EATER OR SOWER?

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY MAY 20, 2020.

SUBJECT: EATER OR SOWER?

Memory verse: "Now may He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness." (Second Corinthians 9 vs 10.)

READ: Proverbs 11 vs 24 - 25; Second Corinthians 9 vs 6 - 7:

Provides 11:24: There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. 

11:25: The generous soul will be made rich. And he who waters will also be watered himself.

Second Corinthians 9:6: But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 

9:7: So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.

9:8: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
9:9: As it is written, “He has dispersed abroad; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures  forever.

INTIMATION:

There two dominant heart conditions when it comes to money: eaters and sowers. Eaters are the ones who are all about getting their own needs met; they are seeking to establish their own kingdom. They use their resources to buy everything they want, and they only give when there is something left over. Sowers, on the other hand, are all about putting other people first. Sowers need to eat too, so it's not like they can't buy things for themselves, but their hearts' desire is to give and seek God's kingdom first. Sowers are people God is searching the world to find.

When we understand financial blessings properly, we realize that prosperity isn't about us. It's about being able to bless other people. If you don't currently have that attitude, once you get it, you'll experience the reality that God gives seed to the sower. Selfishness short-circuits prosperity because it causes us to consume all of our resources. It turns us into a vacuum cleaner that sucks up everything in sight. We ought to be just the opposite. Christians should be like leaf blowers: giving money left and right. We should be imitating God by searching for opportunities to give, and asking Him to show us how we can be a blessing.

The passages we read today present the paradox I have been hammering on. They explain clearly prosperity viewed in God's way; that we become richer by being generous. The world says to hold on to as much as possible. But God blesses those who give freely of their possessions, time and energy. "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal toward Him." (Second Chronicles 16 vs 9.) 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 they were given to us by God to be used to help others. What do we gain by giving? Five major things; Freedom from enslavement to our possessions, the joy of helping others, God's approval, the grace of God for our sufficiency in all things, and it is imputed to us as righteousness.

The Scripture in Proverbs 3 vs 9 - 10, says, "Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine." The firstfruits refers to the practice of giving to God's use the first and best portion of your harvest (Deuteronomy 26 vs 9 - 11). Many people give God their leftovers. If they can afford to donate anything, they do so. These people may be sincere and contribute willingly, but their attitude is nonetheless backward. 

It is better to give God the first part of our income. We do this by ensuring that before you spend out of the income, you first of all pay your tithes and give out whatever yo desire in your heart to give God, and help others in need. This demonstrates that God, not possessions, has first place in our lives and that our resources belong to Him—we are only managers of God's resources. Giving to God first helps us conquer greed, helps us properly manage God's resources, and opens us to receive God's special blessings.

God knows you have needs, and He wants you to be taken care of. Remember, He doesn't mind if you live in a nice house and drive an nice car, as long as you aren't consuming all of your finances on yourself. When you get the attitude of a giver and walk it out over time, God will increase your finances. If God finds you trustworthy on the use of finances, that He can get money through you, He'll get it to you, and it won't be long before you have plenty left over for yourself.

Yes the life of adequate giving is very hard to live. People may hesitate to give generously to God if they worry about having enough left over to meet their own needs. Paul assured the Corinthians that God was able to meet their needs. A person who gives only a little will receive only a little in return. (Luke 6 vs 38.) Our attitude when we give is more important than the amount we give. We don't have to be embarrassed if we can give only a small gift. God is concerned about how we give from our resources. (See Mark 12 vs 41 - 44.)

Another thing to keep in mind is that prosperity doesn't happen overnight. You don't go from being selfish to becoming a generous millionaire instantly for a couple of reasons. First, there is a time between planting seed and harvesting. Fruit doesn't show up the next day. Second, money has power, and you might not be able to handle the power of prosperity right away. If you are a “ sower,” be patient with God, He will definitely come through to you. Though it might tarry, wait for it, for it must surely come to pass. (See Habakuk 2 vs 3.) 

Prayer: Abba Father, all things are Yours; the earth and its fullness. Thank You, O Lord, for all the talents, abilities, and resources You bestowed on me. Give me the grace to be a sower of the the things You have freely given to me, that I may earn Your approval, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE BEST OF LIFE!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY MAY 19, 2020.

SUBJECT: THE BEST OF LIFE!

Memory verse: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1 vs 5.)

READ: Psalm 139 vs 13 - 17:

139:13: For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. 

139:14: I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.

139:15:My frame is not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 

139:16: Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.

139:17: How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!

INTIMATION:

The best of life is living in accordance with God’s purpose for your life. God has something specific in mind for you. He has a divine design for your life. He designed you for a unique purpose, something super special, something you alone is planned and designed to accomplish, something above and beyond your ability to think or imagine. God knows you long before you were born or even conceived. He thought about you and planned for you. God has a specific purpose for every of His children. And discovering the purpose that purpose requires your thirsting for it, and fellowshipping with Him in faith. 

Instances abound in the Bible for God's appointment for some of His children. A few examples are mentioned below. The Scripture in Judges 13 vs 3 - 5, says this about Samson, "And the Angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, "Indeed now you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. Now therefore, please be careful not to drink wine or similar drink, and not to eat anything unclean. For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines." 

In Luke 1 vs 13 - 17, the Bible says this about John the Baptist, “But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

The apostle Paul, in Galatians 1 vs 15 - 16, says about himself, "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles....." 

God knows you intimately as well, and He chose you to be His, even before you were born. He wants you to draw closer to Him and to fulfill the purpose He has for your life. You are appointed for specific kinds of work, just as Jeremiah, Samson, John the Baptist, and the apostle Paul. That same God who has created you for a specific purpose will reveal it to you at His own time, and in His own way, if you thirst for it, and draw closer to Him in fellowship. He will also equip you to accomplish the task. And whatever work you do should be done for the glory of God. 

God is your Creator. He made you an original masterpiece. He loves what He made, and made it for His purpose: not for your purpose. Never be tempted to dislike what God made, because if you do, you will not discover His purpose for creating you. Many people wish to be someone else. Consequently, they dislike themselves, and wished to lead very different lives than what they live. Stop trying to become a cheap copy of someone you were never intended to be. Love yourself, and seek to discover God's purpose in your life. It is only in doing so, you will lead the life God intended for you, and assuredly please God.

Prayer: Abba Father, I thank You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made for Your predetermined purpose. My utmost heart desire is to discover Your purpose for creating me, and serving to accomplish the purpose to please You and live the best of life, in Jesus, Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE REALITY OF OUR REDEMPTION!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY MAY 18, 2020.

SUBJECT: THE REALITY OF OUR REDEMPTION!

Memory verse: "In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, the remission of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence."(Ephesians 1 vs 7.)

READ: Romans 3 vs 21 - 25: 

3:2:1 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
3:22: Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
3:24: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

3:25: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

INTIMATION:

Redemption has been a theological word in the minds of most believers. The literal meaning of word is known to us. But most believers don't know the new meaning that the Father put into it. It is noteworthy that so many of the Greek words used in the classical Greek language, one of the original languages the Bible was written, was translated in many versions of the Bible, and eventually didn't give the exact meaning of some of those words. A study of the word "redemption," from the revelation given to the apostle Paul, and documented in his epistles, enables you grasp the new and richer meaning of it.

The key word in the passage we read today is "Righteousness," or the ability to stand in the Father's presence without a sense of guilt or inferiority—stand there without condemnation or the sense of sin consciousness. The apostle Paul gives a clearer meaning of redemption as Christ setting sinners free from slavery to sin and Satan, and revealing of the righteousness of God that comes to man through faith in Jesus Christ, and it belongs to all those who acknowledge Christ as Savior and confess him as their Lord. 

Those who confessed Christ are justified freely on the grounds of grace, through the redemption that God wrought in Christ. The redemption is based upon the fact that God laid our sins, griefs, sorrows, diseases etc., upon Jesus, that "Him who knew no sin, God made to become sin that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

(Second Corinthians 5 vs 21.) Not only did He become the Sin-bearer, but God accepted His substitutionary sacrifice on our behalf. He was raised from the dead because He had put sin away; He had satisfied the claim of justice—"the soul who sins shall die" (Ezekiel 18 vs 20).

When Jesus arose from the dead, He arose, not only because He had put away sin, but also because He had, as a substitute, conquered Satan. It was as though we, individually, had been the conquerors, just as though we had been there in that dark region and had conquered Satan, stripped him of his authority and risen from the dead.  When Christ rose from the dead, redemption became a settled and closed issue.

Note carefully, "In Whom we have." That means in Christ we have (present tense) our redemption out of the hand of the enemy, so Satan no longer has dominion over us. We have our redemption from sin and its judgement. "Sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." It is better put this way, "Sin shall not lord it over us because now we have entered the realm of grace through the new birth."

The Scriptures in Colossians 1 vs 13 - 14 says, "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." Note carefully that we have been delivered out of the authority of Satan, and we have been translated into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in Whom we have our redemption. It's ours just as the money you have in your pocket that you earned honestly is yours. Now this redemption from Satan is a present-tense fact, for you have this redemption now, and it is eternal.

The Scriptures in Hebrews 9 vs 11 - 12 says, "But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His  own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption." The Book of Hebrews says that He did not only obtain an eternal redemption for us, but that He sat down at the Right Hand of the Majesty on High (Hebrews 1 vs 13). He carried His Blood into the Holy of Holies, and our redemption was sealed. The Supreme Court of the universe passed upon it and declared that whoever accepted Jesus as Savior and confessed Him as Lord could come into God's family, and be free from condemnation.

Satan is eternally defeated. That redemption is an eternal redemption. God wrought it in His Son who satisfied the claims of justice. That Son is seated at the head of the New Creation at the Right Hand of the Father, and the New Creation is free from the dominion of Satan. Christ is the head. You will enjoy your rights in the redemption as you know the reality.

As long as one holds his redemption as a theory or as a doctrine it will bring him no sense of reality, but as soon as he looks up and says, "Father, I thank you for my perfect redemption, that this body of mine is no longer under the dominance of Satan, that my mind and senses are no longer to be dominated by Satan; I am free, and by Your grace I will not be entangled again in the yoke of bondage" - then, it is real.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for all You wrought for us in redemption. Engrace me with the consciousness of what I am in Christ in the new creation, and always exercising my rights in redemption, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen. 

PRAISE THE LORD!

ETERNITY WITH CHRIST!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY MAY 17, 2020.

SUBJECT: ETERNITY WITH CHRIST!

Memory verse: "For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come (Hebrews 13 vs 14.)

READ: John 14 vs 1 - 2:14:1: Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
14:2: In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
14:3: And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

INTIMATION:

What is it going to be like in eternity with Christ? Although the details of eternity are unknown, we need not fear because Jesus is preparing for us and will spend eternity with us. There are few verses in Scripture that describe everlasting life, but these few verses are rich with promises. For instance, the apostle Paul, in First Corinthians 2 vs 9 stated, "But it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

Frankly, the capacity of of our brains cannot handle the wonder and greatness of life in eternity with Christ. It will be trying to describe the Internet to an ant. He will create a new heaven and a new earth (Isaiah 65 vs 17; Revelation 21 vs 1), and we will live with Him forever. There will be no more death, sickness, lack, want etc. The Bible, in Revelation chapter 21 reveals the idea of the home God is preparing for His children. Words have not been invented that could adequately convey the experience of eternity.

It is a common knowledge that the only time people think about eternity is at funerals, and then it's often shallow, sentimental thinking, based on ignorance. Most people feel it's morbid to think about death, but actually it's unhealthy to live in denial of death, and not consider what is inevitable. The Bible in Ecclesiastes 7 vs 2 noted, "Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; and the living will take it to heart." 

The most damaging act of contemporary living is short-term thinking. To make the most of your life, you must keep eternity continually in your mind and the value of it in your heart. The child of God is a citizen of heaven where the child enjoys the best of life unlimited. The devil is not a citizen of heaven, and cannot access such life hence his effort to drag people to his side of total misery. There is far more to life than just here and now! 

We know that right now God is preparing an eternal home for us. In heaven, we put on our celestial bodies (Spiritual bodies (First Corinthians 15 vs 40 & 44)), we will be reunited with the departed loved ones who were believers, released from all pains and suffering, rewarded for our faithfulness on earth, and reassigned to do work that we will enjoy doing. We will enjoy unbroken fellowship with God, and He will enjoy us for an unlimited, endless time forever. One day Jesus will say, "Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world." (Matthew 25 vs 34.) 

Every moment we spend in this earthly bodies is time spent away from our eternal home in heaven with Jesus. The time we spend on this earth, if measured against eternity, is just a blink of an eye, but the consequences of it will last forever. This calls for serious caution noting that the deeds of this life are the destiny of the next. God has a purpose for your life on earth, but it doesn't end here. His plan involves far more than the few decades you will live on earth here. God offers you opportunity to live with him beyond your lifetime on earth. The Bible says in Psalm 33 vs 11, "The counsel of the Lord stands forever. The plans of His heart to all generations." His plans are forever, and His promises last eternally.

Just as the nine months you spent in your mother's womb were not an end in themselves but preparation for life, so is life on earth, a preparation for life in eternity with God, or without God. If you have a relationship with God through Jesus, you don't need to fear death. It is the door to eternity. It will be the last hour of your time on earth, but certainly not the last of you. Rather than being the end of your life, it will be your birthday into eternal life. It is therefore, wise to listen to the counsel of most preachers, "Prepare yourself each day in life for eternity, living as if each day is your last day of your life on earth, being ready at all times to meet with your Creator."

Prayer: Abba Father, my utmost heart desire is to be with You forever. Give me the grace to always have this consciousness in me, being ready at all times to meet with You, that I will receive my crown of glory, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

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!