Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY MAY 06, 2026.

SUBJECT : ESCHEW SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS! 

Memory verse: "Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth, a stranger, and not your own lips." (Proverbs 27 vs 2.)

READ: Luke 18 vs 10 - 14:

18:10: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax collector.

18:11: The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You, that I am not as other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.

18:12: I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

18:13: And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.’

18:14: I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

INTIMATION:

Self-righteousness is being overly confident that one acts properly (especially in comparison with others). It’s being overly virtuous. Self-righteousness is dangerous. It leads to pride, causes a person to despise others, and prevents him or her from learning anything from God. One should not glory in order to emphasize his own abilities to perform. He should glory in the basis that he or she is in the Lord and thus, it is the Lord working through him or her. When we boast in order to bring glory to Jesus, then we know that our lives are about Jesus, not ourselves. Jesus said, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing.” (John 8 vs 54.) One should live a godly life that manifests praise to God, and not give praise to himself. 

The Scripture says, “But He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he ‘whom the Lord commends.” (Second Corinthians 10 vs 17 - 18). God cannot be placed in debt to either save or glorify on the basis for human performance. Those who glorify themselves before God on the basis of their performance are establishing their own standards, and thus, they are arrogantly asking God to accept their standards as payment for their salvation. 

In comparison to the righteousness of the good God, there is no righteous person. No man can stand righteous before God on the merit of his own works of law or good deeds. Therefore, we cannot establish our own standards of performance, and then, measure ourselves righteous or good before God on the basis of our standards. One can boast only insofar as the grace of God has worked in his or her life to move him or her to respond to the Will of God.

In the passage we read today, the Pharisee boasted concerning his obedience to his self-imposed religious codes and traditions. He checked off his list of righteous deeds that he did and evil deeds that he did not do. He thus trusted in himself, feeling self-confident that his performance of law should satisfy God, and therefore, put God in debt to save him. The Pharisee did not go to the temple to pray to God but to announce to all within earshot how good he was. 

The tax collector went recognizing his sin and begging for mercy. I guess he stood far from the Pharisee because he was judged unrighteous by the Pharisee. However, he stood close to God because he approached God on the basis of his spiritual inadequacies. Because he recognized his spiritual poverty, he trusted in God’s grace for his salvation. He was justified by his faith in God’s grace, not by his perfect law-keeping or performance of good deeds. Those who have self-righteously exalted themselves will be brought down. 

Self-righteous people pride themselves in their self-acclaimed quality of being right or just. Pride is inordinate self-esteem or conceit. It’s the inner voice that whispers, “My way is best.” Whenever you find yourself looking down on other people, you are being pulled by pride. Pride indicates that a person is self-centered, and thus he will fall over himself as he deals with people. Only when you eliminate pride can God help you become all He meant you to be. God cuts off the pride from His grace. Pride cripples us in our quest for a proper relationship with God. Only God must be exalted is the first step toward developing that relationship with Him. 

The Scripture says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5 vs 3.) Happy are those who are not proud, conceited or arrogant, especially concerning their spiritual relationship with God. One must empty himself of self-reliance and learn to humble himself before God. Those with such an attitude of mind will submit to the kingdom reign of God, therefore, theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The tax collector’s prayer should be our prayer because we all need God’s mercy every day. Don’t let pride in your achievements cut you off from God. 

Prayer: Abba Father, take away any spirit of pride and self-righteousness in me. Everyday of my life I will humble myself before You as a sinner that needs your mercy. Let Your humble spirit dwell in me richly, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Grace for the New Year

 Grace for the New Year

By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10)

Grace is not only God’s disposition to do good for us when we don’t deserve it. It is an actual power from God that acts and makes good things happen in us and for us.

God’s grace was God’s acting in Paul to make Paul work hard: “By the grace of God . . . I worked harder than any of them.” So when Paul says, “Work out your own salvation,” he adds, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12–13). Grace is power from God to do good things in us and for us.

This grace is past and it is future. It is ever-cascading over the infinitesimal waterfall of the present, from the inexhaustible river of grace coming to us from the future, into the ever-increasing reservoir of grace in the past.

In the next five minutes, you will receive sustaining grace flowing to you from the future, and you will accumulate another five minutes’ worth of grace in the reservoir of the past. The proper response to the grace you experienced in the past is thankfulness, and the proper response to grace promised to you in the future is faith. We are thankful for the past grace of the last year, and we are confident in the future grace for the new year.

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY MAY 05, 2026.

SUBJECT : HUMAN’S GREATEST ASSET!

Memory verse: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go: I will guide you with My eye.” (Psalm 32 vs 8.) 

READ: Psalm 25 vs 9 - 15: 

25:9: The Humble He guides in justice: and the humble He teaches His way.

2:10: All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.

25:11: For Your name's sake, O LORD, pardon my iniquity; for it is great.

25:12: Who is the man that fears the LORD? him shall He teach in the way He chooses.

25:13: He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth.

25:14: The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him; and He will show them His covenant.

25:15: My eyes are ever toward the LORD; for He shall pluck my feet out of the net.

INTIMATION:

The greatest asset of any human being is divine guidance; the ability to be guided by or hear God and be led by Him. This is because you are guided by One who knows the road you are traveling on and all of the problems that lay ahead; the end is already known to Him from the beginning, therefore, He can give you dependable advice. He is able to help you be all that you can be, and can enable you either to avoid or overcome every obstacle or problem in your life. 

Events do not occur by luck or coincidence. We should have faith that God is directing our lives for His purpose. What you call ‘coincidence,’ somebody calls ‘God-incidence.’ Stop now and think about the events in your life leading up to where you are now. Obviously, as a child of God, He has led you to the point you are right now. He never promised us a trouble-free life, but rather He promised to be with us even in our troubles. As you grow older, you will look back and see God’s involvement more clearly than you do now. He will make all things work together for the good of those who love Him.

When you follow God’s guidance, you know you are where He wants you, whether you’re moving or staying in one place, and you are sure of achieving the purpose for which you are created because the Creator and determinant of the purpose is guiding you. As you go about your daily tasks, God is working in your life in ways you may not even notice. You are physically somewhere now. He has a purpose in placing you where you are right now. Begin to understand God’s purpose for your life by discovering what He wants you to do where you are now. We must not close the door on what God can do. 

How do you receive God’s guidance? The first step is that you must be spiritual, and desire to be guided. You must realize that God’s primary guidance system is in His Word, the Bible. Psalm 119 tells of the endless knowledge found in God’s Word. By reading the Bible and constantly learning from it, we will gain the wisdom to perceive God’s direction for our lives. When we are willing to seek God, learn from His Word, and obey His commands, then we will receive His specific guidance. We need both a map that gives us directions and a constant companion who had an intimate knowledge of the way and will make sure we interpret the map correctly. The Bible is such a map, and the Holy Spirit is our constant companion and guide. As you make your way through life, use both the map and your Guide.

God has not left us in the dark to wonder and guess. He has clearly revealed His purposes for our lives in the Bible. It tells us why we are alive, how life works, how the owner of life governs it, what to do, what to avoid, and what to expect now, and in the future. And it is only in Him, and His Manual-the Bible you can find these answers. If that is the case, it makes no sense to center your life on yourself, but rather on the Owner of that life, and the determinant of how best to lead that life of yours.

God describes some people as being like horses or mules that have to be controlled by bits and bridles (Psalm 32 vs 9). Rather than letting God guide them step by step, they stubbornly leave God with only one option—chastisement. If God wants to keep them useful for Him, He must use discipline and punishment. God longs to guide us with love and wisdom rather than punishment. He offers to teach us the best way to go. Accept the advice written in God’s Word and don’t let your stubbornness keep you from obeying Him.

Prayer: Abba Father, I desire my help to come from you who created the heaven and the earth; who has all knowledge, and knows the end from the beginning. My absolute trust is on You. Guide me, O Lord, that I may remain in the path You fashioned for me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Seven Sources of Joy

 Seven Sources of Joy

In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy. (2 Corinthians 7:4)

What is extraordinary about Paul is how unbelievably durable his joy was when things weren’t going well.

Where did this come from? 

First of all it was taught by Jesus: “Blessed are you when people hate you. . . . Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven” (Luke 6:22–23). Troubles for Jesus compound your interest in heaven — which lasts a lot longer than earth.

Second, it comes from the Holy Spirit, not our own efforts or imagination or family upbringing. “The fruit of the Spirit is . . . joy” (Galatians 5:22). “You received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:6).

Third, it comes from belonging to the kingdom of God. “The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).

Fourth, it comes through faith, that is, from believing God. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing” (Romans 15:13). “I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith” (Philippians 1:25).

Fifth, it comes from seeing and knowing Jesus as Lord. “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4).

Sixth, it comes from fellow believers who work hard to help us focus on these sources of joy, rather than deceitful circumstances. “We work with you for your joy” (2 Corinthians 1:24).

Seventh, it comes from the sanctifying effects of tribulations. “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:3–4).

If we are not yet like Paul when he says, “I am overflowing with joy,” he calls us to be. “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). And for most of us this is a call to earnest prayer. Because a life of joy in the Holy Spirit is a supernatural life.

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY MAY 04, 2026.

SUBJECT : GIVE THANKS TO GOD ALWAYS! 

Memory verse: "In everything give thanks; for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (First Thessalonians 5 vs 18.) 

READ: Read Psalm 92 vs 1 - 2; Ephesians 5 vs 20:

Psalm 9:1: It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your Name, O Most High

92:2: To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night,

Ephesians 5:20: Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

INTIMATION:

Thanksgiving is an act of giving thanks, especially publicly acknowledging the divine goodness and mercy of God in our lives. It is the celebration of God's faithfulness in our lives both as a group (like the church), or as an individual. Above all. thanksgiving is an integral part of our relationship with God, and it’s God’s Will for us. Being thankful is being grateful, being gladly relieved. The relieve can be for a burden, a task, emotional stress, weight etc. In all you are better off than before. 

Whatever you are: your talent, wisdom, skills etc, whatever assets you have: money, properties, etc, and whatever position you occupy in life, are all the acts and doing of the Lord. (See John 3 vs 27 and James 1vs17). The life you are living is not your own, God gave it to you. The only thing we return to God in acknowledgment of His goodness and wondrous acts is giving Him thanks. At any corner of your life, you should remember your source. 

Often times, in giving thanks, we focus on our blessings and express our gratitude to God for them. But thanksgiving should be on our lips every time. We should thank God for; (1) The invisible happenings in our lives, His goodness and mercy. ( See Ezra 3 vs 11.); (2) For every sign and wonder we have seen both in our lives, and others. (See Mark 16 vs 20.); (3) For all the benefits especially intangible benefits (See Psalm 103 vs 2 - 5); (4) For all the deliverances. (See John 10 vs 10; Obadiah 1 vs 17; Colossians 1 vs 13); and (5) For all His promises and provisions He made to us. (See Romans 4 vs 20 - 21). 

Again, as believers, since we have been graciously adopted as children of God, and born of the Will of God, we should rest assured of His presence in our lives at all times. Therefore, in everything that happens to us, we should be thankful for God's presence, and for the good that He will accomplish through the happening, bearing in mind that "All things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8 vs 28). 

Thanksgiving is also a proper response for our salvation. The Scriptures in Ephesians 2 vs 8 - 9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." When someone gives you a gift, the appropriate response is 'thank you.' Our salvation and even our faith are gifts from God, and we should respond with gratitudScripture, and joy. We become Christians through God's grace (unmerited favour), not as a result of any efforts, abilities, intelligent choice, or acts of service on our part. 

As we praise and thank God for material, and spiritual blessings, we should also thank Him for answered prayers, remembering His answers to our quest for protection, strength, comfort, patience, love, or other special needs that He supplied. Also, consider it a huge privilege to have been chosen by God for whatever blessing He bestowed on you. He could have chosen another person to do or have what He has given you. For this reason, you should have a lifestyle of gratitude to God at all times.

Our offer of thanksgiving should not be in words only. Just as we naturally show appreciation for what others have done for us, both in words and material offering, we should do the same to our Father in heaven. Our thanksgiving in material offering is an application to God for more. God will ever reciprocate all your offerings to Him, and in greater dimension. 

Let's learn to respond to the help we are already getting from our ‘Helper,’ the Holy Spirit, which actually we don't deserve, by developing an attitude of giving thanks always. This is not just an occasional word of thanks, but a continual lifestyle of thanksgiving. The heart that responds to the grace of God is a heart that continually gives thanks to God with a dedicated life that is presented as a living sacrifice. The person who has developed an "attitude of giving thanks always" is one who is thankful and grateful for every single thing that God is doing in his or her life day by day. It is only through God's Spirit that anything of lasting value is accomplished. 

Prayer: Abba Father, my help comes from You, Who made heaven and the earth. I have received nothing you didn’t give to me. I am what I am by Your grace. I will forever be grateful for all You have done, and is doing, and is yet to do. I thank You for the privilege of my adoption as Your son, and for the gift of life. Endue with the spirit of gratitude to You at all times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

A Dangerous Motive

 A Dangerous Motive

“Who has given a gift to [God] that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. (Romans 11:35–36)

When it comes to obedience, gratitude is a dangerous motive. It tends to get expressed in debtor’s terms. For example, “Look how much God has done for you. Shouldn’t you, out of gratitude, do much for him?” Or, “You owe God everything that you are and have. What have you done for him in return?”

I have at least three problems with this kind of motivation. 

First, it is impossible to pay God back for all the grace he has given us. We can’t even begin to pay him back, because Romans 11:35–36 says, “‘Who has given a gift to [God] that he might be repaid?’ [Answer: Nobody!] For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever.” We can’t pay him back because he already owns all we have to give him — including all our efforts.

Secondly, even if we succeeded in paying him back for all his grace to us, we would only succeed in turning grace into a business transaction. If we can pay him back, it was not grace. If someone tries to show you a special favor of love by having you over for dinner, and you end the evening by saying that you will pay them back by having them over next week, you nullify their grace and turn it into a trade. God does not like to have his grace nullified. He likes to have it glorified (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14).

Thirdly, focusing on gratitude as a motive for obedience tends to overlook the crucial importance of having faith in God’s future grace. Gratitude looks back to grace received in the past and feels thankful. Faith looks forward to grace promised in the future — whether five minutes from now or five centuries from now — and feels hopeful. “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for” (Hebrews 11:1).

This faith in future grace is the motive for obedience that preserves the gracious quality of human obedience. Obedience does not consist in paying God back and thus turning grace into a trade. Obedience comes from trusting in God for more grace — future grace — and thus magnifying the infinite resources of God’s love and power. Faith looks to the promise, I will be “with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9), and ventures, in obedience, to take the land.

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY MAY 03, 2026.

SUBJECT: RIGHT CONDUCTS IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD!

Memory verse: "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” (Mark 12 vs 30.)

READ: Genesis 12 vs 2; Romans 12 vs 1; First Corinthians 2 vs 9; Colossians 3 vs 12; ; 

Genesis 12:2: And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shalt be a blessing:

Romans 12:1: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

First Corinthians 2:9: “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Colossians 3:12: Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

INTIMATION:

God is mindful of our conduct in our obedience to Him, and He reckons it for our reward; “And, behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.” (Revelation 22 vs 12.) When your conduct is right before God, He speaks out for you, even before our adversary—the devil. God said of Job to the devil, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1 vs 8). Job was faithful to God in all he did, serving Him with his whole heart. He was a model of trust and obedience to God, and God reckoned with him.

We obey God thus:

(1) With your heart: by loving Him more than any relationship, activity, achievement, or possession in your life; by placing God first in everything. The human heart is the chief organ of the physical body. It occupies the most important place in the human system. By an easy transition the word "heart" came to stand for man’s entire mental and moral activity, both the rational and the emotional. In other words, the heart is used figuratively for the hidden springs of humans personal life. Therefore, yielding your heart to God is yielding the central and core of your being to Him, which God desires. The Bible describes human activity as in the ‘heart.’ For instance, every thought has its seat in the heart. (Matthew 15 vs 19 - 20.)

(2) With your will; by committing ourselves completely to Him. The “will” is the decision-making capacity, indicating a power of choice. God is mindful of your will—your decisions relating to your obedience to follow Him and obey His commands. Joshua was an exemplary king who showed his subjects his will to follow after God with his family: “And if it seem evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24 vs 15.) 

It’s easy to slip into a quiet rebellion—going about life in your own way. But the time comes when you have to choose who or what will control you. The choice is yours. Will it be God, your own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute? 

(3) With your mind. The mind is the faculty that encompasses the reflective thinking of the brain and the emotional thinking of the heart. The mind denotes, speaking generally, the seat of reflective consciousness, comprising the faculties of perception and understanding, and those of feeling, judging, and determining. It is the faculty of knowing, understanding, or moral reflection. God desires our seeking to know Him and His Word. His principles and values should form the foundation of all we think and do. Th apostle Paul desires that we conform our minds to God’s and His Word; “And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12 vs 2)

(4) With your Body: The body is one’s essence. It’s, as a whole, the instrument of life. It is used to denote the physical nature, as distinct from the spiritual nature, and soul. God desires we serve Him with our body, recognizing that our strengths, talents, and sexuality are given to us by Him to be used for pleasure and fulfillment according to His rules, not ours: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12 vs 1.) God wants us to offer ourselves as living sacrifice—daily laying aside our own desires to follow Him, putting all our energy and resources at His disposal and trusting Him to guide us. God wants the best for us. He wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds, living to honor and obey Him. 

(5) With your finances: All of the resources we have ultimately come from God, and we are only managers of them, and not owners. The Scripture says, “...A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.” (John 3 vs 27.) The power to get wealth comes from God (Deuteronomy 8 vs 18). And He blesses us to be a blessing to others (Genesis 12 vs 2). Every good and perfect gifts come from Him (James 1 vs 17).

(6) With your future: By deciding to make service to God and man the main purpose of your life's work. God knows the future. Any believer can trust his or her future to God because God already knows what is going to happen. Today people are still fascinated by horoscopes, fortune-telling, witchcraft, and bizarre cults. Often their interest comes from a desire to know and control the future. In the Bible, God tells us all we need to know about what is going to happen. With the trustworthy guidance of the Holy Spirit through the Bible and the church, we don’t need to turn to occult sources for faulty information, but rely completely on God's guidance. 

The Scripture says, “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (First Corinthians 2 vs 9.) We cannot imagine all that God has in store for us, both in this life and in eternity. He will create a new heaven and a new earth (Isaiah 65 vs 17; Revelation 21 vs 1.), and we will live with Him forever. Until then, His Holy Spirit comforts and guides us. Knowing the wonderful and eternal future that awaits us gives us hope and courage to press on in this life, to endure hardship, and to avoid giving in to temptation. The world is not all there is. The best is yet to come. 

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace to rightly conduct myself in obedience to You in all things, that I may have Your approval and receive a crown of life—eternal life with You—which You promised to those who love You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

How to Ask Forgiveness

 He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. (1 John 1:9)

How to Ask Forgiveness

I recall hearing one of my professors in seminary say that one of the best tests of a person’s theology was the effect it has on our prayers. 

This struck me as true because of what was happening in my own life. Noël and I had just been married and we were making it our practice to pray together each evening. I noticed that during the biblical courses which were shaping my theology most profoundly, my prayers were changing dramatically. 

Probably the most significant change in those days was that I was learning to make my case before God on the ground of his glory. Beginning with “Hallowed be Thy name” and ending with “In Jesus’s name” meant that the glory of God’s name was the goal and the ground of everything I prayed. 

And what a strength came into my life when I learned that praying for forgiveness should be based not only on an appeal to God’s mercy, but also on an appeal to his justice in crediting the worth of his Son’s obedience. God is faithful and just and will forgive your sins (1 John 1:9).

In the New Testament, the basis of all forgiveness of sins is revealed more clearly than it was in the Old Testament, but the basis, namely, God’s commitment to his name, does not change. 

Paul teaches that the death of Christ demonstrated God’s righteousness in passing over sins, and vindicated God’s justice in justifying the ungodly who bank on Jesus and not themselves (Romans 3:25–26). 

In other words, Christ died once for all to clear the name of God in what looks like a gross miscarriage of justice — the acquittal of guilty sinners simply for Jesus’s sake. But Jesus died in such a way that forgiveness “for Jesus’s sake” is the same as forgiveness “for the sake of God’s name.” There is no miscarriage of justice. God’s name, his righteousness, his justice is vindicated in the very act of providing such a God-honoring sacrifice. 

As Jesus said as he faced that last hour, “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name” (John 12:27–28). That is exactly what he did — so that he might be both just and the justifier of those who trust in Jesus

(Romans 3:26).

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY MAY 02, 2026.

SUBJECT: SURVIVING SATANIC ATTACKS!

Memory verse: "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (First Peter 5 vs 8.)

READ: Ephesians 6 vs 10 - 18:

6:10: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.

6:11: Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

6:12: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.

6:13: Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

6:14: Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

6:15: and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

6:16: above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 

6:17: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 

6:18: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. 

INTIMATION:

The Christian’s struggle is not against the physical things of this world. The struggle is a spiritual battle against the deceptive devices of Satan who seeks to change the moral values of those who are willing to live according to their own desire as opposed to the Will of God. The source of all evil that is seen in the world is Satan and his demonic forces that are at work in order to destroy the work of God through Jesus. Beneath the surface of the routine daily life, is a fierce struggle among invisible spiritual powers constantly being waged. 

In Christian life we battle against “principalities” and “powers”—the powerful evil forces of fallen angels (demons) headed by the devil, who is a vicious fighter. They are not mere fantasies—they are real. We face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ’s church. When we believe in Christ, these beings become our enemies, and they try every device to turn us away from Him and back to sin. To withstand their attacks, we must depend on God’s strength and use every piece of His armor. As you do battle against “the rulers of darkness of this age,” fight in the strength of the power that comes from the Holy Spirit. 

Satan is constantly scheming to deceive the innocent. His deceptive influences are presented to the saints of God through every means. If one is not conscious of the fact that Satan is continually scheming to deceive the righteous, then he will not be vigilant against apostasy. We need supernatural power to defeat Satan, and God has provided this by giving us His Holy Spirit within us and His armor surrounding us. Although we are assured of victory, we must engage in the struggle until Christ returns, because Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord’s side. 

Christians should first put the truth of God in their hearts by believing and living the truth—God’s Word. They should do such in order that they be transformed into the strong character of Jesus, as well as be able to identify and stand against all that is error and morally wrong. Now, just as the breastplate in the soldier’s armor protects the vital organs of the soldier, Christians’ life in the Will of God (the Word of God) protects the vital spiritual life of the Christian. It is upon the foundation of the historical event of the gospel that Christians maintain emotional, mental, and spiritual stability. It is the fact of the death of Jesus for our sins and His resurrection for our hope that Christians can have peace of mind and confidence that Jesus has all things under control for the sake of the Christian. 

The faith of the Christian functions as a shield to ward off the attacks of doubt, discouragement, and despair. The Scripture in First John 5 vs 4 says, “And this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith.” As the shield protects the soldier’s body against the attacks of the enemy, the faith of the Christian functions in like manner. By increasing faith through the study of the Word of God (Romans 10 vs 17), the Christian is able to stand against the deceptions of Satan. Every temptation that Satan may throw against the Christian can be stopped by the truth that is learned through the study of God’s Word. 

The assurance of salvation of the Christian is based, not on their works, but in the grace of God through Jesus Christ, and protects him or her against the wiles of the devil, just as the helmet protects the head which is the center of reference of the body, and the soldier can confidently keep his head high in order to engage the enemy in battle. The Christian uses the word of the Spirit to attack the enemy against his deception and also defend himself against being deceived. It is the responsibility of every Christian to arm himself or herself with a knowledge of the Word of God in order not to be tossed to and fro in a world of turbulent religious deceptions. One must “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Second Peter 3 vs 18). 

Christians should maintain a lifestyle that lends itself to prayer. It is through prayer that not only the inward man is strengthened, but also the work of God is called upon by the believers to function in their lives. How can one pray at all times? One way is to make quick, brief prayers your habitual response to every situation you meet throughout the day. Another way is to order your life around God’s desires and teachings so that your very life becomes a prayer. You don’t have to isolate yourself from other people and from your daily works in order to pray constantly. You can make prayer your life, and your life prayer, while living in a world that needs God’s powerful influence. 

The following guidelines can help you prepare for, and survive satanic attacks: (1) Take the threat of spiritual attack seriously; (2) pray for strength and help from God; (3) study the Bible to recognize Satan’s style and tactics; (4) memorize Scriptures so it will be a source of help no matter where you are; (5) associate with those who speak the truth; and (6) practice what you are taught by sound spiritual leaders. There is no power that Satan may have that can break through the armor of God that the Christian exercises in his or her life (Romans 8 vs 37 - 39).

Prayer: Abba Father, prepare me a soldier of Christ, constantly putting on Your whole armor for my daily spiritual battle against the devil and his cohorts, that I will be able to stand against his wiles, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

God Demonstrates His Love

 God Demonstrates His Love

God shows [demonstrates] his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Notice that “demonstrates” is present tense and “died” is past tense. “God demonstrates his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The present tense implies that this demonstrating is an ongoing act that keeps happening today. And will keep happening tomorrow.

The past tense “died” implies that the death of Christ happened once for all and will not be repeated. “Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).

Why did Paul use the present tense (“God demonstrates”)? I would have expected Paul to say, “God demonstrated (past tense) his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Was not the death of Christ, when it happened, the demonstration of God’s love? And did not that demonstration happen in the past?

I think the clue is given a few verses earlier. Paul has just said that “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame” (Romans 5:3–5). 

In other words, the goal of everything God takes us through is hope. He wants us to feel unwaveringly hopeful through all tribulations.

But how can we? 

Paul answers in the next line: “Because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). God’s love has been poured into our hearts. The tense of this verb means that God’s love was poured out in our hearts in the past (at our conversion) and is still present and active.

God did demonstrate his love for us in giving his own Son to die once for all in the past for our sins (Romans 5:8). But he also knows that this past love must be experienced as a present reality (today and tomorrow) if we are to have patience and character and hope. 

Therefore, he not only demonstrated it on Calvary; he goes on demonstrating it now by the Spirit in our hearts. He does this by opening the eyes of our hearts to taste and see the glory of the cross and the guarantee it gives that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38–39).

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY MAY 01, 2026.

SUBJECT : LABORING IN PRAYER!

Memory verse: "Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the Will of God." (Colssians 4 vs 12.)

READ: Luke 22 vs 44; Romans 15 vs 30: 

Luke 22:44: And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Romans 15:30: Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,

INTIMATION:

"Labouring in prayer" (often called "travailing in prayer") refers to intense, persistent, and fervent intercession that resembles the pain and effort of childbirth, aimed at birthing spiritual breakthroughs, answers, or God's Will into existence. It is a high level of spiritual effort that moves beyond casual petition to heartfelt, sometimes agonizing, intercession often involving deep emotions or groaning in the spirit. 

Labor is from Greek word agonizomai (This is the Greek word that is used to describe a woman in labor pain to give birth). It implies intense effort, similar to an athlete competing or wrestling, and it is used to describe dedicated intercession for others to stand mature in God's Will. It is also a word that was used to describe a runner who was earnestly striving to finish a race under great determination. It is with such striving that we should also offer our prayers to God. The English word "agony" Is drawn from there. 

"Laboring in prayer" demands intensity and effort. It goes beyond casual prayer, and always requiring focus and spiritual energy, sometimes described as a "struggle" or "wrestling" against spiritual opposition. It also requires persistence, which implies not giving up, described as praying "earnestly" or "persistently". 

The focus of this labor is frequently for the spiritual growth, strength, and maturity of other believers. It is viewed as a way to battle against spiritual forces to help others remain firm in faith. Just like the apostle Paul who described his prayers for the Galatians as being in "pains of childbirth" until Christ was formed in them. (Galatians 4 vs 19.) This spiritual labor is work done with the Lord and for the Lord. It is like a new mother rocking her baby, while she prays God's blessing over her little one.

The key aspects of Labouring in Prayer include: (1) Travailing (Spiritual Birth). Much like a woman in labor, this prayer is a "pushing" to bring forth a spiritual reality—such as revival, salvation, or a promise—from the spiritual realm into the physical. It enables us to birth God's Will by aligning earthly situations with heavenly purposes that allows God's kingdom to come on earth. 

(2) Fervency. To be fervent means that we should be serious and earnest in prayer, not just repeating some memorized prayer. It is to have great intensity of spirit, feeling, and enthusiasm about what we are talking to God about. It is obvious that when we see the word laboring, we think of work, someone putting forth tremendous effort. This is what our laboring in prayer demands as we think about people in our lives, our families, friends, our church families, co-workers, classmates, people in our sphere of influence. 

(3) Intensity and Struggle: The term "laboring" is often translated from Greek words meaning to wrestle, struggle, or fight. It is an intense, active prayer that does not give up until results are seen. This is because there is an enemy, Satan and his cohorts, out there trying to stop our efforts from becoming perfect and complete in the Will of God. This they try to do by hindering our communion with God in prayer. In essence, it is not just saying prayers, but working in prayer until something happens, often accompanied by tears, fasting, and a profound sense of dependence on the Spirit of God. 

(4) Spirit-Led: It is not manufactured by human effort, but often a stirring from the Holy Spirit, who intercedes through the believer with groanings that words cannot express. It helps to overcome spiritual opposition because it is a form of spiritual warfare against evil, demanding persistence until victory breaks through. 

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with spirit of supplication, and build in me Your fervent and steadfast spirit for laboring in prayer until Your Will on earth is done, in Jesus Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Dirty Rags No More

 Dirty Rags No More

We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. (Isaiah 64:6)

It is true that any shortcoming of God’s law offends his perfect holiness and makes us liable to judgment, since God cannot look with favor on any sin (Habakkuk 1:13; James 2:10–11). 

But what brought a person to ruin in the Old Testament (and it is the same for us today) was not the failure to have the righteousness of sinless perfection. What brought them to ruin was the failure to trust in the merciful promises of God, especially the hope that he would one day provide a Redeemer who would be a perfect righteousness for his people (“The Lord is our righteousness,” Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16). The Old Testament saints knew that this is how they were saved, and that this faith was the key to obedience, and that obedience was the evidence of this faith. 

It is terribly confusing when people say that the only righteousness that has any value is the imputed righteousness of Christ. To be sure, justification is not grounded on any of our righteousness — even Spirit-given righteousness by faith — but only on the righteousness of Christ imputed to us. But sometimes people are careless and speak disparagingly of all human righteousness, as if there were no such righteousness worked in us that pleased God. This is not helpful.

They often cite Isaiah 64:6, which says our righteousness is as filthy rags, or “a polluted garment.” 

But in the context, Isaiah 64:6 does not mean that all righteousness performed by God’s people is unacceptable to God. Isaiah is referring to people whose righteousness is in fact hypocritical. It is no longer righteousness. But in the verse just before this, Isaiah says that God approvingly meets “him who joyfully works righteousness” (Isaiah 64:5).

It’s true — gloriously true — that none of God’s people, before or after the cross, would be accepted by an immaculately holy God if the perfect righteousness of Christ were not imputed to us (Romans 5:19; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). That is true! But that does not mean God does not produce in those very “justified” people an experiential righteousness that is not a “polluted garment” — even though it is not yet perfected. 

In fact, he does produce such a righteousness, and this righteousness is precious to God and is, in fact, required — not as the ground of our justification (which is the righteousness of Christ only), but as an evidence of our being truly justified children of God. This is what Paul prays for, and we should pray for. He prays in Philippians 1:10–11 “that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY APRIL 30, 2026.

SUBJECT : WHY PRAY?

Memory verse: "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (Second Chronicles 7 vs 14.)"

READ: Psalm 5 vs 1 - 3: 

5:1: Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.

5:2: Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray.

5:3: My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord, in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.

INTIMATION:

Praying is to speak reverently to God in order to sincerely express thanks, praise, or make a request. Therefore, to pray is to express one’s desires; praise or appeal to God in words or thought. Prayer brings us closer to God; it not only establishes a relationship with God, it is vital to maintaining our relationship with Him. 

It helps us in recognizing who God is and offering Him glory, honor, and adoration due to Him. The secret of a close relationship with God is built on the altar of prayer. It is essential to start each morning with prayer, when our minds are more free from the usual daily hustles and bustles, and commit the whole day to God. 

Regular communication helps any friendship, and it is certainly necessary for a strong relationship with God. This is evidenced in the life of Jesus. He constantly went before God in prayer to determine God’s Will and direction, resist temptation, ask for courage, discover what His Father in heaven would do, offer thanksgiving, pray for others, etc. Matthew 26 vs 36 - 39 and Mark 14 vs 34 - 41 describe Jesus being very distressed about His crucifixion. He brings this matter to His Father, seeking His Will.

Prayer is one of the greatest opportunities given to man by God. It is one of the greatest privileges and ministries available to all Christians. It brings us in communion with God, and our humbly being in the presence of God at all times is the secret to continual triumph of the believer, hence the reason to pray without ceasing. 

Indeed, everyone who seeks to take his or her place in the Kingdom of God should seek or learn how to pray effectively. Jesus Christ never taught His disciples how to preach, but rather taught them how to pray. (Matthew 6 vs 9 - 13.) Jesus Christ told the disciples "WHEN YOU PRAY" and not "IF YOU PRAY" therefore, the onus is on us to pray. 

Jesus is a prime example of a life lived by prayer that offers relevance, purpose, answers, and above all, a relationship with God the Father. Jesus prayed wholeheartedly for every move He made, asking God for guidance, leading, and direction. He prayed prayers of thanksgiving, prayers for healing, prayers for His disciples, and prayers for believers—present and future.

Apostle Paul, in First Thessalonians 5 vs 17, advises the believers thus, "Pray without ceasing." For him, prayer is the ultimate lifeline for the believer to God. This attitude of praying at all times is built upon acknowledging our dependence on God, realizing His presence within us, and determining to obey Him fully. 

We cannot spend all our times on our knees, but it is possible to have a prayerful attitude at all times. And we will find it natural to pray frequent, spontaneous, and short prayers. Short prayer attitude is not a substitute to regular times of prayer, but should be an outgrowth of it. In Philippians 4:6, Paul tells believers to pray for everything with thanksgiving.

Prayer is the platform of seeking direction from God. In Matthew 7 vs 7 - 11, Jesus talks about asking, seeking, and knocking, “For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.” Jesus encourages us to ask God for things. “If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him?”

Prayer is to be offered in the Name of Jesus (John 14 vs 13), that is, the prayer must accord with His character, and must be presented in the same spirit of dependence and submission that marked His pattern (Matthew 11 vs 26; 26 vs 39, 42; Luke 22 vs 42).

Faith is essential to prayer (Matthew 21 vs 22; Mark 11 vs 24; James 1 vs 5 - 8), for faith is the recognition of, and committal of ourselves and our matters to the faithfulness of God. Sometimes you think that God will not hear you because you have fallen short of His high standards for holy living, but if you have faith, and have trusted Him for salvation, you should know that God has forgiven you and He will listen to you. 

Some other times you grow tired of praying because it seems God is not answering you, but a Christian's persistence in prayer is an expression of faith that God answers prayer. Faith shouldn't die if the answers come slowly, for delay is not denial, and it may be God's way of working His Will. Always be confident, and know that God is present, always listening, and always answers in ways that He knows are best for us.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with spirit of supplication, and total dependence and trust in You. I am persuaded that in Your lovingkindness You will liberally give me if I ask. For without You I can do nothing. Give me the grace to come to You in all things, and at al times, in Jesus Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Fifteen Tactics for Joy

 Fifteen Tactics for Joy

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

In this life of sin and pain, joy is embattled. Just like faith. And Paul says to Timothy, “Fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). So it is with joy. We must work for it and fight for it. Paul said to the Corinthians, “We work with you for your joy” (2 Corinthians 1:24).

How then shall we fight for joy? Here are 15 pointers.

Realize that authentic joy in God is a gift.

Realize that joy must be fought for relentlessly. And don’t be put off by the paradox of these first two pointers!

Resolve to attack all known sin in your life, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Learn the secret of gutsy guilt — how to fight like a justified sinner.

Realize that the battle is primarily a fight to see — to see God for who he is.

Meditate on the word of God day and night.

Pray earnestly and continually for open heart-eyes and an inclination for God.

Learn to preach to yourself rather than listen to yourself.

Spend time with God-saturated people who help you see God and fight the fight.

Be patient in the night of God’s seeming absence.

Get the rest, exercise, and proper diet that your body was designed by God to have.

Make a proper use of God’s revelation in nature — take a walk in the woods.

Read great books about God and biographies of great saints.

Do the hard and loving thing for the sake of others (your verbal witness and deeds of mercy).

Get a global vision for the cause of Christ, and pour yourself out for the unreached.

Every one of those has Bible verses to support it. If you want to see them, they are in the book When I Don’t Desire God: How to Fight for Joy.

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY APRIL 29, 2026.

SUBJECT: LEAD A FAITH-FILLED CHRISTIAN LIFE!

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

READ: First Thessalonians 1 vs 2 - 8:

1:2: We give thanks to God for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,

1:3: remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father,

1:4: knowing, beloved brethren, your election of God.

1:5: For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

1:6: And you became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

1:7: so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.

1:8: For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

INTIMATION:

How would people describe your Christian life? As Christians, our calling from God is to become like Christ (Romans 8 vs 29). This is a gradual lifelong process that will be completed when we see Christ face to face (First John 3 vs 2). To be worthy of this calling means to want to do what is right and good as Christ would. We aren’t perfect yet, but we’re moving in that direction as God works in us. 

The Thessalonian Christians, in apostle Paul’s days, excelled in three areas of discipleship that exemplified them as a truly converted group of people. They were exemplary—a role model—in their work produced by faith; they were not disciples who simply believed in God and Jesus. Their faith was carried into action with an obedient response to the grace of God. 

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

These characteristics ought to be the marks of Christians in any age. Even in persecution they stood firm (1 vs 6; 3 vs 1 - 4, 7, 8). They welcomed the pain and troubles with joy, and the joy with the trouble. The message of salvation, though welcomed with great joy, brought the Thessalonians severe affliction (suffering) because it led to persecution from both Jews and Gentiles (3 vs 2 - 4; Acts 17 vs 5.) 

The believers in both Macedonia and Achaia looked up to the believers in Thessalonica due to their exemplary Christian lifestyles. The news about them had spread all around the provinces. Their lives were echoing Christ’s Word, not only in the provinces but all over the places. The news of their faith in God was great that the apostles felt that their jobs were already done, as they didn’t need to preach anymore messages—the believers’ lifestyles were the message. 

How would people evaluate your work of faith? Do you melt at little challenges of life? Or can you proudly show your works produced by faith in God? Many Christians, at little shaking in life by unfavorable circumstances, will become weak in faith, and succumb to searching for alternatives that usually lead them away from following Christ. They will resort to visiting various native doctors, and prayers houses which are manned by native doctors or false prophets (wolf in sheep's clothing). 

How have you labored in love for Christ: reaching out to unsaved souls, doing the extra to ensure the spreading of the Good News of the gospel? Many Christians think that reaching out to unsaved souls is primarily the exclusive preserve of the pastors or ministers of the gospel. Christ’s command is to all believers: “And he said to them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16 vs 15). The “ministry of reconciliation” is given to all who are, by faith, children of God, reconciled to Him through faith in Christ (Second Corinthians 5 vs 18 - 19). We have been equipped with the Good News—the gospel—“the word of reconciliation” to share.

Many believers today think that pain is an exception in Christian life. When suffering occurs, they say, “Why Me?” They feel as though God deserted them, or they may accuse Him of not being dependable as they thought He should be. In reality, the world is sinful, so even believers suffer. Some will start querying if God is still on His Throne. He allows some Christians to become martyrs for the faith, and He allows others to survive persecution. 

Rather than asking, “Why me?” we should ask, “Why not me?” Our faith and the values of this world are on collision course. If we expect pain and suffering to come, we will not be shocked when they occur. We can take comfort in knowing that Jesus also suffered. He understands our fears, our weaknesses, and our disappointments (Hebrews 2 vs 16 - 18; 4 vs 14 - 16). He promised never to leave us (Matthew 28 vs 18 - 20), and He intercedes on our behalf (Hebrews 7 vs 24 - 25). In times of pain, persecution, or suffering, trust confidently in Christ.

Believers are elected by God Himself (John 6 vs 44 & 65). Being chosen comes from the heart of God (not our minds). It should be an incentive to please God, rather than ignore Him, and should give birth to gratitude rather than being complacent. Human responsibility requires that we actively confess Christ as Lord, focus on living to please Him, and share the gospel with others.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You so much for the privilege of adopting me as Your child. You demonstrated in Christ Your unalloyed love for me. Let Your love that has been poured out in my heart by the Holy Spirit engender my exemplary Christian life in my work, love, and patient hope in You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

The Day Is at Hand

 The Day Is at Hand

The night is far gone; the day is at hand. (Romans 13:12)

This is a word of hope to suffering Christians. It’s a word of hope to Christians who hate their own sin and long to be done with sinning. It’s a word of hope to Christians who long for the last enemy Death to be overcome and thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14).

How is it a word of hope for all these?

“The night” stands for this age of darkness and all its sin and misery and death. And what does Paul say about it? “The night is far gone.” The age of sin and misery and death is almost spent. The day of righteousness and peace and total joy is dawning.

You might say, “2,000 years seems like a long dawn.” From one standpoint it is. And we cry, How long, O Lord, how long will you let it go on? But the biblical way to think goes beyond this lament of “How long!” It looks at world history differently.

The key difference is that the “day” — the new age of the Messiah — has really dawned in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the end of this fallen age. That is, the end of this fallen age has, as it were, broken in to this world. Jesus defeated sin and pain and death and Satan when he died and rose again. The decisive battle of the ages is over. The kingdom has come. Eternal life has come.

And when dawn happens — as it did in the coming of Jesus — no one should doubt the coming of day. Not even if the dawn draws out 2,000 years. As Peter says in 2 Peter 3:8, “Do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” The dawn has come. The day has arrived. Nothing can stop the rising of the sun to full day.

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY APRIL 28, 2026.

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

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

READ: Hbrews 6 vs 9 - 12:

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

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

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

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

INTIMATION:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PRAISE THE LORD!

The Great Exchange

 The Great Exchange

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY APRIL 27, 2026.

SUBJECT : THE IDEAL MANNER TO PRAISE THE LORD!

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

READ: Psalm 103 vs 1 - 6 & 8:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

INTIMATION:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PRAISE THE LORD!

Children of a Singing God

 Children of a Singing God

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

Can you hear Jesus singing?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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