TRUE GREATNESS COMES FROM SERVING!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY DECEMBER 30, 2019.

SUBJECT: TRUE GREATNESS COMES FROM SERVING!

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 said 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:

Serving is the act of providing or offering; it is a process of attending to, or meeting the need of, and subject one's will to that of another in work, labor, function, or role. A person who engages in a service is called a servant. Christlike or Christian attitude in service is such that lays aside rights in order to serve others. 

Serving is the key that opens the door of true greatness. In our memory verse, Jesus stated that the one who serve others is the greatest among them. To Him, true greatness comes from serving—giving yourself to serve God and others. Businesses, organizations, and institutions measure greatness by personal achievement. In God’s kingdom, however, serving is the way to get ahead. Rather than seeking to have your needs met, look for ways that you can minister to the needs of others. 

Serving keeps us aware of others' needs, and it stops us from focusing only on ourselves. Jesus, the greatest man, came as a servant. Believers should be selfless rather than self-centered in our service to God and to man. Instead of expecting God to serve us, we are to serve Him for who He is, not for what we get from Him.

When you serve others, even in carrying out ordinary tasks, you are serving God. And because ultimately we serve God, every service has dignity. For instance, in First Samuel 2 vs 11 the Bible says; "But the child ministered to the Lord before Eli the priest." In other words, Samuel was Eli's helper, or assistant, in his priestly duties—service to God, and the Scripture recognized him as a minister to God, therefore, he was God's helper too, though he was an assistant to Eli.

Jesus, the greatest man ever, came as a servant, and challenged society’s norms. To Him, greatness comes from serving—giving of yourself to help God and others. Serving keeps us aware of others’ need, and it stops us from focusing only on ourselves. When we give our lives in service to Christ, we discover the real purpose of living. Real discipleship implies real commitment—pledging our whole existence to His service. In Matthew 16 vs 24, Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let Him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me...” “And He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10 vs 38).

To take up our cross and follow Jesus means to totally commit ourselves to His service, identifying with Him publicly, and acknowledging our readiness to experience certain opposition, and to be willing to face even suffering and death for His sake. God should be our first priority. Jesus calls us to a higher mission than to find comfort and tranquility in this life. The apostle Peter was regarded as the head of the apostles by Jesus, hence His challenging him to tend His sheep, handing over to him at His departure from the earth; and extracting real commitment in follower-ship, and discipleship from him:

“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah,  do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes Lord, You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said Again the second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me ?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to Him the third time, “Simon, the son of Jonah, do you love Me?” ....And He said to Him, “Lord You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.” (John 21 vs 15 - 17.)

It was in the same manner that the apostle Peter instructed elders in the early church, and even in the churches today, extracting total commitment from them: “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Sheppard the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lord’s over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” (First Peter 5 vs 1 - 4.)

Our care for others is a measure of our greatness. How much concern do you show for others? This is a vital question that can accurately measure your greatness in God’s eyes. How have you expressed your care for others lately, especially the helpless, the needy, the poor—those who can’t return your love and concern? Your honest answer to that question will give you a good idea of your real greatness.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of servanthood, that I may serve You, and others selflessly, and when the Chief Shepherd appears, I will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

TRYING YOURSELF VERSUS TRUSTING IN GOD!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY DECEMBER 29, 2019.

SUBJECT: TRYING YOURSELF VERSUS TRUSTING IN GOD! 

Memory verse: 

"

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18 vs 2.)

READ: Proverbs 3 vs 5 - 8; Jeremiah 17 vs 5 - 8:

Proverbs 3:5: Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
3:6: In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
3:7: Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil.
3:8: It shall be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.

Jeremiah 17:5: Thus says the LORD, “Cursed is 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 which is not inhabited.
17:7: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.
17:8: For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes, but its leaf will be green; and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.

INTIMATION:

To “try,” in the context of my discussion, is to make efforts in achieving the desired objective. Surprisingly “try” is not used in the Bible to denote making effort. The only way "try" is used in the Bible is in the sense of putting someone or something to the test. The Bible speaks of the "trying of our faith." (James 1 vs 3) We are told not to believe everything that we hear, but to "try the spirits." (First John 4 vs 1) The psalmist says, "Try me O Lord, and know my thoughts." (Psalm 139 vs 23) The Bible also talks about fiery trials which will "try" us. (First Peter 4 vs 12.) 

In the spiritual sense, then, the word 'try' refers to a test or trial to determine the value and worth of a person or thing, and not as an effort to achieve—in referring to human effort. The Bible didn't speak of "trying" as our attempting to achieve or accomplish by our own means or ability. This is not to say we should never make effort to achieve or accomplish anything in life. Far from it. 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." (John 15 vs 5)

The attitude of leaning completely on God is "trusting" in Him. Trusting is described as; worthiness of being relied on; a resting on the integrity, friendship, etc of another; faith; hope; confidence in the truth of anything, especially in this case God. For instance, our memory verse is David’s declaration of what God is to him. 

We should not trust in ourselves but in God (Second Corinthians 1 vs 9). The Bible speaks of "Trust in God" more than 45 times. Therefore, there is no gain saying the fact that trusting in the Lord is key. 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. As a believer, learn to exchange try with trust. 

In the passage we read in Jeremiah, two kinds of people are contrasted here: those who trust in human beings or human efforts, and those who trust in the Lord. Those who trust in human efforts are barren and unfruitful. In contrast, those who trust in the Lord flourish like trees planted along a riverbank (see Psalm 1). 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 own needs, but even for the needs of others. 

God knows what is best for us. He is a better judge of what we want than we are! We must trust Him completely in every choice we make. We should not omit careful thinking or belittle our God-given ability to reason; but we should not trust our own ideas to the exclusion of all others. We must not be wise in our own eyes. We should always be willing to listen to and be corrected by God’s Word and wise counselors. Bring your decisions to God in prayer; use the Bible as your guide, and then follow God’s leading.

To receive God’s guidance we must acknowledge God in all we do. Jesus emphasized this same truth when He said in Matthew 6 vs 33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Look at your values and priorities. What is important to you? Where is God On that list? What is His advice? Make Him a vital part of everything you do, then He will guide you because you will be working to accomplish His purposes.

Prayer: Abba Father, in You I live, and move, and have my being. Forever my trust is in You, O Most High, and nothing will ever come before You in my life, in Jesus’ Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE LAW VERSUS THE GRACE OF GOD!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY DECEMBER 28, 2019.

SUBJECT: THE LAW VERSUS THE GRACE OF GOD! 

Memory verse: 

"

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by the faith in Christ and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

"

 (Galatians 2 vs 16.)

READ: Galatians 3 vs 10 - 13:

3:10: For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, “Cursed is every one who does not that continue in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them

.”

3:11: But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God, is evident, for, “The just shall live by faith.”
3:12: Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man that does them shall live by them.”
3:13: Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)

INTIMATION:

Law is defined  as a binding decree; a universal principle; governing authority; rule of action established. God gave the Israelites His governing laws through Moses. These laws, and governing principles, and associated blessings, and curses,  are enumerated in the Book of Deuteronomy chapters 5 to 28. However, the study of Romans chapters 2 & 3 teach us that God gave the Old Testament law so man would try to keep it, find out he couldn't, and realize his desperate need for a Savior.

In the passage we read today, the apostle Paul quoted Deuteronomy 27 vs 26, to prove that, contrary to what Judaizers claimed, the law cannot justify and save—it can only condemn. Breaking even one commandment brings a person under condemnation. And because everyone has broken the commandments, everyone stands condemned. The law can do nothing to reverse the condemnation (Romans 3 vs 20 - 24). But Christ took the curse of the law upon Himself when He hung on the cross. He did this so we wouldn’t have to bear our own punishment. The only condition is that we accept Christ’s death on our behalf as the means to be saved (Colossians 1 vs 20 - 23).

Our problem mostly is our trying to observe, and keep the law by our human efforts. In so doing we are unconsciously putting ourselves under the curse of the law. We take the good thing of the Word of God and make a law out of it. We see all that are in the Word as something we have to accomplish rather than seeing them as promises God would fulfill in us as we trusted Him and waited for His victory. 

Any time we put ourselves under the law, we are setting ourselves up for misery, and frustration. This is because the law has the ability to do one of two things: If we follow it properly, it can make us holy. But since no human being can do that, the second thing the law can do is to actually increase sin, which leads to destruction, and hence our desperate need for a Savior. 

How does that happen? We hear or read the law and conclude, "If I don't follow the law, I am going to lose my salvation" or "God won't love me if I don't behave properly, He won't love me if I am not good." We then begin to look at the Word totally opposite from the way God wants us to see it. All He wants us to do is to face the truth and say, "Yes, Lord, You're absolutely right. I need to do that. I need to change, but I can't change myself. Your Word is truth, and my life is not matching up to it. Your Word has become a mirror to me. In it I can see that I am wrong in this area, and I am sorry. I ask You to forgive me and change me by Your power and Your grace."

Most believers don't know how to do that. They don't know anything about the power of God and the grace of God. All they do is trying—trying to be good, trying to do everything that the Word said that should be done, trying to submit, trying to be more generous, trying to be holy, trying to operate in the fruit of the Spirit, trying to pray more, trying to read the Bible more, trying to understand the Bible more when we did read it, trying to be a better person, on and on.

Trying to be right with God by our own effort doesn’t work. Good intentions such as “I will do better next time” or “ I will never do that again” usually end in failure. The apostle Paul points to Habakkuk’s declaration, “...The just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2 vs 4), that by trusting God—believing in His provision for our sins and living each day in His power—we can break this cycle of failure. 

According to Galatians 3 vs 10, we are frustrated—disappointed and actually being destroyed—because we were trying to live by a law that was totally impossible for us to keep, trying to obtain a goal and fulfill a desire that was beyond our ability.It is a vicious cycle, one that can be broken only by a proper understanding of the grace of God which is our only remedy.

Though the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good (Romans 7 vs 12), it can never make us acceptable to God. But it still has an important role to play in the life of a Christian. The law (1) guards us from sin by giving us standards for behavior, (2) convicts us of sin, leaving us that opportunity to ask God’s forgiveness, and (3) drives us to trust in the sufficiency of Christ, because we can never keep the Ten Commandments perfectly. The law cannot possibly save us. But after we become Christians, it can guide us to live as God requires.

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace to live according to Your precepts for by my strength I cannot prevail, and without You I can do nothing, in Jesus’ Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

UNDERSTANDING THE GRACE OF GOD!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY DECEMBER 27, 2019.

SUBJECT: UNDERSTANDING THE GRACE OF GOD! 

Memory verse: 

"

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me

."

 (First Corinthians 15 vs 10.)

READ: Ephesians 2 vs 4 - 10:

2:4: But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
2:5: even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive 

together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

2:6: and raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
2:7: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
2:8: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, 
2:9: not of works, lest anyone should boast.

2:10: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared 

beforehand that we should walk in them.

INTIMATION:

The dictionary definition of grace is; beauty, kindness, good-will, mercy, reprieve, and pardon. God's grace will then be His beauty; kindness; good-will; mercy; reprieve; and pardon for sinful humanity. These attributes of God are freely, and undeservedly given to sinful humanity. Grace therefore, is the free, and unmerited power of God available to sinful humanity to meet our needs without any costs to us. it is received by believing rather than through any human efforts. The simple and uncomplicated nature of God's grace, and being a free gift, make many people to miss it. 

There is nothing more powerful than grace. In fact, everything in the Bible—salvation, the infilling of the Holy Spirit, fellowship with God and victory in our daily lives are all based upon the grace of God. Without grace, we are nothing, we have nothing, and can do nothing. In fact, we would all be miserable and hopeless. Everything we are and do and have is by the grace of God. W

e are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which He prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. We become Christians through God’s unmerited grace, not as a result of any effort, quality, intelligent choice, or act of service on our part. 

The writer of Hebrews tells us that our works were prepared for us by God and finished from the foundation of the world (Hebrews 4 vs 3).

Revelation and understanding of the grace of God starts with the understanding the Word of God. The Word of God could be frustrating when we try to work the Word rather than the Word work in us. The most frustrating aspect of the Word of God is that it keeps convicting most believers. Incidentally this is what the Word should do to us. But how do we take and handle the conviction?

As the Word would convict us of our wrong doings, we turn completely to our Lord for the grace to change. The devil would take that thing (conviction) that was intended for our good and would begin to beat us over the head with it as condemnation. We would look in the Word and see our need to change, but we didn't know anything about the grace of God to bring about that change in us. We don't know how to allow the Spirit of the Lord come into our lives and cause the things to happen that needed to happen as we believed Him and exercised our faith. We thought we have to do it all by our own power.

The problem here is that most believers don't understand the difference between conviction and condemnation. When the Word convicts you in one thing or the other (which it ought to do), turn to God completely to accomplish the change you desire through His grace (unmerited favor). Do not get frustrated when the devil will come to minister condemnation (which it ought to) because it is his mission is (John 10 vs 10). We cannot suffer condemnation because Jesus Christ has already justified us as believers: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8 vs 1.)

When you try to change yourself; trying to make yourself be everything the Word said you are supposed to be, you get frustrated because you cannot do it by your will power, but only by the grace of God. You have to submit yourself to the Lord and wait patiently on Him to accomplish all He planned for you. Trying to do something about something you can't do anything about is frustrating. It takes the grace of God to change to what the Word wants you to be. It is not automatic but gradual; being changed from glory to glory (Second Corinthians 3 vs 18). When convicted by the Word, allow God (trust and surrender yourself to Him) to walk His perfect Will in your life.

The psalmist in Psalm 139 vs 13 - 16 clearly states in those verses that God chose us and laid out our life work for us before we were born, before the world was even created. That is why we must not trust our own abilities, and initiatives because cut off from vital union with Him we can do nothing (John 15 vs 5).

We should start each day by saying, "Here I am, Lord, ready for whatever You have for me to do. I empty myself, as much as I know how, to allow Your grace to flow in my life, to cause me to be able to do whatever it is that You desire for me. I cast myself totally upon You. I can be only what You allow me to be, I can have only what You will for me to have, I can do only what You empower me to do, and each victory is to Your glory, not mine."

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for Your manifold gift of grace to me. In You I live, and move, and have my being. Engrace me to have only what You will for me to have, I can do only what You empower me to do, and each victory is to Your glory, not mine," in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

SOME PROBLEMS ARE ORDAINED FOR YOUR LIFTING!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY DECEMBER 26, 2019.

SUBJECT: 

SOME PROBLEMS ARE ORDAINED FOR YOUR LIFTING

! 

Memory verse: 

"Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the day's fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them."

 (Psalm 139 vs 16.)

READ: Romans 8 vs 28 - 30:

8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called to His purpose.

8:29: For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

8:30: Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

INTIMATION:

God customizes some of our problems so that we can fulfill the purpose for which we are created. They are stepping stones, and ordained platform en-route to our divine destiny. God knows you and your potentials. The cross you carry was tailor-made by the carpenter's Son.

A case-study of Joseph the son of Jacob, makes the concept very clear. He was a favorite son to his father, and envied by his brothers, a favorite servant in Potiphar's house, a favorite prisoner to the warden and other prisoners, a favorite interpreter of dreams, and a favorite lieutenant to King Pharaoh. And after many years, he became the favorite even to his ten brothers who were envious of him.

He was pre-ordained by God to be the savior of his people, God's own chosen people. God was with him in all his travails. So many problems were lined up en-route to his destined purpose; he was betrayed and deserted by his brothers; he was exposed to sexual temptation; suffered false accusation, and punished for doing the right thing; he endured a long imprisonment and was forgotten by those he helped. 

Joseph didn't plan to be in the bottom of a pit after he recounted his God-given dream to his loved ones, but he was. He did not foresee his brothers selling him into slavery, but they did. God had destined him for great things, but people and problems got in the way, apparently fashioned to get him his promise and provision. 

Joseph was faithful in the problems. He maintained his character and integrity while enduring the problem. He was patient throughout the duration of the problem. He did not complain while facing ridicule, rejection, envy, and jealousy. He held to his dream in the midst of lies, false accusations, and prison. Through it all, God showed favor to Joseph until the provision came.

Joseph had the vision, and interpreted the purpose of his problem. He said:-

"But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.......And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God......But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." (Genesis 45 vs 5; 7 - 8; 50 vs 20.)

Even though Joseph spent years in the problem, he never stopped listening to the voice of God. He remained faithful to God, and God remained faithful to him, leading him to the divine purpose for which he was created.

Are you in the middle of a severe problem? Have you gone through your spiritual checklist to make sure that you are not the cause of the problem? Do you find it difficult to find the purpose of the predicament you are in? Look for the promise in God's Word. Hold to that promise. It is given to you by your Father in heaven, who is faithful to fulfill it. All of the provisions God offers in the pantry of heaven are available to the child of God who is faithfully stands on His promises.

Prayer: Abba Father, though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of my hands fail, and there is no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd In the stalls, yet I will rejoice, and joy in You my God. Forever You are my Lord, in Jesus’ Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD! 

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRISTMAS!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 25, 2019.

SUBJECT : THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRISTMAS! 

Memory verse: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

" 

(Luke 2 vs 11.)

READ: Isaiah 9 vs 6 - 7:

9:6: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

9:7: Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

INTIMATION:

Christmas is an annual festival in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe is the Son of God, and holds on 25th December—Christmas Day. The name Christmas comes from the Mass of Christ. A Mass service (which is sometimes called Communion or Eucharist) is where Christians remember that Jesus died for us and then came back to life. It’s also the season at which the celebration occurs. Christmas is a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His great love for us (John 3 vs 16). God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born, and to die for the sins of the whole world.

Jesus means “the Lord saves.” Jesus came to earth to save us because we can’t save ourselves from sin and its consequences. No matter how good we are, we can’t eliminate the sinful nature present in all of us. Only Jesus can do that. Jesus didn’t come to help people save themselves; He came to be their Savior from the power and penalty of sin. Jesus would fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah, for He would be Immanuel (“God with us,” see Isaiah 7 vs 14). Jesus was God in the flesh; thus, God was literally among us, “with us.” Through the Holy Spirit, Christ is present today in the life of every believer. 

In Jesus, the infinite, unlimited God took on the limitations of humanity so He could live and die for the salvation of all who would believe in Him. His story is one of truth, love, and hope—it brought salvation to all of us. The fall of man in the book of Genesis is the foundation of Christmas. The fall of man into sin at the Garden of Eden necessitated the need for a Savior to be born to deliver the world from sin. The bad news of Adam’s sin was punishable by death (Genesis 2 vs 17). 

Through the sins of Adam and Eve, we have all inherited that sin nature. We need to have that removed. The only way is through Jesus. Jesus came so He could die on the cross for all of our sins. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we can ask Him to come into our hearts and forgive us. Then, we are clean and made whole. The Scripture says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (First John 1 vs 9.)

Jesus came to the world to restore the dignity of man that was lost to Satan through Adam’s treason at the Garden of Eden. God sent His only Son to die for us so that we could be spared from the eternal death we deserve and instead receive eternal life (John 3 vs 16.) Because Jesus lived as a man, we know that He fully understands our experiences and struggles (Hebrews 4 vs 15 - 16). Because He is God, He has the power and authority to deliver us from sin (Colossians 2 vs 13 - 15).

Jesus came to give us peace. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14 vs 27.) With the Spirit of Jesus—the Holy Spirit—at work in our lives, we have deep and lasting peace. Unlike worldly peace, which is usually defined as the absence of conflict, this peace is confident assurance in any circumstance; with Jesus’ peace we have no need to fear the present or future. Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt, and numerous other forces are at war within us. The peace of God moves into our hearts and lives to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict.

Jesus came to give us life. He said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10 vs 10.)  in contrast to the thief who takes life, 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.

You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look into God’s Face and tell Him you have received His Christmas gift. You should ask yourself: “He came to be my Lord and Savior, to save me from sins and reign as King in my heart; have I fulfilled the significance of His birth by responding to the significance of His death and resurrection? (See Acts 2 vs 36 - 38). If you forget about Jesus in this Christmas season, you’ve missed the entire, glorious point of the celebration. Jesus Christ is the reason for the season.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the gift of a Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior, forgive me my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness, that I may live for You henceforth, in Jesus’ Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

RETURN GOOD FOR EVIL!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY DECEMBER 24, 2019.

SUBJECT : RETURN GOOD FOR EVIL! 

Memory verse: "See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

" 

(First Thessalonians 5 vs 15.)

READ: Matthew 5 vs 43 - 44; First Peter 3 vs 8 - 9:

Matthew 5:43: You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

5:44: But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

First Peter 3:8: Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

3:9: not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

INTIMATION:

It is often fashionable, in this our fallen world, to tear people down verbally or get back at them, if we feel hurt. God encourages us to pay back wrongs by praying for the offenders. In God's kingdom, revenge is an unacceptable behavior, and therefore, is ungodly. Rise above getting back at those who hurt you. Instead of reacting angrily to these people, pray for them.

In one of the passages we read today, the apostle Peter warns us against returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling (abusing, maligning, belittling, defaming, or deriding). But, on the contrary, we should bless our offenders, knowing that God called you to this, and in so doing, you inherit His blessing. 

Jesus said, "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." (Matthew 5 vs 44.) It is difficult or near impossible, in this fallen world to love your enemies, or bless those who curse you, or do good to those who hate you. When we are wronged or feel wronged, often our first reaction is to get even. Instead, Jesus said we should do good to those who wrong us! Our desire should not be to keep score but to love and forgive. However, this is not natural, but supernatural! 

If you love your enemies and treat them well, you will truly show that Jesus is Lord of your life, and this is only possible for those who give themselves fully to God, because only Him can deliver people from natural selfishness, and gives us strength to love as He does. Instead of planning vengeance pray for those who hurt you. Our praying for our offenders rather than revenge helps us not to take laws into our hands and we then overcome evil with good.

Jesus, our Messiah, and 'Role Model,' prayed for His enemies, His accusers, His persecutors, who abused, maligned, belittled, defamed, and derided Him, even on the weight of excruciating pains as He hung of the cross; He said on the cross, "....Father forgive them, for they know not what they do...." (Luke 23 vs 24.)

In God's kingdom, revenge is an unacceptable behavior, and therefore, is ungodly. Rise above getting back at those who hurt you. Instead of reacting angrily to these people, speaking guile words, pray for them. When our speech is motivated by Satan, it is full of bitter envy, selfish ambition, earthly concerns and desires, unspiritual thoughts and ideas, confusion, and evil. But when our speech motivated by God and His wisdom, it is full of mercy, love for others, peace, consideration for others, submission, sincerity, impartiality, and righteousness.

It is often our desire to return evil for evil, tear people down verbally or get back at them, if we feel hurt. God encourages us to pay back wrongs by praying for the offenders, to seek peace and pursue it. If we love life and desire to see good days, we should eschew evil and do good. "For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil." (First Peter 3 vs 12.)

Too often we see peace as merely the absence of conflict, and we think of peacemaking as a passive role. But an effective peacemaker actively pursues peace by building good relationships, knowing that peace is a by-product of commitment. The peacemaker anticipates problems and deals with them before they occur. When conflicts arise, they are brought into the open and dealt with before they grow unmanageable. Making peace is hard work—you have to search for it and work to maintain it—but it results in God's blessing.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the fruit of the Spirit of love, that I may be strengthened to pay back evil with good, and to love my neighbor as myself," in Jesus' Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!