LASTING GREATNESS!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 30, 2019.

SUBJECT: LASTING GREATNESS!

Memory verse: "But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23 vs 11.)

READ: Mark 10 vs 42 - 45:

10:42: But Jesus called them to Himself and saith to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

10:43: Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
10:44: And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.

10:45: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

INTIMATION:

Our care for others is a measure of our greatness—our position of authority—in God’s eyes. In both our memory verse and the passage we read today, Jesus challenged society’s norms. To Him greatness comes from serving—giving of yourself to help God and others. Service keeps us aware of others’ needs, and it stops us from focusing only on ourselves. Jesus came as a servant. The greatest person in God’s kingdom is the servant of all. Authority is given, not for self-importance, ambition, or respect, but for useful service to God and His creation. 

Jesus is great, and a perfect example of lasting greatness in the eyes of God. During His earth walk, He said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10 vs 45). He was the model servant, and He showed is servant attitude to His disciples when He washed their feet (John 13 vs 1 - 17). Washing guests’ feet was a job for a household servant to carry out when guests arrived. But Jesus wrapped a towel around His waist, as the lowliest slave will do, and washed and dried His disciples’ feet. If even He, God in the flesh, is willing to serve, we His followers must also be servants, willing to serve in any way that glorifies God.

In contemporary society businesses, organizations, and institutions measure greatness by personal achievement. In Christ’s kingdom, however, service is the way to get ahead. Jesus said that true greatness comes from serving others. The desire to be on top will hinder, not help. Rather than seeking to have your needs met, look for ways that you can minister to the needs of others.

When a dispute arose among the disciples of Jesus as to which of them would be greatest, Jesus brought a child before Himself, and said to His disciples, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.” (Luke 9 vs 48.) In Jesus’ eyes, whoever welcomes a child welcomes Him. Ministering to the need of a less privileged person is the same as giving an offering to God. By contrast, harming others or failing to care for them is a sin, even if they are unimportant people in the world’s eyes. It is possible for thoughtless, selfish people to gain a measure of worldly greatness, but lasting greatness is measured by God’s standards. What do you use as your measure—personal achievement or unselfish service?

How much we love God can be measured by how well we treat others. Jesus’ example of giving a cup of cold water to a thirsty child is a good model of unselfish service (Matthew 10 vs 42). A child usually can’t or won’t return a favor. God notices every good deed we do or don’t do as if He were the one receiving it. Is there something unselfish you can do for someone also today? Although no one else may see you, God will notice.

Greatness is measured not by what you have but by your faith in God. Are you willing to follow Christ’s example of serving? Whom can you serve today? There is a special blessing for those who not only agree that humble service is Christ’s way, but who also follow through and do it (John 13 vs 17).

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of selfless service to You and others, just as Christ gave us example, that I may achieve greatness in Your eyes, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE SIN OF EVIL DESIRES!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY OCTOBER 29, 2019.

SUBJECT: THE SIN OF EVIL DESIRES!

Memory verse: "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” (First Timothy 6 vs 9.)

READ: Matthew 5 vs 27 - 30:

5:27: You have heard that it was said by those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’

5:28: But I say to you that whoever looks on a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
5:29: If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out, and cast it from you; for it is profitable for you that one of thy members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

5:30: And if thy right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

INTIMATION:

A desire is a craving or longing for something. Some desires are evil or sinful and is frequently translated as “lust.” Some desires are good. For instance, the apostle Paul had the good desire to be with Christ; “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (Philippians 1 vs 23). Just as the Lord’s desire concerning the last Passover; “Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” (Luke 22 vs 15.)

For evil desires, or inordinate affections, the apostle Paul says, such should not be tolerated by believers because, “Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passion and desires.” (Galatians 5 vs 24.) When we accept Christ as our Savior, we need to turn from our sinful ways and willingly nail our sinful nature to the cross. This doesn’t mean, however, that we will never see traces of its evil desires again. As Christians we still have the capacity to sin and sometimes sin, but we have been set free from sin’s power over us and no longer have to give in to it. We must daily commit our sinful tendencies to God’s control, daily crucify them, and moment by moment draw on the Spirit’s power to overcome them. 

“Lust” is a devilish desire. Jesus said “lust” is as good as the “deed” itself. For instance, the Old Testament law says that it is wrong for a person to have sex with someone other than his or her spouse (Exodus 20 vs 14). But Jesus said that the desire to have sex with someone other than your spouse is mental adultery and thus sin. Jesus was emphasizing here that if the act is wrong, then so is the intention. In the passage we read today, Jesus is condemning the deliberate and repeated filling of one’s mind with fantasies that would be evil if acted upon. Therefore, desires that will lead you to wrongdoing should not be accommodated. 

Some people may desire to be rich, which in itself, is not wrong or evil, but the desire to be rich at all costs will definitely build up ideas in their minds that will expose them to temptations, snares, and many foolish things that are harmful and destructive. For instance, somebody might desire to make wealth by all means, and will be harboring stealing, money rituals, or obtaining by false pretenses, and if such desires are acted upon, the person may be committing murder, and other heinous crimes that are evil in themselves. Sinful actions are more dangerous than sinful desires, hence desires should not be acted out. Nevertheless, sinful desires are just as damaging to obedience as the actions proper. Left unchecked, wrong desires will result in wrong actions and turn people away from God.

Jesus was speaking figuratively when He said we should get rid of your hand or your eye, He didn’t mean literally to gouge our your eye, because even a blind person can lust. But if that were the only choice, it would be better to go into heaven with one eye or hand than to go to hell with the two. It takes the help of the Holy Spirit to resist any actions on our evil desires. The world is full of enticements. Daily we are confronted with subtle cultural pressures and overt propaganda. The only way to escape these destructive influences is to ask God to help crucify our interest in them.

Evil acts begin with evil desires. It isn’t enough to ask God to keep you away from temptation, make you stronger, or change your circumstances. You must ask Him to change you on the inside—at level of your desires.

The Scripture says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4 vs 23.) We should keep our hearts with all diligence, making sure we concentrate on those desires that will keep us on the right path. Make sure your affections push you in the right direction. Put boundaries on your desires: Don’t go after everything you see. And don’t get sidetracked on detours that lead to temptation.

“Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things that are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things that pure, whatever things that lovely, whatever things that are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4 vs 8.)

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace to put boundaries on my desires, to concentrate on those desires that will keep me on the right path of obedience to You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen. 

PRAISE  THE LORD!

DO NOT FEAR CHRIST!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY OCTOBER 28, 2019.

SUBJECT: DO NOT FEAR CHRIST!

Memory verse: "Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry,p; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all districts, from two years old and under, according to the time he had determined from the wise men.” (Matthew 2 vs 16.)

READ: John 3 vs 15 - 21:

3:15: That whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
3:16: 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.

3:17: For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
3:18: He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
3:19: And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
3:20: For everyone practicing evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

3:21: But he who does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.

INTIMATION:

The problem of mankind is that from the beginning we have all done things that are wrong, and have failed to obey God’s laws. This, however, caused our separation from God our Creator. The consequence of that separation from God is death; condemnation by our Creator that we have no solution by ourselves—we can do nothing to become united with God. He is a fair and just God who will not break His own laws. His law says, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6 vs 23), “The soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18 vs 4 & 20). Bud God, in His infinite mercy and love nature, provided a remedy by the gift of His only begotten Son—Jesus Christ—as a propitiation for our sins.

Therefore, Jesus came to save us. He could help us because He was not only a man; He was God’s unique Son. Because Jesus never disobeyed God and never sinned, only He can bridge the gap between the sinless God and sinful people. Jesus freely offered His life for us, dying on the cross in our place, taking all our wrongdoing upon Himself, and saving us from the consequences of sin—including God’s judgement and death. Jesus said, “...I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10 vs 10.) Jesus gives life. The life He gives right now is abundantly rich and full. It is eternal, yet it begins immediately. Life in Christ is lived on a higher plane because of His overflowing forgiveness, love, and guidance. Don’t be afraid of Christ, take His offer of life. 

Many people don’t want their lives exposed in God’s light because they are afraid of what will be revealed. They don’t want to be changed because they feel that the evil in their lives if exposed or revealed will earn them condemnation from God. But know sin is beyond God’s forgiveness except the sin of denying the power of God in Christ for the forgiveness of sin: “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of man, it will be forgiven him: but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12 vs 31 - 32.)

The unpardonable sin is the deliberate refusal to acknowledge God’s power in Christ. It indicates a deliberate and irreversible hardness of heart. Those who have turned their backs on God and rejected all faith can’t be forgiven—not because their sin is worse than any other, but because they will never ask for forgiveness. Whoever rejects the prompting of the Holy Spirit removes himself or herself from the only force that can lead him or her to repentance and restoration to God.

In our memory verse, Herod was afraid of Jesus, he thought that the newborn king would one day take his throne. He completely misunderstood the reason for Christ’s coming. Jesus didn’t want Herod’s throne; He wanted to be king of Herod’s life. Jesus wanted to give Herod eternal life, not take away his present life. Today people are often afraid that Christ wants to take things away from them, in reality, He wants to give them real freedom, peace, and joy. Don’t fear Christ—give Him the throne of your life.

The truth is that Jesus took our past, present, and future sins upon Himself so that we could have new life. Because all our wrongdoing is forgiven, we are reconciled to God. Furthermore, Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is the proof that His substitutionary sacrifice on the cross was acceptable to God, and His resurrection has become the source of new life for those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. All who believe in Him may have this new life and live it in union with Him.

Some people are repulsed by the idea of eternal life because their lives are miserable. But eternal life is not an extension of a person’s miserable, mortal life; eternal life is God’s life embedded in Christ given to all believers now as a guarantee that they will live forever. In eternal life there is no death, sickness, enemy, evil, or sin. When we don’t know Christ, we make choices as though this life is all we have. In reality, this life is just the introduction to eternity. Receive this new life by faith and begin to evaluate all that happens from an eternal perspective. 

Put your trust and confidence in Jesus, He alone can save you. Put Him in charge of our present plans and eternal destiny. Believing is both trusting His words as reliable, and relying on Him for the power to change. If you have never trusted Christ, let this promise of everlasting life be yours—and believe. We believe in God by recognizing the insufficiency of our own efforts to find salvation and by asking Him to do His work in us. When Jesus talks about unbelievers, He means those who reject or ignore Him completely, not those who have momentary doubts.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus, as a propitiation for our sins. In Him I live, and move, and have my being. I confess Christ as my Lord and Savior, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD! 

GOD’S WORD MAKES US WISE!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY OCTOBER 27, 2019.

SUBJECT: GOD’S WORD MAKES US WISE!

Memory verse: "Every word of God is pure: He is a shield to those that put their trust in Him.” (Proverbs 30 vs 5.)

READ: Luke 4 vs 3 - 12:

4:3: And the devil said to Him, “If You be the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
4:4: But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”
4:5: Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
4:6: And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
4:7: Therefore, If You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”
4:8: And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
4:9: Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, and set Him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.
4:10: For it is written: “He shall give His angels charge over You, to keep You,’
4:11: and, ‘In their hands they shall bear thee up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”
4:12: And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord thy God.’”

INTIMATION:

God’s Word makes us wise—wiser than our enemies and wiser than any teachers who ignore it. Knowing God’s Word equips us to navigate through life’s circumstances in victory. In this life we walk through a dark forest of evil. But the Bible can be our light to show us the way ahead so we won’t stumble as we walk. It reveals the entangling roots of false values and philosophies. It’s an effective weapon against temptation, and it is the only offensive weapon in the believers’ armor (Ephesians 6 vs 17). The Scripture notes that, “The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119 vs 130.) 

True wisdom goes beyond amassing knowledge; it is applying knowledge in a life-changing way. Intelligent or experienced people are not necessarily wise. Wisdom comes from allowing God’s teachings to guide us. We gain wisdom through constant process of growing. First, we must trust and honor God. Second, we must realize that the Bible reveals God’s wisdom to us. His wisdom is infinite. The Scripture notes, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!.” (Romans 11 vs 33.) But God has revealed Himself and wisdom in His Word. Therefore, through constant study and meditation in the Word of God we enriched in wisdom and understanding. 

People don’t develop all aspects of wisdom at once. For example, some people have more insight than discretion; others have more knowledge than common sense. But we can pray for all aspects of wisdom and take steps to develop them in God’s Word. Resolve to set aside time each day to read and think about God’s Word. Remind yourself of God’s words day and night, applying what you know that God has said in your daily living, and God’s Word will build up in wisdom and understanding in this life.

Knowing and obeying God’s Word is an effective weapon against temptation, the only offensive weapon provided in the Christian’s armor (Ephesians 6 vs 17). In the passage we read today, Jesus used Scripture—the Word of God—to counter Satan’s attacks, and so should we. But to use it effectively, we must have faith in God’s promises because Satan also knows Scripture and is adept in twisting it to suit his purposes. Obeying the Scripture is more important than simply having a verse to quote, so read them daily and apply them to your life. Then your “sword” will always be sharp.

The Word of God is not simply a collection of words from God, a vehicle for communicating ideas: it is living, life-changing, and dynamic as it works in us. God’s Word reveals who we are and what we are not. It penetrates the core of our moral and spiritual life. It discerns what is within us, both good and bad. The demands of God’s Word require decisions. It must not only listen to the Word; we must also let it shape our lives. Study the Bible so you will be able to see your way clear enough to stay on the right path.

Prayer: Abba Father, You have magnified Your Word above all Your name. Divine wisdom is embedded in Your Word. Give me the grace to study and meditate in Your Word daily that I may be wise, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

FIGHTING THE TONGUE FIRE!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26, 2019.

SUBJECT: FIGHTING THE TONGUE FIRE!

Memory verse: "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.” (First Peter 3 vs 10.)

READ: James 3 vs 5 - 12:

3:5: Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!

3:6: And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members, that it defines the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
3:7: For every kind of beast and of bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed of mankind.
3:8: But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
3:9: With it we bless our God, and Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.
3:10: Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
3:11: Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?
3:12: Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or grapevine bear fig? Thus no spring yields both salt salt water and fresh.

INTIMATION:

The tongue is the flexible muscular organ in the bottom of the mouth used for tasting, swallowing and human speech. In speech it boasts great things; it can damage and it can build up. The Scripture says, “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12 vs 37.) The fire of the tongue is something difficult for anyone to control. For instance, idle and hateful words are damaging because they spread destruction quickly, and no one can stop the results once they are spoken. We dare not be careless with what we say, thinking we can apologize later, because even if we do, the scars remain. A few words spoken in anger can destroy a relationship that took years to build. Before you speak, remember that words are like fire—you can neither control nor reverse the damage they can do. 

In the passage we read today, the apostle James compares the damage the tongue can do to a raging fire that can do great and terrible damages. The uncontrolled tongue can do terrible damage. Its wickedness has its source in hell itself. Satan uses the tongue to divide people and pit them against one another. Example of untamed tongue include gossiping, putting others down, bragging, manipulating, fake teaching, exaggerating, complaining, flattering, and lying. Before you speak, ask, “Is what I want to say true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?”

The Scripture says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18 vs 21.) what we say probably affects more people than any other action we take. It is not surprising, then, that tongue boasts of great power. Fighting the tongue fire requires a great deal of self-control. You can only control what you say if you have mastered self-control. Stop and think before you speak or react, know when silence is best, and give wise advice. This is the speech pattern of a self-controlled tongue. 

A man had an altercation with his wife. The woman let loose her tongue and called the man all kinds of name. At a point the man warned the wife to desist from insulting him or else he would machete her to death. Instead of holding back her word attack, she said to the man that three of him put together cannot try such attack on her. Then, the man attacked her with the machete and killed her instantly. The consequence of an uncontrolled tongue.

We are not fighting the tongue’s fire in our own strength. The Holy Spirit will give us increasing power to monitor and control what we say, so that when we are offended, the Spirit will remind us of God’s love, and we won’t react in a hateful manner. When we are criticized, the Spirit will heal the hurt and help us to not lash out. Even though we can achieve perfect control of our tongues, the Holy Spirit will help us learn self-control. 

Have you ever lied? Have you ever hurt someone’s feelings by your words or tone of voice? Are you bitter toward anyone? Do you become angry with those who strongly disagree with you? It is time we had a rethink, and learn self-control. Even as believers, we should bridle our tongues. The apostle James says, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceived his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” (James 1 vs 26.) No matter how spiritual we may think we are, we all could control our speech more effectively. 

Prayer: Abba Father, give the grace to control my tongue, that I may say the right things at the right times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

NEVER WEARY GOD WITH YOUR WORDS!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25, 2019.

SUBJECT : NEVER WEARY GOD WITH YOUR WORDS!

Memory verse: "You have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, “In what way have we wearied Him? In that you say, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delights in them,” or, “Where is the God of justice?” (Malachi 2 vs 17.)

READ: Malachi 3 vs 13 - 17:

3:13: “Your words have been harsh against Me,” says the LORD. “Yes you say, ‘What have we spoken so much against You?’

3:14: You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God; what profit is it that we kept His ordinance, and that we have walked as mourners before the LORD of hosts?
3:15: So now we call the proud blessed, for those who do wickedness are raised up; they even tempt God and go free.’”
3:16: Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them;  so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD, and who meditate on His name.
3:17: “They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son that serves him.”

INTIMATION:

What you say and what you don’t say are both important. To use proper speech you must not only say right words at the right time but also not say what you shouldn’t. God is Supreme and made all things, including you, according to His plans and purposes which is known to Him alone. The Creator has control over the created. The created, therefore, has no right to demand anything from its Creator—its very existence depends on Him. Keeping this perspective removes any temptation of speaking harsh words against God, or having any misgivings against Him in unpleasant life’s circumstances, especially when you are convinced you toed the right path, and put your trust in God. The Scripture says, “But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” (Romans 9 vs 20.) From birth to death, we are continually in God’s grip. 

It’s important to know the kind of God worship: He is sovereign; He alone knows the end from the beginning; He is not arbitrary; in all things He works for our good, and in accordance with His plans and purposes; He is trustworthy; He will save all who believe in Him; His thoughts for us is of good not of evil. When we understand these qualities of God, we know that His choices are good even if we don’t understand all His reasons: “For all things work together for good to those that love Him, to those who are the called for a purpose.” (Romans 8 vs 28) Never allow life’s circumstances to prompt you to speak harshly against God. Rather focus continually on God who controls circumstances. 

At times the wicked prospers, leaving the godly people wondering why they bother to be good and not prospering. Eventually, the wealth of the wicked looks so inviting that faithful people may wish they could trade places. But these two themes come to unexpected ends, for the wealth of the wicked suddenly loses its power at death, and the rewards for the godly suddenly take on eternal value. What seemed like wealth is now waste, and what seemed worthless now lasts forever. Don’t wish you could trade places with evil people to get their wealth. One day they will with they could trade places with you and have your eternal wealth. Look around you and observe the wealth of many whose source of wealth is questionable. After their death, the wealth usually develop wings and begin to fly away in the hands of their survivors.

As humans, our contradictory speech often puzzles us. At times our words are right and pleasing to God, but at other times they are harsh and faithless. Which of these speech patterns reflects our true identity? We were made in God’s image, but the tongue gives us a picture of our basic sinful nature. God works to change us from the inside out. When the Holy Spirit purifies a heart, He gives self-control so that the person will speak words that please God.

God will remember those who remain faithful to Him, and who love, fear, honor, and respect Him. God’s “jewel” are those faithful to Him. Jesus said, “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Matthew 11 vs 6.) Being offended in Him who made you, for His plan and purpose, is the most senseless thing anybody can do. You had no contributions of any sort in His work and therefore, no choices are available to you. Knowing that His counsel stands and He does His pleasure (Isaiah 46 vs 10) should inform us to resign completely to His leading, and never murmur against Him. 

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of complete obedience to You, that I may do Your will, humbly and wholeheartedly accept Your counsel and leading, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

WHAT IS YOUR WORTH BEFORE GOD?

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY OCTOBER 24, 2019.

SUBJECT : WHAT IS YOUR WORTH BEFORE GOD?

Memory verse: "Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (First Peter 2 vs 12.) 

READ: Matthew 5 vs 13 - 16:

5:13: You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? it is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and to be trampled underfoot by men.
5:14: You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hidden.
5:15: Nor do they light a lamp, and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
5:16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.

INTIMATION:

Salt is a seasoning that possesses the purifying, perpetuating, and antiseptic qualities. In the Lord’s teaching it is symbolic of that spiritual health and vigor essential to Christian value and counteractive of corruption that is in the world. Light is an electromagnetic radiation which makes vision possible. It illuminates. In Scriptures, it is emphasizes spiritual enlightenment; exposure to the truth. In darkness, light illuminates. In our Lord’s teaching, Christians are figuratively the salt and light of the world.

If a seasoning has no flavor, it is worthless. If Christians make no effort to affect the world around them, they are worth nothing before God. If we are too much like the world, we are worthless. Christians should not blend in with everyone else. Instead, we should affect others positively, just as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food. Jesus used salt to illustrate three qualities that should be found in His people; (1) We should remember God’s faithfulness, just as salt when used with a sacrifice recalled God’s covenant with His people (Leviticus 2 vs 13). (2) We should make a difference in the “flavor” of the world we live in, just as salt changes meal’s flavor. (3) We should counteract the moral decay in society, just as salt preserves food from decay. When we lose this desire to “salt” the earth with the love and message of God, we become useless to Him.

Salt can lose its flavor when it gets wet and then dries, nothing is left but a tasteless residue. Many Christians blend into the world and avoid the cost of standing up for Christ. But Jesus says if Christians lose their distinctive saltiness, they become worthless. Just as salt flavors and preserves food, we are to preserve the good in the world and bring new flavor to life. This requires careful planning, willing sacrifice, and unswerving commitment to Christ’s kingdom. But if a Christian fails to be “salty,” he or she fails to represent Christ in the world. How salty are you? 

Christians—Christ followers—as the light of the world, should illuminate the world they live in. If we live for Christ, we will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like. If Christians then fail to illuminate the world, they are worthless or valueless before the Lord. When they fail to live in accordance with Christian beliefs—being Christ-like, they hide their light. And they hide their by (1) being quiet when they should speak, (2) going along with the crowd, (3) denying the light—denying Christ, (4) letting sin dim their light, (5) not explaining their light to others, or (6) ignoring the needs of others. Christians ought to be a beacon of truth. They should not shut their light off from the rest of the world. 

The lives of Christians should be characterized by moral purity, patience, and peacefulness, so that they will “shine” as “lights” in a dark and depraved world. Their actions should be above reproach so much so that even hostile people will end up praising God. Those hostile people are in the habit of spreading vicious lies about Christians. Gracious, godly, and winsome behavior on the part of Christians could show these rumors to be false and might even win some of the unsaved critics to the Lord. A transformed life is an effective witness to the power of God’s Word. Are you shining brightly, or are you clouded by complaining and arguing? Don’t let dissensions snuff out your light. Shine out for God. Your role is to shine until Jesus returns and bathes the world in His radiant glory.

Many Christians today are hidden from sight, reluctant to be identified as Christians. Such a Christian is like a brand-new light that never leaves the carton it came in. If a lamp doesn’t help people see, it isn’t worth much. Does your life show people how to find God and how to live for Him? If not, ask what “basket” have hidden your light. Complacency, resentment, embarrassment, stubbornness of heart, or disobedience could keep you from shining. What do you need to do to let your light shine? Show Christ to the world by your life.

When the light of the truth about Jesus Christ illuminates us, we have the duty to shine that light to help others. Our witness for Christ should be public, not hidden. We should not keep the benefits for ourselves alone but pass them on to others. In order to be helpful, we need to be well placed. Seek opportunities to shine your light when unbelievers need help to see. 

Prayer: Abba Father, engrace me to be an effective witness, and ambassador of Christ in this world, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!