HELPING THE NEEDY!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2019.

SUBJECT : HELPING THE NEEDY! 

Memory verse: "He who gives to the poor will not lack, but He who hides his eyes will have many curses.” (Proverbs 28 vs 27.)

READ: Isaiah 58 vs 7 - 12: 

58:7: Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?
58:8: Then your light break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
58:9: Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shalt cry, and He will say, “Here I am.” “If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
58:10: If you extend your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then your light shall dawn in darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday.
58:11: The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
58:12: Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shalt be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.

INTIMATION:

God wants us to identify with the needy, not ignore them. The Scripture makes it clear that those who open their eyes to human need shall be blessed. The Scripture says, “There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.” (Proverbs 11 vs 24 - 25). These two verses present a paradox: We become richer by being generous. The world says to hold on to as much as possible, but this verse says God blesses those who give freely their possessions, time, and energy. Remember, “He who gives to the poor will not lack.”

When we give, God supplies us with more so that we can give more. In addition, giving helps us gain a right perspective on our possessions. We realize they were never really ours to begin with, but were given to us by God to be used to help others. What then do we gain by giving? Freedom from enslavement to our possessions, the joy of helping others, and God’s approval. Paul promises that God will supply all our needs (Philippians 4 vs 19); He usually does this through other people. What can you do today to help God supply someone’s need? 

In the passage we read today, God demands our personal involvement in caring for others’ needs. Anyone who does not help God’s people is God’s enemy (Obadiah 1 vs 10 - 11). If you have withheld your help from someone in a time of need, this is sin. The Scripture says, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to Him it is sin“ (James 4 vs 17). Sin includes not only what we do, but also what we refuse to do. Don’t ignore or refuse to help those in need. When a Christian brother or sister suffers, we all suffer (First Corinthians 12 vs 26). We should help needy believers, not exploit them. Make it a practice to help those in need around you. 

God promises that those who care for the needy will be restored and the power of a new life shall break forth from them speedily, their rightness or right relationship with God shall go before them and conducting them to peace and prosperity, and the glory of the Lord shall be their rear guard. God will hear and answer them when they call on Him, and when they cry to Him, He will say, “Here I am.” Their light shall rise in darkness, and their obscurity and gloom become like the noonday. They are assured of God’s guidance continually, and His satisfying their needs in drought, and they shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water that will never fail. Any ruins around them, no matter how old, will be rebuild, and they raise up foundation for new buildings. 

It is everyone’s responsibility to care for those less fortunate, and helping the poor is also an active part of religious life. God counts on believers to provide for the needy, and we should use what God has given us to aid those less fortunate. Look beyond your regular giving and think of ways to help the needy. This will help you show your regard for God as Creator of all people, share God’s goodness with others, and draw them to Him. It is a practical and essential way to make faith work in everyday life.

Many times we do nothing, not because we lack compassion, but because we are overwhelmed by the size of the problem and don’t know where to begin. God doesn’t expect you to eliminate poverty, nor does he expect you to neglect you family while providing for others. He does, however, expect that when you see an individual in need, you will reach out with whatever help you can offer, including hospitality. Some people are prejudiced against needy people or they cause them inconvenience. Instead of being annoyed, be aware of the opportunities that surround you, and make an effort to look for ways to minister to others. If your convictions don’t allow to help certain people, your convictions may not be in tune with God’s Word. It easy to ignore the poor or forget about those who have less than we do. But God desires generosity. 

Prayer: Abba Father, engrace me to extend helping hands to the needy according to the resources You have entrusted in my care, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

DESIRING TO BE RICH!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2019.

SUBJECT : DESIRING TO BE RICH!

Memory verse: "Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease!" (Proverbs 23 vs 4.) 

READ: First Timothy 6 vs 6 - 10:

6:6: Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

6:7: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

6:8: And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

6:9: But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drawn men in destruction and perdition.

6:10: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 

INTIMATION:

Having riches is being wealthy, having abundant resources. Desiring riches is having lust, passion or strong wish for it. The apostle Paul notes that such desire is ungodly and makes many to do all that is possible to obtain riches. In so doing, they fall into various temptations, and snares, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which consequently, draw them into destruction and perdition. Some people are so obsessed with money that they will change their God-given standards and lifestyle to get it. If money is a controlling force in your life, it must be curbed, or it will harm you, others and destroy your relationship with God. 

To many people money represents their pride of accomplishment and self-effort. Ironically, their attitude made them unable to keep the first commandment, to let nothing be more important than God (Exodus 20 vs 3). We have heard about people involving themselves in all kinds of evil; defrauding other people in various ways, their employers, their government, killing fellow humans, even their parents, for rituals, in their desire to get riches. Eventually, when the reality of the temporary nature of their sojourn on earth, as well as their riches, dawn on them, they are sorrowful; “piercing themselves through with many sorrows.” 

The apostle James clearly describes their situation, “But the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; it’s flowers falls, and it’s beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.” (James 1 vs 10 - 11.) Prophet Jeremiah further describes them, “As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, so is he who gets riches, but not by right; it will leave him in the midst of his days, and at his end he will be a fool.” (Jeremiah 17 vs 11.)

Riches mean nothing to God because when He calls us home, we take nothing along with us. The only we present to Him as our true wealth is our relationship with our Him, not our financial assets. God is only interested in what is lasting (our souls), not in what is temporary (our riches). The Scripture in Ecclesiastes 5 vs 15 says: “As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came; and he shall take nothing from his labor which he may carry away in his hand.” What we have in our hearts, not our bank accounts or possessions, matter to God and endure for eternity. 

Often the desire for more or better possessions is really a longing to fill an empty place in a person’s life. Being godly and contented with what you have is great gain because it is the key to spiritual growth and personal fulfillment, that is, honoring God and centering our desires on Him. How then do we honor God and center our desires on Him? Jesus gave the key in Matthew 6 vs 33; “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” 

To “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” means to put God first in your life, to fill your thoughts with His desires, to take His character for your pattern, and to serve and obey Him in everything. Such persons God will honor and add all that the world is running after. The Bible tells us: “By humility and fear of the LORD are riches, and honor and life” (Proverbs 22 vs 4). “Riches and honor are with Me, enduring riches and righteousness” (Proverbs 8 vs 18). The choice is yours.

Prayer: Abba Father, in You I will put my trust. Help me Lord, to lead a life of steadfast pursuit of Your kingdom and its righteousness, trusting You to add to me all other things that are pleasing to You, in Jesus Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

CAN WE BE PERFECT?

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2019.

SUBJECT : CAN WE BE PERFECT?

Memory verse: "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5 vs 48.)

READ: First John 3 vs 2 - 3: 

3:2: Beloved, now we are the children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.
3:3: And Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

INTIMATION:

Being perfect signifies wholeness and completeness; the highest level of maturity or morality. In the Scriptures, the word perfect means “mature or complete,” not “flawless.” The Apostle Paul wanted to see each believer mature spiritually. Like Paul, we must work wholeheartedly like an athlete, but we should not strive in our own strength alone. We have the power of God’s Spirit working in us. We can learn and grow daily, motivated by love and not fear or pride, knowing that God gives the energy to become mature. We can be perfect if our behavior is appropriate for our maturity level—perfect, yet with much room to grow. 

The Christian life is a process of becoming more and more like Christ (see Romans 8 vs 29). This process will not be complete until we see Christ face-to-face (First Corinthians 13 vs 12; Philippians 3 vs 21), but knowing that it is our ultimate destiny should motivate us to purify ourselves. To purify means to keep morally straight, free from the corruption of sin. God also purifies us, but there is action we must take to remain morally fit (see Timothy 5 vs 22; James 4 vs 8; First Peter 1 vs 22).

Our tendency to sin must never deter us from striving to be more like Christ. Christ calls all of His disciples to excel, to rise above mediocrity, and to mature in every area, becoming like Him. Those who strive to become perfect will one day be perfect, even as Christ is perfect. All phrases in perfection is grounded in our faith in Christ and what He has done, not what we can do for Him. We cannot perfect ourselves, only God can work in and through us. “He who has begun a good work in You will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1 vs 6.)

How can we be perfect? (1) In character: In this life we cannot be flawless, but we aspire to be as much like Christ as possible. (2) In holiness: Like the Pharisees, we are to separate ourselves from the world’s sinful values. But unlike the Pharisees we are to be devoted to God’s desires rather than our own and carry His love and mercy into the world. (3) In maturity: We can’t achieve Christlike character and holy living all at once, but we must grow toward maturity and wholeness. Just as we expect different behavior from a baby, a child, a teenager, and an adult, so God expects different behavior from us, depending on our stages of spiritual development. (4) In Love: We can seek to love others as completely as God loves us. 

Jesus is portrayed as haven lived a perfect life according to God’s plan. As a child, He was obedient to His parents and amazed the religious leaders in the temple. As an adult, He served God and others through preaching and healing, and finally as a condemned man, He suffered without complaint.

There are three stages of perfection for a child of God: (1) Perfect Relationship; We are perfect because of our eternal union with the infinitely perfect Christ. When we become His children, we are declared “not guilty” and thus righteous because of what Christ, God’s beloved Son, has done for us. The perfection is absolute and unchangeable, and it is this perfect relationship that guarantees that we will one day be “completely perfect” 

(2) Perfect Progress: We can grow and mature spiritually as we continue to trust Christ, learn more about Him, draw closer to Him, and obey Him. Our progress is changeable (in contrast to our relationships, above) because it depends on our daily walk—at times in life we mature more than at other times. But we are growing toward perfection if we “press on.” Our good deeds do not perfect us; rather, as God perfects us, we do good deeds for Him (See Philippians 3 vs 1 - 15.)

(3) Completely Perfect: When Christ returns to take us into His eternal kingdom, we will be glorified and made completely perfect (See Philippians 3 vs 20 - 21).

Prayer: Abba Father, my trust is You for I know that without You I can do nothing, and by my strength I cannot prevail. I am persuaded that You who have started the good work in me will perfect it, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE PRINCIPLES OF GIVING!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 17, 2019.

SUBJECT : THE PRINCIPLES OF GIVING!

Memory verse: "So let each one give as He purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (Second Corinthians 9 vs 7.)

READ: Second Corinthians 8 vs 10 - 15: 

8:10: And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago;
8:11: but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of that what you have.
8:12: For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
8:13: For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened:
8:14: but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality.
8:15: As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

INTIMATION:

Giving is an act of bestowing, providing, offering, conveying, granting, or designating. It is an act of worship—serving God and others with what He has blessed you with—in obedience to God. The grace of giving is what every believer should desire greatly to excel in because it is the greatest grace  that God can bestow on us. God demonstrated in Himself the greatness of this grace when He gave us His Son as a propitiation for our sins (John 3 vs 16). Too often, stewardship of money is given a different status than other aspects of discipleship. Most believers would not want growth in faith, knowledge, or love to stop at a certain level. Yet many decide a fixed percentage of their money to give and stay there for life. True discipleship includes growing in the mature use of all resources, so giving should expand as well. 

In the passage we read today, the apostle Paul urged the believers in the Corinthian rich church to give to the Jerusalem church according to their earlier plan a year ago (see First Corinthians 9 vs 2). He enumerated the principles of giving in his message to the church. They are (1) Your willingness to give enthusiastically is more important than the amount you give—a giving attitude is more important than the amount given; (2) you should give according to your financial ability—make up your mind on how much to give in proportion to how much God has given you; (3) you should strive to fulfill your financial commitments, ensuring we follow through on previous promises; (4) if you give to others in need, they will, in turn, help you when you are in need; (5); you should give as a response to Christ, not for anything you can get out of it; (6) you should give cheerfully out of a willing heart. God Himself is a cheerful giver. Consider all He has done for us. He is pleased when we who are created in His image give generously and joyfully. Having a difficult time letting your money go reflects your ungratefulness to God. How you give reflects your devotion to Christ. 

God gives us so that we can give to others; we should give of what we have, not what we don’t have. There is a “sacrificial giving” and it must be responsible. So many people will give sacrificially in order to reap according to their giving. Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. Your giving should be out of response to God, not giving out of what you expect to get out of it. There is a true life story of a young man who paid his tithes and offerings to a church with the expectations to reap financial harvest in the near future, and when his expectations didn’t come through he went back to the church and demanded a refund of all he has paid in tiths and offerings.

Though we are encouraged to give generously out of love for God, but not to the extent that those who depend on the givers (their families, for example) must go without having their basic needs met. Give until it hurts, but don’t give so that it hurts your family and/or relatives who need your financial support. 

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace to serve You and others with the resources You my put in my care, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

BE PERSISTENT IN SEEKING GOD!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2019.

SUBJECT : BE PERSISTENT IN SEEKING GOD!

Memory verse: "Seek the LORD and His strength, seek His face continually.” (First Chronicles 16 vs 11.)

READ: Hebrews 3 vs 14; 11 vs 6: 

3:14: For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.

11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

INTIMATION:

To persist is to persevere, stand firm, insist, or continue. The Christian life was never promised as an easy way to live; instead, the Scripture constantly reminds us that we must stand firm or persevere in our follower-ship to the end. To believe in Jesus “to the end” will take perseverance because our faith will be challenged and opposed. Several trials will sift true Christians from fair-weather believers. Enduring to the end does not earn salvation for us but marks us as already saved. We must have a purpose and a plan to persist because times will be difficult and Satan will attack. The assurance of our salvation will keep us strong in times of persecution.

Jesus tells us to persist in pursuing God. People often give up after a few halfhearted efforts and conclude that God cannot be found. But knowing God takes faith, focus, and follow-through, and Jesus assures us that we will be rewarded. But we never persevere without the promise of a prize—a promise God will keep. Don’t give up in your efforts to seek God. Continue to ask Him for more knowledge, patience, wisdom, love, and understanding. He will give them to you. Because Christ lives in us as believers, we can remain confident and hopeful to the end. We are not saved by being steadfast and firm in our faith, but our confidence and hope do reveal that our faith is real. Without this enduring faithfulness, we could easily be blown away by the winds of temptation, false teaching, or persecution. 

We persist when we run the Christian race with a purpose; having in mind to run for the prize set before us, and running straight for the goal. We can achieve this by:

(1) Disciplining our bodies, and training it to sustain and even improve on the discipline. The Scripture says, “Do you not know that those who run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who that competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (First Corinthians 9 vs 24 - 27.)

(2) We will not being weary in doing good, and for everyone, and not giving up. You do this to please the Spirit of God indwelling you. The Scripture says, “And let us not be weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith (see Galatians 6 vs 9 - 10). 

(3) You put on the full armor of God, and praying in all occasions; using all the pieces of God’s armor to resist the enemy. This helps you to take a stand against the devil’s schemes. In the Christian life we battle against “principalities” and “powers” (the powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by the devil, who is a vicious fighter. To withstand their attacks, you must depend on God’s strength and use every piece of His armor (see Ephesians 6 vs 10 - 20.)

(4) You keep pressing on toward the day when you will be all God wants you to be; forgetting the past; straining toward what is ahead—the heavenly prize for which God called you heavenward. Our goal is to know Christ, to be like Christ, and to be all Christ has in mind for us. We should not let anything take our eyes off our goal—knowing Christ. With the single-mindedness of an athlete in training, we must lay aside everything harmful and forsake anything that may distract us from being effective Christians (see Philippians 3 vs 12 - 14).

(5) You should entrust the great truths of Christ to people who are able to pass them on to others. And also being strong in Christ’s grace, even when your faith is faltering. You should endure hardship like a soldier, and don’t get involved in worldly affairs. Follow the Lord’s rules, as an athlete must do in order to win. Work hard, like a farmer who tends His crops for the harvest. At the end you will live with Christ; you will reign with Him. He remains faithful. (Second Timothy 2 vs 1 - 13.)

Our hearts turn away from the living God when we stubbornly refuse to believe Him. If we persist in our unbelief, God will eventually leave us alone in our sin. But God can give us new hearts, new desires, and new spirits (Ezekiel 36 vs 22 - 27). To prevent having an unbelieving heart, stay in fellowship with other believers, talk daily about your mutual faith, be aware of the deceitfulness of sin (it attracts but also destroys), and encourage each other with love and concern.

Prayer: Abba Father, my absolute faith is in You. Give me the grace to follow You to the end, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE CURE OF PRIDE!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2019.

SUBJECT : THE CURE OF PRIDE!

Memory verse: "A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor." 

(Proverbs 29 vs 23.)

READ: Proverbs 16 vs 18; 18 vs 12; Jeremiah 49 vs 16: 

Proverbs 16:18: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

18:12: Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility.

Jeremiah 49:16: Your fierceness has deceived you, the pride of your heart, O you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, who hold the height of the hill! Though you make your nest as high as the eagle, I will bring you down from there,“ says the Lord.

INTIMATION:

Pride is an inordinate self-esteem or conceit. It is having a high opinion or high regard of oneself, that culminates into arrogance, pompousness, haughtiness. It often results into disdainful treatment of others. Pride deludes us into thinking that we can take care of ourselves without God’s help. Pride is destructive, and it heads the list of seven things God hates (see Proverbs 6 vs 16 - 17). Pride leads to disgrace (Proverbs 11 vs 2), produces quarrels (Proverbs 13 vs 10), leads to punishment (Proverbs 16 vs 5), leads to destruction (Proverbs 16 vs 18), ends in downfall (Proverbs 18 vs 12), and brings one low (Proverbs 29 vs 23).

The cure of pride is a humble spirit. Being humble is not to think of yourself too highly. It is to bring oneself low; it can imply lower social or economic status. It is being meek or gentle. Humility means proper respect for God, not self-depreciation, rather it is realistic self-assessment; understanding your limitations, and realizing your sinfulness. Truly humble people compare themselves only with Christ, recognizing their gifts and strength and are willing to use them, as Christ directs, to serve. The harmful results of pride are constantly contrasted with humility and its benefits.

Humble people always review their plans, thoughts, and actions, comparing them with what Christ would have done in the same circumstances. Healthy self-evaluation is important, and the key to an honest and accurate self-evaluation is knowing the basis of our self-worth, comparing our thoughts and actions with Christ's standards. Humble people are not wise in their own opinion. They guard against pride, and are willing to admit their mistakes, and be open to godly advice of others, and ask for help when needed. 

Perhaps, the account of the Scripture that illustrates the consequences of pride and humility more vividly is God's humiliation of King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4 vs 28 - 33. King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which was interpreted to him by prophet Daniel. But he refused to do what the LORD commanded him to do within the twelve months probationary period, and God's wrath was unleashed upon him according to his dream. 

The Scripture says, "All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king spoke, saying, "Is not this great Babylon, that I built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?" While the word was still in the king's mouth, a voice fell from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses." That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from the men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagle's feathers and his nails like bird's claws." (Daniel 4 vs 28 - 33.)  

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of humility that is in Christ; to think lowly of myself, and be meek and gentle, ready to serve You and others, even with the talents You deposited in me, in Jesus' Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

SACRIFICE YOURSELF TO GOD!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2019.

SUBJECT: SACRIFICE YOURSELF TO GOD! 

Memory verse: ""Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10 vs 22.)

READ: Romans 12 vs 1 - 2:

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.

12:2: And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

INTIMATION:

God desires our obedience from the heart, hence the apostle Paul urges believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices—daily laying aside our own desires to follow Him, putting all our energy and resources at His disposal and trusting Him to guide us. That obedient heart of worship is a true heart toward God with full assurance and conviction in Him. It is the heart of total surrender to God. To surrender means to yield. Many people have always viewed the act of surrendering as being intimidated to submission, implying losing, and no one wants to be a loser. The word is almost always used in a negative context. But surrendering to God is yielding to Him, and this is the heart of worship. It is the natural response to God's amazing love and mercy. We give ourselves to Him, not out of fear or duty, but in love, "because He first loved us." (See First John 4 vs 9 - 10; 19).

After spending eleven chapters of the Book of Romans explaining God's incredible grace to us, the apostle Paul urges us to fully sacrifice our lives to God in worship.  True worship—bringing God pleasure—happens when you give yourself completely to God. Offering yourself to God is what worship is all about. God has good, acceptable, and perfect plans for his children. He wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds to honor and obey Him. Because He only wants what is best for us, and because He gave His Son to make our new lives possible we should joyfully give ourselves as living sacrifice for His service.

This act of “living sacrifice” or “personal surrender” is called many things: consecration, making Jesus your Lord, taking up your cross, dying to self, yielding to the Spirit. What matters is that you do it, not what you call it. God wants your life—all of it, ninety nine percent is not enough, but all. There are three identified barriers that block our total surrender to God: fear, pride, and confusion. These barriers make us not to realize how much God loves us, consequently, we want to control our own lives, and misunderstand the meaning of surrender. 

To sacrifice your life to God is not always easy or comfortable. Often it means great cost and sacrifice, with no earthly rewards or security. For instance, Jesus didn’t have a place to call home. You may find that following God costs you popularity, friendship, leisure time, or treasured habits. But while the cost of following God is high, the value of being His disciple is even higher. Discipleship is an investment that lasts for eternity and yields incredible rewards. We should be willing to give up anything if God asks us to do so. This kind of attitude allows nothing come between us and God and keeps us from using our God-given wealth selfishly. 

Let us not lose sight of the end result of all our humility and self-sacrifice—a joyous banquet with our Lord! God never asks us to suffer for the sake of suffering. He never asks us to give up something good unless He plans to replace it with something even better. Jesus is not calling us to join  Him to a labor camp but in a feast—the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19 vs 6 - 9), when God and His beloved church will be joined forever.

Prayer: Abba Father, Yours I am, and Yours I want to be, use me as is pleasing to You, in Jesus’ Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!