Proverbs 18:12
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
INSIGHT
-Honor in Hebrew comes from the root word kabad/ kabod which means to abound with, become noble or rich; be burdensome or grievously afflict. It also means: – manifestation of respect or reverence, to be excellence of character or high moral worth, be in position or privilege, high rank, famous, respectable, to submit, worship or adore. Several biblical passages have outlined the word honor including: – God received honor before Pharaoh, his chariots and horsemen (Exod 14:18), the Father will honor those who follow Him and serve Him (Jn 12:26). We are called to honor our parents (Exod 20:12), the governing authorities (Rom 13:1-7), masters (1 Tim 6:1), the king (1 Pet 2:17), fellow believers (Rom 12:10), widows (1 Tim 5:3) and Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior (Ps 50:23); Who was crowned with honor (Jn 5:23) for dominion, honor and praise belongs to Him (Rev 5:13) etc.
PRAYER
You are our King of kings Father, our Lord of lords, our Lord and Savior, we thank You and honor Your holy name. We humbly come at Your feet Jesus asking for mercy and grace. Hear our prayers Father and fulfill our hearts desires. Forgive us our sins and cleanse us by Your precious blood. Where would we have been without You Lord. You have protected us, provided for us, sustained us, blessed us, comforted us, healed our wounds and given us life in abundance, we praise Your holy name. Instill in us the fruit of humility Holy Spirit and help us to do Your will always. We exult You and praise Your name Lord; for You have done great things in all the heavens and the earth. Amen
Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
INSIGHT
-All glory, honor, power and wealth belongs to the Lord and He gives us the power to produce wealth (Deu 8:18). This is through the covenant God established with our father Abraham to bless us and increase us. We should always remember the Lord our God; and to honor Him with that which He gives us. God is faithful and by His merciful love; increases our revenues and guides us through new strategies to generate income; and reminds to offer our firstfruits, tithes, offerings and other resources to the needy. According to the Old Testament, the feast of the firstfruits was kept sacred and each one would offer according to their produce (Lev 23:10-17). These resources would be utilized by the priests and Levites; and the store house have abundance. It is prudent then to recognize that God is the creator of all the heavens and the earth and giver of all things. We are Gods’ custodians and should always remember to honor Him with whatever He bestows unto us.
PRAYER
Our Lord Almighty Father we come before You this morning with thanksgiving in our hearts. It is by Your mercy and grace that we have seen this day full of health. We humbly ask You Jesus to heal all those who are sick and suffering; for by Your stripes we are healed. Thank You for all the wealth that You have given us and everything that You continue to grant us. Help us to always remember to honor You with the firstfruit of our increase and everything that You have given unto us. Fill our hearts with generosity so that we may always give when we are called to; for the glory of Your name. You are full of grace and love Lord; remember Your covenant with Abraham that You may bless us and increase us according to Your will. Bless us Lord and keep us. May You make Your face to shine upon us and be gracious to us. Lift up Your countenance upon us and grant us peace. Amen
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
INSIGHT
-Like the Jerusalem temple was a holy place, our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit and we are not on our own. The Holy Spirit dwells in us; and since His nature is holiness and love; we are called to honor God with our bodies and bear each other with love. Because we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, we should lay aside every weight and sin which so easily ensures us; enduring the race that is set before us; looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 12:1-2).
PRAYER
We thank You Holy Spirit for loving us with an everlasting love. Grant us Your love and peace so that we may always hear Your voice and follow You. Thank You for enduring the cross Jesus so that we may be set free from sin and obtain eternal life. We humbly ask You Lord to give us the grace to endure temptations and deliver us from all sins that so easily ensures us. Your blood speaks better things than that of Abel Jesus, forgive us our sins and cover us with Your precious blood. We rebuke any accusations against us, our families and nation in Your name Jesus; for we are victorious in You. Our Father who at in heaven hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from all evil. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen
1 Peter 2:17-18
Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.
INSIGHT
-Everyone desires respect disregarding their race, gender, age, religion, nationality or social status. Respect is a catalyst of peace and a display of love for one another; as Christ calls us. We should always remember that God created both the rich and the poor; and honor should be given to each one (Prov 22:2). Further, all kings are chosen by God and honor should be given to them. By speaking well of/to them, obeying the law, paying taxes as they are due and submission to their authority for the glory of God. Also; to submit to the leaders in authority, in our churches, work places, government etc, taking heed to the word of God. Christ died for the whole world and there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female; for we are all one in Christ Jesus. We who are born of Christ bear the same spirit and belong to the same family of faith. We are therefore reminded to submit to the authority of Christ who is the head of the church through fear and love, and always do His will.
PRAYER
Lord You are good and Your mercies endures forever. Thank You for all the leaders that You have given us. We pray that by You may give them wisdom to lead all people according to Your will. Grant us the grace to honor and respect all people without prejudice; disregarding their social status, age, race, gender, religion and nationality. You are the Lord of all people Father, may Your peace that surpasses all understanding dwell in all the nations of the world. Fill our hearts Holy Spirit; with love so that we may always love You and our neighbours as ourselves. Amen
Revelation 4:11
“You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”
INSIGHT
-God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. Jesus was crucified for our sins and rose again on the third day so that we forever live with Him. God deserves all the glory, honor and praise for He is good and His love endures forever. God calls us to give thanks to Him always for He is good and His mercy is everlasting.
SUMMARY
Honor has been described through diverse ways in the Bible; to reveal that kings, parents, widows, masters, believers, God and all people should be respected. Also, God honors those who diligently seek Him in humility (James 4:10). Respect to God remains a dominant message; as we are called to honor Him with our wealth and the first fruit of our increase, for He is the creator of all and the giver of all things. We should also honor God through our thoughts, words and conduct; for our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit Who dwells in us. God is Sovereign and deserves all glory, honor and praise.
PRAYER
God You are full of wisdom and power; we praise You forever and ever. How great are You O Lord; we proclaim Your holy name and tell of the wonderful things You have done. You are seated at the right hand of the throne of God; every knee shall bow before You Jesus and every tongue confess that You the Lord of lords. Father hear our prayers and answer our hearts desires. Many are the tribulations and challenges that we go through, but Father You deliver us from them all; we thank You and praise Your holy name. Grant us the fruit of humility and love Jesus that we may always be conformed to Your image. You are worthy O Lord to receive glory, honor and power; for You created all things and by Your will they exist and were created. Amen