone, only for the person to turn around and use it against you. 
• You have let someone into your life and he or she is using what he knows about you against you. 
• You have helped someone from what you barely have, and the person does not appreciate it. 
• You have allowed someone to know a secret about you and he is making it public.  

Jesus was in situations like these many times in his life.  

The same Pharisee that invited Jesus for dinner in his house in Luke 11:37-40 turned around to accuse him and his disciples of eating without washing their hands. 

In moments like this, you need divine wisdom so that your good will not become evil (Rom 14:16). 
Several times Jesus’ display of divine wisdom shot the mouth of the lions.  

Remember a man that called Jesus "good Master," and asked if they should pay tax to Caesar. What a sweet way of Jesus calling this man’s bluff. Jesus’s display of divine wisdom made the man not only to regret his attempt to bring Jesus down but also to know how stupid he was. (Matt 22:15-22). 

They brought a woman taken in adultery to Jesus. She was taken “in the very act.” They wanted to see if Jesus would go against their laws so they would use his words against him. The divine wisdom Jesus displayed left them guilty, from the high priest to the least of the accuser of the woman. At the end, Jesus displayed further divine wisdom by asking the woman to “go and sin no more.” (John 8:3-11). 

What if you possessed this type of divine wisdom? – the good news is, you can! 

Jesus did not get angry at the Pharisee who invited him for dinner in his house and later accused him and his disciples. He did not storm out of the Pharisee’s house in anger, abuse, or accuse him back. He rather used the situation as an opportunity to display divine wisdom. 

Do not miss an opportunity to teach a zealot or a Pharisee about the difference between culture and doctrine. Do not miss the opportunity to let an ingrate, or someone who is turning your good gesture as a weapon against you to know that they cannot bring you to their level.  

Divine wisdom is the sweetest revenge against someone that behaves like a friend but talks evil behind your back. Divine wisdom is the weapon to shame a hypocrite.  

You need this divine wisdom. The book of Proverbs says: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7). 

Do you know you can get this divine wisdom if you really want to? The Bible says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). 

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Discipline for a disciple means doing the right thing at the right time (Ecc 3:1, 1Cor 14:40, Jas 4:17).

One of the right things to do at the right time is having a personal time with God early in the morning (Mat 20:1, Mar 16:2; 21:38: 24:1, Joh 8:2).

Personal time with God precedes activities for God. If you cannot be with God in private you cannot be for God in public (Mat 14:23, 26:36).

Your first ministry is to God. Your second ministry is to your spouse, then children, family, brethren in that order. Since your first ministry is to God (Mar 12:30), not practicing personal ministry with God makes subsequent ministries a hypocrisy (Luk 16:11-12).

Our life is the first gift of God to us each day and God deserves the best gift from us every day for it. Our mornings are the perfect time to give God our first and best for the day as a sacrifice (Rom 12:1, 1Pet 2:5).

When you discipline yourself to give God your first and your best each day, you offer Him worship, for that is your first ministry (Mat 4:10).

Only what comes from God is acceptable to Him (Isa 58:1-10).

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