Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2026.

SUBJECT : THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH!

Memory verse: "Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in Him." (Hebrews 10 vs 38.)

READ: Habakkuk 2 vs 2 - 4:

2:2: Then the Lord answered me and said: "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. 

2:3: For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. 

3:4: Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith. 

INTIMATION:

Faith, primarily, is a firm persuasion, a conviction based upon hearing. The main elements in faith in its relation to the invisible God, as distinct from faith in man, are (1) a firm conviction, producing a full acknowledgement of God's revelation or truth, (2) a personal surrender to Him, (3) a conduct inspired by such surrender. Faith is, therefore, resting in what God has done through Christ for us in the past, trusting Him for what He will do for us in the present and in future. 

"Just" is the same as being judged 'righteous,' which was formerly spelt 'rightwise.' It simply denotes a state of being right, or a right conduct, especially by the divine standard of what is right.

Therefore, "the just shall live by faith" simply means that the righteous (just) shall live in right conduct that resulted from a firm conviction of what God wrought for us in Christ, fully acknowledging God's revelation of His righteousness in Christ, surrendering to Him, and conducting oneself in line with such surrender. 

God gave humanity laws that will govern them in accordance with the principles of life obtainable in His kingdom. And to be justified before God one has to be right or flawless in keeping all the laws. The law of works demanded that man live flawlessly in order to gain his acquittal from sin. Unfortunately, no one can keep the law perfectly, consequently all have sinned. 

All humanity has fallen short of that which is required for one to dwell in the presence of God. The result of law is that all are made sinners. The result of sin is the separation from God. Since all men sin, then apart from the grace of God, no man can stand justified (not guilty) before God on the basis of law alone. 

Most religions require specific duties that must be performed to make a person acceptable to a god. However, Christianity is unique in that no amount of human achievement or personal goodness will close the gap between God's moral perfection and our imperfect daily performance. No good deed that we do will make us right with God. Good deeds are important, but they will not earn us eternal life. We are saved only by trusting in what God has done for us through Christ. 

God sent Jesus Christ as a propitiation for our sins. In His death, Jesus was God’s offering to appease His wrath that would eventually have to be poured out on sinners. Salvation has come to man by the blood offering of sinless Jesus on the cross, not through the meritorious efforts of men. All that is required of man is the response to God by faith in what He has wrought for man in Christ. 

The sacrificial blood offering of Jesus was for the sins of humanity from creation to the consummation of this world. The righteousness of God is the justification of those who obediently respond to the grace of God that was revealed on the cross. It is the righteousness (justification) that is accredited to those who seek God by faith. 

The just (righteous) will live by their faith in God. This has been the principle of salvation from the beginning of time. The Gospel shows us both how righteous God is in His plan for us to be saved and also how we may be made fit for eternal life. By trusting Christ, our relationship with God is made right. From start to finish God declares us to be right with Him because of faith and faith alone in Christ. 

Trying to be right (just or righteous) with God by our own effort doesn't work. Good intentions such as "I will do better next time" or "I will never do that again" usually end in failure. It is only by trusting God--believing in His provision for our sins and living each day in His power that we can break this cycle of failure. 

Why does God save us by faith alone? (1) Faith eliminates the pride of human effort, because faith is not a deed that we do. (2) Faith exalts what God has done, not what we do. (3) Faith admits that we can't keep the law or measure up to God's standards--we need help. (4) Faith is based on our relationship with God, not our performance for God. 

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for Your saving grace available to me. My whole trust is in Christ atoning sacrifice on the cross for the sin of mankind. You demonstrated Your righteousness in our salvation through Christ's propitiation for our sins, and my faith is completely anchored in His saving grace, and pray that nothing will tempt me away from Him, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Make War with Unbelief

 Make War with Unbelief

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:16–17) 

When I am anxious about getting old, I battle unbelief with the promise, “Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save” (Isaiah 46:4).

When I am anxious about dying, I battle unbelief with the promise that “none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living” (Romans 14:7–9).

When I am anxious that I may make shipwreck of faith and fall away from God, I battle unbelief with the promises, “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6); and, “He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

Join me in this battle! Let us make war, not with other people, but with our own unbelief. Unbelief in the promises of God is the root of anxiety, which, in turn, is the root of so many other sins. The sword of the Spirit is the word of God, Paul said in Ephesians 6:17. The shield by which we quench Satan’s fiery deceits is faith (verse 16) — faith in that very word of God. So take up the shield in your left hand and the sword in your right hand, and let us fight the good fight of faith.

Take up the Bible, ask the Holy Spirit for help, lay the promises up in your heart, and fight the good fight — to live by faith in future grace.

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2026.

SUBJECT : BE NOT ANXIOUS RATHER PRAY!

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: Matthew 6 vs 25 - 33:

6:25: Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

6:26: Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

6:27: Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

6:28: So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;

6:29: And yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

6:30: Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

6:31: Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' Or 'What shall we drink?' Or 'What shall we wear?'

6:32: For all these things the Gentiles seek. For your Heavenly Father knows that you needs all these things.

6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

INTIMATION:

Anxiety is being uneasy with fear, worry, crave or desire regarding something. In our memory verse, the Scripture tells us not to fret or worry about anything. Instead pray concerning anything that makes you fret. 

Imagine not worrying or being anxious for anything! It seems like an impossibility; we all have worries on the job, in our homes, in our business, at school, etc. Worry or anxiety in itself can change nothing. Take the required action of committing all things in prayers to the Owner of the whole world. The reason we worry or burn with anxiety is because we have not trusted God and His promises enough. 

Let your petitions and praises to God shape your worries in prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. There is nothing impossible with, nor difficult for God. Therefore, steep your life in God’s reality, put Him first in your life; let Him fill your thoughts with His desires, take His character for your pattern, and serve and obey Him in everything.

In turning your worries into prayers, locate in the Scriptures the promise of God relevant to your situation, and put Him into remembrance of His promises (Isaiah 43 vs 26), He hastens to perform His Word (Jeremiah 1 vs 12.) Then rest assured you will receive your petition because you have prayed according to His Will. The Scripture says, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask any thing according to His Will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked Him.” (First John 5 vs 14 - 15.)

In the passage we read today, Jesus tells us to stop worrying about those needs that God promises to supply. God knows you have those needs (Matthew 6 vs 32), and He is well able to supply your needs. Worry has its negative effects on us; it may damage your health, cause the object of your worry to consume your thoughts, disrupt your productivity, negatively affect the way you treat others, reduce your ability to trust in God. Worry immobilizes, but genuine concern moves you to action.

Worry is distinct from planning. Planning for tomorrow is time well spent, worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps, and schedules, and trusting in God's guidance. When done well, planning can help alleviate worry. Worriers, by contrast, are consumed by fear and find it difficult to trust God. They let their plans interfere with their relationship with God. Don't let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today.

Carrying your worries, stresses, and daily struggles by yourself shows that you have not trusted God fully with your life. It takes humility, however, to recognize that God cares. Many a time we run away from God because of our sin, thinking that struggles caused by our own sin and foolishness are not God's concern. But when we turn to God in repentance, He will bear the weight even of those struggles. Letting God have your anxieties calls for action, not passively. Don't submit to circumstances, but to the Lord who controls all circumstances.

Prayers: Abba Father, my trust is in You for I know You will never leave me nor forsake me. Daily You load me with benefits. My soul blesses, and rejoices in You. I put my cares upon You, knowing You care for me. Give me the grace not to be anxious for anything, but rather surrender everything in prayers to You in prayer, in Jesus' Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Our Good Is His Glory

 Our Good Is His Glory

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6)

One common objection to Christian Hedonism is that it puts the interests of man above the glory of God — that it puts my happiness above God’s honor. But Christian Hedonism most emphatically does not do this.

To be sure, we Christian Hedonists endeavor to pursue our interest and our happiness with all our might. We endorse the resolution of the young Jonathan Edwards: “Resolved: To endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness in the other world as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.”

But we have learned from the Bible (and from Edwards!) that God’s interest is to magnify the fullness of his glory by spilling over in mercy to us — to us sinners, who desperately need him.

Therefore, the pursuit of our interest and our happiness, even if it costs us our lives, is never above God’s interest and God’s happiness and God’s glory, but always in God’s. One of the most precious truths in the Bible is that God’s greatest interest is to glorify the wealth of his grace by making sinners happy in him — in him!

When we humble ourselves like little children and put on no airs of self-sufficiency, but run happily into the joy of our Father’s embrace, the glory of his grace is magnified and the longing of our soul is satisfied. Our interest and his glory become one.

When Jesus promises in Matthew 6:6, “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you,” this is a reward he wants us to seek. He does not lure us with joy we shouldn’t have! But this reward — this joy — is the overflow of turning away from human praise, and going into our closet to seek God.

Therefore, Christian Hedonists do not put their happiness above God’s glory. They put their happiness in God himself and discover the glorious truth that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2026.

SUBJECT: BE JOYFUL ALWAYS!

Memory verse: "Rejoice always.” (First Thessalonians 5 vs 16.)

READ: Philippians 4 vs 4; First Peter 1 vs 6 - 9:

Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always!Again I will say, rejoice.

First Peter 1:6: In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,

1:7: that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

1:8: whom having not seen, you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

1:9: receiving the end of your faith-the salvation of your souls. 

INTIMATION:

The demeanor of Christian life-style is one of being joyful always. If a Christian has a cantankerous demeanor, he must repent. One result of the joyful life is gentleness or forbearance toward others. Every Christian should have a reputation for being a patient and longsuffering person toward the faults and weaknesses of others. If one is forbearing, then his or her joy will not be stolen away by his or her own impatience with others. 

Pessimistic and fatalistic attitudes should not be the characteristics of the followers of Jesus. The transformed mind must change from such negative attitudes of life, even in times of trials. They should endure trials knowing that all things are working together for good for them that love God.

When things are going well, we feel elated. When hardships come, we sink into depression. But true joy transcends the rolling waves of circumstances. Joy comes from a consistent relationship with Jesus Christ. When our lives are intertwined with His, He will help us walk through adversity without sinking into debilitating lows and manage prosperity without moving into deceptive highs. The joy of living with Jesus Christ daily will keep you levelheaded, no matter how high or low your circumstance.

Joy is a common theme in Christ’s teachings—He wants us to be joyful. The key to immeasurable joy is living in intimate relationship with Christ, the source of all joy. When we do, we will experience God’s special care and protection and see the victory God brings even when defeat seems certain. Ultimate joy comes from Christ dwelling within us. Christ is near, and at His second coming we will fully realize this ultimate joy. He who lives within us will fulfill His final purpose for us.

True joy is far deeper than happiness; we can feel joy in spite of our deepest troubles. Happiness is temporary because it is based on external circumstances, but joy is lasting because it is based in God’s presence within us. As we contemplate His daily presence, we will find contentment. As we understand the future He has for us, we will experience joy. Don’t base your life on circumstances, but on God who controls circumstances. To find hope and joy, the deepest form of happiness, follow Jesus no matter the cost. To be blessed by God means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. 

In our anchor Scripture the apostle Paul was encouraging the believers in Philippi to be joyful. It seems strange that a man in prison would be telling a church to rejoice. But Paul’s attitude teaches us an important lesson: Our inner attitudes do not have to depend on our outward circumstances. The apostle Paul was full of joy because he knew that no matter what happened to him, Jesus was with him. 

Several times in his letter the apostle Paul urged the Philippians to be joyful, probably because they needed to hear this, being convinced that in Christ all things work together for the good of the believer. It’s easy to get discouraged about unpleasant circumstances or to take unimportant events seriously. And if you haven’t been joyful lately, you may not be looking at life from the right perspective.

Prayer: Abba Father, Your thought for me is of good not of evil. I am persuaded that all things are working together for my good because of my love for, and trust in You. Give me the grace to remain thankful and joyful in You in all circumstances, knowing that all things are under Your control, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

The Power of a Superior Promise

 The Power of a Superior Promise

I shall walk in freedom, for I have sought your precepts. (Psalm 119:45, my translation)

An essential element of joy is freedom. None of us would be happy if we were not free from what we hate and free for what we love.

And where do we find true freedom? Psalm 119:45 says, “I shall walk in freedom, for I have sought your precepts.”

The picture is one of open spaces. The word frees us from smallness of mind. “God gave Solomon . . . breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore” (1 Kings 4:29). The word frees us from threatening confinements. “He brought me out into a broad place” (Psalm 18:19).

Jesus says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). The freedom he has in mind is freedom from the slavery of sin (John 8:34). Or, to put it positively, it is freedom for holiness.

The promises of God’s grace provide the power that makes the demands of God’s holiness an experience of freedom rather than fear and confinement. Peter described the freeing power of God’s promises like this: “Through [his precious and very great promises] you become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire” (2 Peter 1:4).

In other words, when we trust the promises of God, we sever the root of corruption and sinful desire by the power of a superior promise.

How crucial is the word that breaks the power of counterfeit pleasures! And how vigilant we should be to light our paths and load our hearts with the word of God!

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2026.

SUBJECT : YOUR PART IN GOD’S BLESSINGS!

Memory verse: "Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments." (Psalm 112 vs 1.)

READ: Psalm 34 vs 4 - 14:

34:4: I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

34:5: They looked to Him, and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.

34:6: This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

34:7: The angel of the LORD encamps round those who fear him, and delivers them.

34:8: Oh taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

34:9: Oh fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.

34:10: The young lions lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.

34:11: Come, you children, listen to me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

34:12: Who is the who man desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.

34:14: Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

34:15: The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.

INTIMATION:

Blessing is a fortune, grace, or gift from God. He promises great blessings to His people, but many of these blessings require active participation on the part of the people. For instance, the passage we read today says; He will set us free from fears, deliver us from trouble, guard and defend us, show us goodness, supply our needs, listen when we call on Him, and redeem us. But we must do our part. We can appropriate His blessings when we have the fear of the Lord in us, seek Him, cry out to Him, trust Him, refrain from lying, turn from evil, do good, and search for peace, are broken-hearted, and serve Him. 

Many blessings are available to us if we fear the Lord and delight in obeying His commands. We must revere Him and gladly obey Him. The Bible often connects the fear of the Lord (love and reverence for Him) with obedience. King Solomon said that the conclusion of the matter on the whole duty of man is to “Fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12 vs 13). 

To fear the Lord is to give Him deep respect, reverence, obedience, and honor. We demonstrate this attitude by humility and genuine worship. Reverence is much more than sitting quietly in church. It includes obeying God in the way we speak and the way we treat others. We do all as a result of recognizing His awesomeness. In order to be God’s child, one must have a right attitude toward God that results in a life-style of obedience to His Will. Obedience to God begins with humility. We must believe that His way is better than our own. We may not always understand His ways of working, but by humbly obeying, we will receive His blessings. God wants our obedience more than anything else. 

When we take that first step of obedience in following God, we will discover that He is good and kind. Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6 vs 33.) Seeking first the kingdom of God is His Will, and if you do, He will shower all His blessings on you! When we begin the Christian life, our knowledge of God is partial and incomplete. As we trust Him daily, we experience how good He is. Great blessings come to those who obey His commands, but severe punishment comes to those who disobey Him. This punishment may come swiftly or over time, but it will come. 

Certain things keep us from God’s ultimate blessings. These include; ungrateful hearts, not worshiping or submitting to Him, hardening our hearts, trying God’s patience because of stubborn doubts. Don’t harden your hearts, but reject the glamour of sin and anything else that would lead us away from God. Along with God’s blessings comes the responsibility to live up to His demands of fairness, honesty and justice. 

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of complete obedience to You, that I will honor and serve You with all my heart, mind, strength, and power, doing Your will at all times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!