Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY JULY 25, 2026.

SUBJECT: BLESSED ARE THE MEEK!

Memory verse: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5 vs 5.)

READ: Psalm 37 vs 5 - 11:

37:5: Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. 

37:6: He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.

37:7: Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him, do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 

37:8: Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret--it only causes harm. 

37:9: For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. 

37:10: For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; indeed, you will look carefully for his place, but it shall be no more. 

37:11: But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 

INTIMATION:

The meek is lowly in heart, mild, gentle, unselfish, not arrogant or self-seeking. When one mourns over his sin, his relationship with others changes. Meekness, in its use in Scriptures, in which it has a fuller, and deeper significance, it consists not in a person's "outward behavior only; nor yet in his relations to his fellow-men, as little as in his mere natural disposition. Rather it is an inwrought grace of the soul, and the exercises of it are first and chiefly toward God. It is that temper of spirit in which we accept God's dealings with us as good, and therefore, without disputing or resisting, and does not struggle and contend with Him. 

To be meek is to accept our strengths and limitations for what they truly are, instead of constantly trying to portray ourselves in the best possible light. But it does not mean that we should deny our strengths and abilities. 

For instance, when Jesus was asked if he was the Messiah, He replied, “The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me” (Matt. 11 vs 4 - 6). Jesus, our perfect example, never portrayed an inflated self-image nor an inferiority complex, but a servant’s heart. Meek people see themselves as servants of God, not thinking more highly of themselves than they ought to think.

The promise of the meek inheriting the earth is both a present and future reality. In the immediate sense, the meek experience a sense of peace and contentment, living in harmony with God's creation. This inheritance is not earned by force or power but is a gift from God, aligning with the biblical theme of divine grace.

The meek will inherit the earth in the sense that they will enjoy the greatest things that life has to offer. This is because they understand the brevity of life and the temporary nature of material things, they concentrate their thoughts on those things that are above.

The meek has a servant’s heart, never asserts himself in any situation. He exercises power, not for self, but for the benefit of all people. This aspect is captured by the passage of Psalm we read today, which begins with, “Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him..." and ends with “the meek shall inherit the land.” It means they curb their urge to avenge the wrongs done against them, and instead use whatever power they have to serve others. It flows from the sorrow for their own weaknesses that comprises the mourning for their sins. If we feel sorrow for our own sins, can we really feel vengeful over the sins of others?

In God's kingdom, we receive by God’s grace the good things the arrogant fruitlessly strive for in the present earth, and more. In this broken world, those who recognize their true strengths and weaknesses can find peace by living realistically. Those who exercise power for the benefit of others are often admired. The meek engage others in decision making and experience better results and deeper relationships.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of meekness; knowing that outside of You I am nothing. Give me the grace to humbly follow You, obeying You in all things, that it shall be well with me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Satan’s Strategy and Your Defense

Satan’s Strategy and Your Defense

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith. (1 Peter 5:8–9) 

The two great enemies of our souls are sin and Satan. And sin is the worst enemy, because the only way that Satan can destroy us is by getting us to sin, and keeping us from repenting. The only thing that damns us is unforgiven sin. Not Satan.

God may give him leash enough to rough us up, the way he did Job, or even to kill us, the way he did the saints in Smyrna (Revelation 2:10); but Satan cannot condemn us or rob us of eternal life. The only way he can do us ultimate harm is by influencing us to sin, and keep us from repentance. Which is exactly what he aims to do.

So, Satan’s main business is to advocate, promote, assist, titillate, and confirm our bent to sinning. And to keep us from faith and repentance.

We see this in Ephesians 2:1–2: “You were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked . . . according to the prince of the power of the air” (NASB). Sinning “accords” with Satan’s power in the world. When he brings about moral evil, it is through sin. When we sin, we move in his sphere. We come into accord with him. When we sin, we give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27). 

The only thing that will condemn us at the judgment day is unforgiven sin — not sickness or afflictions or persecutions or intimidations or apparitions or nightmares. Satan knows this. Therefore, his great focus is not primarily on how to scare Christians with weird phenomena (though there’s plenty of that), but on how to corrupt Christians with worthless fads and evil thoughts.

Satan wants to catch us at a time when our faith is not firm, when it is vulnerable. It makes sense that the very thing Satan wants to destroy would also be the means of our resisting his efforts. That’s why Peter says, “Resist him, firm in your faith” (1 Peter 5:9). It is also why Paul says that the “shield of faith” can “extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16). 

The way to thwart the devil is to strengthen the very thing he is trying most to destroy — your faith.

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY JULY 24, 2026.

SUBJECT: BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN!

Memory verse: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5 vs 4.)

READ: Isaiah 61 vs 1 - 3:

61:1: The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me; because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

61:2: To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;

61:3: To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

INTIMATION:

The word “mourning” means “to feel deep sorrow, to show great concern, or to deplore some existing wrong.” It means “to experience deep grief.” It is important to realize that Jesus was speaking to His disciples, and not to the public. Jesus did not imply that mourning is about those who have a morbid view of life; He was speaking to people who were seeking to live fuller lives with God in the center. Jesus' sermon was a collection of truths designed to prepare His followers for His kingdom, which involved a lifestyle radically different from the world’s.

Therefore, happy are those who recognize their spiritual poverty, and thus, humbly grieve over their sinfulness. The humble person recognizes his spiritual poverty and thus mourns over his inadequacies before God. In the Scriptures, blessed usually means "happy." But in keeping with His theme of spiritual blessedness, blessed most likely indicates "an enviable state."

When a person has acquired good fortune, we call him “blessed.” But in His sermon, Jesus calls some people “blessed” who appear to be quite the opposite. People who “mourn” don’t seem to be “blessed,” according to most other people. Jesus is contrasting the world’s idea of happiness with true blessedness—spiritual prosperity—which comes from a right relationship with God.

The people who agree with God about the evil of their own hearts can attain an "enviable state of blessedness," due to the comfort they receive from communion with the Holy Spirit. Jesus called the Holy Spirit the Comforter (John 14 vs 16, 26; 15 vs 26). The Spirit comforts those who are honest about their own sin and humble enough to ask for forgiveness and healing. 

Those who hide their sin or try to justify it before God can never know the comfort that comes from a pure heart. The Scriptures in Proverbs 28 vs 13 say, "He who covers his sins will not prosper; but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy."

Before we can become strong, we must first realize that we are weak. Before we can become wise, we must realize that we are foolish. Before we can receive power, we must first confess that we are powerless. We must lament our sins before God before we can rejoice in a Savior. Mourning always comes before exultation. Blessed are those who mourn their unworthiness, their helplessness, and their inadequacy. If we have no sense of sorrow for sin, how can we know the need of repentance?

It is noteworthy that before God, we must go down into the valley of grief before we can scale the heights of spiritual glory. We must become tired and weary of living without Christ before seeking and finding His salvation. We must come to the end of “self” before we can really begin to live. The Psalmist says, “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34 vs 18).

Jesus reminds His followers that they cannot seek happiness the way the world does. True joy is not found in selfish ambition, excuses, or self-justification. An enviable state of blessedness comes to those who mourn over their own sin. The Scriptures, in Isaiah 66 vs 2, the Lord says, "...But on this one will I look; on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trenbles at My Word." The Lord says that the ones He will look on with favor are those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word. 

When we agree with God about how bad our sin is, repent of it, and seek His power to walk away from it, He promises comfort from the Holy Spirit. This kind of "mourning" leads to repentance is truly blessed. 

The Scripture, in Second Corinthians 7 vs 10, says, "For godly sorrow produced repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death." Repentance results in forgiveness and cleansing from God. When we have confessed Jesus, and trusted in Him as our personal substitute for sin, we no longer stand condemned (Romans 8 vs 1). 

Rather than wallow in guilt and shame, we realize that we stand justified before God (Second Corinthians 5 vs 21; Galatians 3 vs 24). Those who learn to mourn over their own sin find the heart of God. And intimate fellowship with God is the very foundation of true happiness.

Our anchor notes that those who mourn shall be comforted by the Lord. Many think that when God comforts us, our troubles should go away. But if that where always so, people would turn to God only out of a desire to be relieved of pain and not out of love for Him. However, we must understand that being "comforted" can also mean receiving strength, encouragement, and hope to deal with our troubles. The more we suffer, the more comfort God gives us. If you are feeling overwhelmed, allow God to comfort you. Remember that every trial you endure will help you comfort other people who are suffering similar troubles. 

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of mourning over my sins; showing my spiritual poverty and great concern over my wrongdoings which displeases You. Forgive me O Lord and comfort me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Jesus Keeps His Sheep

 Jesus Keeps His Sheep

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31–32)

Though Peter, in fact, failed miserably, by denying Jesus three times, the prayer of Jesus preserved him from utter ruin. He was brought to bitter weeping and restored to the joy and boldness that showed itself in Peter’s message at Pentecost. Jesus is interceding for us today in the same way that our faith may not fail. Paul says this in Romans 8:34. 

Jesus promised that his sheep would be preserved and never perish. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27–28). 

The reason for this is that God works to preserve the faith of the sheep. “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). 

We are not left to ourselves to fight the fight of faith. “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). 

You have the assurance of God’s word that, if you are his child, he will “equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ” (Hebrews 13:21). 

Our endurance in faith and joy is finally and decisively in the hands of God. Yes, we must fight. But this very fight is what God works in us. And he most certainly will do it, for, as it says in Romans 8:30, “Those whom he justified he also glorified.” The glorification of God’s justified children is as good as done.

He will lose none of those he has brought to faith and justified.

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY JULY 23, 2026.

SUBJECT: BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT!

Memory verse: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5 vs 3.)

READ: James 4 vs 7 - 10:

4:7: Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 

4:8: Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

4:9: Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 

4:10: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. 

INTIMATION:

Blessed could also be translated “happy.” Happiness in heart results from the application in life of the Christlike demeanor expressed in His sermon on the mounth. The "poor in spirit" are those who recognize their humanity, their spiritual poverty and destitution. Therefore, they are not proud, conceited or arrogant concerning their spiritual relationship with God. We must empty ourselves of self-reliance and learn to humble ourselves before God.

Being blessed means more than happiness. It implies the fortunate or enviable state of those who are in God’s kingdom. Being “blessed by God" means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. To find hope and joy, the deepest form of happiness, follow Jesus no matter what is the cost.

The “poor in spirit” is not proud, conceited, or arrogant, and are blessed. This character trait clashes with the worldly values of pride and personal independence. We must recognize our humanity, spiritual poverty, and destitution (Romans 7 vs 24 - 25). We must empty ourselves of self-reliance and learn to be humble before God. Those with such an attitude of mind will submit to the kingdom reign of God, and consequently are blessed.

The "poor in spirit" recognizes and acknowledges their spiritual poverty and the need for God's grace in their lives. This heart attitude is recognized by Christ as a blessing to them since they know to seek the riches of God's grace. Therefore, one must realize his spiritual poverty and the inability to save himself in order to understand that he needs the grace of God in order to be saved. One will not come to repentance if he does not recognize his sinful condition. 

The Scriptures, in Isaiah 57 vs 15, says, "For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and revive the heart of the contrite ones." God relates mercifully with those who are humble and repentant ("contrite"). The High and Holy God came down to our level to save us because it is impossible for us to go up to His level to save ourselves. Though God is exalted above the heavens, at the same time the omnipresent God dwells in the hearts of the humble and contrite. 

The passage we read today enumerates what the poor in spirit who seeks God's grace should do; draw near to God, seek Him and find Him. How can we come close to God? James gives five ways: (1) "Submit to God." Yield to His authority and Will, commit your life to Him and His control, and be willing to follow Him. 

(2) "Resist the devil." Don't allow him to entice and tempt you. 

(3) "Cleanse your hands.....and purity your hearts." This simply means lead a pure life. Be cleansed from sin, replacing your desire to sin with your desire to experience God's purity. 

(4) "Lament and mourn and weep." Don't be afraid to express deep heartfelt sorrow for what you have done wrong. 

(5) "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor." Humbling ourselves before the Lord means recognizing that our worth comes from God alone. To be humble involves leaning on His power and His guidance, and not going our own independent way. Although we don't deserve God's favor, He wants to lift us up and give us worth and dignity, despite our human shortcomings. 

Drawing near to God is an imperative command that places the responsibility for our actions on our shoulders. The source of our power to resist the devil has been identified, therefore, the individual must take the initiative to keep himself in the love of God. Those who have made their hands dirty by becoming a friend to the world, must repent. Those who have allowed their lives to be directed by the world in order to create religious behavior according to their love for the world, must repent. One must purify his heart and stop seeking after the things of this world. One must become pure with the wisdom from above in order to remain in the grace by which he is saved. 

Although God and the devil are at war, we don't have to wait until the end to see who will win. God has already defeated Satan (Revelation 12 vs 10 - 12), and when Christ returns, the devil and all he stands for will be eliminated forever (Revelation 20 vs 10 - 15). Satan is here now, however, and he is trying to win us over to his evil cause. With the Holy Spirit's power, we can resist the devil, and he will flee from us. 

Those who have loved this world must turn from their materialism and seek God. They must change their lives to be worthy of the Gospel of Christ (Philippians 1 vs 27). The call for repentance, therefore, is a call for a paradigm shift in the thinking and behavior of the proud. 

Since God will not save the arrogant and proud, the plea is that the first step in repentance must be to submit to the Will of God. Only through the spirit of submission is God able to mold the demeanor of the obedient for eternal dwelling. There is within the man the power to resist the temptations of the devil. 

God has never given Satan the power to voluntarily subject people to his will. If one desires to seek God, then Satan has no power to subjectively keep one away from God. For this reason each person will give account of himself before God. Our power to resist the devil is exemplified in the fact that we can make him flee. 

Since God will not allow the individual Christian to be tempted beyond that which he is able to endure, then we must assume that we have the power to make the devil flee from us. And since we have the power, then we will all stand before God in judgement and be held directly accountable for our deeds.

Our power to resist the devil makes us responsible for our own actions. However, we must keep in mind that no man has this power within himself. It is through the power of the Gospel, and Christ working in us, that we are able to resist the devil (Philippians 4 vs 13). We must choose to unleash this power in our lives in order to flee from all temptations that come to us through the work of the devil. 

It is our initiative to take the steps to deal with our pride. We cannot exalt ourselves before God on the basis of our works. Man's pride detours him from submitting to the Will of God. In order to be lifted up by God, we must come to God with a humble heart. God is able to lift up the submissive. He cannot lift up those who feel that they have lifted themselves up apart from Him. Therefore, those who are proud will not submit their lives to God in order to be lifted up by Him. 

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of humility; knowing that outside of You I am nothing and can do nothing. Give me the grace to seek You at all times, and the eagerness to do Your Will and walk in Your ways at all times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

How to Defy Sinful Desire

 How to Defy Sinful Desire

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. (Hebrews 11:24–26) 

Or, boil it down to the essentials: “By faith Moses . . . [left] the fleeting pleasures of sin . . . for he was looking to the reward” (Hebrews 11:24–26).

Faith is not content with “fleeting pleasures.” It is ravenous for joy. Joy that lasts. Forever. And the word of God says, “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). So, faith will not be sidetracked into the deceitful pleasures of sin. It will not give up so easily in its quest for maximum joy. 

The role of God’s word is to feed faith’s appetite for God. And, in doing this, it weans my heart off of the deceptive taste of lust. 

At first, lust begins to trick me into feeling that I would really miss out on some great satisfaction if I followed the path of purity. But then I take up the sword of the Spirit and begin to fight. 

I read that it is better to gouge out my eye than to lust (Matthew 5:29). 

I read that if I think about things that are pure and lovely and excellent, the peace of God will be with me (Philippians 4:8–9). 

I read that setting the mind on the flesh brings death, but setting the mind on the Spirit brings life and peace (Romans 8:6). 

I read that lust wages war against my soul (1 Peter 2:11), and that the pleasures of this life choke out the life of the Spirit (Luke 8:14). 

But best of all, I read that God withholds no good thing from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11), and that the pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5:8). 

As I pray for my faith to be satisfied with God’s life and peace, the sword of the Spirit carves the sugarcoating off the poison of lust. I see it for what it is. And by the grace of God, its alluring power is broken.

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY JULY 22, 2026.

SUBJECT: THE BEATITUDES—THE CHRISTIANS WAY OF LIFE!

Memory verse: “To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61 vs 3.)

READ: Matthew 5 vs 3 - 12:

5:3: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

5:4: Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5:5: Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

5:6: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

5:7: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

5:8: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

5:9: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.

5:10: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

5:11: Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

5:12: Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven: for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

INTIMATION:

The Beatitudes can be understood in, at least, four ways: (1) They are a code of ethics for the disciples and a standard of conducts for all believers. (2) They contrast kingdom values (what is eternal) with worldly values (what is temporary). (3) They contrast the superficial “faith” with the real faith that Christ demands. (4) They show how the Old Testament expectations will be fulfilled in the new kingdom. These Beatitudes are not multiple choice; pick what you like and leave the rest. They must be taken as a whole. They describe what we should be like as Christ’s followers.

Each Beatitude tells how to be blessed by God. Blessed means more than happiness. It implies the fortunate or enviable state of those who are in God’s kingdom. The Beatitudes don’t promise laughter, pleasure, or earthly prosperity. Being “blessed” by God means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. To find hope and joy, the deepest form of happiness, follow Jesus no matter the cost.

Blessed could also be translated “happy.” Happiness in heart results from the application in life of the characteristics expressed in the Beatitudes:

(1) Poor in spirit: Happy are those who are not proud, conceited or arrogant concerning their spiritual relationship with God. One must recognize his humanity, his spiritual poverty and destitution. One must empty himself of self-reliance and learn to humble himself before God.

(2) Mourn: Happy are those who recognize their spiritual poverty, and thus, humbly grieve over their sinfulness. The humble person recognizes his spiritual poverty and thus mourns over his inadequacies before God.

(3) Meek: When one mourns over his sin, his relationship with others changes. He becomes mild, gentle, lowly and unselfish in character. He is not arrogant or self-seeking. The meek will inherit the earth in the sense that they will enjoy the greatest things that life has to offer. Because they understand the brevity of life and the temporary nature of material things, they concentration their thoughts on those things that are above.

(4) Hunger and thirst: Those who realize their sinful condition and mourn over their sin, hunger and thirst after the justification (righteousness) that can come only from God by His grace. They seek the knowledge of God through His Word. It is the Word of God that will supply the knowledge of how to be justified of one’s sin. God is the source of all righteousness.

(5) Merciful; Those who recognize their own spiritual poverty are merciful to others. They sympathize and have pity on others. They thus seek to relieve the suffering of others because God has had mercy on them in relation to their sin. Contrary to the legalistically proud who seek to judge, the meek have mercy. Their mercy will reap mercy from God.

(5) Pure in heart: Happy are those who do not seek evil, but are sincere. Without guile or a vile heart of evil motives, they do not seek to find evil in others. The pure in heart will understand the pure nature of God.

Peacemakers: Those who recognize their own sinfulness will seek peace of mind with others. Such are sons of God for they portray the spirit of God in their relationship with others. They are not contentious, nor do they have a spirit to argue with others.

Persecuted: Those who portray in their lives the above characteristics will be sons of God. Being such will bring persecution from those of the world who do not understand such behavior. Christians are persecuted because they refuse to walk in the darkness of the world.

However, persecution can be good because: (1) it takes our eyes off earthly rewards, (2) it strips away superficial belief, (3) it strengthens the faith of those who endure, and (4) our attitude through it serves as an example to others who follow. We can be comforted knowing that God’s greatest prophets were persecuted (Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel). The fact that we are being persecuted proves that we have been faithful; faithless people would be unnoticed. In future God will reward the faithful by receiving them into His eternal kingdom, where there is no more persecution.

Rejoice: This is the attitude of those who truly understand the inner nature of the Christian life. They are able to rejoice in persecution for they know that life exists beyond this world. The same evil envy that led to the persecution of the prophets of the Old Testament will also lead to the persecution of Christians who stand up for their faith.

God’s way of living usually contradicts the world’s. If you want to live for God, you must be ready to say and do what seems strange to the world. You must be willing to give when others take, to love when others hate, to help when others abuse. By giving up your own rights in order to serve others, you will one day receive everything God has in store for you.

Jesus said that God’s kingdom is organized differently from worldly kingdoms. In the kingdom of heaven, wealth and power and authority are unimportant. Kingdom people seek different blessings and benefits, and they have different attitudes. Are your attitudes a carbon copy of the world’s selfishness, pride, and lust for power, or do they reflect the humility and self-sacrifice of Jesus, your King?

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of Christlikeness; abhorring evil, cleaving to that which is good, loving one another, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer, distributing to the necessity of saints, given to hospitality, blessing those that persecute me, and not cursing them, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!