OPEN UP YOURSELF!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY MARCH 31, 2024.

SUBJECT : OPEN UP YOURSELF!

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 p, 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. You will also receive from others. 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 your life you must decide whether you 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 vs19.) 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. 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 (Romans 7 vs 15). 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. 

Prayer: Abba Father, all to You I surrender, all to You I freely give. I will ever love and trust You, and in Your presence I will daily live, and humbly at Your feet I bow daily. Give me the grace to put my complete trust in You and never have any form of trust in myself, but to follow You to the end, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE CROSS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY MARCH 30, 2024.

SUBJECT : THE CROSS!

Memory verse: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5 vs 8.)

READ: Isaiah 53 vs 3 - 9:

53:3: He is despised and rejected by men; a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteemed Him.

53:4: Surely He has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted.

53:5: But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

53:6: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

I53:7: He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.

53:8: He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of My people He was stricken.

53:9: And they made His grave with the wicked—but with the rich at His death, because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth. 

INTIMATION:

The cross was planned before the creation; 

“… the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev 13 vs 8). The Lamb—Jesus—was foreordained before creation to be crucified for the sins of man (See Isaiah 53). In the Old Testament, people offered animals as sacrifices for their sins. Here, the sinless Servant of the Lord offers Himself for our sins. He is the lamb offered for the sins of all people (John 1 vs 29; Revelation 5 vs 6 - 14). The Messiah suffered for our sake, bearing our sins to make us acceptable to God. 

The righteous Servant shall justify many before God, and this tells us the enormous family of believers who will become right with God, not by their own works, but by the Messiah’s great work on the cross. They are justified because they have claimed Christ, the righteous Servant, as their Savior and Lord (see Romans 10 vs 9; Second Corinthians 5 bs 21). Their life of sin is stripped away, and they are clothed with Christ’s goodness (Ephesians 4 vs 22 - 24). 

The events of the cross were foretold (Ps 22). Jesus would crush Satan (Genesis 3 vs 15). He would suffer for our sins (Isaiah 53). The accounts and the events of the cross were documented in the Bible (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; and John 19). Jesus died before witnesses (Acts 26 vs 26). His death gave witness to His Sonship; “Now when the centurion and those who were with him guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and those things that were happening, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27 vs 54). 

The purpose of the cross is (1) To take away sins; “The next day John saw Jesus coming to him. And he said “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” (John 1 vs 29; Hebrews 2 vs 9). (2) To bear our sins in His body (Second Corinthians 5 vs 21; First Peter 2 vs 5 - 8). (3) To save us from our sins (Matthew 1 vs 20 - 21). (4) To wash us of our sins (First John 1 vs 7; Rev 1 vs 5). (5) To reveal God’s grace; “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2 vs 11).

(6) To redeem us; “who gave Himself for us so that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a special people who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2 vs 14). (7) To reconcile us to God through Jesus (Romans 5 vs 8 - 10; Ephesians 2 vs 14 - 16). (8) To establish a covenant; “For this is My blood of the covenant that is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26 vs 28). To purchase the church; “Therefore, take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that He has purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20 vs 28). 

The effects of the cross are (1) It is the power of God to salvation (First Corinthians 1 vs 18 - 24). (2) Christians boast in the cross (Galatians 6 vs 14). (3) Christians preach the cross (First Corinthians 2 vs 2). (4) Because of Jesus’ cross, Christians bear their own cross (Matthew 10 vs 38; 16 vs 24 - 25; Luke 9 vs 24; Galatians 2 vs 20; 5 vs 24; 6 vs 14).

His salvational work for man was specific, and definitely carried out. Though many rejected Him, it was their grief and pains that He bore. He took up the burdens of our grief and carried them away. Those who rejected Jesus, accused Him of being from Baalzebal, and thus stricken by God for assuming to be the Son of God (see Mark 14 vs 61 - 64; Luke 22 vs 37). Jesus willingly died (John 3 vs 14 - 16; 8 vs 28; 10 vs 18). He was cursed for our sake (Second Corinthians 5 vs 21; Galatians 3 vs 13). He endured the cross for the joy after it (Hebrews 12 vs 2). He humbled Himself to a death on the cross (Philippians 2 vs 5 - 8).

He fell into the hands of wicked men, and subsequently was crucified for the sins of men. His death was not an accident, or unplanned by God. It was for this very purpose that Jesus came to the world. He was crucified before the world was created. He was bruised through crucifixion, but in being bruised, He crushed the head of Satan (Genesis 3 vs 15). 

The world has wondered off into sin. The cross, therefore, was by grace, for there was no one who was righteous, and thus, deserving of the forgiveness of God. As with the spirit of idolatry, so is man in everything. He seeks to do only that which is right in his own eyes. He thus turns to satisfying the lust of the eyes and flesh, while following after the pride of life. Since sin is against God, then God had to be incarnate in order to be the sacrificial lamb to bear the sins of men. 

Jesus took Himself to the cross. He had the power to lay down His own life for our sins (John 10 vs 17 - 18). He had the power to take it up again. When it was time for His death, He didn’t open His mouth in order to defend His innocence. He allowed Satan to work in men in order to take Himself to the cross. He was the sacrificial lamb of God. 

God willed the cross  for the sake of those who would believe. The Father allowed His Son to go through the humiliation of the suffering for the sake of those who would be drawn to the cross. Christians are the seed of the Servant. We are the seed because we have believed and obeyed the gospel of His death and resurrection (Romans 6 vs 3 - 6). Jesus is now reigning at the right hand of God, and continues to prosper as people are obedient to the gospel. 

God foreordained that the “recorded saints” (the church) would be destined to eternal salvation (Ephesians 1 vs 4 - 11). The church is predestined to eternal glory. Those who free-morally choose to be a part of the church by obedience to the gospel are destined to heaven (See Romana 8 vs 28 - 30). One is, therefore, destined to heaven when he or she makes a free-moral decision to become a part of the group that a destined to heaven.

What can we say to such love? How will we respond to Him? One can only marvel at the love of Jesus for His creation because of His foreknowledge of the cross even before the incarnation. Those who choose to submit to the Lamb, and thus, be cleansed by the blood of Jesus, are written in the Book of Life. 

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You Oh Lord for this supreme sacrifice on the cross. Though the events of the cross are inexplicable but they are undeniable. I will never take the gifts of salvation and privilege of sonship for granted all the days of my life. Give me the grace to serve You acceptably and willingly out of my love for You in response to Your love for me and the extent You went to save me, in Jesus' Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

CHARITABLE DEED THAT RECEIVES REWARD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY MARCH 29, 2024.

SUBJECT: CHARITABLE DEED THAT RECEIVES REWARD!

Memory verse: "But all their works they do for to be seen of men. They make broad their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.” (Matthew 23 vs 5.)

READ: Matthew 6 vs 1 - 4:

6:1: Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen of them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

6:2: Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

6:3: But when you do your charitable deeds, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

6:4: that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who see in secret will Himself reward you openly.

INTIMATION:

Charitable deed is relating or characterized by charity. It is full of love, good will, generosity, benevolent and kind. It is liberal in judging of others; disposed to looking on the best side, and to avoid harsh judgment. It is liberal in benefactions to the poor, giving freely, being generous and beneficent. It is generous in giving to the needy, and being kind or lenient in one's attitude towards others.

Charity, in Christian thought, is the highest form of love, signifying the reciprocal love between God and man that is made manifest in unselfish love of one's fellow men. The apostle Paul's classical description of charity is found in First Corinthians 13). It is pleasing to God when one gives to the poor and needy without expecting praise or attention. Giving to the needy is an obligation for the followers of Jesus. It is an expression of our faith in God and it pleases Him.

The charity or giving that receives reward from God is such that is done without ulterior motive; hidden or concealed reason of doing such charity. When you give with a pure motive, you give out of love and compassion, not out of any selfish interest. To be sure that our motives are not selfish we should do our good deeds quietly or in secret, with no thought of reward. Jesus says we should check our motives in three areas; our generosity, our prayer, and our fasting. These acts should not be self-centered but God-centered, done not to make us look good but to make God look good. 

God promises a reward for charitable deeds from a pure heart, which the Scriptures regard as deeds of righteousness. The reward God promises is not strictly material, and it is never given to those who seek it. In the biblical days of the Old Testament, the Pharisees hypocritically sounded a trumpet when they gave to the poor in the streets. In drawing attention to their act of giving, they received all the reward they would receive which was drawing attention to self. 

Christians should give in a manner by which they do not intentionally seek the praise of men. They should not give for public display. Their giving should be as private as possible in order that one’s motives for giving be kept pure. Doing good to others is good and is reckoned as a deed of righteousness. If one does good in order to receive the recognition of men, then his purpose of doing good deed is drawing attention to himself and receives no reward from God.

The term hypocrites, as used in the passage we read today, describes people who do good deeds for appearance only—not out of compassion or other good motives. Their actions may be good, but their motives are hollow. These empty acts are their only reward, but God will reward those who are sincere in their faith. It’s easier to do what’s right when we gain recognition and praise. Doing something only for yourself is not a loving sacrifice. With your next good deed, ask, “Would I still do this if no one would ever know I did it?”

When Jesus says not to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, He is teaching that our motives for giving to God and to others must be pure. It is easy to give with mixed motives; to do something for someone if it will benefit you in return. But believers should avoid all schemings and give for the pleasure of giving and as a response to God’s love. 

Charitable deed is an act of service to God, and He rewards such service accordingly. Using the gifts God has given us for His service is a deed of righteousness. But when we use our gifts for selfish motives, we are walking in unrighteousness. God used great preachers like the apostles Peter and Paul, but He also used those who have gifts of kindness for His service. Rather than wishing you had other gifts, make good use of the gifts God has given you.

For instance, the Bible in Acts 9 vs 36 - 42, tells us the story of Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas in Greek, a benevolent sister who spent time in helping others, and she made an enormous impact on her community by always doing kind things to others and helping the poor, by making coats and other garments for them. When she died, the room where she laid in preparation for her burial was filled with mourners who are very likely many of the people she had helped. Her charitable deeds among her people caused the enormous cry and prayers from the people. And God answered their prayers through the apostle Peter. And when she was brought back to life, the news raced through the town. 

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of love and compassion, that I may do my charitable deeds from a pure heart devoid of any selfish motives, in Jesus’ Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

L

GUARD AGAINST OFFENSE TOWARD GOD AND MAN!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY MARCH 28, 2024.

SUBJECT : GUARD AGAINST OFFENSE TOWARD GOD AND MAN!

Memory verse: “And blessed is he who is not be offended because of Me." (Matthew 11 vs 6.)

READ: Job 9 vs 4; Isaiah 45 vs 9 - 10:

Job 9:4: God is wise in heart, and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against Him, and prospered?

Isaiah 45:9: “Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ 

Or shall your handiwork say, ‘He has no hands’?

45:10: Woe to him who says to his father, ‘What are you begetting?’ Or to the woman, ‘What have you brought forth?’”

INTIMATION:

Everything that moves you to question the integrity of God, or His love for you must be avoided and destroyed, so that the altar of your heart can be prepared for the fire from heaven. While preparing your heart to approach God in prayer, one of the things you must guard against is offense. So many have their conscience ensnared with offenses toward God or man, and all they do in prayer is nothing but complain, and murmur. When you are offended in God, you turn Him against yourself; and if God is against you, who will save you? If you despise Him, who will lift you?

When you are offended in God or man, you bear iniquities in your heart that inhibits God from hearing you (Psalm 66 vs 18). Many are stranded because of offenses. When they stand in prayer, they justify themselves against God. They say, "Lord, I've paid my tithe, I have done everything that You commanded. Only You haven't done your part." In other words, they count themselves faithful and God unfaithful. But the Bible says, "...Let God be true but every man a liar..." (Romans 3 vs 4.) Anything that makes you to murmur against God is moving you against your destiny. You can't expect Him to answer your prayers when your heart is full of complains and offenses toward God or man. 

If He withdraws His breath from you for three seconds, you will be dead. If you have lost anything, God is the reason you didn't loose everything. May be the enemy's intention was to take your life, but God stepped in and you only lost your car. But here you are, offended and complaining against Him in prayer. If He withdraws His hand from your life, can you imagine what will become of you?

In our memory verse, Jesus said that those who do not take any offense in the Lord are fortunate and blessed. Jesus said this when John the Baptist who was in prison, and began to have some doubts about whether Jesus really was the Messiah. John thought in his heart that if his purpose was to prepare people for the coming Messiah, then why was he in prison when he could have been preaching to the crowds, preparing their hearts. John expected that the coming Messiah should be able to save him from prison. 

When John the Baptist’s disciples came and put his question before Jesus,—"Are you the Coming One, or do we look for another?" Jesus knew that he was already offended in Him. He asked those disciples to go back to him with the good news of His exploits—The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. Obviously, that would have offended John the more because he already had heard all those evidence that indicated the real identity of Jesus, and wondered why He didn't want to save Him from prison. 

The wise and right thing to do when you are in doubt because of happenings around you is turn to Him, and not turn away from Him. Remember, it was in the same prison and the same Jailer that held Paul and Silas. They were doing the work of the Messiah when they were arrested and jailed. But they didn't get offended, both toward God or the men, but instead sang and praised God while in there, and God came in His Might and saved them. But for John, he was eventually beheaded when the King's daughter, on the advice of her mother, the king’s wife, asked for his head in a platter.

Romans 8 vs 28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." So, set your heart right before Him. Count Him faithful in all things. Refuse to complain, but rather let God know that you have no alternative beside Him, and that you are ready to hang on till your answer comes from Him. Any attempt to step away from God, is stepping into doom for you. Certainly, there is no unrighteous with God! (Romans 9 vs 14.)

Let your conscience be as that of the apostle Paul who said, "This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men." (Acts 24 vs 16.) Give your destiny motion by clearing off every offense from your heart, to establish a thoroughfare to heaven in prayers. This is the way to maintain a good communication line with God.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are the Lord, the Creator of all things for Your purposes. You are the All-knowing God, and the end known to You from the beginning. Give me the grace to have a conscience without offense toward You or men, that You may hear me when I call, and I will be worthy of Your blessings accardingly, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!