IT'S MADNESS- Daily devotional from Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Zech 1-3
IT’S MADNESS Thursday, December 2, 2010
MEMORIZE: “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11) READ: 1 Corinthians 13:9-12 In the story of the prodigal son recorded in Luke 15:11-32, we see an example of three governments in operation. First, the younger son began with self-government. Whenever young people decide to live like they like, it is because they think they have come of age. Unfortunately, age does not bestow wisdom on everyone except those who have paid some price to have it. This is why you see a man of 40 or 50 still speaking, thinking, acting and planning like a child. According to today’s passage, they have refused to dump childish traits and toys. Anyone under self-government can be likened to a child. His or her thinking, planning and actions will be very shallow.  One thing you can be sure of is that everyone under self-government sooner or later will get into trouble that would make them to further degenerate to the government of Satan. When your knowledge, strength, human connections and other resources have failed you, there is tendency to yield to Satan’s government. This is why many run to witch doctors, spiritualists and occult groups who cannot help themselves to help them. The prodigal son took up the job of feeding swines yet, inspite of his hardwork, his employer refused to feed him. Satan is a terrible task master.  If you go to him in time of trouble, he will worsen your lot. One thing is certain: you cannot go to Satan or his agent and allow him to rule over your life without leaving worse and counting more losses. When Satan takes over your life, he will use you without reward. He will torment the fellow with fear and threats. He will make promises that he will not keep. And if you are bold enough to challenge him for breaking his covenant, he could destroy the fellow.  If you visit Satan or his agent with one problem, you may leave with 10. All the time the prodigal son was feeding swines, he was not himself. He was out of his mind. It could be said that those under Satan’s government are in a class of madness. Why would a woman who out of fear runs to witch doctors to protect her child, eventually donates her as food to those who should have protected her? Only madness explains this. Before the prodigal son could think clearly, he came to himself.  When he returned to his father, another government - divine government began. ACTION POINT: Those with problems who go to the devil - their arch-enemy for help would have given him the legal grounds to torment them beyond measure. N. B Have you joined the www.10millionexercisebooks.com project? Be a part of it today and together let's eradicate illiteracy in Nigeria and other African countries.