Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria Grace for Living Devotional Friday September 29, 2023 TOPIC: PROVIDE THINGS HONEST

 

BIBLE READING:

ROMANS 12:17-21

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.  

KEY VERSE:

“Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” 2 Corinthians 8:21  

MEDITATION:

Brother James is a Christian. He had just scheduled his wedding six months away. His would-be parents’ in-law demanded that their daughter had to be confirmed pregnant before the wedding date would be announced publicly, and that it would be kept secret once it happened.  

They reminded him of the shame they would face if their daughter didn't have a baby within the first year of their marriage. Brother James nicely, but firmly declined their demand and still went ahead with the wedding. Today, he has three boys!   

When parents arrange ‘special centres’ for their children's final examinations at a high fee and close their eyes to the illegitimate sources of income of their children, including prostitution, internet fraud and scams, are they presenting things honest before God and men in their lives and homes? Or when some pastors become unconcerned about the sources of their church members' unusual heavy tithes and donations for church projects, manipulate church finances and records and flout standard procedures, are they presenting things honest before God and men? And there are yet believers’ homes where spouses pretend not to know that their spouses take bribes, steal government or company property, and procure exquisite and expensive stuff their legitimate income cannot afford, are they providing things honest in the sight of God and all men?   

This is the focus of today’s bible reading – being intentional about always present all things honest before God and men. If not, the consequences could be disastrous physically and spiritually.   

How did you react when your integrity was challenged recently? Broken or aggressive?   

PRAYER:

Father Lord, please help me to be true and faithful to you and all men.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

ECCLESIASTES 5-7, GALATIANS 2