HYMN – HE LEADETH ME

JAN. 24^TH

MEMORY VERSE: He maketh me lie down in green pastures, he leads me besides quiet waters, he restores my soul. Psalm 23:2)

TEXT: PSALM 23, 139:10, 24: ISAIAH 41:13; JOHN 16:13

The blessedness and awe of being led by Almighty God himself so impressed the author of this text that he wrote beloved words spontaneously – and these exact words have been sung by believers around the world for more than a century. Although Joseph Gilmore became a distinguished university and seminary professor, an author of several textbooks in Hebrew and English literature, and a respected Baptist minister, he is best remembered today for this one hymn, hurriedly written when he was just 28.

Gilmore scribbled down these lines while visiting with friends after preaching about the truths of the 23^rd Psalm at the Wednesday evening service of the First Baptist Church in Philadelphia. He left this account:

At the close of the service we adjourned to Deacon Watson’s pleasant home, where we were being entertained. During the conversation the blessedness of God’s leading so grew upon me that I took out my pencil, wrote the text just as it stands today, handed it to my wife, and thought no more of it.

Without telling her husband, Mrs. Gilmore sent the verses to the Watchman and Reflector magazine, where it first appeared the following year. Three years later, Joseph Gilmore went to Rochester, New York, as a candidate to become the pastor of Second Baptist Church. He recalls.

Upon entering the chapel I took up a hymnal, thinking – I wonder what they sing here. To my amazement the book opened up at “He Leadeth Me”. And that was the first time I knew that my hurriedly written lines had found a place among the songs of the church.

Williams Bradbury, an important American contributor to early gospel hymnody, added two additional lines to the chorus: “His faithfully follower I would be, for by his hands he leadeth me”. Does that describe you?

He leadeth me, O blessed thought! O words with heav’nly comfort fraught! Whate’er I do, where’er I be, Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me. Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine, nor ever murmur nor repine; content, whatever lot I see, since ‘tis my God that leadeth me! And when my task on earth is done, when by thy grace the vict’ry’s won, e’en death’s cold wave I will not flee, since God through Jordan leadeth me.

Chorus: He leadeth me, He leadeth ne, by his own hand He leadeth me; His faithful foll’wer I would be, for by His hands he leadeth me.

ACTION POINT: Visualize a loving shepherd tenderly leading his sheep. Then be especially responsive to God’s guidance. “AMAZING GRACE; 366 INSPIRING HYMN STORIES FOR DAILY DEVOTION”.  

ACTUALISE YOUR DREAMS AND VISIONS (PART 1)

Jan. 23^rd

TEXT: Eccl 9:10-11

¹⁰ Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

¹¹ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

 Many of the time, most people are unable to actualize their dreams and vision because they have poor and sometimes, terrible financial policies. Too many Christians read their Bible with religious lens and as such are unable to see the lessons on finance and other aspects of life. A careful study of the Bible will reveal to you that Jesus spent time talking about financial principles than several other subjects of life. This is one reason why we need to pay attention to our attitude with finance. One problem with most people is the inability to control their spending habit.  Any one who does not want to end up in poverty, will not raise his expenditure to or above his income. The reason why so many of us are poor is that we have a bad spending habit. When some of us get a pay raise, or stumble on expected income, we quickly raise our expenditure to the same amount of increase or even beyond it. Worse than this, is the mentality to just buy things that we can live without. We do this because we have the buy now and pay later mentality. If you have this habit, you have entered into a covenant with poverty, for the Bible tells us that, “the borrower is a slave to the lender.” You take on the reputation of a slave when you borrow or buy on credit.

There are people who speak in tongues and can even command the fire of the Holy Spirit, but they are financial slaves. Do not use the flimsy excuse of not having enough income, because there are people whose income is far less than yours, but they are wise spenders. On the average, you should be able to generate some income, even without depending on a job, because sometimes, depending on a job could also give a slavish mentality.

We must go beyond thinking within the box to thinking outside the box.

You have a glorious destiny, don’t die a disgrace. Live! 

BREATHING LIFE TO DREAMS AND VISIONS (PART 6)

Jan. 22^nd

TEXT: Job 33:14-18. Numbers 23:19-23.

Job 33:14-18 King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴ For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

¹⁵ In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;

¹⁶ Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

¹⁷ That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

¹⁸ He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

Numbers 23:19-23King James Version (KJV)

¹⁹ God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

²⁰ Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

²¹ He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.

²² God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.

²³ Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!

In life, most of us expect to have an easy ride to our destiny without any form of challenge or opposition. But the truth remains; in the real world wishes, desires and dreams must pass the test before they are allowed to stand as a glorious testimony. As you journey in life, refuse to allow setbacks stop you from pursuing your dream.

From the two biblical text from today’s reading, it is obvious that a God given dream is a divine message to awaken us from the slumber of life and cause us to seek greater relevance and impact in life. Some times, terrifying dreams have become the reason why many who have been passive about their dreams are stirred to active life. If all our dreams are smooth and peaceful, we would likely become insensitive to impending dangers and serious tragedies of life. Once a man becomes aware of eminent challenge, he has the advantage of foresight and is able to equip himself to overcome.

The man who has heard from God is bold to stand on the promises of God as found in our text taken from the book of Numbers. If you know that God is not man for Him to lie, then you have the hope of seeing that ugly circumstance transforming into glorious celebrations. Whatever God has promised you He is able to make a reality. If He said it, he will certainly do it. Just make sure you are living according to His word, and you will be amazed what will follow. No satanic power or activity is able to stop you from becoming what God has destined you to be. Live in the presence of the Lord, and soon it shall be said of you, look at what the Lord has done. Hold on to your dream, because our God is too big to fail. 

BREATHING LIFE TO DREAMS AND VISIONS (PART 5)

JAN 21^ST

TEXT: Job 33:14-18. Habakuk 2:1-4

Job 33:14-18

¹⁴ For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

¹⁵ In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;

¹⁶ Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

¹⁷ That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

¹⁸ He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.


Habakkuk 2:1-4

1      I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

 

2     And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

 

3    For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

 

4    Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Whatever your dream is in life, there is an appointed time for it to become reality. If it seem as though God has forgotten you, be encouraged with the testimony of people like Joseph. If it seem as though you are doing your very best but nothing is working out as expected, don’t give up. Let the word of God in Habakuk 2:2-3 be your motivation. Whatever you receive from God can never die. Refuse to accept any other report or conclusion. Stay focused and resolute on seeing the promises of God becoming a reality. Continually decree the promise. Say it again and again against all odds as you call it into being by your confessions and decrees. Tell yourself and all who care to listen that you are convinced that the word of God is true. Remember and stand on the word that says “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world, even our faith”. Know that your dream/vision is born of God, and not of your own making, and for this reason, see it overcoming all odds. Decree to it that you refuse to relent in your faith. Be stubborn against discouragement and stand on the promises of God till you see your expectation become a reality, and you will not be disappointed. Go beyond just reading this devotional, by taking out time today and other times to speak life to your dreams and destiny. God has something glorious for you, go after it until it manifests to His glory.