EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2019.
SUBJECT: JESUS THE ONLY WAY!
Memory verse: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14 vs 6.)
READ: John 15 vs 4 - 7:
15:4: Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
15:5: I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, Bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
15:6: If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
15:7: If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
INTIMATION:
God our Father, King, and Creator is the source of life, and real living is in accord with the tenets inherent in His kingdom. And there is only one sure way to the knowledge of the true and real life in God, and that is in Christ. Jesus says that the only way to live a truly good life is to stay close to Him, outside of Him we are nothing, and apart from Him our efforts are unfruitful.
In our memory verse, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life...." Three principal things are in Him; ‘the way,’ ‘the truth,’ and ‘the life.’ Therefore, outside of Jesus you are in the wrong way, you can’t discover the truth, and you have no life. Jesus, as the way, is our path to the Father. He is one with the Father, and the same with the Father. He is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1 vs 15) and the exact representation of God. Jesus is not only equal to God (Philippians 2 vs 6), He is God (John 10 vs 30 & 38).
As the truth, He is the reality of all God’s promises. He not only reflects God, but He reveals God to us (John 1 vs 18; 14 vs 9). Jesus said these of Himself; "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner" (John 5 vs 19). "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgement is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me" (John 5 vs 30). "....When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as the Father taught Me, I speak these things" (John 8 vs 28).
As the Life, He joins His divine life to ours, both now and eternally. He is supreme over all creation (Colossians 1 vs 15), and has all priority and authority. He came from heaven, not the dust of the earth (First Corinthians 15 vs 47), and He is Lord over all (Romans 9 vs 5; 10 vs 11 - 13). He is, in truth, the only living way to the Father.
Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (John 15 vs 4.) Abiding in Christ means (1) believing that He is God’s Son (First John 4 vs 15), (2) receiving Him as Savior and Lord (John 1 vs 12), (3) doing what God says (First John 3 vs 24), (4) continuing to believe the gospel (First John 2 vs 24), and relating in love to the community of believers, Christ’s body (John 15 vs 12).
Following Jesus is knowing the way of the Father. No one has seen the Father, and no one can see Him. But Jesus Christ came to reveal the Father to us. Observing the ways of Jesus is tantamount to observing the ways of the Father, because He is the same with the Father. Everything you need is in Him, and without Him you can do nothing (John 15 vs 5).
Now Jesus has come, and has gone back to the Father, to come again for the final union in marriage with His people—‘the marriage of the Lamb’ (Revelation 19 vs 7 & 9). While He is away, He has left with us the instructions on what to do, and also has given us an Helper, just to help us to occupy until He comes (Luke 19 vs 13). The instructions are in the Holy Book—the Bible, and our Helper is the Holy Spirit. Outside of these two, you will never discover the way.
The Book of instruction—the Bible—tells us that the starting point is embracing Jesus and declaring Him as Savior and Lord over your life. When you do this, He will help you to ensure that all other things would fall in pleasant places if you follow a His instructions (Psalm 16 vs 6).
Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the gift of Your only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Jesus, I confess, with my whole heart that You are my Lord and personal Savior. In You there is life, and in You I live, and move and have my being. Endue with the spirit of complete trust and confidence in You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.
PRAISE THE LORD!
Saturday, 21 September 2019
Friday, 20 September 2019
IS IT AS TO THE LORD. OPEN HEAVEN
OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: FRIDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER 2019
THEME: IS IT AS TO THE LORD?
MEMORISE:
With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Ephesians 6:7
READ: Ephesians 6:5-8
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
MESSAGE
Whenever our actions are not based on pleasing the Lord, they will definitely be tainted by a purpose that is far from ideal. For example, only God knows the motive behind Cain's sacrifice in Genesis chapter 4, but it ultimately led to the murder of his younger brother. Indeed, the Holy Spirit says we should not be weary in doing good deeds (Galatians 6:9). However, the only way we will not be weary in well-doing is when we do it as to the Lord, simply because human beings can be very ungrateful, and if we are waiting for the gratitude of men, we may end up not doing any good thing at all. Thankfully, the Lord has promised to commend and reward those who do good deeds. Speaking on this, the Lord said in Matthew 25:34-35:
“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:”
There are times when I feel the people I am labouring over do not appreciate my love, concern and efforts to make them what God wants them to be, and I just feel like stopping it all. The Lord has spoken to me on several of such occasions that I should always do everything He asks me to do as unto Him alone, especially as He has never disappointed me. This word has kept me going all these years. Sometimes He sends me encouragement from unexpected quarters, like the time I was feeling so discouraged and a little girl from a place very far away brought me a cake. God used her to prove to me that my labour and efforts do not go unnoticed before Him.
In Ephesians 6:5-8, we are admonished as servants to be faithful in our services to our masters, employers and superiors at our places of work. Of course, even when we attain leadership positions, Jesus taught us to serve, not with eye service or for self-gratification. Some leaders will not promote their subordinates even when they are due for it. Let such leaders remember the efficacy of God's word in Ephesians 6:8, which says:
“Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”
Our God is not partial; He is a perfect and just Judge. Even if man forgets, He will not forget. Therefore, whatever you do for His sake, expect to get considerable rewards from Him alone and don't look to man (Hebrews 6:10).
PRAYER POINT:
Father, in all I do in this world, please help me to always remember to do it as unto You.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 7-8, Daniel 5:1-12
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 4: TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE
1.Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise,
Let them flow in endless praise.
2.Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
3.Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose,
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
DATE: FRIDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER 2019
THEME: IS IT AS TO THE LORD?
MEMORISE:
With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Ephesians 6:7
READ: Ephesians 6:5-8
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
MESSAGE
Whenever our actions are not based on pleasing the Lord, they will definitely be tainted by a purpose that is far from ideal. For example, only God knows the motive behind Cain's sacrifice in Genesis chapter 4, but it ultimately led to the murder of his younger brother. Indeed, the Holy Spirit says we should not be weary in doing good deeds (Galatians 6:9). However, the only way we will not be weary in well-doing is when we do it as to the Lord, simply because human beings can be very ungrateful, and if we are waiting for the gratitude of men, we may end up not doing any good thing at all. Thankfully, the Lord has promised to commend and reward those who do good deeds. Speaking on this, the Lord said in Matthew 25:34-35:
“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:”
There are times when I feel the people I am labouring over do not appreciate my love, concern and efforts to make them what God wants them to be, and I just feel like stopping it all. The Lord has spoken to me on several of such occasions that I should always do everything He asks me to do as unto Him alone, especially as He has never disappointed me. This word has kept me going all these years. Sometimes He sends me encouragement from unexpected quarters, like the time I was feeling so discouraged and a little girl from a place very far away brought me a cake. God used her to prove to me that my labour and efforts do not go unnoticed before Him.
In Ephesians 6:5-8, we are admonished as servants to be faithful in our services to our masters, employers and superiors at our places of work. Of course, even when we attain leadership positions, Jesus taught us to serve, not with eye service or for self-gratification. Some leaders will not promote their subordinates even when they are due for it. Let such leaders remember the efficacy of God's word in Ephesians 6:8, which says:
“Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”
Our God is not partial; He is a perfect and just Judge. Even if man forgets, He will not forget. Therefore, whatever you do for His sake, expect to get considerable rewards from Him alone and don't look to man (Hebrews 6:10).
PRAYER POINT:
Father, in all I do in this world, please help me to always remember to do it as unto You.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 7-8, Daniel 5:1-12
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 4: TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE
1.Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise,
Let them flow in endless praise.
2.Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
3.Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose,
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
TRUST IN GOD AND NOT YOURSELF
EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2019.
SUBJECT : TRUST IN GOD NOT YOURSELF!
Memory verse: "Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.” (Second Corinthians 1 vs 9.)
READ: Jeremiah 17 vs 5 - 8:
17:5: Thus says the LORD; “Cursed be the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD.
17:6: For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
17:7: “Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the is LORD.
17:8: For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out her roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but it’s leaf will be green; and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.
INTIMATION:
Trusting in God is relying, resting on the integrity of God; putting your confidence, hope, faith in God in all things. God is our constant help, and He desires it to be so. He made it so that we may depend on Him and will always come to Him. We often depend on our own skills and abilities when life seems easy and only turn to God when we feel unable to help ourselves. But as we realize our own powerlessness without God and our need for His constant help in our lives, we come to depend on Him more and more. God is our source of power, and we receive His help by keeping in touch with Him. With this attitude of dependence, problems will drive us to God rather than away from Him. Learn to rely on God daily.
In emphasizing our need to trust in God, rather than ourselves, Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15 vs 5.) We should not trust in ourselves but in God. The Bible speaks of "Trust in God" more than 45 times. Therefore, there is no gain-saying the fact that trusting in God is key. And the confirmation, according to the Scriptures, is in the mouth of much more than two or three witnesses, hence is thoroughly established.
This is not to say we should never make effort to achieve or accomplish anything in life, but our own efforts are never adequate. As believers, we are to put out an effort that is made through the grace of God at work in us. In other words, we don't attempt anything without asking for God's help. We lean on Him the whole way through each project. We maintain an attitude that says, "Apart from Him I can do nothing." "For by strength no shall shall prevail." (First Samuel 2 vs 9.)
We are not to be involved in natural, carnal efforts because the result is only fatigue and frustration, disappointment and destruction. But completely lean on the grace of God to accomplish all our lives challenges. Failing to trust God often brings even greater problems than those we originally faced. When we run from God, we inevitably run into problems. He brought you this far and won’t let you down now. We can continue trusting God by remembering all He has done for us.
God will never abandon those who seek Him. God’s promise does not mean that if we trust in Him we will escape loss or suffering; it means that God Himself will never leave us no matter what we face. Lack of trust in God always prevents us from receiving His best. The psalmist says in Psalm 18 vs 2, "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my strength, in whom I will trust, my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."
In the passage we read today, the Scripture says, “ “Cursed be the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD.” (Jeremiah 17 vs 5). When you put your trust in yourself, rather than God, you are cursed. In contrast, those who trust in the Lord flourish like trees planted along a riverbank. In times of trouble, those who trust in human beings will be impoverished and spiritually weak, so they will have no strength to draw on. But those who trust in the Lord will have abundant strength, not only for their needs, but for the needs of others.
Prayer: Abba Father, all powers belong to You. In You I put my trust. By Your strength I can do all things. Endue me with the spirit of complete dependence upon You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.
PRAISE THE LORD!
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2019.
SUBJECT : TRUST IN GOD NOT YOURSELF!
Memory verse: "Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.” (Second Corinthians 1 vs 9.)
READ: Jeremiah 17 vs 5 - 8:
17:5: Thus says the LORD; “Cursed be the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD.
17:6: For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
17:7: “Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the is LORD.
17:8: For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out her roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but it’s leaf will be green; and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.
INTIMATION:
Trusting in God is relying, resting on the integrity of God; putting your confidence, hope, faith in God in all things. God is our constant help, and He desires it to be so. He made it so that we may depend on Him and will always come to Him. We often depend on our own skills and abilities when life seems easy and only turn to God when we feel unable to help ourselves. But as we realize our own powerlessness without God and our need for His constant help in our lives, we come to depend on Him more and more. God is our source of power, and we receive His help by keeping in touch with Him. With this attitude of dependence, problems will drive us to God rather than away from Him. Learn to rely on God daily.
In emphasizing our need to trust in God, rather than ourselves, Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15 vs 5.) We should not trust in ourselves but in God. The Bible speaks of "Trust in God" more than 45 times. Therefore, there is no gain-saying the fact that trusting in God is key. And the confirmation, according to the Scriptures, is in the mouth of much more than two or three witnesses, hence is thoroughly established.
This is not to say we should never make effort to achieve or accomplish anything in life, but our own efforts are never adequate. As believers, we are to put out an effort that is made through the grace of God at work in us. In other words, we don't attempt anything without asking for God's help. We lean on Him the whole way through each project. We maintain an attitude that says, "Apart from Him I can do nothing." "For by strength no shall shall prevail." (First Samuel 2 vs 9.)
We are not to be involved in natural, carnal efforts because the result is only fatigue and frustration, disappointment and destruction. But completely lean on the grace of God to accomplish all our lives challenges. Failing to trust God often brings even greater problems than those we originally faced. When we run from God, we inevitably run into problems. He brought you this far and won’t let you down now. We can continue trusting God by remembering all He has done for us.
God will never abandon those who seek Him. God’s promise does not mean that if we trust in Him we will escape loss or suffering; it means that God Himself will never leave us no matter what we face. Lack of trust in God always prevents us from receiving His best. The psalmist says in Psalm 18 vs 2, "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my strength, in whom I will trust, my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."
In the passage we read today, the Scripture says, “ “Cursed be the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD.” (Jeremiah 17 vs 5). When you put your trust in yourself, rather than God, you are cursed. In contrast, those who trust in the Lord flourish like trees planted along a riverbank. In times of trouble, those who trust in human beings will be impoverished and spiritually weak, so they will have no strength to draw on. But those who trust in the Lord will have abundant strength, not only for their needs, but for the needs of others.
Prayer: Abba Father, all powers belong to You. In You I put my trust. By Your strength I can do all things. Endue me with the spirit of complete dependence upon You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.
PRAISE THE LORD!
PRAYER
Father in the Name of Jesus, do something in my life that will surprise my enemies before the end of this September. Put my enemies to shame in the areas of my business, my family, my future. Surprise me with promotion at work, surprise me with a job, surprise me with a baby boy/girl where the enemies say it’s impossible, make it possible my LORD. Promote me in every area of my life or in every part of my life. Father I am still waiting for your promise of my life for 2019 and I am not going to lose hope because I know and believe that you are GOD of Miracles. I know before the end of this year I shall receive that promotion. I shall receive that financial breakthrough in Jesus Name. My health shall be restored. My debts shall be cleared. I shall receive, a house, car, and broken relationship shall be restored. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Good morning and happy blessed weekend slalom from evangelist OLATUNBOSUN BOSEDE ISACC
Thursday, 19 September 2019
OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL
OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: THURSDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 2019
THEME: DANGERS OF IGNORING THE POOR
MEMORISE:
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. Proverbs 21:13
READ: Matthew 25:32-46
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
MESSAGE
Many Christians don't realise the dangers inherent in ignoring the poor around them. From today's Bible reading, we see that the Lord cares for the less privileged so much that He literally feels their pain. This means that every time you disregard a person in need you are ignoring God Himself. Matthew 25:45-46 says:
“Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
From these verses we understand that neglecting the needy is a passageway to hell fire. When people come to you in hunger, do you give them food or turn deaf ears to their pleas? When someone is sick, do you visit to show love and pray with him or her or do you just go about your own business? When you see someone who needs new clothes, do you scorn or abuse the person for looking hagard instead of giving out some of the clothes in your wardrobe that you haven't worn in a long while? If you are ignoring people's needs around you, be careful because you just might be disregarding God Himself, and the result is eternity in hell.
Believe me honestly, if you make it a point of duty to always give to the poor, you will be blessed bountifully for it. It is popularly said that givers never lack. I believe this to be very true because Proverbs 19:17 says:
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”
No one who neglects the poor has a place in heaven. In Matthew 19:16-25, a rich young man went to see Jesus, and he told Him that he had kept all Jewish laws from his youth, but he still felt like he was lacking something. Jesus told him that if he wanted to be perfect, he should sell all that he had and give the proceeds to the poor. This was too hard for the rich man to do, so he went away in sorrow. Then Jesus turned to His disciples and told them it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. In other words, if you are rich and you find anything too big or too valuable to let go of for the sake of the poor, then there is no place for you in the kingdom of heaven. Many people judge this rich young man, but they would do exactly the same thing he did if they were in his shoes. If I may ask, do you care enough for the needy that you can sell all that you have to meet their needs? Difficult as this may sound, it is reflective of the kind of heart that has a place in heaven.
ACTION POINT:
Begin to set aside a portion of your regular income to help the needy from today.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 5-6, Daniel 4:28-37
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 5: LET OTHERS SEE JESUS IN YOU
1. While passing thro' this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.
Chorus:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.
2. Your life's a book before their eyes,
They're reading it thro' and thro'
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?
3. Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.
DATE: THURSDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 2019
THEME: DANGERS OF IGNORING THE POOR
MEMORISE:
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. Proverbs 21:13
READ: Matthew 25:32-46
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
MESSAGE
Many Christians don't realise the dangers inherent in ignoring the poor around them. From today's Bible reading, we see that the Lord cares for the less privileged so much that He literally feels their pain. This means that every time you disregard a person in need you are ignoring God Himself. Matthew 25:45-46 says:
“Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
From these verses we understand that neglecting the needy is a passageway to hell fire. When people come to you in hunger, do you give them food or turn deaf ears to their pleas? When someone is sick, do you visit to show love and pray with him or her or do you just go about your own business? When you see someone who needs new clothes, do you scorn or abuse the person for looking hagard instead of giving out some of the clothes in your wardrobe that you haven't worn in a long while? If you are ignoring people's needs around you, be careful because you just might be disregarding God Himself, and the result is eternity in hell.
Believe me honestly, if you make it a point of duty to always give to the poor, you will be blessed bountifully for it. It is popularly said that givers never lack. I believe this to be very true because Proverbs 19:17 says:
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”
No one who neglects the poor has a place in heaven. In Matthew 19:16-25, a rich young man went to see Jesus, and he told Him that he had kept all Jewish laws from his youth, but he still felt like he was lacking something. Jesus told him that if he wanted to be perfect, he should sell all that he had and give the proceeds to the poor. This was too hard for the rich man to do, so he went away in sorrow. Then Jesus turned to His disciples and told them it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. In other words, if you are rich and you find anything too big or too valuable to let go of for the sake of the poor, then there is no place for you in the kingdom of heaven. Many people judge this rich young man, but they would do exactly the same thing he did if they were in his shoes. If I may ask, do you care enough for the needy that you can sell all that you have to meet their needs? Difficult as this may sound, it is reflective of the kind of heart that has a place in heaven.
ACTION POINT:
Begin to set aside a portion of your regular income to help the needy from today.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 5-6, Daniel 4:28-37
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 5: LET OTHERS SEE JESUS IN YOU
1. While passing thro' this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.
Chorus:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.
2. Your life's a book before their eyes,
They're reading it thro' and thro'
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?
3. Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.
DEVOTIONAL :EVERYDAY IN THE WORD
EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2019.
SUBJECT : GOD’S LOVE TOWARD US!
Memory verse: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3 vs 16.)
READ: Romans 5 vs 6 - 11:
5:6: For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
5:7: For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.
5:8: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
5:9: Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
5:10: For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
5:11: And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
INTIMATION:
God’s love for us unique and unparalleled. His love is dynamic and not self-centered; it reaches out and draws others in. This is one of God's most outstanding and obvious characteristics. Here God sets the pattern of true love, the basis for all love relationships—when you love someone dearly, you are ready and willing to give freely to the point of self-sacrifice. The message of the Gospel comes to a focus in God’s love for us as is stated in our memory verse.
The apostle Paul, in the passage we read, expounded the love of God for us. He explained that when we were weak, lost in sin, and helpless and could do nothing on our own to save ourselves, Christ had to come to rescue us. For His love for us, God paid dearly with the life of His Son, the highest price He could pay, and unheard of in history. Jesus accepted wholeheartedly His propitiation for our sins, set aside His deity, took the form of man, and paid the wages of sin we owed—death—on the cross at Calvary (Ezekiel 18 vs 4 & Romans 6 vs 23). Jesus, in exchange, gave His sinless life of inestimable value for our sinful lives that are completely worthless. He came at exactly the right time in history in accordance with God's plan and schedule. It is God that controls all history, and He controlled the timing, method, and events surrounding Jesus' death.
The apostle Paul further explains that the love that caused God to create the world for an extension of His kingdom, and caused Christ to die in our place, is the same love that sends the Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us daily. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that saved us and is available to us in our daily lives.
Therefore, having begun a life with Christ by accepting what He did for us, you have a reserve power and love to call on each day for help to meet every challenges or trials. Too often, in our spiritual life, although we may need to love God more, there is a much higher need to recognize just how much He loves us. When our relationship is such that we feel God's love and His passion for His children, we naturally begin to love Him more. You can pray for His power and love as you need it.
Many of us have at one time or the other felt like that, "Lord where are You when I really need You?" "God, I'm going under. Don't You care?" But a believer and a child of God will remember the promise found in First Peter 5 vs 7, "Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you." He cares about the minutest details of your life that even the very hairs of your head is counted. (Matthew 10 vs 30). Though you may not know He cares, rest assured He does!
In Psalms 145 vs 18 the psalmist tells us, "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth." What this means is that He is never too busy for you. When you pray, you will never get busy signal. He hears you and ready to meet your real need. Jesus had a very special term He used to describe the personal and loving nature of God. He called Him, "Abba." The word Abba is an Aramaic word used to describe the most intimate, personal nature of a father. He is never too busy for you. He is never more concerned about a crisis in one individual than another.
Prayer: Abba Father, thank you for Your unparalleled love toward me. You so loved me that You gave the life of Your Son, Jesus Christ, as a propitiation for my sins. I cannot thank You enough. I pray, O Most High God, that You endue me with Your spirit of love that I may love You as You loved me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.
PRAISE THE LORD!
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2019.
SUBJECT : GOD’S LOVE TOWARD US!
Memory verse: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3 vs 16.)
READ: Romans 5 vs 6 - 11:
5:6: For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
5:7: For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.
5:8: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
5:9: Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
5:10: For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
5:11: And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
INTIMATION:
God’s love for us unique and unparalleled. His love is dynamic and not self-centered; it reaches out and draws others in. This is one of God's most outstanding and obvious characteristics. Here God sets the pattern of true love, the basis for all love relationships—when you love someone dearly, you are ready and willing to give freely to the point of self-sacrifice. The message of the Gospel comes to a focus in God’s love for us as is stated in our memory verse.
The apostle Paul, in the passage we read, expounded the love of God for us. He explained that when we were weak, lost in sin, and helpless and could do nothing on our own to save ourselves, Christ had to come to rescue us. For His love for us, God paid dearly with the life of His Son, the highest price He could pay, and unheard of in history. Jesus accepted wholeheartedly His propitiation for our sins, set aside His deity, took the form of man, and paid the wages of sin we owed—death—on the cross at Calvary (Ezekiel 18 vs 4 & Romans 6 vs 23). Jesus, in exchange, gave His sinless life of inestimable value for our sinful lives that are completely worthless. He came at exactly the right time in history in accordance with God's plan and schedule. It is God that controls all history, and He controlled the timing, method, and events surrounding Jesus' death.
The apostle Paul further explains that the love that caused God to create the world for an extension of His kingdom, and caused Christ to die in our place, is the same love that sends the Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us daily. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that saved us and is available to us in our daily lives.
Therefore, having begun a life with Christ by accepting what He did for us, you have a reserve power and love to call on each day for help to meet every challenges or trials. Too often, in our spiritual life, although we may need to love God more, there is a much higher need to recognize just how much He loves us. When our relationship is such that we feel God's love and His passion for His children, we naturally begin to love Him more. You can pray for His power and love as you need it.
Many of us have at one time or the other felt like that, "Lord where are You when I really need You?" "God, I'm going under. Don't You care?" But a believer and a child of God will remember the promise found in First Peter 5 vs 7, "Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you." He cares about the minutest details of your life that even the very hairs of your head is counted. (Matthew 10 vs 30). Though you may not know He cares, rest assured He does!
In Psalms 145 vs 18 the psalmist tells us, "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth." What this means is that He is never too busy for you. When you pray, you will never get busy signal. He hears you and ready to meet your real need. Jesus had a very special term He used to describe the personal and loving nature of God. He called Him, "Abba." The word Abba is an Aramaic word used to describe the most intimate, personal nature of a father. He is never too busy for you. He is never more concerned about a crisis in one individual than another.
Prayer: Abba Father, thank you for Your unparalleled love toward me. You so loved me that You gave the life of Your Son, Jesus Christ, as a propitiation for my sins. I cannot thank You enough. I pray, O Most High God, that You endue me with Your spirit of love that I may love You as You loved me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.
PRAISE THE LORD!
Wednesday, 18 September 2019
DANGER OF ASSUMPTION
. A dog was so loyal to a woman so much she could leave her baby with him and go out for a few races quickly. She always returns to find the child deeply asleep with the dog. One day something tragic happened.
The woman as usual, left the baby in the hands of this faithful dog and went shopping.
When she came back, she discovered a horrible scene, and there was a total mess. The baby wasn't in his crib, his diapers and his clothes in shreds, with blood stains all over the bedroom. In Shock, the frightened woman started looking for the baby. Suddenly she saw the faithful dog emerging under the bed, covered in blood from everywhere licking her mouth as if he had just finished a delicious meal.
The woman was convinced that the dog had eaten her baby. Without much thought, she beat the dog to death with a wood. Then she continued research to at least find a part of her child's body. Soon she lives another scene. Behind the bed was the well-shaped baby who was naked and had fun on the carpet. Under the bed the woman discovers the body of a snake that has been torn apart. It was a fierce battle between the snake and the dog. The dog fought to protect the baby against the ravenous snake. It was too late for her now to make amends because, in her impatience and anger, she had killed the faithful dog.
----------------
How often did we judge people with hard words and spread lies about them before we had time to assess the situation?
For anyone who reads this, I pray that God gives us grace to avoid unconditional mistakes in our lives.. Amen Good morning God bless you all from evangelist OLATUNBOSUN BOSEDE ISAAC
The woman as usual, left the baby in the hands of this faithful dog and went shopping.
When she came back, she discovered a horrible scene, and there was a total mess. The baby wasn't in his crib, his diapers and his clothes in shreds, with blood stains all over the bedroom. In Shock, the frightened woman started looking for the baby. Suddenly she saw the faithful dog emerging under the bed, covered in blood from everywhere licking her mouth as if he had just finished a delicious meal.
The woman was convinced that the dog had eaten her baby. Without much thought, she beat the dog to death with a wood. Then she continued research to at least find a part of her child's body. Soon she lives another scene. Behind the bed was the well-shaped baby who was naked and had fun on the carpet. Under the bed the woman discovers the body of a snake that has been torn apart. It was a fierce battle between the snake and the dog. The dog fought to protect the baby against the ravenous snake. It was too late for her now to make amends because, in her impatience and anger, she had killed the faithful dog.
----------------
How often did we judge people with hard words and spread lies about them before we had time to assess the situation?
For anyone who reads this, I pray that God gives us grace to avoid unconditional mistakes in our lives.. Amen Good morning God bless you all from evangelist OLATUNBOSUN BOSEDE ISAAC
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