YOU ARE CREATED AND SAVED TO SERVE!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY JUNE 22, 2020.

SUBJECT: YOU ARE CREATED AND SAVED TO SERVE!

Memory verse: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2 vs 10.)

READ: Ephesians 6 vs 5 - 7; Colossians 3 vs 23 - 24:

Ephesians 6:5: Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men."

Colossians 3:23: And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."

INTIMATION:

God created you and put you on earth for a purpose—to serve His interest. You are put on earth to make a contribution. You weren't created just to consume resources—to eat, breathe, and take up space. God designed you to make a difference with your life. Most people are concerned about how to get the best out of life, but that's not the reason God created you. You were created to add to life on earth, not just take from it. This is God's fourth purpose for your life, and it is called your "ministry," or “your service” or “good works.” Jesus Christ, our example of what we are called to do, said: "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20 vs 28.)

Our “good works” are act of service or worship to the Lord. Whenever you serve others in any way, you are serving God and fulfilling one of your purposes. For this reason, Christian employees should do their jobs as if Jesus Christ were their supervisor. No matter what you do, who you work for, and who works for you, the One you ultimately should want to please is your Father in heaven. In creation God has carefully shaped you for a purpose, "you are fearfully and wonderfully made. His works are marvelous." (Psalm 139 vs 14.) God knew you long before you were born or even conceived, and everything about you is already written in His book; the purpose you are created, the service to render, your number of days on earth etc. (Psalm 139 vs 15 - 16).

It takes your coming to Him and trusting in Him, for the revelation of all these in your life. And you come to Him by accepting what He did through His Son Jesus Christ for you in redemption; acknowledging Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. He saved you to accomplish His purpose for which He created you (Second Timothy 1 vs 9). In God's kingdom, you have a place, a purpose, a role, and a function to fulfill—His “holy calling.” This gives your life great significance and value. God has given you a unique combination of abilities and talents. Use them to serve and honor Him. 

Through salvation our past has been forgiven, our present is given meaning, and our future is secured. It is in the light of these incredible benefits that the apostle Paul entreats us in Romans 12 vs 1 thus, "present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." Therefore, daily laying aside your own desires to follow Him, putting all our energy and resources at His disposal and trusting Him to guide you. We serve Him out of joy, and deep gratitude for what He's done for us. We owe Him our lives. 

When you serve others, even in carrying out ordinary tasks, you are serving God. Because ultimately we serve God, every job has dignity. The apostle John said that our loving service to others shows that we are truly saved (First John 3 vs 14). If you have no love for others, no desire to serve others, and you are only concerned about your needs, it is doubtful whether Christ is really in your life. A saved heart is one that wants to serve.

Jesus said, in John 13 vs 34 - 35, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." To love others was not a new commandment (See Leviticus 19 vs 18). But to love others as Christ loved us is the new commandment. Love is more than simply warm feelings; it is an attitude that reveals itself in action. 

How then can we love others as Jesus loves us, and gave His life for us? We do this by helping when it's not convenient, by giving when it hurts, by devoting energy to others' welfare rather than our own, by absorbing hurts from others without complaining or fighting back. This kind of loving is hard to do. That is why people notice when you do it and know you are empowered by a supernatural source. You are a follower of Christ—His disciple when you love like Him.

Another term for serving God that's misunderstood by most people is the word ministry. When most people hear "ministry," they think of pastors, priests, and professional clergy, but God says every member of His family is a minister (Revelation 1 vs 6; 5 vs 10). In the Bible, the words servant and minister are synonymous. If you are a Christian, you are a minister, and when you're serving, you're ministering. When Peter's sick mother-in-law was healed by Jesus, she instantly "stood up and began to serve Jesus," using her new gift of health (see Mark 1 vs 30 - 31). This is what we're to do. We are healed to help others. We are blessed to be a blessing. We are saved to serve, not to sit around and wait for heaven. 

God told Abraham that He will bless him to be a blessing, "...I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing." (Genesis 12 vs 2.) Today, the blessings of Abraham has come to us through Jesus Christ, and we have received the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3 vs 14.) Seek ways to express your gratitude to Him. Have you ever wondered why God doesn't just immediately take us to heaven the moment we accept His grace? Why does He leave us in a fallen world? He leaves us here to fulfill His purposes. Once you are saved, God intends to use you for His goals. God has a ministry for you in his Body—the church, and a mission for you in the world. Seek yours from Him and serve appropriately!

Prayer: Abba Father, my utmost heart desire is to serve You acceptably and in accordance with Your predetermined purposes in my life. I humbly ask that You reveal to me the hope of Your calling, and the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in the saints, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

JESUS FINISHED WORK AT CALVARY FOR OUR SALVATION.

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5" 

Devotion : The good news was derived from the finished work of Christ on the cross of Calvary. Jesus, who knew no sin, was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our wickedness, and the punishment we deserved was laid on Him; He gave us healing by His stripes. This is the good news Christ Jesus brought to mankind. He did all the work for us to receive the reward; all we need to do is to just believe and be a partaker of the blessings. Those who do not believe the good news will have themselves to blame in hell since they want to pay for their own sins in hell. If man could pay for his own sins, Jesus would not have come. Dear reader, the choice is now yours; either you believe in the gospel and partake of the blessings or reject it and suffer the consequences. Share your comments here!

PERFECT TO GOOD WORKS THROUGH SCRIPTURE

"That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2Timothy 3:17" 

Devotion : The opening scripture has enlightened us about God's goal to train his children by His Word. His goal or objective is to bring His children, especially leaders, to a place of maturity and perfection for good works. God is not happy when his leaders fail; therefore, He trains them thoroughly and expects them to be good examples to their followers. Our goal as children of God is to submit to the training of God no matter how tough it may seem. Also, we should aim to thoroughly go through all the training planned for us so that we can mature and be ready for good works. Dear beloved, how ready are you for good works? Share the word.

http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=bible.kingjamesbiblelite

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL FATHERS

I loved this Awesome Msg:

One who loves till you close your eyes, is a *Mother*. 

One who loves without an expression in the eyes, is a *Father*.

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*Mother* - Introduces you to the world.

*Father* - Introduces the world to you.

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*Mother* : Gives you life

*Father*   : Gives you living

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*Mother* : Makes sure you are not starving.

*Father*  : Makes sure you know the value of starving

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*Mother* : Personifies Care

*Father*: Personifies Responsibility

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*Mother* : Protects you from a fall

*Father* : Teaches you to get up from a fall.

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*Mother* : Teaches you walking.

*Father* : Teaches you walk of life

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*Mother* : Teaches from her own experiences.

*Father* : Teaches you to learn from your own experiences.

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*Mother* :  Reflects Ideology

*Father* :  Reflects Reality

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*Mother's* love is known to you since birth.

*Father's* love is known when you become a Father.

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Enjoy what your father says.

Keep loving your mother.

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*This is natural division of labour*

 Happy Fathers Day

THE PRAYER KEY!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY JUNE 21, 2020.

SUBJECT: THE PRAYER KEY!

Memory verse: "Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart." (Luke 18 vs 1.)

READ: James 5 vs 13 - 18:

5:13: Is anyone among you suffering? let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? let him sing psalms.
5:14: Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church  and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
5:15: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
5:16: Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
5:17: Elijah was a man with nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
5:18: And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

INTIMATION:

The prayer key is the master key that opens all doors. It is the desire of the Father that His children approach Him in prayer. Prayer is the natural response of those who recognize their need for the help of God in their lives. It is earnestly entreating God in sincerity of your intention. It is the greatest privilege, and ministry available to all Christians. Indeed, everyone who seeks to take his or her place in the kingdom of God should seek or learn how to pray effectively. Because prayer is, in itself, our fellowship with the Father, He awaits us to come to Him in prayer, and consequently welcomes us in fellowship with Him.

Prayer is very essential for every Christians. It is noteworthy that our Master, Jesus, never taught His disciples how to preach but rather taught them how to pray, He said to His disciples "When you pray" and not "If you pray," therefore, He requires us to be in fellowship with the Father always; “Pray without ceasing” (First Thessalonians 5 vs 17). All prayers are subject to God’s will. As I said earlier, the Christian’s most powerful resource is communion with God through prayer. The results are often greater than we thought were possible. 

Some people see prayer as a last resort to be tried when all else fails. This approach is backward. Prayer should come first. God wants His children to be completely dependent on Him, and not wearied about how often we come to Him in prayer. Because God’s power is infinitely greater than ours, it only makes sense to rely on it, especially when God encourages us to do so. Prayer has remained the key to an excellent way to maintain a constant grace of God in our lives, and have our priorities right throughout each day. A disciplined prayer life entails going to God in prayers often, preferably three times a day; morning, afternoon and night. The Psalmist in Psalm 55 vs 17 says:-"Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice." 

Night prayers remains the most effective. Our prayers are usually interrupted mostly by the pressure of our daily schedules. In the night our concentration is highest, and our fellowship most effective. Night prayers arm us most effectively to overcome the overwhelming evils in the world. The evil doers usually perpetrate their evils in the night when most Christians are resting in their beds (see Matthew 13 vs 24 - 25). 

Jesus Christ, in His ministry on earth, has always gone up to the mountains in the night hours to pray—fellowshipping with the Father—and obtaining all the powers required for His exploits (Luke 6 vs 12). During the day, He performed His wondrous acts and gave thanks to the Father that has always heard Him. His concentration in His fellowship with the Father in the night hours is maximum. No distractions of any sorts. This practice of fellowshipping with the Father and our Messiah Jesus, in the hours of the night is very essential for every Christian to win our battles against the evil one.

The power of prayer is not in the number of prayers that are made for a particular request. The power is not in repetitious phrases or words in prayer. The power of prayer is based on the righteous living of the individual who makes the prayer of faith. The righteous demeanor of our lives, therefore, is the foundation upon which prayers are answered. This is true because God always works on behalf of His obedient children. 

Prayer: Abba Father, engrace me to commune with You in prayer morning, at noon, and in the evening, that I may be thoroughly equipped to stand against the wiles of the devil, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE FINAL BUS-STOP!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY JUNE 20, 2020.

SUBJECT : THE FINAL BUS-STOP!

Memory verse: 

"

And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.

" 

(Revelation 21 vs 6.)

READ: John 6 vs 16 - 21

:

6:16: Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea,
6:17: got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them.
6:18: Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing.
6:19: So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were afraid.
6:20: But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.

6:21: Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.

INTIMATION:

The final bus-stop for all humans is Jesus. In Him and with Him it is finished (John 19 vs 30). And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist (Colossians 1 vs 17). God is not only the Creator of the world but He is also it’s Sustainer. In Him, everything is held together, protected, and prevented from disintegrating into chaos. Because Christ is the Sustainer of all life, none of us is independent from Him. We are all His servants who must daily trust Him to protect us, care for us, and sustain us.

In John 8 vs 58 Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” When He said He existed before Abraham was born, He undeniably proclaimed His divinity. Not only did Jesus say that He existed before Abraham, He also applied God’s holy name (I AM—Exodus 3 vs 14) to Himself. Jesus is God, and the originator of all that is. All things maintain their existence because of His power: “He is upholding all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1 vs 3). He is the foundation upon which all that exists continues to exist. 

When Jesus came to the disciples during a storm, walking on the water (three and a half miles from shore), He told them not to be afraid. We often face spiritual and emotional storms and felt tossed about like a small boat on a big lake. In spite of terrifying circumstances, if we trust our lives to Christ for His safekeeping, He will give us peace in any storm. Now, imagine the entrance of Jesus into the boat, and the immediate arrival of the boat at shore where they were going. The boat that was three and a half miles from the shore, was immediately at their destination when they willingly welcomed Jesus into the boat. 

That is exactly the divine or spiritual experience of whoever willingly accepts Jesus into his or her life. Though things may not change immediately in the physical, but spiritually such persons has been translated from darkness to the Kingdom of God where all things are perfect. The manifestation of the translated life in the physical is hinged on one’s faith in Him and His work for us. Faith is a mind-set that expects God to act. When we act on this expectation, we can overcome our fears. The disciples were afraid because they didn’t expect Jesus to come, and they weren’t prepared for His help. Willingly accepting Jesus into your life brings you immediately to the shore where you are going. 

Just as God finished the work of creation (Genesis 2 vs 1 - 3) and Jesus finished the work of redemption (John 19 vs 30), so is everyone who willingly accepts Jesus into his or her life has arrived at his or her life’s bus-stop. You are trusting in Him who has power over nature as He created all things in nature. With Him, “

It is done.” 

Jesus said, “I will give of the fountain of water 

of life freely to him who thirsts.

" 

The water of life is a symbol of eternal life. Jesus used this same image with the Samaritan woman (John 4 vs 7 - 14). It pictures the fullness of life with God and the eternal blessings that come when we believe in Him and allow Him to satisfy our spiritual thirst. 

Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. The Lord God is the Beginning and the End. God the Father is the eternal Lord and Ruler of the past, present and future. Without Him you have nothing that is eternal, nothing that can change your life, nothing that can save you from sin. Is the Lord your reason of living, “the Alpha and the Omega” of your life? Honor the One who is the Beginning and the End of all existence, wisdom, and power. All authority belongs to Jesus, and all things are under His control, and He works among the nations of the earth as the King of Kings, and Lord of lords (First Timothy 6 vs 15). 

Prayer: Abba Father, You so loved the world, that You gave us Your only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. I willingly accept Him into my life as my personal Lord and Savior. In Him I live, and move, and have my being. Give me the grace to remain steadfast in my commitment to Him, in Jesus' Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

JOY OF OBEDIENT

"If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. John 13:17" 

Devotion : Jesus had washed the disciples' feet and had wiped them with a towel. When He had finished, He told them to wash each other's feet for a disciple is not greater than His master. He continued to tell them that it is good to know His Word and His work but happy will they be if they do them. He made it explicitly clear that knowing the scriptures is not enough but rather doing the scriptures is what brings happiness and joy. Dear beloved, are you backing up the scriptures you know with action? Share your thoughts with other learners!