Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY APRIL 28, 2026.

SUBJECT : GOD WILL REWARD YOUR WORK AND LABOR OF LOVE!

Memory verse: "For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love, which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister." (Hebrews 6 vs 10.)

READ: Hbrews 6 vs 9 - 12:

6:9: But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 

6:10: For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have minietered to the saints and do minister. 

6:11: And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 

6:12: that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those you through faith and patience inherit the promisss. 

INTIMATION:

The "work and labor of love" refers to selfless, diligent service performed for God and others, specifically by ministering to the saints. This work is motivated by love for Christ rather than financial gain, and it is remembered and rewarded by a just God, even when unnoticed by men. It describes work done with passion and commitment without expectation of compensation. God would not discount the manifestation of your love of Him through your ministry. And this hope of reward keeps the Christian from becoming lazy or feeling bored. 

The exhortation here is that, as Christians we should be diligent in our good works. We must not be lazy in our response to the love of God demonstrated on the cross by offering His Son as a propitiation for the sins of the whole world. In order to make our calling and election sure, we must remain diligent unto the end of our lives (Revelation 2 vs 10). 

The Christian's diligence is not as one who would accumulate meritorious merits in order to win a prize. The good works the Christian does are not to be considered an accumulation of points by which he would put God in debt to save him. The good works are the manifestation of one's continued thanksgiving for one's salvation. If one does not continue to be diligent, therefore, he or she has discontinued his or her appreciation for what God has accomplished for us through the cross. 

It's noteworthy that because of hope that is before Christians, and the love expressed to them by God in the past, Christians must not be lazy, but diligent workers. Their faith is active because of their hope in all that Christ has promised to those who are diligent to the end. Through obedient faith, therefore, they will inherit the fulfillment of God's promises concerning the rest that is yet to come. 

In Christians' labor prompted by love in their relationship with one another they are moved into action to care for one another. And their endurance in so doing is inspired by hope; hope of eternity in heaven which moves them to remain committed to that which is necessary to arrive at their eternal dwelling in heaven. Because of their hope of heaven, they remain committed to Christ. Once one gives up hope, he or she loses his or her incentive to maintain a life that is governed by the principles of Christ. Their work, labor, and patience is all centered in Christ. 

The key components of "Work and Labor of Love" are (1) Motivation by love: This labor stems from devotion to Christ and affection for the church, rather than a "hireling" mentality seeking monetary payment. (2) Action demonstrated in service: It includes tangible actions like "ministering to the saints" (supporting other Christians) and active service in the house of God (helping, and serving in church). (3) Durability: Continuing in the good works as highlighted in the text "you have ministered and do minister," indicating consistence, and ongoing. (4) God’s Response (The Promise): "God is not unjust to forget": This is a core encouragement from the Scriptures. Because God is righteous, He cannot overlook the labor done for His name. It is a promise that such work is never in vain. (5) Divine Reward: While the work is done freely, God rewards the labor with blessings, including spiritual protection and provision.  

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of delightsome to You and Your Word and consistency in good works till the end. My utmost heart desire is to be among Your kingdom giants in investing in the things of the kingdom and being my brother's keeper, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

The Great Exchange

 The Great Exchange

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed. (Romans 1:16–17)

We need righteousness to be acceptable to God. But we don’t have it. What we have is sin. 

So, God has what we need and don’t deserve — righteousness; and we have what God hates and rejects — sin. What is God’s answer to this situation? 

His answer is Jesus Christ, the Son of God who died in our place and bore our condemnation. “By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he [God] condemned sin in the flesh” (Romans 8:3). Whose flesh bore the condemnation? His. Whose sins were being condemned? Ours. This is the great exchange. Here it is again in 2 Corinthians 5:21: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

God lays our sins on Christ and punishes them in him. And in Christ’s obedient death, God fulfills and vindicates his righteousness and imputes (credits) it to us. Our sin on Christ; his righteousness on us.

We can hardly stress too much that Christ is God’s answer to our greatest problem. It is all owing to Christ. 

You can’t love Christ too much. You can’t think about him too much, or thank him too much, or depend upon him too much. All our forgiveness, all our justification, all our righteousness is in Christ.

This is the gospel — the good news that our sins are laid on Christ and his righteousness is laid on us, and that this great exchange becomes ours not by works but by faith alone. “By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Here is the good news that lifts burdens and gives joy and makes strong.

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY APRIL 27, 2026.

SUBJECT : THE IDEAL MANNER TO PRAISE THE LORD!

Memory verse: "I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works." (Psalm 9 vs 1.)

READ: Psalm 103 vs 1 - 6 & 8:

103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

103:2: Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

103:3: Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases;

103:4: Who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

103:5: Who satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

103:6: The LORD executes righteousness and judgment for all who are oppressed.

103:8: The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

INTIMATION:

Praise is to express admiration or approval of; to commend; to extol; to glorify or worship. To praise the Lord is to worship Him; it is expressing one’s appreciation and understanding of His worth; it is saying thank you for each aspect of His divine nature. Your inward attitude about Him is outwardly expressed in praise. When we praise God, we help ourselves by expanding our awareness of who He is. 

Praise can be in speech or song. Praising God in a song is not just song about God, It is a song to God. Praising God has several aspects to it. The ideal manner of praising God include: (1) Thanking Him for each of His divine nature—Creator, Merciful, Loving, Faithful, Powerful, Unchanging, Forgiving, Magnificent, Glorious, etc. As you read the Bible, look for other characteristics or divine nature of God for which to thank Him. Thanking Him for them is the best way to ask for the manifestation of those characteristics in your life. It is always good to make a list of such characteristics and keep reminding yourself of them, internalizing them, and make them a permanent part of your worship.

(2) Focus your heart on God. See nothing, know nothing other than God. Not even yourself require any attention. The Scripture says, “I will praise You with my whole heart” (Psalm 9 vs 1; 138 vs 1). To help you to achieve the required fixation on God, just take one attribute of God, such as His mercy, then concentrate on it for an entire week in your meditation and prayer. In no time it will be an integral part of your worship to Him.

(3) Thank God for His many gracious gifts to mankind. Make a list and count your blessings, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. David said, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits...” (Psalm 68 vs 19.) He also said, “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand....” (Psalm 139 vs 17 - 18.) 

Now, take for instance, you wake up in the morning, hale and hearty; All the organs in your body are all functioning properly—you can see, talk, walk, taste, feel, hear, breath, sit, stand, smile, run, eat, free your bowel, etc. All these are possible because the various functional organs are working in harmony with the also functional sensory nerves, body cells, body tissues etc. Also the various natural substances—the air, sun, water, etc—are all available to you. 

God has made all these possible, and also has given you other qualitative provisions of emotional, and spiritual stability. The list is unending, and all in one day. Imagine the number of human cells working all at the same time in your body to achieve the good health; they are in billions, and God has made all these functional. What is more worthy than to thank and appreciate this excellent, magnificent, kind, and loving God. Praise God and tell Him afresh how much you appreciate all these.

(4) Finally, above all, thank God for your relationship with Him through Christ who has given you the gift of salvation, and has been made to you wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Praising Him lifts your perceptive from the earthly to the heavenly, and prepares your heart to receive God’s love and the power of His Holy Spirit.

Now, can you find something to praise God wholeheartedly for each day? As you do, you will find your heart elevated from daily distractions to lasting confidence, reminding you of God’s faithfulness and character which positively effect your attitude.

Prayer: Abba Father, there is none like You. I can’t thank You enough. With my whole heart I will daily lift You in praise. Let my praise come to You as a sweet smelling sacrifice, that will cause You to come down in Your might and power to attend to my petitions, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Children of a Singing God

 Children of a Singing God

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Mark 14:26)

Can you hear Jesus singing?

Was he a bass or a tenor? Was there a down-home twang to his voice? Or was there an unwavering crystal pitch? 

Did he close his eyes and sing to his Father? Or did he look into his disciples’ eyes and smile at their deep camaraderie? 

Did he usually start the song? Or did Peter or James, or maybe Matthew, do it?

Oh, I can hardly wait to hear Jesus sing! I think the planets would be jolted out of orbit if he lifted his native voice in our universe. But we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken; so, Lord, go ahead, do it! Sing!

It could not be otherwise but that Christianity be a singing faith. The founder sang. He learned to sing from his Father. Surely they have been singing together from all eternity. Don’t you think so? Would not infinite eternal happiness in the fellowship of the Trinity sing?

The Bible says the aim of our singing is “to raise sounds of joy” (1 Chronicles 15:16). No one in the universe has more joy than God. He is infinitely joyful. He has rejoiced from eternity in the panorama of his own perfections reflected perfectly in the deity of his Son.

God’s joy is unimaginably powerful. He is God. When he speaks, galaxies come into being. And when he sings for joy, more energy is released than exists in all the matter and motion of the universe. 

If he appointed song for us to release our heart’s delight in him, is this not because he also knows the joy of releasing his own heart’s delight in his own image in his Son by his Spirit in song? We are a singing people because we are the children of a singing God.

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY APRIL 26, 2026.

SUBJECT : DO NOT CLING TO THIS WORLD!

Memory verse: "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Mark 8 vs 36.)

READ: First John 2 vs 15 - 17:

2:15: Do not love the world, or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

2:16: For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

2:17: And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

INTIMATION:

Do not cling to this world that is passing away, rather evaluate your lifestyle from an eternal perspective, and you will find your values and decisions changing. Those who would cling or pattern their lives after this world, therefore, have forgotten that they have attached themselves to something that will not exist forever. If they do not cling to Jesus or have not patterned their thinking after that which is eternal, they will not be prepared to exist in eternity. 

It’s for this reason that the worldly minded people will not inherit eternal life. If one’s focus is on the things of this world, then he cannot give himself to God in a way that God demands of His children. In order words, one cannot trust in his self-sufficiency with the things of the world, and at the same time totally trust in God.

If one owned all that is of this world, such would not profit him toward the salvation of his soul. If we truly comprehend the value of our eternal salvation, we would not trade anything of this world for it. If we understand the glory that will be revealed to us, we would understand the foolishness of clinging to this world in a manner that would divert us from Jesus. 

The value of one’s soul is beyond comparison with anything of this world, even with the world as a whole. If one loves the world, the love of the Father is not in his heart. Those who love activities and possessions of this world do not love the Father, for they are obsessed with the things of this world. Those who have been consumed with the things of the world have taken their minds off that which is to come. And that which is to come is the destruction of all that for which one has worked in this world (Second Peter 3 vs 10).

Many people spend all their energy seeking pleasure. Jesus said, however, that worldliness, which is centered on possessions, position, or power, is ultimately worthless. Whatever you have on earth is only temporary; it cannot be exchanged for your soul. If you work hard at getting what you want, you might eventually have a “pleasurable” life, but in the end you will find it hollow and empty. One cannot take his possessions with him into the dwelling of the new heavens and earth, but he can take the results of his eternal investments such as his giving. 

Don’t count on wealth and physical comforts to keep you happy because you will never have enough to keep you from dying. At the moment of death we will be naked and empty-handed before God. The only riches we have at that time are those we have already invested in our eternal heritage. At the time of death, each of us would wish we had invested less on earth, where we must leave such investments, and more in heaven. We must place our faith in God, pledge ourselves to obey Him, and utilize our resources for the good of His kingdom.

Some people think that worldliness is limited to external behavior—the people we associate with, the places we go, the activities we enjoy etc. Worldliness is also internal because it begins in the heart and is characterized by three attitudes: (1) lust of the flesh—preoccupation with gratifying physical desires; (2) lust of the eyes—coveting and accumulating things, bowing to the god of materialism; and (3) pride of life—obsession with one’s status or importance. When the serpent tempted Eve, he tempted her in these three areas. Also, when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, these were his three areas of attack.

It is possible to give the impression of avoiding worldly pleasures while still harboring worldly attitudes in one’s heart. It is also possible, like Jesus, to love sinners and spend time with them while maintaining commitment to the values of God’s kingdom. What values are most important to you? Do your actions reflect the world’s values or God’s values?

When the desire for possessions and sinful pleasures feel so intense, we probably doubt that these objects of desire will one day pass away. It may be even more difficult to believe that the person who does the Will of God will live forever. But our conviction should be based on the facts of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and promises. Knowing that this evil world will end can give you the courage to deny yourself temporary pleasures in this world in order to enjoy what God has promised in eternity with Him. 

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of eternal consciousness, that my thoughts and behavior will be heavenly bound, and I will not be obsessed with the cares of this world, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

You Were Made for God

 You Were Made for God

“For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.” (1 Samuel 12:22)

The name of God often refers to his reputation, his fame, his renown. This is the way we use the word “name” when we say someone is making a name for himself. Or we sometimes say, that’s a “name” brand. We mean a brand with a big reputation. This is what I think Samuel means in 1 Samuel 12:22 when he says that God made Israel a people “for himself” and that he would not cast Israel off “for his great name’s sake.”

This way of thinking about God’s zeal for his name is confirmed in many other passages. 

For example, in Jeremiah 13:11 God describes Israel as a waistcloth, or belt, with which God chose to highlight his glory, even though there were times when Israel was temporarily unfit. “For as the loincloth clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, declares the Lord, that they might be for me a people, a name, a praise, and a glory, but they would not listen.” Why was Israel chosen and made the garment of God? That it might be a “name, a praise, and a glory.” 

The words “praise” and “glory” in this context tell us that “name” means “fame” or “renown” or “reputation.” God chose Israel so that the people would make a reputation for him. God says in Isaiah 43:21 that Israel is “the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.” 

And when the church came to see itself in the New Testament as the true Israel, Peter described God’s purpose for us like this: “You are a chosen race . . . that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

In other words, Israel and the church are chosen by God to make a name for him in the world. This is why we pray first and foremost, “Hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9). This is why we pray, “Lead us in paths of righteousness for your name’s sake” (see Psalm 23:3).

When we speak of being a God-centered people, remember, this is because we are joining God in his God-centeredness. And on this side of the cross, that means being a Christ-dependent, Christ-exalting people. “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake” (1 John 2:12). “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY APRIL 25, 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 - 20:

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 from 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 their 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, 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 for 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 one 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 me in Christ. My faith is in You. Give me the grace to manifest my faith working through love for You and others, that I will be a through son of my Father in heaven and my Redeemer, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!