RELATION OF LOVE TO ANSWERED PRAYER!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY JULY 25, 2020.

SUBJECT: RELATION OF LOVE TO ANSWERED PRAYER! 

Memory verse: ""A new commandment I gave to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." (John 13 vs 34.)

READ: Matthew 7 vs 24 - 27:

7:24: Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 

7:25: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

7:26: "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:

7:27: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and heat on the house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

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INTIMATION:

Jesus gave us the new commandment to govern our new creation life; that we should love one another as He loved us. Observing to do the new commandment is likened to building on the rock—a solid foundation. It means to be a hearing, responsible disciple, not a phony, superficial one. Practicing obedience becomes the solid foundation to weather the storms of life. The Sinai Law taught that one was to love his neighbor as himself (Leviticus 19 vs 18). One’s love of his neighbor, therefore, was based on his love of himself. However, Jesus emphasizes an intensity of love that is different; a love that has no conditions. It is a self-sacrificing love that extends beyond any conditions of one’s environment, and thus simply acts out of a selfless attitude.

You also remember that James speaking in his Book 1 vs 22 says, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." This lover here is a doer of love. He lives in the love realm. It is not the old Phileo love, but the new kind of love that Jesus brought, "Agape" and so we love in deed and in reality. Hereby shall we know that we are of the truth and persuade our hearts when we stand before Him in prayer.

Let us now also join this to First John 5 vs 14 - 15, "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His Will, he hears us. And if we know that He hears us , whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." If we walk in love, we are walking according to His Will, and we never pray out of His Will. And because we are walking according to His Will, He hears us, and the assurances of receiving our petition is therefore, given.

The apostle John gave two conditions upon which prayer is answered. (1) We must ask according to the will of God, for God does not work contrary to His will in answer to prayer. (2) We must ask upon the condition that we are obedient to His will, for God work’s through the lives of those who are carrying out His work in the world. If we ask of God on these two conditions, we can have confidence, or boldness that God will answer our prayers. We can have confidence that God will work in our behalf in order to accomplish that which is in the best interest ps of His children (Romans 8 vs 28)). When we are confident that God hears our prayers, then we will see His answers.

Walking according to His Will leads us right into the heart of the Father. This love life permits us to walk into the very presence of the Father. You may go into the throne room and stand in His presence and make your petitions known in that name, and as sure as you do, the petition is heard. Unless we walk in love and have yielded to the lordship of love, God cannot manifest Himself through us. The ability of God is realized only in love's freedom to act. Selfishness imprisons love.

The two lives Jesus compares at the end of the Sermon on the Mount which is the passage we read today, have several points in common: the two men both build, they both hear Jesus’ teaching, and they both experience the same set of circumstances in life. The difference between them isn’t caused by ignorance but by one ignoring obedience to His Word. Externally, their lives may look similar, but the lasting, structural differences will be revealed by the storms of life. 

The immediate difference in your life when you follow Christ may not be obvious, but eventually they will turn out to affect even your eternal destiny. Most people do not deliberately seek to build on a false or inferior foundation; instead, they just don’t think about their life’s purpose. Many people are headed to destruction not out of stubbornness but out of thoughtlessness. They hardly stop and think where their lives are headed, and the consequences of ignoring the Word of God.

In the new creation, you have become doers of love; hitherto, you were doers of selfishness. We have consented to the dethroning of the control of the flesh. Prior to the new creation, our physical bodies have sat upon the throne of our lives. Now we are crowning our spirits, or to put it more clearly, we are recognizing the lordship of Jesus Christ and crowning Him as Lord of our whole being.

Prayer: Abba Father, Your love nature has been shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit which is given to me in the new creation. O Lord, let me receive mercy and grace to walk in love, and be helpful in time of need, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE SPIRITUAL MINDED OR CARNALLY MINDED?

THE SPIRITUAL MIND OR CARNAL MIND?
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For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:6"

Devotion : Life is about making choices, even refusing to make a choice is a choice in itself. Believers in Christ Jesus must make a choice to either be carnally minded or spiritually minded. To be carnally minded is to walk in the natural mindset: thinking of temporal things, talking by feeling, acting according to feeling, and living according to the human senses; these can only lead to suffering, doubt, unbelief, and finally death. To be spiritually minded is to walk in the supernatural mindset: thinking of eternal things, talking by faith, acting in line with the Holy Scriptures, and living by the Holy Spirit; these lead to peace, greater faith, believing, wealth, and life, praise the Lord! Dear beloved, what did you learn from this gospel? Share your comments here!

BE SELFLESS IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY JULY 24, 2020.

SUBJECT:  BE SELFLESS IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS!

Memory verse:  "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2 vs 4.) 

READ: Romans 15 vs 1 - 3; First Corinthians 20 vs 24:

Romans 15:1: We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
15:2: Let each one of us please his neighbour for his good, leading to edification.
15:3: For even Christ did not please Himself; but, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”

First Corinthians 10:24: Let no one Seek his own, but each one the others’s well-being.

INTIMATION:

We're by nature selfish. Activities around us also encourages us to think of self. We are interested in being the first or the best as the world look out for such people amongst us. Consequently, we are more interested in self than others. Considering others interests as more important than our own links us with Christ, who was an epitome of selflessness. Christ had every right to exalt His rights over those whom He had created, however, He lowered Himself to be the servant of man (Matthew 26 vs 28; Mark 10 vs 45). When we care for the problems of others as if they are our problems, we demonstrate Christ’s example of putting others first—being selfless.

The Scriptural recommendation for all actions of believers is not to do what we like best, but what is best for those around us. The opposite approach would be (1)being insensitive and doing what we want, no matter who is hurt by it; (2) being over-sensitive and doing nothing, for fear that someone may be displeased; (3) being a "yes person" by going along with everything, trying to gain approval from people rather than from God. In this age of "me first" and "looking out for number one," the Scriptural recommendation is that we make the good of others one of our primary goals, and in so doing we develop a serving attitude that pleases God.

The only way we can make the paradigm switch is by a moment-by-moment dependence on God. Fortunately God doesn't leave us to struggle on our own. He has given us His Spirit to be our helper. The Bible, in First Corinthians 2 vs 12, says, "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." God has given us his Spirit, and as believers His Spirit indwelling us enables us not to think as the unbelievers of this world think.

The body of Christ is a community of people who have one another’s interest at heart in order to preserve themselves in a world of struggles. It is our responsibility as brothers in Christ to help one another. This is in fulfillment of the law of Christ which is to love one another (Galatians 6 vs 2). This law brings individuals together into a common bond and fellowship. And that is “faith working through love.” (Galatians 5 vs 6.) Christians come into a fellowship wherein they have responsibilities toward one another. They come into a fellowship of slaves who seek the best for others. They seek to edify one another in an environment of mutual love. 

Guard against any selfishness, prejudice, or jealousy that might lead to dissension. Showing genuine interest in others in a positive step forward in maintaining unity among believers. We have freedom in Christ, but we shouldn’t exercise our freedom at the cost of hurting a Christian brother or sister. Some actions may not be wrong, but they may not be in the best interest of others. We are not to consider only ourselves; we must also consider the needs and perspective of others. When people live for themselves with little concern for how their actions affect others, the resulting moral rot contaminates the entire society. Are you part of the problem or the solution?

Now, in your soul winning drive, start asking the Holy Spirit to help you to think of the spiritual need of unbelievers whenever you talk to them. With practice you can develop the habit of praying silent "breath prayers" for those you encounter. Say, "Father, help me to understand what is keeping this person from knowing you." Your goal is to figure out where others are in their spiritual journey and then do whatever will bring them a step closer to knowing Christ. You can learn how to do this by adopting the mind-set of the apostle Paul, who said in First Corinthians 10 vs 33, "Just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved."

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of selflessness and servanthood that I will put the interests of others first in all I do, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD! 

LEADER OR FOLLOWER

LEADER OR FOLLOWER

"He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. Psalms 103:7" 

Devotion : Yahweh is really a divine strategist: He treats every child of His the same. When His leaders know His ways they are then able to explain to the followers the acts of God. The Israelites were fond of enjoying the acts of God: they enjoyed manna from heaven, quails from God, and crossed the Red Sea and River Jordan. Moses on the other hand was made to know the ways of God: he was shown the route to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, asked to strike the rock to get water for the children of Israel, raise the rod to divide the Red Sea and allowed to see the back of God. Dear beloved, do you want to be a leader for God or a follower for God? Share your thoughts here!

THE ARMOR OF GOD VERSUS THE SENSES!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY JULY 23, 2020.

SUBJECT:  THE ARMOR OF GOD VERSUS THE SENSES!

Memory verse:  "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6 vs 13.) 

READ:  Second Corinthians 10 vs 3 - 6:

10:3: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 

10:4: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 

10:5: casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

10:6: and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

INTIMATION:

In this world Christians live in physical body—the flesh, but their warfare is spiritual, and thus, we fight a spiritual war with Satan, though we live in the flesh. And since the Christian’s battle is against “principalities” and “powers” (the powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by the devil)—the spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places, the weapons of his or her warfare are spiritual—the whole armor of God. The armor is the spiritual help supplied by God for overcoming the temptations of the devil. Spirit empowered believers must capture every thought and yield it to Christ.

The devil concentrates his temptations on the flesh—our senses, always harping on the physical happenings in our lives. Although we live in the flesh, our war is not waged according to the flesh, and our weapon of warfare is not carnal (not fleshy or of the senses), but mighty in the strength of God to overthrow the strongholds of the adversary. God’s mighty weapons emanates from the recreated spirit, and are prayer, faith, hope, love, God’s Word, and the Holy Spirit. These weapons are powerful and effective. They can break down the proud human arguments against God and the walls that Satan builds through the flesh, to keep people from finding God. 

The weapon that we use against “sense knowledge” is the Word of God. The word from the recreated spirit is always at variance with the senses of the flesh. The recreated spirit has access to the spiritual knowledge revealed in God’s Word, and in it lies mighty weapon of God available to us to fight against Satan’s strongholds which abound in the flesh. The power of the Christian is strong against the works of the devil because the power of his or her weaponry originates from God, not man. 

The devil will always present its arguments according to the outward appearance—according to the flesh or senses. But the recreated spirit understands things from God’s perspective as revealed in His Word. Therefore, Christians should not swayed by the things you see, such as; an empty purse, a weak body, or a lack of work. They must never think of their combats as against the thing that they can see or hear or feel. Their combats are with the prince of the power of air that rules people's feelings and fills them with fear.

Now, as a master, with the recreated spirit, you don’t look at the outward appearance of things which the devil presents as arguments. When you are faced with want, you remember what the Word promised you in Psalm 23 vs 1 - 3; "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness; for His name's sake."

Sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, protection, and guidance. The New Testament calls Jesus the good Shepherd (John 10 vs 11); the great Shepherd (Hebrews 13 vs 20); and the Chief Shepherd (First Peter 5 vs 4). Our shepherd knows the "green pastures," where there is life, and abundance. He knows the "still water," where there are no storms, but peace, and these will restore us. As obedient followers of the Shepherd, we will have all we want.

You say it over and over again, "The Lord is my Shepherd—my Bread-Provider, my Rent-Payer, the very source of all my needs, and my present help in trouble." You say it, "He takes me by the waters of plenty, there is no need He cannot supply." Though, 

the lord of the world may lead one into want, into pains, and headaches; but “my Lord leads me into green pastures.”

God said in Isaiah 41 vs 10, "Fear not for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Go over that carefully. "Fear not for I am with you." The Creator of the universe, the Owner of all things, and controls all circumstances, is with you. He conquered the storm, and the storm in your life is nothing to Him. He has assured you He is with you. He has established a relationship with you as your God, and has given you assurance of His strength, help and victory over all circumstances. Yes, the great, mighty Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead is with you and within you.

Now, call to mind His revelation to you in John 15 vs 5; "I am the vine and you are the branches." You then realize you are the fruit-bearing branch of Christ today. He had said, "I am your God." And if He is with you who can be against you? (Romans 8 vs 31.)

He assured us saying, "All authority has been given unto Me." (Matthew 28 vs 18 - 19.) And with all authority vested in Him, He is backing you to the limit, and is with you always, "even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28 vs 20.) Hallelujah!

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You so much for Your whole armor You have made readily available to me for my fight against the wiles of the evil one. Build in me abundantly the sword of the Spirit—Your Word, that I may, at all times, completely disarm the devil in his arguments, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

TRUE LEADERSHIP

TRUE LEADERSHIP

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1" 

Devotion : Apostle Paul is a true leader: he will go as far as begging or pleading with his converts to get them to do what God wants. The opening scripture shows that Christians who present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, will be in a position to renew their mind with the Holy Scriptures; after renewing their mind, their mind will then be sound to prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. On the other hand, Christians who do not present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, will conform to the dictate of the world; they will also not be able to renew their mind with the Holy Scriptures so they cannot prove the will of God. Dear beloved, have you presented your body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God? Briefly explain why. Share your comment here. 

TRUE FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY JULY 22, 2020.

SUBJECT:  TRUE FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD!

Memory verse:  "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11 vs 1.) 

READ: Hebrews 11 vs 1 - 6:

11:1: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
11:2: For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
11:3: By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
11:4: By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts, and through it he being dead still speaks.
11:5: By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death; “and was not found, because God had taken him”, for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

11:7: By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

INTIMATION:

True faith combines assurance and anticipation. It is the confidence based on past experience that God’s new and fresh surprises will surely be ours. The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s promises. He will do what He says. When we believe that God will fulfill His promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith—believing that ‘He who promised is faithful and will do it’ (Hebrews 10 vs 23).

True faith is pleasing to God, and such faith moves the one who possesses it into action and confidence in the promises of God. It is a faith that does not give up hope in what God has promised as a reward for the believer. It is not a simple confession with one’s mouth that he believes in God. It is a life commitment to the work of God who is working to bring about the final end and purpose of all things. Believing that God exists is only the beginning, even the demons believe that much (James 2 vs 19 - 20). God will not settle for mere acknowledgement of His existence. He wants your faith that leads to a personal, dynamic relationship. 

Biblical faith is based on evidence. The apostle John, in his gospel, recorded the evidence of the miraculous works of Jesus in order that we believe (John 20 vs 30 - 31). God has never expected us to believe without evidence. Consequently, in the 1st Century, He confirmed His messengers and message by miraculous manifestations. Belief without evidence is only superstition. The faith of the Christian, however, is not superstition. Our faith today is based on the record of the testimonies of the patriarchs of old who gave their testimony to the work and faithfulness of God—those who actually experienced the confirming work of God. 

Christians have hope in those things that they have not experienced because God has given miraculous evidence to the truth of the message they believe. They grow in faith in the promises of God as they study the testimony of those who personally experienced the confirming miracles that are recorded in the Bible. Though they are dead, the account of their active faith still teaches us lessons of obedient faith  that is pleasing to God.

The faith of Christians is not in the meritorious performance of religious ceremonies. It is in the performance of Jesus on the cross who offered an atoning sacrifice for our sins once and for all time. If one’s faith does not move him or her into depending on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, it is a faith that does not please God. Faith must act in faithful obedience to the will of God. Without this obedient faith, one has deceived himself into believing that a simple belief in the existence of God is sufficient for salvation.

If one claims to have faith in God, and yet does not manifest such in the behavior of his or her life, then such faith is of no profit toward salvation. Faith without benevolent actions is self-deception on the part of the one who seeks to please God on his own conditions. One’s faith must be manifested by the benevolent actions toward others. The love of God cannot be seen without obedience to the commandments of God. The faith in God can be seen with benevolent actions toward one’s fellow man. 

Prayer: Abba Father, You are the same yesterday, today, and remains the same forever. You have manifested Your greatness in Your wondrous works from the beginning and has continued till this day, and will forever do the same. My absolute trust is in You and Your unchanging nature. Endue me with the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, that I may speak as I believed, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!