Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2026. 

SUBJECT: WHY DO BELIEVERS EXPERIENCE TROUBLES AND SUFFERING?

Memory verse: "But I say to you, that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands." (Matthew 17 vs 12.) 

READ: First Peter 1 vs 7 - 9:

5:7: Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

5:8: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 

5:9: Resist him, stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienceed by your brotherhood in the world.

5:10; But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.

INTIMATION:

The question of why believers experience trouble and suffering is a profound mystery addressed through several traditional and theological viewpoints. Many people assume that trouble or suffering comes only because people sin. Though normally (but not always) following God leads to happier life, and rebelling against God normally (but not always) leads to an unhappy life. 

However, in our world invaded by sin, calamity and suffering come to good and bad alike. Living in a world affected by human choice means bad things happen to everyone, regardless of how good they are. Good people often suffer because of the wrong choices and free will of other people, and believers are in the world, consequently are not exempt for the troubles. 

This doesn't mean that God is indifferent, uncaring, unjust, or powerless to protect the believers. Bad things happen because we live in a fallen world, where believers and unbelievers are hit with the tragic consequences of sin. God allows evil for a time although He turns it round for the believers good (Romans 8 vs 28). 

It is obvious that a major reason why suffering is such a challenge to believers' faith is because they automatically think that suffering is a bad thing. Bad things may happen to us that cause pain but the pain itself doesn't have to be a completely negative experience, and here are a few reasons why:

(1) Suffering and trouble motivate us. Trouble and suffering are very effective motivating forces. The most common example of this is when someone is prompted to change the behavior that may have led them to their suffering in the first place. 

(2) Suffering also moves us to prioritize our lives because during times of trouble we usually see more clearly what is important and what is not. Close calls with death on account of illness or accidents become occasions that lead us to think about our mortality and how fragile we are. It is often at these moments that we begin to seek for answers to questions about life, death, and the hereafter.

It is suffering that motivates most people to search for God, search for His Will, and search for His presence in their lives. Without suffering we tend to stay in one dimension and not think too deeply about things. Suffering forces us to look beyond ourselves for answers, for relief, and for redemption. Pain often helps people rely more on God and re-evaluate what matters most in life.

(3) Suffering and trouble enhance our spiritual growth, enabling us to build strength, patience, endurance, and character. As seen in stories like the book of Job, steadfast faith during pain shows genuine devotion that does not depend only on receiving rewards. They help move us back to where we should be, depending on God for everything. 

To be dependent on God is not a shameful thing or a sign of weakness, it is an acknowledgement of reality. The simple truth is that we depend on God for every breath we take, but suffering is usually needed to bring that reality home to us. The greatest benefit is a new reliance on God each day whether the suffering stays or goes.

(4) Suffering enables us to develop sympathy for others. It gives the ability to understand how people continue to live their lives despite their suffering. For example, when you suffer lack, you appreciate what people who begging on the streets are going through. You gain greater appreciation of how other people in worse condition live their lives probably without complaint or pity for themselves. 

The Bible, in our anchor Scripture, tells us that even Jesus had to suffer pain in order to become our Savior and Mediator, and to truly sympathize and empathize with us. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

God lets us suffer because suffering reveals the horror of sin. It began with Adam and Eve who disobeyed God resulting in the fall of the human race, and as the sinfulness of mankind multiplied, so the fall of the creation as well. 

Prayer: Abba Father, Your love for me is beyond my comprehension. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate me from Your love, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. My absolute trust is in You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Our Unspeakable Privilege

 Our Unspeakable Privilege

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3:14)

One implication of the magnificent name, I AM WHO I AM, is that this infinite, absolute, self-determining God has drawn near to us in Jesus Christ. 

In John 8:56–58 Jesus is answering the criticism of the Jewish leaders. He says, “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” The Jews then said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

Could Jesus have taken any more exalted words upon his lips? When Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I am,” he took up all the majestic truth of the name of God, wrapped it in the humility of servanthood, offered himself to atone for all our rebellion, and made a way for us to see the glory of this infinite, absolute, all-sufficient God — without fear.

In Jesus Christ we who are born of God have the unspeakable privilege of knowing Yahweh as our Father — I AM WHO I AM — the God

who exists

whose personality and power is owing solely to himself

who never changes

from whom all power and energy in the universe flows

and to whom all creation should conform its life.

May those who know the name of God put their trust in him (Psalm 9:10).

The Only True Freedom

 The Only True Freedom

Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31–32)

What is true freedom? Are you free?

Here are four things that need to be true if we are going to be fully free.

If you don’t have the desire to do a thing, you are not fully free to do it. Oh, you may muster the willpower to do what you don’t want to do, but nobody calls that full freedom. It’s not the way we want to live. There is a constraint and pressure on us that we don’t want.

And if you have the desire to do something, but no ability to do it, you are not free to do it.

And if you have the desire and the ability to do something, but no opportunity to do it, you are not free to do it.

And if you have the desire to do something, and the ability to do it, and the opportunity to do it, but it destroys you in the end, you are not fully free — not free indeed — when you do it.

To be fully free, we must have the desire, the ability, and the opportunity to do what will make us happy forever. No regrets. And only Jesus, the Son of God who died and rose for us, can make that possible. 

If the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed (John 8:36).

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2026.

SUBJECT : OPEN UP YOURSELF TO GOD!

Memory verse: "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 to revive the heart of the contrite ones." (Isaiah 57 vs 15.)

READ: Romans 7 vs 14 - 20:

7:14: For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.

7:15: For that what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will do, that do I not practice; but what I hate, that do I.

7:16: If, then, I do what I will not do, I agree with the law that it is good.

7:17: But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

7:18: For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me; but how to perform what which is good I do not find.

7:19: For the good that I will do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.

7:20: Now if I do what I will not do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

INTIMATION: 

The starting point of ministry is being moldable. The more you open up yourself to God, the more He comes in to mold and use you. The more you let down your guard, take off your mask, and share your struggles, the more God will be able to use you in serving others. It is notable that opening yourself can be risky. It can be scary to lower your defenses and open up your life to others. When you reveal your failures, feelings, frustrations, and fears, you risk rejection. But the benefits are worth the risk. Opening up yourself is emotionally liberating; it relieves stress, defuses your fears, and is the first step to freedom.

We have already seen that God "gives grace to the humble," but many do not understand humility. Humility is not putting yourself down or denying your strengths; rather, it is being honest about your weaknesses. The more honest you are, the more of God's grace you get. Being moldable or meek, that is, opening up yourself, is an endearing quality; we are naturally drawn to humble people. 

Pretentiousness repels, but authenticity attracts, and meekness is the pathway to intimacy. Your life becomes a testimonial when people see God using you in spite of your weaknesses, and they are encouraged, and they will then think that God can use them too. This is why God wants to use your weaknesses, not just your strengths. Our strengths create competition, but our weaknesses create community.

At some point in our lives we must decide whether we want to impress people or influence people. You can impress people from a distance, but you must get close to influence them, and when you do that, they will be able to see your flaws. That's okay. The most essential quality for leadership is not perfection, but credibility. People must be able to trust you, or they won't follow you. How do you build credibility? Not by pretending to be perfect, but by being honest, and open.

Our Scriptural model, the apostle Paul, openly and honestly shared his impressions at various times. In his failures he said, "For the good that I will to do, I do not; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice." (Romans 7 vs 19.) Concerning the openness of his heart, and his feelings, he said to believers in Corinth, "O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open." (Second Corinthians 6 vs 11.) On his frustrations, he said, "For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life." (Second Corinthians 1 vs 8.) On his fears, he said, "I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling." (First Corinthians 2 vs 3.)

In the passage we read today, the cry of the apostle Paul is more than the cry of a desperate man, it describes the experience of all Christians struggling against sin or trying to please God by keeping rules and laws without the Spirit’s help. He opened up himself, emphasized his weakness, and sought help. We must never underestimate the power of sin and attempt to fight it in our own strength. Satan is a crafty tempter, and we have an amazing ability to make excuses. Instead of trying to overcome sin with our own human willpower, we must take hold of God’s provision for victory over sin—the Holy Spirit, who lives within us and gives us power. And when we fall, He lovingly reaches out to help us up.

The inward struggle with sin was as real for the apostle Paul as it is for us today. From him we learn what to do about it. Whenever he felt overwhelmed by the spiritual battle, he would return to the beginning of his spiritual life, remembering how he had been freed from sin by Jesus Christ. When we feel confused and overwhelmed by sin’s appeal, let us claim the freedom Christ gave us. His power can lift us to victory. 

Self-determination (struggling in one’s own strength) doesn’t succeed. The apostle Paul found himself sinning in ways that weren’t even attractive to him. Becoming a Christian does not stamp out all sin and temptation from a person’s life (Romans 7 vs 22 - 25). Being born again takes a moment of faith, but becoming like Christ is a lifelong process. Therefore, open up yourself to the Lord, and let Him help you in struggles. 

Prayer: Abba Father, all to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give. I will ever love and trust Him, and in His presence I wish to daily live, and bow humbly at His feet. Give me the grace not to put any form of trust in myself, but to follow You to the end, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Worship in a Lightning Storm

 Worship in a Lightning Storm

“For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.” (Luke 17:24)

I was flying at night from Chicago to Minneapolis, almost alone on the plane. The pilot announced that there was a thunderstorm over Lake Michigan and into Wisconsin. He would skirt it to the west to avoid turbulence.

As I sat there staring out into the total blackness on the east side of the plane, suddenly the whole sky was brilliant with light, and a cavern of white clouds fell away four miles beneath the plane and then vanished.

A second later, a mammoth white tunnel of light exploded from north to south across the horizon, and again vanished into blackness. Soon the lightning was almost constant, and volcanoes of light burst up out of cloud ravines and from behind distant white mountains of clouds.

I sat there shaking my head almost in unbelief. O Lord, if these are but the sparks from the sharpening of your sword, what will be the day of your appearing! And I remembered the words of Christ: “As the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day” (Luke 17:24).

Even now as I recollect that sight, the word glory is full of feeling for me. I thank God that again and again he has awakened my heart to desire him, to see him, and to sit down to the feast of Christian Hedonism and worship the King of Glory. The banquet hall is very large. Come.

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2026. 

SUBJECT: MAN'S GREAT WORTH BEFORE GOD!

Memory verse: "What is man, that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart on him," (Job 7 vs 17.) 

READ: Psalm 8 vs 3 - 6:

8:3: When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, 

8:4: What is man, that You are mindful of him? and the son of man, that You visit him?

8:5: For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and have crowned him with glory and honor.

8:6: You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet.

INTIMATION:

When we look at creation, we often feel small by comparison. The existence of the universe minimizes the significance of man. Though existing on a small planet of the universe, man is considered and cared for by God. When we look at the vast expanse of creation, we wonder how God could be concerned for people who constantly disappoint Him. Yet God created us only a little lower than Himself and the angels! 

The next time you question your worth as a person, remember that God considers you highly valuable. We have great worth because we beer the the stanp of the Creator, Who created us in His own image and after His likeness. God's character goes into the creation of every person. When you feel worthless or even begin to hate yourself, remember that God's Spirit is ready and willing to work within you. Because God has already declared how valuable we are to Him, we can be set free from feelings of worthlessness, and should have as much respect for ourselves as our Maker has for us. 

Of all beings that God created through Jesus (Colossians 1 vs 16), man was least in comparison to angels. And yet, God exalted man above angels to the point of sending His only begotten Son into the world for the salvation of man (John 3 vs 16). God gave human beings tremendous authority; to be in charge of the whole earth. But with great authority comes great responsibility. How then do you treat God's creation? Use your resources wisely because God holds you accountable as His steward. 

In the passage we read today, God has chosen man and crowned him with glory and honor. In this context the words honor, glory and crowned have special significance. Here, in my opinion, honor and favor have the same meaning. We might say that God has crowned man with glory and favor, giving him dominion over the works of His hand, and placing all things under his feet. I describe the word glory in this instance as the excellencies of God. Of course, to be crowned symbolizes triumph or reward, usually in the form of an emblem encircling the head. 

What the psalmist is telling us in this passage is that you and I have been singled out by God Who has placed upon our heads His crown of favor and excellence. Just because we don't see a crown on our head does not mean there is none there. We don't see with our physical eyes the robes of righteousness in which we are dressed, but that doesn't mean that they don't exist in the spiritual realm. As the Apostle Paul tells us, the natural man cannot perceive the things of God because they are spiritually discerned. (First Corinthians 2 vs 14.)

So we have been crowned with God's favor and excellence. The main reason we are not tapping into these blessings of the Lord which have been placed upon us is because we don't believe we deserve them or because we have not been taught they are ours. Our faith is not activated in this area. So we muddle through life, taking whatever the devil decides to throw at us without ever claiming what is spiritually ours. 

God has placed under our feet all things and He has given us dominion over all His creation. Therefore, we are not supposed to allow the devil and his demons to intimidate, dominate and oppress us. We will walk in our God-given glory and honor only to the extent we determine to do so.

If we will walk in the blessing of glory and honor with which the Lord our God has crowned us, not only will our faces shine forth with glory and honor like that of Moses when he came down from the mountain, but we ourselves will enjoy respect, esteem, a good reputation and fame, all of which are a result of God's favor.

Prayer: Abba Father, I praise You O Lord, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. I am clothed with favor, honor, and great is Your faithfulness to me. Forever You are my only God, and to You be all the glory, majesty, and adoration, in Jesus’ mighty Name I have prayed, Amen. 

PRAISE THE LORD!

The Soul’s Final Feast

 The Soul’s Final Feast

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:4)

God is not unresponsive to the contrite longing of the soul. He comes and lifts the load of sin and fills our heart with gladness and gratitude. “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” (Psalm 30:11–12).

But our joy does not just rise from the backward glance in gratitude. It also rises from the forward glance in hope: “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” (Psalm 42:5–6).

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope” (Psalm 130:5).

In the end, the heart longs not for any of God’s good gifts, but for God himself. To see him and know him and be in his presence is the soul’s final feast. Beyond this there is no quest. Words fail. We call it pleasure, joy, delight. But these are weak pointers to the unspeakable experience:

“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4).

“In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

“Delight yourself in the Lord” (Psalm 37:4).