24/04/2026
*DEVOTION TODAY*
*FRIDAY APRIL 24th*
*A MESSAGE OF TRUTH*
*JEREMIAH 23:16-17*
16 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes.
They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.
17 They keep saying to those who despise me, ‘The Lord says: You will have peace.’
And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts they say, ‘No harm will come to you.’
*COMMENTARY*
-PRIOR TO THE FINAL INVASION OF JERUSALEM BY THE BABYLONIANS, GOD SPOKE THROUGH THE PROPHET JEREMIAH AND WARNED THE PEOPLE OF THEIR COMING DESTRUCTION AND THEIR NEED TO REPENT. THIS WAS NOT A VERY POPULAR MESSAGE.
-BUT THERE WERE MANY OTHER SELF PROCLAIMED PROPHETS OF THE DAY WHO PROVIDED A MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE MESSAGE. GOD WARNED ABOUT FALLING INTO THEIR TRAP.
-THE MINISTRY OF ENCOURAGEMENT IS A VITAL PART OF OUR CHRISTIAN WALK. KNOWING WE WILL FACE VALLEYS OF DISCOURAGEMENT, WE PRAY GOD WILL SEND ENCOURAGERS TO PROVIDE US WITH A NEEDED LIFT. WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY. ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER DAILY, AS LONG AS IT IS CALLED TODAY. - HEBREWS 3:13
-HOWEVER IN OUR ZEAL TO ENCOURAGE, BUILD UP AND MAKE THE WORLD BRIGHTER FOR THOSE AROUND US, WE MUST NEVER COMPROMISE BY PRESENTING A MESSAGE WHICH FALLS SHORT OF THE TRUTH, OR NEVER PRESENT AN ALL IS WELL MESSAGE WHEN ALL IS NOT WELL. WHEN GOD'S CHILDREN WANDER FROM THE PATH, THERE MUST BE SOMEONE WILLING TO GENTLY INSTRUCT, IN THE HOPE THAT GOD WILL GRANT THEM REPENTANCE LEADING THEM TO A KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH - 2 TIMOTHY 2:25
-OUR TASK AS AN ENCOURAGER IS NOT ALWAYS TO MAKE OTHERS COMFORTABLE. WE ARE NOT CALLED TO TELL PEOPLE WHAT THEIR ITCHING EAR WANTS TO HEAR 2 TIMOTHY 4:3
-OUR TASK IS TO SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE - EPHESIANS 4:15
-THE BEST ENCOURAGEMENT WE CAN ULTIMATELY GIVE
IS TO HELP SOMEONE HAVE A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP
WITH THEIR HEAVENLY FATHER THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
-LET US ENCOURAGE IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY
PRAYER POINTS
1. LORD TEACH US TO ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER IN TRUTH
2. PRAY FOR THE WEEKEND ACTIVITIES:
-LADIES MEETING
-YOUTH MEETING
-SUNDAY SERVICE
