FIGHT YOUR FIGHT

DON'T JOKE WITH PEOPLE'S HEART

GOD'S PRIORITY

GOD'S PRIORITY


"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19"

Devotion : Our Lord Jesus Christ prioritized teaching over the fivefold ministry in Ephesians 4:11. When Jesus Christ trained His disciples He did not train them to be prophets even though prophets are also good, but He trained them to be teachers of His Word. This should inform us that teachers are more important and elevated above the other four offices - that is, the office of the apostles, prophets, evangelists and pastors. It takes teaching of the Holy Scriptures to create understanding in new converts and even existing members of the body of Christ. Teaching informs, guides, directs, counsels, comforts, multiplies, and retains the membership of the church. Let the world learn from the church and elevate teachers in society into their rightly place. Dear beloved, can you teach the Word of God? Share your thoughts here!

YOU HAVE THE POWER TO RESIST THE DEVIL!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY JULY 15, 2020.

SUBJECT:  YOU HAVE THE POWER TO RESIST THE DEVIL!

Memory verse:  "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4 vs 7.) 

READ: First Peter 5 vs 5 - 10:

5:5: Likewise you young people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.”
5:6: Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
5:7: casting all your care upon Him, for he cares for you.
5:8: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

5:9: Resist him, stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

5:10: But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

INTIMATION:

There is within man the power to resist the temptations of the devil. God has never given Satan the power to voluntarily subject people to his will. If one desires to seek God, then Satan has no power to subjectively keep one away from God. Our power to resist Satan is exemplified in the fact that we can make him flee. Since God will not allow the individual Christian to be tempted beyond that which he is able to endure, then we must assume that we have the power to make the devil flee from us (First Corinthians 10 vs 12 - 13; Matthew 4 vs 8).

Our power to resist Satan makes us responsible for our own actions. However, we must keep in mind that no man has the power within himself. It is through the power of the gospel, and Christ working in us, that we are able to resist the devil (Philippians 4 vs 13). We must choose to unleash this power in our lives in order to flee from all temptations that come to us through the work of the devil. And since we have this power, then we will all stand before God in judgement and be held directly accountable for our deeds. Each one will give account of himself before God (Second Corinthians 5 vs 10). 

The apostle James’ imperative command to draw near to God, places the responsibility for our action on our shoulders. In this he identifies the source of power to resist the devil. The individual must take the initiative to keep himself in the love of God. Those who have allowed their lives to be directed by the world must repent and turn to God. Those who have made their hands dirty by becoming a friend to the world must repent and turn to God. They must become pure with wisdom from above in order to remain in the grace by which they are saved.

Satan has no power over the one who voluntarily keeps himself close to Jesus. However, Satan roams about as a nervous lion looking for his lunch. Those who are ignorant of his warning roars will fall victim to his hunger for the souls of men. Therefore, it is necessary that the Christian learn how the devil seeks to destroy the lives of men. One must be aware of how he stalks his prey. The sober and vigilant Christian is constantly listening for the roar of the hungry Satan. He can identify how Satan works. However, if he becomes ignorant of God’s Word, or enticed by the lust of flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life, he or she will be ensnared by Satan and consumed (First John 2 vs 15 - 16). 

Christians have been called out of the world through their voluntary obedience to the gospel. Since they have been called by God through the gospel, they will be guarded by God through trials. The Christian must remember that Satan cannot voluntarily consume anyone he do chooses. The apostate Christian has simply given himself or herself over to Satan because of his or her own ignorance of the Word of God or willingness to forsake the fellowship of the community of God’s people. 

Peter’s admonition, in the passage we read today, is evidence that the Christian has the voluntary power to stay away from the consuming hunger of Satan to devour souls. The context in which one is more apt to fall is when one is under trials and persecution. Therefore, it is in such a state that one must be sober and vigilant to resist Satan. Christians can withstand the temptations that are presented by Satan by exercising faith in God through prayer, Bible study, and good works toward others. One must understand that as a Christian, others have also gone through similar trials that he or she may be suffering. Since others endured, then certainly the ones under similar circumstances of trial can also endure. 

The Scripture, in Ephesians 6 vs 12, says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” These who are not “flesh and blood” are demons over whom the devil has control. They are not mere fantasies—the are very real. We face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ’s church. When we believe in Christ, these beings become our enemies, and they try every device to turn us away from Him and back to sin. Although, we are assured of victory, we must engage in the struggle until Christ return, because Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord’s side. 

We need supernatural power to defeat Satan, and God has provided that by giving us His Holy Spirit within us and His armor surrounding us. If you feel discouraged, remember Jesus’ words to Peter: “On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16 vs 18).

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, my ‘Senior Partner,’ and Your whole armor to withstand the wiles of the devil. Bestow to the divine wisdom to  always ask for the supernatural power You have made available to us through the Holy Spirit, and rest assured in You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE GOD!

DECEIT OR JOY

DECEIT OR JOY

"Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. Proverbs 12:20" 

Devotion : There are two categories of people on earth: those who imagine evil and those who imagine good. Which of these do you identify with or belong to? A heart that imagines evil only has plans to deceive to have its way; it cannot offer anything good. When such people find their way in a high position, especially in government, what is predominant is corruption and embezzlement of funds. However, there is hope because there are counselors of peace who produce joy in the lives of people. They are those who imagine good in their heart; when they are in a place of authority, they create an atmosphere of peace, joy and prosperity for all. Dear beloved, which of these two categories of people do you belong to or identify with? Share your comments here!

HUMILITY ENGENDERS GOD’S GRACE AND EXALTATION!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY JULY 14, 2020.

SUBJECT:  HUMILITY ENGENDERS GOD’S GRACE AND EXALTATION!

Memory verse:  "Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God so that He may exalt you at the proper time.” (First Peter 5 vs 6.) 

READ:  James 4 vs 4 - 8:

4:4: Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

4:5: Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?

4:6: But He gives more grace. Therefore He says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

4:7: Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

4:8: Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

INTIMATION:

Humidity produces God’s grace and exaltation. God’s grace is extended toward those who have humbly submitted to Him (Romans 5 vs 20). Those who are arrogant will not submit their lives to the will of God. They resist submission, and thus, God resists giving His grace to them in order that they might be saved. Being humble involves having a true perspective about ourselves. It does not mean we should put ourselves down. Truly humble people compare themselves only with Christ, realize their sinfulness, and understand their limitations. On the other hand, they also recognize their gifts and strength and are willing to use them as Christ directs. Humility is not self-degradation; it is realistic self-assessment and commitment to serve. It means proper respect for God.

Obedience to God begins with humility. When we look at creation, we often feel small by comparison;. To respect God’s majesty, we must compare ourselves to His greatness. This is a healthy way to get back to reality. We must believe that His way is better than our own. We may not always understand His ways of working, but by humbly obeying, we will receive His blessings. We must remember that (1) God’s ways are best; (2) God wants our obedience more than anything else; (3) God can use anything to accomplish His purposes.

Since God will not save the arrogant, the apostle James plea is that the first step in repentance must be to submit to the will of God. Only through the spirit of submission is God able to mold the demeanor of the obedient for eternal dwelling. Since God will resist those who are proud, it is imperative that one submits to the will of God. When one submits to God’s will, he or she will be lifted up. However, we must first recognize the sovereignty of God over all things before we will humbly submit to His will. 

The proud person will seek to rule his own life. They take little account of their weaknesses and do not anticipate stumbling blocks. They think they are above the frailties of common people. In this state of mind they are easily tripped up. In thinking that he or she has his or her life in control, the proud person usually tries to bear all his or her burdens without asking for the help of others. He tries to walk alone. Ironically, proud people seldom realize that pride is their problem, although everyone around them is well aware of it. The humble person, however, who has cast his or her burdens on the shoulders of God, will find peace and security in the care of God.

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

Prayer: Abba Father, engrace me with the spirit of humility that I will cast myself upon You, knowing that I have no power of my own to accomplish much with You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

HELP THE OPPRESSED

HELP THE OPPRESSED

"The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. Psalms 103:6" 

Devotion : God Has positioned the saints at every point in time to assist the oppressed in society. The Lord Jesus Christ in His ministry on earth concentrated on the oppressed in society (Acts 10:38). Likewise, Christians are encouraged to minister to the poor, the needy, and the oppressed. This is because the poor, needy, and oppressed are marginalized in society; they don't have a voice that speaks for them. It is only God, according to the opening scripture, who executes righteousness and judgment for all the oppressed. Christians are the children of God through whom God will execute His righteousness and judgment on earth. Dear beloved, have you availed yourself for God to use to execute His righteousness and judgment? Share your comments here!