THE COURTS OF BABYLON- 13/05/2014

THE COURTS OF BABYLON- 13/05/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "TRUSTING IN THE LORD”. Today's message is titled "THE COURTS OF BABYLON" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise Daniel 1:8   "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. " Today's reading was taken from Daniel 1:1-8  and the Bible reading in one year is  Genesis 27-28 and Psalm 104:19-35 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is today's message for your input

"Christians have a lot to learn from the life and times of Daniel. Daniel was a great prophet who spoke plainly of the Messiah’s coming. He lived an active life in the courts of kings and served on the council of some of the greatest monarchs the world has ever seen – Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus and Darius. We should also learn from the life and latter end of Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim, king of Judah, was the son of Josiah who was a righteous king, but Jehoiakim was evil (2 Chronicles 36:4-8). Parents have a lot to learn from this. Parents should train up their children. They should set a good example for their children and implement the principles of Christ on them from an early age. Many families, businesses and ministries have been destroyed because of the failure of parents to train their children in the fear of God. Children are presents from God (Psalm 127:3). They cannot be bought, and good children cannot be sought from witch doctors. Are you trusting God for the fruit of the womb? I pray that your desire will be granted this year in Jesus’ Name. The curse God placed on Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 22:18-19) and his subsequent captivity (2 Chronicles 36:5-6) is an indication that sin will never go unpunished. Note from our Bible reading that, God allowed His treasures to be carried from His temple to the treasury of other gods because of disobedience. You must be watchful and obedient so that your blessings will not be inherited by unbelievers.

There are lessons to learn from Daniel’s choice and purpose of heart in Babylon. Daniel was a prince and a youth. The best time to serve God is the time of your youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1-4). Daniel was also talented. He was good looking, well educated and skilful in wisdom and knowledge. He was proficient in the sciences, and he was polished and refined enough to stand before kings. Daniel used all his talents for God. He became an asset to kings. Are you talented and gifted? Use your talents for God. Be an asset to the body of Christ. Daniel was productive. Note that every child of God is chosen to be productive. I pray that everything hindering your productivity be destroyed today in Jesus’ Name. Another lesson to be learnt from our Bible reading today is that names matter. Parents should be watchful on the type of names given to their children. Ensure that your name does not put you in subjection to any demon. For example, it is wrong for someone to bear a name that means “Satan owns this one”. That name places the bearer under the control of Satan. Let your name and the names given to your children glorify God."

The action point for today is "Does your name place you under the dominion of any demon? Please change that name."