Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY AUGUST 08, 2026.

SUBJECT : THE RICH ARE RARELY HUMBLE!

Memory verse: "Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack; Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take the cross and follow Me." (Mark 10 vs 21.)

READ: Mark 10 vs 22 - 25:

10:22: But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 

10:23: Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!"

10:24: And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!

10:25: It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

INTIMATION:

To be rich is to be affluent, wealthy, having a large fortune. The rich are people with great financial resources, having an abundant supply of desirable qualities or substances. Such people often anchor their trust in their riches because they believe with their riches they can get all they want. They usually believe that the financial security they have is all they need to be secured in life. Consequently, It is usually hard to find humble people among the rich because they believe they have all it takes to have all their needs met. 

Obviously, money represents power, authority, and success, hence it is often difficult for rich people to realize their ultimate need in life, and the powerlessness of their riches to save them. The rich in talent or intelligence suffer the same difficulty; they often put their trust in their intellect and abilities. 

A person's wealth usually makes life comfortable, and gives him or her power and prestige, hence they trust in their wealth as the very basis of their security and identity. They have what they want or can easily buy what the want. They are influential, praised, honored, and popular. Therefore, it is rather difficult for them to humble themselves to serve. It is difficult for self-sufficient persons to realize the need of Jesus in their lives. 

In most cases, unless God reaches down into the life of the rich, they will not come back to Him. They fail to realize that is God who owns all things—the world and its fullness (Psalm 24 vs 1; 89 vs 11), and "no man receives anything unless is given to him from heaven" (John 3 vs 27). Therefore, it is more secured to put your trust in the Giver and the gift. 

Humility signifies lowliness of mind; modest, not prideful, submissive, deferential, and meek. These character traits are often lacking in the rich, because riches are mostly the worldly standard of evaluating success and achievement, and eventually cause the rich to think highly of, and too much about themselves. Evaluating yourself by the worldly standards of success and achievement can cause you to think too much about your worth in the eyes of others and thus miss your true value in God's eyes. 

The Scriptures, in Deuteronomy 8 ve 17 -18, say, "then you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.' And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day." In times of plenty, we often take credit for our prosperity and become proud that our own hard work and cleverness have made us rich. 

It's noteworthy that it is God who gives us everything we have, and it is God who asks us to manage it for Him. The remedy for materialism is to remember Him from whom all blessings flow. It is easy to get so busy collecting and managing wealth that we push God right out of our lives. The key to an honest and accurate evaluation is knowing the basis of our self-worth, that is, your relationship with Christ who controls all things, and without Him you can do nothing. 

Consider the incident in our memory verse and the passage in Mark we read today. Jesus is not asking believers to sell all their possessions. Most of His followers did not sell everything they have to follow Him, although they used their possessions to serve others. Instead, this incident shows us that we must not let our possessions keep us from following Jesus. We must remove all barriers to serving Him fully, and humbling ourselves before the Lord.

Prayer: Abba Father, the earth and its fullness are Yours, and all good and perfect gifts come from You. Endue me with the spirit of humility, knowing that all I am, and all I have comes from You, and by You all things consist. I will humble myself before You, and at all times You will take the first place in my life, in Jesus' Name I prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Ruler of All Nature

 Ruler of All Nature

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. (Proverbs 16:33)

In modern language we would say, “The dice are rolled on the table, and every play is decided by God.” 

In other words, there are no events so small that he does not rule them for his purposes. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?” Jesus said. “And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10:29–30). 

Every roll of the dice in Las Vegas, every tiny bird that falls dead in a thousand forests — all of this is God’s command. 

In the book of Jonah, God commands a fish to swallow a man (1:17), he commands a plant to grow for shade (4:6), and he commands a worm to kill it (4:7). 

And far above the life of fish and worms, the stars take their place and hold their place at God’s command. 

Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power, not one is missing. (Isaiah 40:26)

How much more, then, the natural events of this world — from weather to disasters to disease to disability to death.

His law he enforces;

the stars in their courses

and sun in its orbit obediently shine;

the hills and the mountains,

the rivers and fountains,

the deeps of the ocean

proclaim him divine.

(“Let All Things Now Living,” Katherine Davis)

Let us therefore stand in awe and be at peace, knowing that no natural event is outside of God’s wise and good purposes, and perfect control.

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY AUGUST 07, 2026.

SUBJECT: FAITH WORKING THROUGH LOVE AVAILS MUCH!

Memory verse: "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love." (Galatians 5 vs 6.) 

READ: James 2 vs 14 - 26:

2:14: What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?

2:15: If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,

2:16: and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body; what does it profit?

2:17: Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

2:18: But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

2:19: You believe that there is one God; you do well. Even the devils believe—and tremble!

2:20: But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

INTIMATION:

We become Christians through God’s unmerited grace, not as the result of any effort, ability, intelligent choice, or act of service on our part. However, out of gratitude for this free gift, we will seek to help and serve others with kindness, love, and gentleness, and not merely to please ourselves. We are saved by faith, not by deeds. But love for others and for God, is the response of those whom God has forgiven. God’s forgiveness is complete, and Jesus said that those who are forgiven much love much (Luke 7 vs 47). Because faith expresses itself through love, you can check your love for others as a way to monitor your faith.

The characteristics of an effective Christian in any age is work produced by faith, labor prompted by love and endurance inspired by hope. As Christians, our calling from God is to become like Christ (Romans 8 vs 29). To be worthy of this calling means to want to do what is right and good as Christ would. Christians have been created anew in Christ by obedience to the gospel (Romans 6 vs 4 - 5). Since they are recreated in Christ, they respond with good works of thanksgiving. They have been so created, not by good works, but for good works. Such actions show that our commitment to God is real. Deeds of loving service are not a substitute for, but rather a verification of, our faith in Christ.

Faith is the foundation and content of God’s message, hope is the attitude and focus, love is the action. Therefore, your faith is put into action through love. Love involves unselfish service to others. When faith and hope are in place, you are free to love completely because you understand how God loves. While it is true that our good deeds can never earn salvation, true faith always results in a changed life and good deeds. Love endures forever (First Corinthians 13 vs 13). Love is the greatest of all human qualities and is an attribute of God Himself (First John 4 vs 8). Does your faith fully express itself in loving others? 

Your faith should be carried into action with an obedient response to the grace of God. (Second Corinthians 4 vs 15). Your faith should move you into action. In your relationship with one another you should be moved into action to care for one another. God’s intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are not saved merely for our own benefit, but to benefit others in our faith works through love, to serve Christ and build up the church. Christians thus work in response to what God has done for them (First Corinthians 15 vs 10). It is their works that manifest their response to the grace of God. 

Though good works are not a qualification of the saving grace of God, rather it is a manifestation of the obedient and faithful response to the free gift of grace. What is required of a Christian is a faith that works through love. This is the obedient faith that responds to the grace of God. One's recognition of his salvation, by the free gift of grace, motivates him or her to work out of love and thanksgiving. When one trusts in God for his or her salvation by grace, he or she will lovingly respond in obedience to God with a better relationship with his or her fellow human. 

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for your saving grace bestowed on us in Christ. My faith is in You. Give me the grace to manifest my faith working through love for You and others, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

The Point of Creation

 The Point of Creation

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)

God made humans in his image so that the world would be filled with reflectors of God. Images of God. Seven billion statues of God. So that nobody would miss the point of creation. 

Nobody (unless they are stone blind) could miss the point of humanity, namely, God — knowing, loving, showing God. The angels cry in Isaiah 6:3, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” It is full of billions of human image-bearers. Glorious ruins. 

But not only humans. Also nature! Why such a breathtaking world for us to live in? Why such a vast universe?

I once read that there are more stars in the universe than there are words and sounds that all humans of all time have ever spoken. Why are there so many? So large? So bright? At such unimaginable distances? The Bible is crystal clear about this: “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1).

If someone asks, “If earth is the only inhabited planet and man the only rational inhabitant among the stars, why such a large and empty universe?” The answer is: It’s not about us. It’s about God. And it’s an understatement. He is more glorious. Greater in power. Greater in scope. Greater brightness. Than all the galaxies combined. One wise man said, the universe is like a peanut that God carries around in his pocket.

God created us to know him and love him and show him. And then he gave us a hint of what he is like: the universe.

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY AUGUST 06, 2026.

SUBJECT: THANKSGIVING IN WORSHIP!

Memory verse: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;" (Philippians 4 vs 6.)

READ: Psalm 69 vs 30; 100 vs 4; Colossians 2 vs 6 - 7; 4 vs 2:

Psalm 69:30: I will praise the name of the LORD with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.

100:4: Enter into His gate with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His Name.

Colossians 2:6: As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

2:7: rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

4:2: Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.

INTIMATION:

Thanksgiving is expected from all believers for what God has done for us through His grace; acknowledging God’s goodness which is an expression of your faith and confidence in Him. There is no powerful living apart from a life of thanksgiving which, of course, is the Will of God for us. The Christian is zealous in the Lord because of his or her salvation that has come from the Lord through the offering of His Son Jesus Christ as a propitiation for our sins. Prayer and petitions (supplication) are to be made in a spirit of thankfulness to God for all that He has done in our lives. When one truly understands the grace of God, He or she will respond in thanksgiving for all that God has done through Jesus.

God desires an attitude of thanksgiving, not just an act of it. Thanksgiving is an application for more. Being thankful for all the things He has done and is doing in your life is a pathway to receiving your petitions from Him. Therefore, when you have petitioned God for something, immediately begin to thank Him in trust and confidence that the thing you have asked for is on the way coming. The apostle Paul counseled all believers to give thanks in everything; for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus for them (First Thessalonians 5 vs 18.)

The apostle Paul lived a life of thanksgiving and preached the same to all believers. In some of the passages we read today, his counsel on thanksgiving, as an integral part of worship, is clearly expressed. In our memory verse (Philippians 4 vs 6), Paul counsels all believers to be thankful for what we ask in prayer, and to continuously be thankful and grateful for what He has already done in the past, what He is doing now, and what He is going to do in the future, including answer to your petition.

Jesus, our Messiah and perfect example, lived a life of thanksgiving during His earthly ministry. He knows the power of thanksgiving when communing with the Father, and gave thanks to the Father always. For example; He gave thanks to God when He broke the seven loaves and fishes and fed the four thousand (Matthew 15 vs 36). He gave thanks to God when He took the five loaves and two fishes and fed five thousand (John 6 vs 11). He also thanked God for hearing Him at the tomb of the dead Lazarus (John 11 vs 41). And He gave thanks to God when He gave the bread and wine to His disciples at the Last Super.(Mark 14 vs 22 - 23).

Thanksgiving magnifies the Name of the LORD (Psalm 69 vs 30), and opens the gate of the court of the LORD (Psalm 100 vs 4). It also, multiplies what we have received (Second Corinthians 9 vs 12). For instance, when Jesus lifted up the bread and fishes and gave thanks it multiplied that thousands were fed by the meal of a child. Also, the power of thanksgiving in prayer helps us abound in Christ, drawing our life-giving strength from Christ (Colossians 2 vs 7). The more we draw our strength from Him, the less we are fooled by those who falsely claim to have life’s answers. If Christ is our strength we will be free from human regulations.

The lifestyle of thanksgiving is an evidence of a grateful heart. If a person is grateful for what he already has, it is an indication that the individual is mature enough to receive other blessings. But if a person is always complaining about what he has now, why should the Lord bother to give him anything else to crab and gripe about. When we realize how far God had to send His Son in order to redeem us from condemnation, we respond with a life of thanksgiving. Our good works, therefore, are works of thanksgiving, not works of merit. Christians are motivated because of what they already have in Christ.

Prayer: Abba Father, there is none like You. Your steadfastness never seizes, and Your mercies never come to an end. Your compassion never fails. I will forever remain thankful to You for all Your great and wondrous works in my life. What You cannot do for me let it remain undone, and what You cannot give me may I never have it, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Jesus Bought Your Endurance

 Jesus Bought Your Endurance

“This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (Luke 22:20)

What that means is that the new covenant, promised most explicitly in Jeremiah 31 and 32, was secured and sealed by the blood of Jesus. The new covenant comes true for God’s people who trust the Messiah, Jesus, because Jesus died to establish it.

And what does the new covenant secure for all who belong to Christ? Perseverance in faith to the end. 

Listen to Jeremiah 32:40, 

“I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.” 

The everlasting covenant — the new covenant — includes the unbreakable promise, “I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.” They may not. They will not. Christ sealed this covenant with his blood. He purchased your perseverance if you are in Jesus Christ through faith.

If you are persevering in faith today, you owe it to the blood of Jesus. The Holy Spirit, who is working in you to preserve your faith, is honoring the purchase of Jesus. God the Spirit works in us what God the Son obtained for us. The Father planned it. Jesus bought it. The Spirit applies it — all of them infallibly. 

God is totally committed to the perseverance and eternal security of his blood-bought children.

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 05, 2026.

SUBJECT: APPROACH GOD BOLDLY IN THE NAME OF JESUS!

Memory verse: “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." (John 16 vs 24.)

READ: John 16 vs 23 - 24:

John 16:23: “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 

16:24: Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

INTIMATION:

Prior to the coming of Jesus, people approached God through priests. The priest, during the Old Testament era, will go to the holy of holies once in a year to offer sacrifice for the atonement of sins of the people. But after He came and accomplished the task given to Him by the Father; the atonement for the sins of the whole world, ‘all authority was handed over to Him by the Father’ (Matthew 28 vs 18).

After the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, any believer could approach God directly. A new day has dawned and now all believers are priests, talking with God personally and directly. We approach God, not because of our own merit, but because Jesus, our great High Priest, has made us acceptable to God. 

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and those under the earth” (Philippians 2 vs 9 - 10). Jesus, consequently, gave us the power of attorney in the use of His name, and whatever we ask in prayer in His name will be given to us. 

The Scriptures, in Hebrews 10 vs 19 - 23, say, "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."

The Most Holy Place ("the Holiest ") in the temple was sealed from view by a veil. Only the high priest could enter this holy room once a year on the the Day of Atonement when he offered the sacrifice for the nation's sins. But Jesus' death removed the curtain, and all believers may walk into God's presence at any time. 

To go right into the presence of God, we come not halfheartedly or with improper motives or pretence, but with pure, individual, and sincere worship. We can know that we have "a true heart" if we evaluate our thoughts and motives according to His Word. Believers can approach God boldly, free from our "evil conscience" and in full assurance because of the work of Jesus Christ. 

We can go to God without doubting, knowing that He will hear and answer us under the new covenant, our hearts and consciences are cleansed completely, not partially or temporarily. Our clean consciences allow us to enter God's presence with boldness. 

Finally, the imagery of our bodies having been "washed with pure water" actually pictures an inward cleansing. Just as baptism is an outward sign that represents the purification that Christ does inside us, so this washing speaks of an internal cleansing from sin. Once cleansed, we can approach God. 

We have significant privileges associated with our new life in Christ: (1) We have personal access to God through Christ and can draw near to Him without an elaborate system; (2) we may grow in faith, overcome doubts and questions, and deepen our relationship with God; (3) we may enjoy motivation from one another; (4) we may worship together. 

By virtue of what God has provided through Jesus, believers are to come to God with boldness. It is through faith in the blood of Jesus that we can confidently approach God. Our boldness is based on faith, not on the ceremonial performance of worship. We can have confidence that we will enter into heaven through the blood of Jesus because we have faith in the cross. Our confidence is based on our faith in the grace of God that was revealed through the sacrificial offering of the blood on the cross. 

Jesus is the new and living way through whom we have access to heaven. Heaven is forever open to all those who would approach God through Jesus. Jesus continually works on our behalf in order to cleanse us of sin. 

Prayer: Abba Father, You are so loving, and faithful, even in our unfaithfulness. Give me the grace to always ask in faith in the Name of Jesus, that I may receive, and my joy will be full, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!