LOOK TO JESUS!

Look to Jesus!

“For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” Hebrews 2:18 (KJV)

God is so good to provide us models so that we don’t walk in darkness. He has given us Jesus Christ to look up to; He is our aid even in times of temptations and trials. Dear beloved, are you going through trials, challenges, difficulties, or pains? Call on Jesus Christ; since He himself went through temptations, sufferings, trials, and pains, He is able to help us overcome ours. Beloved, we have a High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses. He was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Don’t look elsewhere for solutions—look to Jesus Christ and His Word, and you will be able to prevail. Remember that He is the author and the finisher of our faith, so He is dependable (Hebrews 12:2). You cannot grow to maturity without going through temptations, tests, trials, and challenges. Therefore, aim at maturity by following Jesus Christ, and He will teach you how to win over all obstacles in your Christian race. Praise the Lord!

Prayer Point: My dear Lord Jesus, I’m so grateful to have You as the author and finisher of my faith. I’m determined to follow You and look up to You, especially in trying times, so that You can help me overcome such hard times and be able to encourage others to count on You as well. Amen!

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POSSESSING YOUR OWN VESSEL IN SANCTIFICATION!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY MARCH 31, 2021.

SUBJECT: POSSESSING YOUR OWN VESSEL IN SANCTIFICATION!

Memory verse: "That each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,” (First Thessalonians 4 vs 4.)

READ: First Thessalonians 4 vs 1 - 4 & 7:

4:1: Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, 

4:2: for you know what commandments we gave through the Lord Jesus.

4:3: For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that you should abstain from sexual immorality;

4:4: that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor;

4:7: For God did not call us unto uncleanness, but in holiness.

INTIMATION:

 Sanctification—a separation to God—is the will of God for the believer, and the purpose of calling the believer by the gospel. It’s the separation of the believer from evil things and ways, and leading the life befitting of those so separated. Sanctification is that relationship with God into which one enters by faith in Christ, and in which their sole title is the death of Christ.

Sanctification before the coming of Christ was done by washing themselves and their clothing in a special ceremony (Numbers 8 vs 5. - 8). While we are not required to carry out such ceremonies today, we can purify ourselves by reading God’s Word, thoughtfully applying it to our lives, and preparing our hearts to participate in worship through anticipation, self-examination, and meditation. Just as we “set apart” time for worship, we also “set apart” ourselves to be in God’s presence.

Since we know that sanctification is a basic requirement in our relationship with God, we are duty bound to possess our own vessels in sanctification. We should “set apart” ourselves to find out what areas in our lives we are not pleasing God—not walking in accordance with His precepts. We can only do this through self-examination, and meditation on the Word of God to discern ourselves the ways we are individually falling short of separation to God in Christ. 

Sanctification must be learned from God, and He teaches it by His Word. We are members of Christ Body—the church, and the Scripture says, “Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.”(Ephesians 5 vs 25 - 26.) In studying and meditating on the Word each of us should identify in our lives how to possess our own vessel in sanctification (First Thessalonians 4 vs 4). Our acts of sinfulness defer, and it takes “the washing of water by the Word” to reveal our respective areas of sin against God. The Scripture points out sin, motivates us to confess, leading to renewal our relationship with Christ, and guides us back to right path.

In John 17 vs 17, Jesus said to the Father, “Sanctify them by Your truth, Your word is truth.” A follower of Christ becomes sanctified through believing and obeying the Word of God. The believer has already accepted forgiveness through Christ’s sacrificial death. But daily application of God’s Word has a purifying effect on our minds and hearts. David gave the insight thus, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word” (Psalm 119 vs 9). Sanctification must be pursued by the believers, earnestly and undeviatingly 

Jesus, our Master and Savior, said that He sanctified Himself during His earth walk by the truth of God’s Word, so as to be model for us, “And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. (John 17 vs 19.) He led a life of humility and obedience to God the Father, even with His status as equal to God. The Scripture stated thus: 

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2 vs 5 - 8.)

We are living in a world that is dominated by sin and evil. The question then is, “How do we stay pure in a contaminating environment?” We cannot do this on our own, but must have counsel and strength more dynamic than the tempting influences around us. That counsel or wisdom and strength is in the Word of God; reading and doing what it says, with the Holy Spirit helping us in our weaknesses or infirmities.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of studying and meditation on Your Word, and that I may find grace to do all that is contained there in, in Jesus’ Name ai have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

HOLINESS BY GRACE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY MARCH 30, 2021.

SUBJECT:  HOLINESS BY GRACE!

Memory verse:  "For God did I not call us to uncleanness but in holiness.” (First Thessalonians 4 vs 7.) 

READ:  First Peter 1 vs 13 - 16:

1:13: Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1:14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;

1:15: but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 

1:16: because it is written, “Be Holy, For I am holy.”

INTIMATION:

Grace, as undeserved (unmerited) favor, is one aspect of grace, we are  probably most accustomed to hearing about, and it is wonderful. But we have also seen that grace is power—the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives that enables us overcome our problems. It is the power of God available to meet our needs without cost to us. There is nothing more powerful than grace, and it is received by believing rather than through human effort.

What is holiness? Holiness is being "separated to God,"—being consecrated or set aside for sacred use. It is standing apart from sin and evil. It is a separation that should result in "conduct befitting those so separated." It is the characteristics or nature of God especially the third person of the "Trinity."  Holiness is a demand on us by God. We are to separate ourselves from the world's sinful values, and be devoted to God's desire rather than our own, and carry His love and mercy into the world.

God's plan for us ab initio, is to be like Him, hence His creating us in His own image and after His likeness (Genesis 1 vs 26). He wanted us to live like Him. Unfortunately, sin separated us from Him. In His love, mercy and grace, He sent His Son, as a propitiation for our sins (First John 4 vs 10), and through His blood reconciled us back to Himself, to live for Him and be like Him. But while God wants us to be holy, He realizes our weakness and inability. He knows that without help we can never be what He desires for us to be or wants us to do. That is why He has sent His Spirit to help us to fulfill His design and purpose for us.

Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us, and the Holy Spirit has been sent to prepare us for that place. That is not a Scripture, but it is scriptural; that is, a truth based on the Word of God. This process through which the Holy Spirit makes us holy, or leads us into holiness is called sanctification. Therefore, sanctification refers to the process that God uses to do a work in us by His Holy Spirit to make us more and more holy until finally we become just like His Son Jesus. It is God's grace (the power of the Holy Spirit) we receive that enables us to meet the need of sanctification—the transformation process to holiness.

In Hebrews 10 vs 14, the Bible says, "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified." We have been made perfect, yet we are being sanctified (made holy). Through His death and resurrection, Christ once for all, made His believers perfect in God's sight. At the same time He is making them holy (progressively cleansed and set apart for His special use) in their daily pilgrimage here. We should not be surprised, ashamed or shocked that we still need to grow. God is not finished with us yet.

Sanctification is a progressive venture. The finality of that process will never occur while we are in these earthly bodies. But we don't need to be concerned about that. The only thing we need to be concerned about is progress. The question we must ask ourselves is: “are we making progress toward holiness, are we cooperating with the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to do what He wants to do in our lives?” 

As believers we are not to be anxious about holiness or the process of sanctification ('be anxious for nothing' (Philippians 4 vs 6)), but we are to be serious about it. We are to recognize that it is God's Will for us. We are to desire and thirst for it with all our hearts, and sincerely ask God for it in our fellowship with Him. We are to make every effort to cooperate with the Holy Spirit Who is working to bring it to pass in us day by day.

Prayer: Abba Father, in Your loving kindness, and the riches of Your grace You saved us from the bondage of sin and Satan to live for You, and be like You. I thirst for the sanctification by Your Spirit to enable me lead a holy life as You desire, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

YOU ARE CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS!

You Are Created for Good Works!

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

As a child of God, you need to understand that you are a tool in the hand of God. If God wants to carry out His work on earth, the first people He will consider using are His children, those who are born again in Christ (Matthew 28:19–20). Therefore, avail yourself for God to use you to carry out His mission on earth; His mission is the good works that He continually carries out on earth. Jesus Christ spoke about God’s mission on earth: preach the gospel to the poor; heal the broken-hearted, preach deliverance to the captives, recover sight to the blind, set at liberty those that are bruised, and preach the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18). Beloved, which of these good works are you walking in? Prepare your heart with the Word of God and get yourself ready to be used by God. If you are already doing it, receive more grace to do greater good works. However, if you haven’t started, now is the time to start. Ask the Lord to lead you to the aspect of His work that you can do and do it faithfully to His glory. Hallelujah! Be an overcomer!

Prayer Point: My dear Father, I’m grateful to hear that I’m Your workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works. I avail myself to You. Use me to do good works in the lives of people so that they can be blessed and give glory to You in Jesus’ name. Amen!

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YOU CAN OVERCOME TEMPTATION!

You Can Overcome Temptation!
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (KJV)

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was sincere with the disciples and said a servant is not greater than his Lord; therefore, whatever they have done to Him, they will do likewise to His disciples (John 15:20). As a child of God, be aware that temptations will come your way. The devil will tempt you to bring you down but you need to stand firm in prayer and the knowledge of the Word of God. Always look for the way of escape, which God has made available in the midst of the temptation, and use it to overcome the temptation. Do not condone temptation, because it can demote you. No wonder Jesus Christ was promoted when He overcame all of the devil’s temptations (Matthew 4:11). Dear beloved, you are an overcomer, so take heed in the Word of God so that you don’t fall—others are dependent on your victory. Praise the Lord! You are an overcomer!

Prayer Point: My loving Father, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. I arm myself with Your Word daily to prosper therein. By Your Word, I take advantage of the way of escape that You make available for me in every temptation to win to the glory of Your name, in Jesus’ name. Amen!

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THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE IN CHRIST!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY MARCH 29, 2031.

SUBJECT: THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE IN CHRIST!

Memory verse: "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8 vs 1.)

READ: Romans 8 vs 31 - 34:

8:31: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

8:32: He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

8:33: Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 

8:34: Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is at the right hand of God, who als makes intercession for us.

INTIMATION:

When you believe in Jesus Christ and His redemptive work for us, and confess Him as your Lord and personal Savior, you are said to be “in Christ.” If you are in Christ, there is no condemnation for you (Romans 8 vs 1). 

“In Christ” is a metaphor that refers to one’s close spiritual and salvational relationship with Christ. When one has been immersed into Christ (Romans 6 vs 3), he or she comes into a saved covenant relationship with God wherein he or she is not in a state of condemnation. In a state where there is no condemnation, one is free from the bondage of sin. 

In Christ one is not directing his or her life according to the desires of the flesh, but according to the directions of the Spirit (Galatians 5 vs 16). He or she is not walking according to the pride of meritorious conduct, but to his or her submission to the word of God. If you are ‘in Christ,’ you have righteousness reckoned, imputed and imparted to you in the new creation. The Scripture in Ephesians 4 vs 24 says, "And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." The new man is created, according to God, in righteousness and holiness.

The Scripture says, "Who is He who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of the God, who also makes intercession for us" (Romans 8 vs 34). Now, if Christ gave His life for you, He isn’t going to turn around and condemn you, unless His sacrifice is for nothing! No one can bring a charge against the children of God except the One to whom the body of Christ belongs.  No one has a right to condemn the members of the body except the One who saved them. However, since God so loved His children by offering His own Son, then it is not logical to believe that He would charge His blood-bought children with sin. If Jesus gave Himself on the cross to save the church—His body, then it’s not logical to believe that He would turn to condemn those for whom He died.

Jesus is at the right hand of God. However, He is not there for the purpose of condemnation, but for the work of intercession on behalf of the saints (Hebrews 7 vs 25; 9 vs 24). His continued intercession means that the Christian has the continual cleansing of sin by His sacrificial blood (First John 1 vs 7). It’s through His blood and intercession, therefore, that we stand justified before God. Jesus is pleading for us in heaven. God has acquitted us and has removed our sin and guilt, so it is Satan, “the accuser of brethren,” not God, who accuses us. When he does, Jesus, our advocate, sits at God’s right hand to present our case. Jesus is our mediator between us and God. As humanity’s representative, He assures us of God’s forgiveness. Christ is always at God’s right hand, interceding for us. He is always available to hear us when we pray.

Prayer: Abba Father, I remain ever grateful for what a You wrought for me in Jesus Christ. My desire, in response to Your unalloyed gifts, is to live everyday of my life for You, and in You. Give me the grace, and strengthen me to lead the life of total trust and commitment to You, for by my own strength, I cannot do it, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE LORD IS GOOD!

The Lord Is Good!
“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Nahum 1:7 (KJV)

The LORD is good. Goodness is the nature of the King of glory (Psalms 100:5). Knowing that God is good prompts you to give Him praise. He has given you life to live on this earth. It is not by chance that you are alive today; God made it so. His creation of heaven and earth and everything therein is a demonstration of His goodness (Genesis 1:1–31). He feeds all creation, including you, every day; He protects you from trouble and danger. For these and many other things He has been doing for us, He wants us to trust Him. Beloved, sometimes He allows us to go through challenges so that we can be trained for the tough times ahead of us. In the midst of the trying times, He still wants us to trust Him. Dear beloved, you or your family or dear one may be going through tough times. The Lord knows about it; this is not the time to give up on God; He knows those who trust in Him. Very soon He will come through for you so that you can have a testimony to share about the goodness of God. Praise the Lord! God bless you!

Prayer Point: My dear heavenly Father, I’m grateful to have You as my God. Indeed, You are good and the whole earth is filled with Your glory. I will daily praise You for Your goodness in my life and teach all generations that You are good in Jesus’ name. Amen!

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GOD IS AT WORK IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY MARCH 28, 2021.

SUBJECT:  GOD IS AT WORK IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER!

Memory verse:  "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1 vs 6.) 

READ:  Matthew 11 vs 28 - 30:

11:28: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

11:29: Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

11:30: For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

INTIMATION:

Do you sometimes feel as though you aren’t making progress in your spiritual life? Are you struggling with changes that need to be made in your personality? Do you ever get frustrated and confused, trying to believe and have faith and confess and do all the right things to bring about change in yourself and your life, yet it never seems to happen? You wanted to change everything you saw wrong about yourself and life, but for some reason you just couldn't do it. Most believers will blame the devil. They will spend better part of their time binding and casting the devil away, instead of turning to the Lord for help. 

When God starts a project, He completes it! He will help you grow in grace until He has completed His work in your life. When you are discouraged, remember that God won’t give up on you. He promises to finish the work He has started. In your shortcomings always remember God’s promise and provision. Don’t let your present condition rob you of the joy of knowing Christ or keep you from growing closer to Him. God began a good work in us by His grace. God’s work began when Christ died on the cross in our place. His work in us began when we first believed, and continues throughout our lifetime and will finish when we meet Christ face to face on His return. Now the Holy Spirit lives in us, enabling us to be more like Christ everyday. 

Now, let us consider what the apostle Paul told the believers in Galatia: "This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith” (Galatians 3 vs 2 - 5.)

The apostle Paul asked the Galatian believers, ‘Did you receive the Spirit of the Lord through your own works and efforts, or by hearing the gospel message and saying, 'I believe that?’ ‘Are you really so foolish and senseless and silly as to begin your new life by the Spirit and then try to reach perfection by depending on your own weak human flesh?’ Then finally he concluded by asking them, ‘Does God supply your every need and work miracles among you because you keep the law perfectly or because you put your entire faith and trust in the message you heard?’

They received the Lord by faith, but were trying to perfect themselves by depending on   their own flesh, trying to change themselves and their lives by human effort rather than by trusting in Him. God has begun His good work in us and He is going to finish it. He is working within us right now, developing, perfecting and bringing to completion the good work which He initiated (Philippians 2 vs 13). Since He is the only One Who can do that, you and I can relax. The pressure is off us, because the work is the Lord's, not ours. While we relax, we must do our part, and our part is to believe in Him, and love Him. And if we love Him, we will obey His commands (John 14 vs 31). 

Jesus has said His yoke is easy. The yoke emphasizes the challenges, work, and difficulties of partnering with Christ in life. Though responsibilities weigh us down, even our effort of staying true to God, but Jesus’ partnership remains the best and easy way out, compared to the crushing alternatives of our personal struggles. Jesus doesn’t offer a life of luxurious ease—the yoke still remains an oxen’s tool for working hard. But with Christ, it’s a shared yoke, with weight falling on His bigger shoulders than yours, with more pulling power upfront helping you. Consequently, you are participating in life’s responsibilities with a greater Partner.

In First Thessalonians 5 vs 22 -,24, the Bible says, "Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”

The word sanctify simply means "to make holy." Who does this? The God of peace Himself. He is our keeper and sanctifier. God keeps and sanctifies, He makes us pure and wholly consecrated and blameless. God who called us to Himself Is faithful and utterly trustworthy. He will do it! He will do what? He will fulfill His call upon our lives by hallowing (sanctifying) us and keeping us. 

Prayer: Abba Father, Your faithfulness never seizes, even in our unfaithfulness. You have promised to be with us till the end of the world. Ensue me with the spirit of complete trust and obedience to You, being confident of this very thing, that You that begun a good work in me will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

BE CONTENT WITH HIS REWARD!

Be Content with His Reward!
“Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.” Matthew 20:12 (KJV)

The children of God have been called to work in the vineyard of God. The vineyard represents the various ministries into which we have been called to work. Beloved, if you have the privilege of been called to work in the children’s ministry, for example, work with all your might and serve faithfully. There are those who will be called into the ministry of giving; give liberally and cheerfully (Romans 12:8). Beloved, the Lord will reward each and every one according to what we have done for Him (Romans 2:6–10). When we are rewarded, we should be content with our reward because the Lord knows what is best for us. What He doesn’t want us to do is to compare ourselves with one another and show dissatisfaction over the reward He has given. We should be each other’s keeper, love the fellowship of the brethren, and be happy for one another. Yes, it is true that the parable in the opening scripture is about our common salvation, which every Christian receives. However, it is applicable to other aspects of our lives in the Kingdom of God. Remember that the Word of God is powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword; it has one interpretation but multiple applications to the glory of God (Hebrews 4:12). Hallelujah! Hosanna in the Highest!

Prayer point: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for saving me and employing me in Your vineyard. I have learned from Your Word, therefore, I appreciate wherever You put me in Your vineyard. Please give me more grace to overcome the temptation of comparing my reward with others, and always do Your work joyfully and faithfully. Amen!

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YOUR GIFT(S) IS FOR GOD’S PURPOSE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY MARCH 27, 2021.

SUBJECT: YOUR GIFT(S) IS FOR GOD’S PURPOSE! 

Memory verse: "He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works." (Psalm 33 vs 15.)

READ: Ephesians 1 vs 11:

1:11: In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His Will.

INTIMATION:

God created you to serve His purpose, and gave you the especial gift(s)—talents and abilities—to assist you serve His purpose(s). It is not for you, but for Him. After creation, God was pleased with everything He made, including you, because they were very good. God especially enjoys watching you use the gift(s) He has given you for His predetermined purposes. He intentionally gifted us differently for His purpose and enjoyment. He has made some athletic, some analytical, some extremely strong, some weak, and so on. You may be gifted at mechanics or mathematics or music, or other numerous skills. All these abilities can bring a smile to God's face, and glory to Him when properly employed for His purpose.

God’s purpose for people is not an afterthought; it was settled before the foundation of the world. People are to serve and honor God, and He has gifted us for such. God has fashioned your intellect. He gave you talents and abilities, and is very mindful how you utilize them. He gave you all that for His purpose, and is very pleased when you give Him glory by utilizing them to actualize His course. We are God's inheritance, and were chosen and appointed for His purpose in advance. He has designed and wired us in accordance with His will He ordained from inception. 

Now that God did all these, will it please Him if you don't use those gifts for His purpose? You don't bring glory to, or pleasure to Him by hiding your abilities or by trying to be someone else. You only bring Him enjoyment by being you. Anytime you reject any part of yourself, you are rejecting God's wisdom and sovereignty in creating you.

The Scripture says in Romans 9 vs 20 - 21; "But indeed O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the things formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?" Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?" The Creator has control over the created object. The created object, therefore, has no right to demand anything from its Creator. Its very existence depends on Him.

Utilizing the abilities to please God is an act of worship. You can sing, write poems, repair machine, sell a product, write a computer program, do farming, teach, raise a family, preach the gospel, and so on, for the glory of God. He especially enjoys watching you use the talents and abilities He has given you. He gives you the empowerment to do so. Keeping this perspective removes any temptation to have pride in personal achievement. Any act of priding yourself in those abilities or talents dishonors God, and therefore sinful.

God looks at the attitude of your heart: Is pleasing Him your deepest desire? The Scripture in Second Corinthians 5:9 says, “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.” Pleasing God should be our utmost goal. When you live in light of eternity, your focus changes from "How much pleasure am I getting out of life?" to "How much pleasure is God getting out of my life?” Will you make pleasing God your life's goal? There is nothing that God won't do for the person totally absorbed with this goal. In Second Corinthians 5 vs 10, the apostle Paul continues, "For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

The grace of God in freely given us the gift of salvation, and eternal life, not withstanding, each of us will be judged by Christ. The judgement will reward us for how we have lived. God's gracious gift of salvation does not free us from the requirement for faithful obedience. All Christians must give account for how they have lived.

Prayer: Abba Father, You made and gifted me to serve Your purpose on earth. Engrace me to use Your gifts to serve Your purpose, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE WORD IS WHAT YOU NEED!

The Word Is What You Need!
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” John 1:1-5 (KJV)

Knowing that the Word is what you need puts an end to every form of lack. The Word of God is God; it had been with God from the beginning (Genesis 1:1). Beloved, the Word of God knows your beginning and your end. It is the most essential thing you need to succeed in life. It has life to sustain you, light to direct you, and power to overcome all forces of darkness that seek to wage war against you. Everything in the world, including you as a human being, was created by the Word of God. It means, therefore, that as a child of God you can use the Word of God to get whatever you need. Beloved, what you need to do is to search the Scriptures to find the Word that has the solution to your needs and speak them continually in faith, and the Holy Spirit will bring it to pass in your life (Proverbs 25:2). Never lose hope in the Word; be patient in faith and you will see the mighty hand of God in your life. Praise the Lord! Be an overcomer!

Prayer Point: My dear Father, thank You for Your undiluted Word. I’m excited to hear that it has everything I need to make life meaningful. As I begin to search Your Word, please lead me to find all the scriptures that minister to my needs. And as I declare them in faith, thank You for bringing them to pass for me to testify to others that Your Word really works, in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Were you blessed by today's message? Kindly go to the comment section and share your comments, and testimonies. Let's also know your challenges so that we can pray for you.

THE THOUGHT OF DEATH!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY MARCH 26, 2021.

SUBJECT: THE THOUGHT OF DEATH!

Memory verse: “Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting. For that is the end of all men; and the living will take it to heart." (Ecclesiastes 7 vs 2.)

READ: Psalm 49 vs 10 - 13:

49:10: For he sees wise men die; likewise the fool and the senseless person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

49:11: Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever, their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.

49:12: Nevertheless man, though in honor does not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.

49:13: This is the way of those who are foolish, and of their posterity who approve their sayings.

INTIMATION:

Death is used in the Scripture to denote (a) the separation of the soul (the spiritual part on man) from the body (the material body), the latter ceasing to function and turning to dust. It also means the separation of man from God. Adam died on the day he disobeyed God (Genesis 2 vs 17), and hence all mankind are born in the same spiritual condition (Romans 5 vs 12), from which, however, those who believe in Christ are delivered (John 5 vs 24; First John 3 vs 14). Death, in whichever of the above mentioned senses it is used in Scripture, is always viewed as the penal consequence of sin, and since sinners alone are subject to death. 

God, in His infinite mercy, love, and kindness, made a way for us in Jesus Christ—His only Son—whom He sent as a propitiation for our sins. Those who believed in atonement of sin by Jesus Christ for the world, and have so confessed Him as their Savior and Lord over their lives are known as “Believers.” Those who do not believe are called “Unbelievers.” To those who don’t believe in God, life on earth is all there is, and will strive to live to the fullest. Therefore, it is natural for them to strive for the world’s values: money, popularity, power, pleasure, and prestige. 

For many death is a darkened door at the end of their lives, a passageway to an unknown and feared destiny. But for God’s people, death is a bright doorway to a new and better life, it is just another step in the continuing eternal life we began when we started to follow Jesus. Many people avoid thinking about death, refuse to face it, and are reluctant to even attend funerals. Though it is not encouraging to think morbidly, but it is helpful to think clearly about death. It reminds us that we still have time to change, time to confess our sins and find forgiveness from God. Because everyone will eventually die, it makes sense to plan ahead to experience God’s mercy rather than His justice.

All of us have one similarity. When we die, we leave all we own here on earth. At the moment of death (and all of us will face that moment), we are naked and empty-handed before God. The only things we have at that time are those we have already invested in our eternal heritage. At the time of death, each of us will wish we had invested less on earth, where we must leave it, and more in heaven, where we will retain it forever. To have treasure in heaven, we must place our faith in God, pledge ourselves to obey Him, and utilize our resources for the good of His kingdom. 

For believers, however, death holds no terror because Christ has conquered all fears (see First John 4 vs 18). Death is only the beginning of eternal life with God. Every person must die, but death is not the end; instead, It is the doorway to a new life—eternal life with Christ or eternal condemnation with Satan and his cohorts. While nonbelievers fear death, and are victims of life, swept along by its current and wondering if there is meaning to it, believers can use life well because they understand its true purpose. Realizing that life is short helps us use the little time we have more wisely and for eternal good. 

As believers, we can be secured that God will not forget us when we die. He will bring us to life again to live with Him forever. This provides real security. The psalmist says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” (Psalm 116 vs 15.) God stays close to us even in death. Believers are precious to God, and He carefully chooses the time when they will be called into His presence. Let this truth provide comfort when death knocks on the door. God sees, and each life is valuable to Him.

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace to face death as a believer, realizing it’s the beginning of life in eternity with You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY MARCH 25, 2021.

SUBJECT: RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH!

Memory verse: “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (Second Corinthians 5 vs 21.)

READ: Romans 10 vs 1- 5:

10:1: Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.

10:2: For I bear them record that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

10:3: For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God.

10:4: For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one who believes.

10:5: For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.

INTIMATION:

Righteousness is the character or quality of being right or just; it was formerly spelt ‘rightwiseness’ which clearly expresses the meaning. It is used to denote an attribute of God. The righteousness of God means essentially the same as His faithfulness, or truthfulness, that which is consistent with His own nature and and promises. 

Righteousness is also found in the sayings of the Lord Jesus; (a) of whatever is right or just in itself, whatever conforms to the revealed will of God, (b) whatever has been appointed by God to be acknowledged and obeyed by man, (c) the sum total of the requirements of God, (d) religious duties; distinguished as almsgiving, man’s duty to his neighbor, his duty to God, his duty of self-control, prayer, and fasting.

The apostle Paul, in most of his writing, gives the meaning of righteousness—right action—as that gracious gift of God to men whereby all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are brought into right relationship with God. The righteousness is unattainable by obedience to any law, or by any merit of man’s own, or any other condition than that of faith in Christ. The man who trusts in Christ becomes ‘ the righteousness of God in Him,’ (Second Corinthians 5 vs 21), that is, man becomes in Christ all that God requires him to be, all that he could never be in himself. 

For instance, because Abraham accepted the Word of God, making it his own by the sequel showing, submitting himself to its control, therefore God accepted him as one who fulfilled the whole of His requirements; “For what does the Scripture say? “ Abraham believed God, and it was accounted for him as righteousness.” (Romans 4 vs 3.)  Righteousness is not said to be imputed to the believer save in the sense that faith is reckoned (imputed) for righteousness. The faith thus exercised brings the soul into vital union with God in Christ, and inevitably produces righteousness of life, that is, conformity to the will of God.

It is noteworthy that in order to be saved by the law, a person would have to live a perfect life, not sinning once, and that is impossible. Then why did God give the law since He knew people couldn’t keep it? According to Paul, one reason the law was given was to show people how guilty they are (Galatians 3 vs 19). The law was a shadow of Christ—that is, the sacrificial system educated the people so that when the true sacrifice came, they would be able to understand His work (Hebrews 10 vs 1 - 4). The system of ceremonial laws was to last until the coming of Christ. The law points to our need for a Savior.

Christ has provided our salvation through His incarnation (God in human form) and resurrection. God’s salvation is right in front of us. He will come to us wherever we are. All we need do is to respond and accept His gift of salvation. We can only hold out our empty hands and receive salvation as a gift.

Prayer: Abba Father, Your unparalleled love for us is beyond human reasoning. I greatly rejoice in Your gift of salvation. My utmost heart’s desire is to respond to Your love by my obedience You, Your Word, and service to You and others, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

MAKE THE RIGHT FRIENDS!

Make the Right Friends! “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 (KJV) A child of God must show himself or herself friendly. Making the right friends attracts blessings. Jesus Christ was very friendly; He surrounded Himself with twelve good friends called the disciples, or apostles. These friends became the pillars through whom He built the church of God on earth (Matthew 16:18). The children of God should learn from Jesus Christ to make the right kind of friends, who will help build their life and the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Beloved, to be able to do that, you must be friendly. You should learn to create a friendly atmosphere through your smiles, humor, kindness, trustworthiness, etc. You must also bear in mind that to be able to make the right kind of friends, you must stick closer to Jesus Christ because He is the only friend who is dependable and can give you the grace to keep the right kind of friends around you (John 14:6). Dear beloved, do you have the right kind of friends around you? It is time to ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you—to do away with friends that are not helpful to your Christian life and vision and to help you find friends to enhance your Christian life, dreams, and vision. Hallelujah! Be Friendly! Prayer Point: Dear heavenly Father, thank You for blessing me today by Your Word. Please give me the grace to be friendly. Kindly lead me to identify the friends who are not helpful to my Christian life and vision and do away with them. Please lead me to find friends who can help me progress in my Christian life and fulfill my vision and calling in Jesus’ name. Amen! Were you blessed by today's message? Kindly go to the comment section and share your comments, and testimonies. Let's also know your challenges so that we can pray for you.

WALKING BY SIGHT AND NOT BY FAITH!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY MARCH 24, 2021.

SUBJECT: WALKING BY SIGHT AND NOT BY FAITH!

Memory verse: “Therefore they said to Him, 'What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will you do?" (John 6 vs 30.)

READ: John 20 vs 24 - 29:

20:24: Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 

20:25: The other disciples therefore said to him, 'We have seen the Lord.' 

So he said to them,  'Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.'

20:26: And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, 'Peace to you!' 

20:27: Then He said To Thomas, 'Reach your fingers here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. do not be unbelieving, but believing.'

20:28: And Thomas answered and said to Him, 'My Lord and my God!'

20:29: Jesus said to him, 'Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet they believed.

INTIMATION:

One of the greatest dangers we face as believers is walking by sight rather than by faith. Walking by sight is “Sense knowledge faith.” The Scripture describes faith thus, “The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11 vs 1.) Therefore, true or real faith is the faith that holds substantively tight to a future believe. You hold tight to the future occurrence of believed event. The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s character; that He is who He says He is. The end point is believing in God’s promises: He will do what He says. When we believe that God will fulfill His promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true or real faith.

In the contrary, relying on your sense of touch and sight (sense knowledge faith) before you believe, is no more faith because one cannot hope for what is already seen. This sense knowledge faith (sense of sight and touch) is Thomas' kind of faith as seen in the passage we read today: “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” (John 20 vs 25). But Jesus retorted, saying, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet they believed.” (John 20 vs 29.)

Most of us can believe in miracles when we see them. In many healing meetings, multitudes have sat in amazement when they saw the sick instantly healed. It gave them faith to dare ask for their own healing. Such persons are walking by sight. They are like the sick man in James 5 vs 14 who calls for the elders to come and pray over him and anoint him with oil, and prayer of the elders heals him. The Scripture says, ”Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5 vs 14.) The only faith he had was in the elders. This is typical of walking by sight (Sense knowledge faith). He can see the elders, he can hear them pray, can feel their hands upon his head, and the anointing with the oil. 

If the sick believer referenced above has real faith—faith in God’s Word, he wouldn’t had sent for the elders. Instead, he would have looked up and said, "Father, Your Word says in Isaiah 53 vs 5, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." You laid this disease on Jesus, and it is unseemly for me to bear it. I dishonor You in bearing this sickness. So in the name of Jesus, I command it to leave me, and I command Satan to take it with him. I have no use for it, I refuse to have it. Amen."

For many Christians, when you read out to them Isaiah 53 vs 5, and ask them, "Do you believe that?" They will say, "Oh yes I have believed that for years." But when they come to a man of God with sickness, reeling in pain, if the man of God prays for them, the pain leaves them instantly, and you will hear, “Thank God I am healed.” And when He is asked, “How do you know you are healed?” He replies, “The pain is gone.” He believed because the pain was gone, not that the Word of God said so. He didn’t believe in the Word of prayer of the man of God, but rather believed in what he felt. This is not real faith that believes in things not seen, and the blessedness of real faith will always elude them. In a few days they will come back and announce that the pain is back.

But the faith that God demands from us is that we accept His Word as it is—the very Word of God—and act upon it, independent of any feelings or any evidence that the eyes can see or feel. Jesus, during His earth walk, met only sense knowledge faith among the Jews. And even the disciples that were with Him had sense knowledge faith until after the day of Pentecost. The greatest enemy of Christians’ faith is believing in our sense knowledge. It eludes us of the blessings inherent in the Word of God.

Prayer: Abba Father, forever Your Word is settled in heaven. Endue me with complete faith in You and Your Word that I may receive the promises therein, in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!