📘 Daily Devotion — May 17 | Mark 9:45 (NKJV) 💯 Taking Sin Seriously Mark chapter 9 contains some of Jesus’ strongest teachings about sin and spiritual discipline. In this passage, Jesus uses powerful imagery involving the hand, foot, and eye to emphasize the seriousness of anything that leads a person away from God. When Jesus speaks about cutting off a foot that causes sin, He is not commanding literal self harm. Instead, He is teaching that believers must deal decisively with anything that continually leads them into sin or spiritual compromise. The foot represents the direction of life and the paths we choose to walk. If something in our lives consistently pulls us away from obedience to God, Jesus teaches that it is better to remove that influence than to continue allowing it to damage our spiritual lives. This passage reminds believers that sin is never harmless. Small compromises can gradually pull the heart away from God if left unchecked. Jesus calls His followers to radical commitment and serious repentance because eternal matters are at stake. For believers today this verse encourages honest self examination. Relationships, habits, entertainment, environments, or attitudes that continually lead toward sin should not be treated casually. God calls His people to pursue holiness and to remove obstacles that hinder spiritual growth. True freedom is found in walking closely with Christ rather than holding onto what harms the soul. Reflection Questions 1. Are there influences or habits in my life that pull me away from God? 2. What steps can I take to pursue greater holiness and obedience? 3. How can I guard the direction of my spiritual walk? Prayer Lord Jesus help me to take sin seriously and to remove anything that hinders my relationship with You. Give me wisdom, strength, and courage to walk in holiness and obedience. Guide my steps so that my life honors You in every direction I take. In Jesus name Amen. Practical Application - Identify and remove influences that lead toward spiritual compromise - Ask God for accountability and wisdom in areas of weakness - Choose daily habits that strengthen your walk with Christ Takeaway Thought Following Jesus requires removing anything that continually pulls the heart away from God. #LordsbookDailys #DailyDevotion #May17 #Mark945 #HolinessMatters #TurnFromSin #ChooseLife #BibleInspiration #GrowInFaith

📘 Daily Verse — May 17 | Mark 9:45 (NKJV) ➡️ And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched. #LordsbookDailys #DailyVerse #May17 #Mark945 #PursueHoliness #TurnFromSin #BibleInspiration #GrowInFaith

The Rewards of Sin 1. Understanding What Sin Is Sin is any action, thought, or behavior that goes against the will and command of God. Sin separates man from God and brings spiritual consequences. The Bible explains sin clearly: First Epistle of John 3:4 – “Sin is the transgression of the law.” Epistle of James 4:17 – “To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” Sin is not only about committing evil acts; it can also be refusing to do what is right. Examples of sin include: Pride Lies Sexual immorality Bitterness Greed Disobedience to God 2. The Wages of Sin The word wages means payment or reward for work done. Just as workers receive salary for their labor, sin also pays its own salary. According to the Bible, the payment of sin is death. Epistle to the Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death.” This death happens in three ways: 1. Spiritual Death Sin separates man from God. Book of Isaiah 59:2 – “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God.” When sin controls a person, that person loses spiritual sensitivity and connection with God. 2. Physical Consequences Sin often produces destruction in life such as: Broken relationships Poverty Shame Diseases Loss of destiny Epistle to the Galatians 6:7 – “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” 3. Eternal Death The ultimate result of unrepented sin is eternal separation from God. Book of Revelation 21:8 – describes the final judgment for those who refuse to turn away from sin. 3. The Beginning of Sin in Humanity Sin entered the world through the disobedience of the first humans. Book of Genesis 3:6 shows how Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Because of that act: Humanity inherited a sinful nature. Death entered the world. Epistle to the Romans 5:12 – “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin.” 4. The Deception of Sin Sin often appears attractive at first but eventually destroys. Epistle of James 1:15 – “Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Sin may promise: Pleasure Power Quick success But its final result is always destruction. 5. The Gift of God Even though sin pays death, God offers a free gift. Epistle to the Romans 6:23 – “But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Through Jesus Christ, God provided salvation. Gospel of John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” Jesus died so humanity could be forgiven and receive eternal life. 6. How to Escape the Wages of Sin 1. Repent Turn away from sin sincerely. Acts of the Apostles 3:19 – “Repent therefore, and be converted.” 2. Accept Jesus Christ Receive the salvation God offers. Epistle to the Romans 10:9 – “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus…” 3. Live a Holy Life Walk in obedience to God. First Epistle of Peter 1:16 – “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Conclusion Sin may look small, but its reward is deadly. The wages of sin is death, but God in His mercy offers eternal life through Jesus Christ. The choice is before everyone today: Continue in sin and receive death Or accept Christ and receive eternal life Choose life. Prayer “Lord, I acknowledge my sins before You. Forgive me and cleanse me through the blood of Jesus Christ. Help me turn away from sin and live a life that pleases You. Amen.” Pastor Abiodun Kadri #TheWagesOfSin #RepentAndReturn #ChooseLife #SalvationInChrist #BiblicalTruth #TurnFromSin #JesusSaves #EternalLife I

MEN WHO HATE GOD “Men Who Hate God” may sound shocking, yet Scripture clearly reveals that there are people who live in open rejection, rebellion, and opposition to God. Romans 1:28-32, Psalm 14:1, John 15:18-19 They may not openly declare, “I hate God,” but their actions, choices, lifestyle, and attitudes reveal a deep contempt for His authority, truth, and righteousness. Hatred for God is not merely emotional; it is spiritual rebellion. It is the refusal to acknowledge God as Lord, the rejection of His Word, and the deliberate choice to live contrary to His will. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works…” – Psalm 14:1 1. MEN WHO HATE GOD REJECT HIS AUTHORITY Men who hate God refuse to submit to His sovereignty. They want to rule their own lives and become their own god. They see God’s commandments as restrictions rather than protection. “For the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” – Romans 8:7 Hatred for God is shown when men: ,- Mock righteousness - Despise holiness - Ignore repentance - Redefine truth Such men say, “I will live my life my way, not God’s way.” 2. MEN WHO HATE GOD LOVE SIN MORE THAN TRUTH Another mark of those who hate God is their deep affection for sin. They defend evil, glorify immorality, and celebrate what God condemns. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind…” – Romans 1:28 They exchange the truth of God for lies, placing pleasure, pride, and self above righteousness. Sin becomes their language. Darkness becomes their comfort. 3. MEN WHO HATE GOD PERSECUTE THE RIGHTEOUS Those who hate God naturally oppose those who love Him. Hatred for God translates into hatred for godly living. “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” – John 15:18 They ridicule prayer, mock holiness, and resist the gospel. The light exposes their darkness, and instead of repenting, they attack the light. 4. THE DANGERS OF HATING GOD To hate God is to position oneself against the source of life. It leads to: -Spiritual blindness - Moral decay - Judgement - Eternal separation from God “They that hate me love death.” – Proverbs 8:36 Hatred for God is not freedom; it is bondage. It is not boldness; it is self-destruction. 5. GOD’S MERCY STILL CALLS THE REBELLIOUS Despite human hatred, God still extends mercy. He desires repentance, not destruction. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise… but is longsuffering… not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9 Even men who hate God today can become men who love Him tomorrow through repentance and surrender to Christ. CONCLUSION Men who hate God are not always loud atheists; sometimes they sit in churches, speak religious words, and still live in defiance. Hatred for God is revealed through disobedience, pride, and rejection of His truth. The call of God today is clear: Stop fighting God. Stop rejecting His voice. Return to Him while mercy is available. “Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” – Hebrews 3:15 ALTAR CALL Search your heart. Are you resisting God’s will? Are you living in quiet opposition? Today is the day to turn back. Love God, obey His Word, and choose life. Pastor Abiodun Kadri #MenWhoHateGod #TruthThatConvicts #RepentAndReturn #GodStillCalls #ChooseLife #SpiritualRebellion #HolinessMatters #TurnFromSin #JesusSaves #WordOfConviction