ETERNITY IN HEAVEN OR HELL?

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY MAY 16, 2020.

SUBJECT: ETERNITY IN HEAVEN OR HELL?

Memory verse: "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end." (Ecclesiastes 3 vs 11.)

READ: Revelation 20 vs 12 - 15:

20:12: And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the Book of life. And the dead were judged out of their works, by the things which were written in the books.
20:13: The sea gave up the dead which were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.
20:14: Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
20:15: And anyone not found written in the Book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

INTIMATION:

You are created to live forever. Life on earth is not all there is. It is just the beginning of life, it is the preparation for the next. Death marks the beginning of life on the other side—in eternity. It isn't your termination because you can't be terminated. Death is only a transition into eternity, and there are eternal consequences to everything you do on earth, leading to the part of the eternal divide you will forever live. Earth is only a tryout for your life in eternity. It is a practice workout before the actual game. Your time on earth is but a small parenthesis in eternity. You are made to last forever. 

Even though we know that everyone will eventually die, death always seems unnatural and unfair, even at a hundred and twenty years. The reason we feel we should live forever is that God wired our brains with that desire! One day your heart will stop pumping, and that marks the end of your body and your time on earth, but it will not be the end of you. Your earthly body is just a temporary residence for your real self—your spirit.

The plain truth is that while life on earth offers many chances, eternity offers only two: heaven or hell. Your relationship to God on earth will determine your relationship to Him in eternity. If you learn to love and trust God's Son, Jesus, accept His finished work on the cross for you, and confess Him as your Lord and Savior, you are then given the legal right to be the child of God, heir of God, joint heir with His Son, and will spend the rest of eternity with Him. On the other hand, if you reject Him, reject His love, forgiveness, and salvation, thereby committing the only unforgiving sin, you will spend eternity apart from God—in hell. 

There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Your Will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right then, have it your way.' Tragically, many people will have to endure eternity without God because they chose to live without Him here on earth. When you fully comprehend that there is more to life than just here and now, and realize that life is just a preparation for eternity, you will start living in light of eternity, and that will color how you handle every relationship, task, and circumstance. Suddenly many activities, goals, and even problems that seemed so important will appear trivial, petty, and unworthy of your attention. 

The closer you live to God, the smaller everything else appears. Eternity focused life changes your value system. You use your time and money wisely. You place higher premium on relationships and character instead of fame or wealth or achievements or even fun. Your priorities are reordered. Keeping up with trends, fashions, and popular values just doesn't matter as much anymore. 

The Scripture in Philippians 3 vs 7, the apostle Paul says, "But what things were gain to me, I have counted loss for Christ." He said he thought his past achievements were very important, but now considers them worthless when compared with what Christ has done for him. If our time here on earth is all there is to life, we would live as if there is no tomorrow. You could exploit life as much as you could, forget being good and ethical, and wouldn't have to worry about any consequences of your actions. You could indulge yourself in total self-centeredness because your actions would have no long-term repercussions. 

Only a fool would go through life unprepared for what we all know will eventually happen. We need to think more about eternity. The big question is, “Where do you plan to spend your eternity, and how ready are you for the choice made?”

Prayer: Abba Father, in my life everyday draw me nearer to You. Brush off my rough edges, and refine me for a life with You in eternity, in Jesus’ Name I prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

GOD TESTS NEVER TEMPTS!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY MAY 15, 2020.

SUBJECT: GOD TESTS NEVER TEMPTS!

Memory verse: "Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone." (James 1 vs 13.)

READ: First Corinthians 10 vs 12 - 13:

10:12: Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

10:13: No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.

INTIMATION:

God is our leader, He doesn't lead us into temptations, but sometimes allows us to be tested by them. God tests people, but He does not tempt them by trying to seduce them into sin. People who live for God often wonder why they still have temptations. It is the work of the "evil one" to steer them from the faith. However, God allows Satan to tempt people in order to refine their faith and to help them grow in their dependence on Christ. We can resist the temptation to sin by turning to God for strength and choosing to obey His Word. As His children, we should pray to be delivered from the temptations of Satan ("the evil one") and his deceit. 

God's test is not to trip us and watch us fall, but to deepen our capacity to obey Him, and help us develop His character. Just as fire refines ore to extract precious metals, God refines us through difficult circumstances. When we are tested we can complain, or we can try to see how God is stretching us to develop our character. It takes intense heat to purify gold and silver. Similarly, it often takes the heat of trials for the Christian to be purified. Through trials, God shows us what is in us and clears out anything that gets in the way of complete trust in Him.

The apostle Peter says in First Peter 1 vs 7, "That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." As gold is heated, impurities float to the top and can be skimmed off. Steel is tempered or strengthened by heating it in fire. Likewise, our trials, struggles, and persecutions refine and strengthen out faith, making us useful to God. Therefore, when tough times come your way, realize that God wants to use them to refine your faith and purify your heart.

All Christians struggle with temptation. Sometimes it is so subtle that we don't even realize what is happening to us. God helps us to recognize temptation and gives us the strength to overcome it when we ask, and helps us choose God's way instead. God has promised that He won't allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear: "No temptation has overtaken you except such that is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (First Corinthians 10 vs 13.)

In our world filled with moral decadence, depravity, and sin-inducing pressures; wrong desires and temptations happen to everyone. Nobody should think he or she is alone in this situation, knowing that many others are in it, and many also have resisted temptation through God's leading. God knows our weaknesses and strength, and any temptation can be resisted because God will help you resist it. God helps resist temptation by helping you recognize those people and situations that give you trouble, and those things that tempt you. The immediate solution is to run from anything you know is wrong, and choose to do only what is right. This you can achieve when you pray to God for help. Also acquaint yourself with friends who love God and can offer help when you are tempted.

Running from a tempting situation is your first step on the way to victory. Second Timothy 2 vs 22 advises thus: "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Running away is sometimes considered cowardly. But wise people realize that removing themselves physically from temptation often can be the most courageous action to take. It is advisable to remove yourself physically from any situation that stimulates your desire to sin. In so doing, you can handle any recurring temptation that is difficult for you to resist.

Some people think that Christianity is a passive religion that advocates waiting for God to act. But the use of active and forceful verbs: flee, pursue, run, shows we must have an active faith, obeying God with courage and doing what we know is right. Jesus prayed the Father in John 17 vs 15; "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one." This request made by Jesus our Messiah, to God, our Father in heaven, shows that only Him can keep us from Satan, the evil one. He does that through His leading us by His Word, the revelations He gives in fellowship with Him, and the help of the Holy Spirit (our Helper). God doesn't come down to physically hold you by the hand to lead you. Therefore, acquaint yourself with Him through His Word, and ceaselessly fellowship with Him in prayer.

Prayer: Abba Father, by You all things consist. By strength shall no man prevail. Endue me with Your divine strength to resist the evil one and his deceitful temptations, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

WHAT GOD DEMANDS FROM US!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY MAY 14, 2020.

SUBJECT: WHAT GOD DEMANDS FROM US!

Memory verse: 

"Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place."

 (Psalm 24 vs 3.)

READ: Psalm 15 vs 1 - 5:

15:1: LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?

15:2: He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart.

15:3: He who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against a friend;

15:4: In whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he honors those who fear the LORD; he who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 

15:5: He who does not put out his money at usury, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.

INTIMATION:

God expects us to have some measure of service He considers reasonable. Though, we cannot measure up to God’s standards. No one has ever measured and will ever measure up to God’s standards, except Jesus Christ. The Christian’s conduct or character in an indication of his or her manner of life. God wants us to offer ourselves as ‘living sacrifices,’ that is daily laying aside our own desires to follow Him, putting all our energy and resources at His disposal and trusting Him to guide us. Sacrifice primarily denotes the act of offering, and offering objectively that which is offered. 

God demands from us moral uprightness; righteous behavior of life—doing that which is good in response to faith. We live in a morally bankrupt society, a world whose standards and morals are eroding. Our standard of living should not come from our evil society but from God. Prophet Micah said; “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6 vs 8.) In the passage we read today, God gives us ten (10) standards to serve as a measuring scale to determine how we are doing. 

Christians do not speak carelessly. Words are powerful, and how we use them reflect our relationship with God. Perhaps nothing identifies Christians as their ability to control their speech, especially speaking the truth, refusing to slander, and backbite, and keeping to their oaths (promises). A Christian does not lie or speak hypocritically,  does not speak behind the back of someone in order to destroy his or her reputation. In loving his or her neighbor as himself or herself, he or she does not work against his or her neighbor, and does not slander his or her neighbor. 

A Christian ought to be disgusted by those who do wickedly. He or she aligns himself or herself with those who do good. Though it may be to his or her own detriment, he or she promises to do that which is right and fair to his or her neighbor. A Christian seeks to help his or her neighbor by lending money without interest, and thus does not take advantage of his or her neighbor when he or she has fallen into hard times. God is not against charging interests on loans for business purposes, as long as it isn’t exorbitant (Proverbs 28 vs 8). He is against charging interests on friendly loans to the needy, especially among the community of believers (Leviticus 25 vs 35 - 37). A Christian should not take a bribe. And being a dependable person, the one who lives according to the preceding principles will not be changed by changing times. 

Our standards of living in accordance with God’s demands, is made simple by Jesus in His new commandment of love for God and your neighbor (Mark 12 vs 29 - 31.) According to Jesus, the two commandment summarizes all God’s laws. Let them rule your thoughts, decisions, and actions. When you are uncertain about what to do, ask yourself which course of action best demonstrates love for God and love for others. As we grow in our relationship with our Redeemer, we develop a desire to live by His standards. The depth of our eternal relationship with Him can often be measured by the way we reflect His standards in our daily activities.

God has good, pleasing, and perfect plans for His children. He wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds, living to honor and obey Him. Because He wants only what is best for us, and because He sacrificed His Son, now living, to make our new life possible, we should joyfully, and gratuitously give ourselves as ‘living sacrifice’ for His service. Our bodies comprise of parts, also rendered as ‘members.’ Each member serves dedicated purposes. With our bodies we develop skills and capabilities that can serve many purposes, good or bad. 

In sin every part of our body is vulnerable. In Christ every part of our body can be an instrument for service. It is the one to whom we offer our service that makes the difference. We are like lasers that can burn destructive holes in steel places or do delicate cataract surgery. However, the Lord has made Christians the light of this world and the salt of this earth, so let the earth be salted by what God demands they do, and the their light so shine that the world will see their moral uprightness in conducts and reasonable services and glorify their Father in heaven.

Prayer: Abba Father, it is my utmost heart desire to lead my life fully and completely according to Your precepts. Give me grace to serve and obey You in all things, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

CHOOSE WHO YOU WILL LIVE FOR!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY MAY 13, 2020.

SUBJECT : CHOOSE WHO YOU WILL LIVE FOR!

Memory verse: ""And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."  (Joshua 24 vs 15.)

READ: First Kings 18 vs 20 - 21:

18:20: Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on mount Carmel.

18:21: And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him, but if Baal, follow him. But the people answered him not a word.

INTIMATION:

The time is now for your resolution of who you live for, either for yourself or for God. God created us as free-moral beings, and allows a choice in all things. He will not make our choices for now and the future. Your right to choose makes you responsible thereby putting your own destiny in your hands. Because of what God had done for you in Christ Jesus, it is reasonable and responsible for you to make the choice to continue in obedience to His will. However, if you fail to do the will of God, you will be responsible for your own judgements from God.

Why did so many people waver between the two choices? Perhaps some were not sure. Many, however, knew the Lord was God, but they enjoyed the sinful pleasures and other benefits that came with following from their idolatrous worship. It is important to take a stand for the Lord. If we just drift with whatever is pleasant and easy, we will someday discover that we have been worshipping a false God—ourselves. That is idolatry—simply following after your own desires. It’s easy to slip into a quiet rebellion—going about life in your own way. 

But the time comes when you have to choose who or what will control you. The choice is yours. Will it be God, your own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute? Once you have chosen to be controlled by God’s Spirit, reaffirm your choice every day. Living the rest of your life for the glory of God will require a change in your priorities, your schedule, your relationships, and everything else. It will sometimes mean not following the way of others, or choosing the difficult path instead of an easy one. The way we live shows others the strength of our commitment to serving God. 

Jesus during His earth walk, struggled with such choice at a time. When He remembered that He was about to be crucified, He cried out, "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name..." (John 12 vs 27 - 28.) Jesus knew that His crucifixion lay ahead, and because He was human he dreaded it. He wanted to be delivered from this horrible death, but He knew that God sent Him into the world to die for our sins, in our place. Jesus said no to His human desires in order to obey His Father and glorify Him.

Will you live for your own goals, comfort, and pleasure, or will you live the rest of your life for God's glory, knowing that He has promised eternal rewards? The Bible says in John 12 vs 25, "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." Our commitment to live for Christ does not mean that we long to die or that we are careless or destructive with the life God has given, but that we are willing to die if doing so will glorify Christ. God gives you what you need to live for Him, if you just make the choice. The Bible in Second Peter 1 vs 3 says, "As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue."

God is constantly inviting us to live for His glory by fulfilling the purposes He created us for. It's really the only way to live. Everything else is just existing. Real life begins by committing yourself completely to Jesus Christ. If you have not done this, or you are not sure, all you need to do is receive and believe in Him. The Bible, in John 1 vs 12 promises, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." 

First, believe. Believe God loves you and made you for His purposes. Believe you're not an accident. Believe you were made to last forever. Believe God has chosen you to have a relationship with Jesus, who died on the cross for you. Believe that no matter what you've done, God wants to forgive you. Second, receive. Receive Jesus into your life as your Lord and Savior. Receive His forgiveness for your sins. Receive His Spirit, who will give you the power to fulfill your life purpose. The Bible, in John 3 vs 36 says, "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life..." If you are ready to believe and receive Him right now where you are, just say this prayer quietly, bowing down your head:

"God my Father in heaven, I believe You sent Your Son Jesus Christ to die in my stead on the cross at Calvary for my sins. I do, here and now, open my heart and receive Jesus Christ and His new life into my life as my Lord and Savior. I believe that as I receive Jesus, I receive You, O God. I am now restored to You my God and Father through Jesus my Savior. Amen."

If you sincerely meant that prayer, congratulations! Welcome to the family of God! You are now ready to discover and start living God's purpose for your life. It is as simple as that. Hallelujah!

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the privilege of sonship. Endue me with the excellent spirit of total obedience and commitment to You that ai May live for You all the days of my life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

BRINGING PLEASURE TO GOD IN WORSHIP!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY MAY 12, 2020.

SUBJECT : BRINGING PLEASURE TO GOD IN WORSHIP!

Memory verse: "The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.”  (Psalm 147 vs 11.)

READ: Matthew 4 vs 8 - 10:

4:8: Again the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 

4:9: And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me."

4:10: Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.

INTIMATION:

God created you for His pleasure, therefore, you should bring pleasure to Him. God takes pleasure in your recognition of who He is. He lays great emphasis on who He is. The statement, "I am the Lord," is made over 350 times by the Lord in ‘Old Testament’ alone. Anything you do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship. Worshipping God is one of your life's purposes. He takes pleasure in it. Worship is paying great honor to; to love and admire very greatly. Worship is the appropriate response to God's self-revelation. You worship because you know the worth of what you worship. You worship God because you know who He is. When you catch the revelation of God and His worth, the appropriate response is to reverence Him in worship. 

God desires your worship in spirit and in truth (John 4 vs 23). True worshippers worship God in spirit. "God is Spirit" means He is not a physical being limited to one place. He is present everywhere and He can be worshipped anywhere, at any time. It is not where you worship that counts, but how you worship. Is your worship genuine and true? Whatever you do anytime, anywhere, and anyhow that gives God pleasure is an act of worship. God desires our reverence and trust. Have you ever imagined who God is? Have you ever sat down to appreciate nature, and all the natural things you see around you? How did they come into being? Take a little time and do this, starting with imagining how you were made. It is in so doing, you catch the self-revelation of who created all these things, and worship Him. 

Even the devil knows the essence of worship, and wants to be worshipped. He took Jesus to an 'exceedingly high mountain,' God's creation, and showed Him "all the kingdoms of the world and their glory," again God' creation. He requested that Jesus should worship him for all these, which, of course, are not created by him. Jesus answered him well, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve." God created us to worship Him, and only Him we shall serve. The devil, the greatest enemy of God, wanted that which is due to God alone. He offered the whole world to Jesus in exchange of worshipping him. You can now realize the value of worship—worth more than the whole world.

The understanding of "worship" defers among religious backgrounds. Some think that praises during church services with singing constitute worship, some think that praying, and listening to a sermon as worship. Some think of ceremonies, candles, and communion as worship. Others think of healing, miracles, and ecstatic experiences as worship. Worship include these elements, but worship is far more than these expressions. Worship is a lifestyle. It is not a part of your life; it is your life. Worship is not just communion, with God, or church services. It is your whole life given for service to God, and His pleasure. 

The psalmist, in Psalm 105 vs 4 says, "Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore." And, "From the rising of the sun to it's going down the Lord's name is to be praised." (Psalm 113 vs 3.) God is worshipped continually, therefore, praise God in worship at all times—at work, at home, in battle, in jail, and even in bed! Praise should be the first activity when you open your eyes in the morning and the last activity before you close them at night. Ensuring that you worship Him continually knowing it is the first purpose of your creation.

Every activity can be transformed into an act of worship when you do it for the praise, glory, and pleasure of God. The Bible, in First Corinthians 10 vs 31, says "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." How is it possible to do everything to the glory of God? By allowing God's love to permeate our motives so that all we do will be to His glory. By doing everything as if you were doing it for Jesus and by carrying on a continual conversation with Him while we do it. You can keep as a guiding principle the question to self, "Is this action glorifying God?" Or "How can I honor God through this action?"

The Bible, in Colossians 3 vs 23 says, "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men." This is the secret to a lifestyle of worship—doing everything as if you were doing it for Jesus. Since creation, God has given us work to do. If we could regard our work as an act of worship or service to God, such an attitude should be regarded as the cost of discipleship. The apostle Paul noted this in Romans 12 vs 1 when he said, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." We should daily lay aside our own desires to follow him, putting all our energy and resources at His disposal and trusting Him to guide us. 

Prayer: Abba Father, my utmost heart desire is for an intimate relationship with You. Endue me with Your excellent spirit that I may worship You all the days of my life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

GOD CREATED YOU FOR HIS PLEASURE!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY MAY 11, 2020.

SUBJECT : GOD CREATED YOU FOR HIS PLEASURE!

Memory verse: "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (Revelation 4 vs 11.)

READ: Ephesians 1 vs 5 - 6 says:

1:5; Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the pleasure of His will, 

1:6: to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

INTIMATION:

God created you for His pleasure. It pleased Him when He made you in His image and after His likeness. All creatures in heaven and earth will worship and honor God because He is the Creator and Sustainer of everything. Our God is a God of pleasure, and you were planned for His pleasure. The moment you were born into the world, God was there as an unseen witness, smiling at your birth. He planned it all because He does His pleasure (Isaiah 46 vs 10). God created you for a reason; for His purpose, His delight, His glory, and for His benefits.

Living for God's pleasure, and bringing joy to Him, is the first purpose of your life. All the things the God did, and does is perfect, therefore creating you for His pleasure is perfect, and when you fully understand this truth, you will never feel insignificant, as you now know your worth. He created you to be like Himself, because of your  importance to Him. And if you are that important to God, and He considers you valuable enough to share eternity with Him, then what greater significance could you have? You are a child of God, and you bring pleasure to God like nothing else He has ever created.

It is clear to you that God delights in you and takes pleasure in you. He wants you to reciprocate His good gesture by also delighting in Him. The psalmist in Psalm 37 vs 4 says, "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."

We are called to delight ourselves in the Lord and to commit everything we have and do (our "way") to Him. But how do we do this? To delight in someone means experience great pleasure and joy in his or her presence. This happens only when we know Him better. Knowledge of God's great love for us will indeed give us delight.

To commit ourselves to the Lord means entrusting everything—our lives, families, jobs, possessions and so on—to His control and guidance. To commit ourselves to the Lord means trust in Him, believing that He can care for us better than we can ourselves. We should be willing to wait for Him to work out what is best for us. When you delight yourself in the Lord, you rest assured that the desires of heart will be granted to you. 

In the passage we read today, the word "predestined" means marked out beforehand. It was God's will that you are His child, made in His own image and after His likeness, and it is pleasurable to Him. Therefore, He also gave you the gift of enjoying pleasure, and this is one of the greatest gifts He has given you, hence He wired you with five senses and emotions so you can experience it. He wants you to enjoy life, not just endure it. "The Lord takes pleasure in His people" (Psalm 149 vs 4). It is for His pleasure in us He did all He did through Jesus Christ for us. 

God wants His attribute expressed in us, hence His creating us in His image, and after His likeness.  God has emotions, too. He feels things deeply. The Bible tells us that God grieves (Genesis 6 vs 6), gets jealous (Exodus 20 vs 5), and angry (Judges 2 vs 20), and feels compassion, pity (Psalm 103 vs 13), sorrow, and sympathy (Deuteronomy 32 vs 36) as well as happiness (Ezekiel 5 vs 13), gladness, (First Chronicles 16 vs 27), and satisfaction. God loves (First John 4 vs 16), delights (Psalm 18 vs 19), gets pleasure (Psalm 35 vs 27), rejoices (Psalm 104 vs 31), enjoys, and even laughs! (Psalm 2 vs 4.)

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the privilege of sonship, and Your exceeding love for me, give me the grace to lead a life that will give You pleasure at all times, in the mighty Name of Jesus I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

TWO PARTS OF THINKING LIKE CHRIST!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY MAY 10, 2020.

SUBJECT : TWO PARTS OF THINKING LIKE CHRIST!

Memory verse: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2 vs 5.)

READ: Romans 8 vs 5 - 9:

8:5: For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
8:6: For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
8:7: Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
8:8: So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
8:9:  But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

INTIMATION:

There are two parts in thinking like Jesus did. The first half of this mental shift is to stop thinking immature thoughts, which are self-centered and self-seeking. The Bible, in First Corinthians 14 vs 20, says, "Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature." Unfortunately, many people never grow beyond that kind of thinking. The Scripture says that selfish thinking is the source of sinful behavior. Those live according to the flesh, and their minds are dominated by things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Those who live following their sinful selves think only about things that their sinful selves want. 

The apostle Paul divides people into two categories; those who let themselves be controlled by their sinful natures, and those who follow after the Holy Spirit. All of us would have been in the first category if Jesus hadn't offered us a way out. Once we have said yes to Jesus, we will continue following Him, because His way brings life and peace. Daily we must consciously choose to focus our lives on God. The Scripture gives us God's guidelines, and we should discover them and follow it. I advise, as a guide, to ask yourself this question when faced with a perplexing situation; "What would Jesus want me do?" When the Holy Spirit points out what is right, do it eagerly.

The second half of thinking like Jesus is to start thinking maturely, which focuses on others, not yourself. Jesus is God, all things were made through Him. Without Him there is nothing made that was made. (John 1 vs 3.) All His works, and His walk on earth were for our benefits, not His. This is because of the love Him and the Father have for us, and it is for this love that He is given to us, "For God so loved the world that He gave is only begotten Son." (John 3 vs 16.) Everything about Jesus demonstrates unselfishness and love. Maturity therefore, is when we start thinking like Jesus, when become unselfish, loving, and ready to put self last.

Now, look at what the apostle Paul said in his great chapter on love; First Corinthians 13 vs 11, "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things." It was in his maturity, he became a man, that he understood properly, and wrote the great message on love.

Today many assume that spiritual maturity is measured by the amount of biblical information and doctrine you know. While knowledge is one measurement of maturity, it isn't the whole story. The Christian life is far more than creeds and convictions; it includes conduct and character. Our deeds must be consistent with our creeds, and our beliefs must be backed up with Christlike behavior. Christianity is more than a religion or a philosophy, it is more of a relationship and lifestyle. The core of that lifestyle is thinking of others, as Jesus did, instead of ourselves. 

The Bible, in Romans 15 vs 2 - 3, says, "Let each one of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me." The Scripture tells us to please our "neighbor for his good." It means will only do those things to our neighbors that will be good for them, and not that do whatever they want. If we merely set out to please our neighbors, we will be people-pleasers. But we are to set aside willfulness and self-pleasing actions for the sake of building others up for good. 

Thinking of others is the heart of Christlikeness and the best evidence of spiritual growth. This kind of thinking of unnatural, counter-cultural, rare, and difficult. Fortunately we have help as detailed in First Corinthians 2 vs 12, "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God."

Prayer: Abba Father, let that mind which was in Christ be in me, that I may lead an unselfish life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!