BE CONSISTENTLY DEVOTED TO GOD!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY JULY 30, 2018.

SUBJECT : BE CONSISTENTLY DEVOTED TO GOD!

Memory verse: "Those who trust in the LIRD are like Mount Zion which cannot be moved, but abides forever." (Psalm 125 vs 1.)

READ: Psalm 91 vs 9 - 12; 14 - 16:

91:9: Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place.

91:10: No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

91:11: For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.

91:12: in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

91:14: Because He has set His love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

91:15: He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 

91:16: With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.

INTIMATION:

The person who trusts in God and obeys His Will is untouchable until God takes him or her. If we dwell and abide with Him, by entrusting ourselves to His protection and pledging our daily devotion to Him, we will be kept safe. To trust God is to have immeasurable peace.

No other scenario in the Scriptures, perhaps, most buttresses this point than the story of Daniel. Daniel was one of three governors set over his kingdom by King Darius. Daniel distinguished himself above other governors and satraps that the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm of his kingdom. Daniel had an excellent spirit in him, and consequently made enemies at work, and they sought to find a charge against him. He was, at that time, over 80 years old.

Daniel was a determined man, consistent in his devotion to God. He wouldn't bow to just any wish, even if it came from the emperor himself. Daniel kept praying to the God of Israel, the God he believed in. He stood for his convictions and would not redirect his prayers to a person he knew was a mortal as he.

In Babylon, the kings word was the law. In the Medo-Persian empire, however, when a law was made, even the king couldn't change it. King Darius was an effective government administrator, but he had a fatal flaw—pride. By appealing to his vanity, the men talked Darius into signing a law effectively making him a God for 30 days, and that whoever petitions any god or man except king Darius, shall be cast into the lions' den. For praying to God, Daniel was guilty, and was to be food for hungry beasts in the king's special execution pits.

So Daniel was sentenced to the lion pit, and the sentence was carried out. But the lions did not disturb him. Although he sat right beside them, they didn't touch him. Daniel himself, walked out of the pit the next morning, alive and well. Why would lions suddenly go on a hunger strike? Lions eat only when hungry, not for recreation. And the whole point of having a bunch of lions caged up was to keep them hungry. The ancients would typically starve lions so they could watch the ferocious lions tear up the ones convicted. 

In accordance with Persian custom, this cruel punishment was transferred to those who had conspired against the king by provoking him into an unjust action (See also Esther 7 vs 9 - 10). The king’s great anger resulted in the execution of the evil officials and their families. The fact that these lions were starving is proven by how they savagely tore apart Daniel's false accusers. These were hungry lions. Evil deeds often backfire on those who plan cruelty.

Then what kept these lions from devouring Daniel? Though, to many It remains a mystery how Daniel survived a night trapped in a pit filled with hungry lions. Nonetheless, the Almighty God, whom Daniel worship consistently, sedated the lions’ wild instincts for just that night. Daniel himself put it more directly: "My God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in His sight" (Daniel 6 vs 22). 

Prayer: Abba Father, You are ever faithful, and Your companionship is sure for those who consistently obey, and put their trust in You. Endue me with the spirit of complete obedience , and devotion to You, that I may stand sure of Your protection and fellowship with You at all times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

GOD'S GLORY

GOD'S GLORY

 "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Corinthians 10:31"

Devotion : The glory of God is the beauty, majesty, splendor, and brightness of God. Fueling the glory of God are the praise, worship, thanksgiving, and admiration given unto Him. He uses the praise, worship, thanksgiving, and admiration to sustain and beautify His creation. Our main focus in life is to glory God, hence, our thoughts and actions should be geared towards glorifying God. As believers in Christ Jesus, what we eat, drink, put on our body, or whatsoever we do, we should do to the praise of the name of Christ Jesus and our Father in heaven. When we do that we will earn the respect and accolade of our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ; and they will be closer to you and make their home with you (John 14:23). Dear beloved what did you learn from this gospel? Share your thoughts here!

WHAT IT MEANS TO SURRENDER TO GOD!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY JULY 29, 2020.

SUBJECT: WHAT IT MEANS TO SURRENDER TO GOD! 

Memory verse: "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." (Psalm 37 vs 7.)

READ: Mark 14 vs 32 - 36:

14:32: Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.
14:33: And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed.
14:34: Then He said to them, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful even to death. Stay here and watch.”

14:35: He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him.

14:36: And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me: nevertheless not what I will, but what You will.

INTIMATION:

To surrender means to yield. Therefore, surrendering to God means to yield completely to Him. Surrendering to God is not passive resignation, fatalism (all events have been predetermined), or an excuse to relax, or laziness. It is not accepting the status quo. It means the exact opposite: sacrificing your life or suffering in order to change what needs to be changed. 

God often calls surrendered people to do battle on his behalf. Surrendering is for soldiers of Christ, not for cowards. Likewise it does not mean giving up rational thinking. God would not waste the mind He gave you! God does not want robots to serve Him. Surrendering is not repressing your personality. Rather than its being diminished, surrendering enhances it. The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become, because He made us. He invented all the different people you and I intended to be. It is when I turn to Christ, when I gave up myself to His personality, that I first began to have a real personality of my own. 

Surrendering is best demonstrated in obedience. You say, "Yes, Lord" to whatever He asks of you. To say, "No, Lord" is to speak a contradiction. You can't call Jesus your Lord when you refuse to obey Him. Surrendered people obey God's word, even if it doesn't make sense. For instance Peter demonstrated the act of surrender when he obeyed the instruction of Jesus, after a whole night of toiling without success: "Master, we have toiled and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." (Luke 5 vs 5.) 

Another aspect of a fully surrendered life is trust. Abraham followed God's leading without knowing where it would take him. Hannah waited for God's perfect timing without knowing when. Mary expected a miracle without knowing how. Joseph trusted God's purpose without knowing why circumstances happened the way they did. Each of these people were fully surrendered to God. You know you're surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation. You let go and let God work. You don't have to always be "in charge." 

instead of trying harder, you trust more. You also know you're surrendered when you don't react to criticism and rush to defend yourself. Surrendered hearts show up best in relationships. You don't edge others out, you don't demand your rights, and you aren't self-serving when you are surrendered. You don't fret because of him who prospers in his way, or because the wicked man with his schemes is succeeding while you are not.

The most difficult area to surrender for many people is their money. Many have thought, "I want to live for God but I also want to earn enough money to live comfortably and retire someday." Retirement is not the goal of a surrendered life, because it competes with God for the primary attention of our lives. Jesus said, "You cannot serve both God and money" (Matthew 6 vs 24), and "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6 vs 21). 

We live in a materialistic society where many people serve money. They spend all their lives chasing after money, collecting, and storing it, only to die and leave it behind. Their desire for money far outweighs their commitment to God and spiritual matters. Whatever you store up you will spend much of your time and energy thinking about. I advice that you do not fall into the materialistic trap, because "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" (First Timothy 6 vs 10). Can you honestly say that God, not money, is your master? One test is to ask which one consume more of your thoughts, time, and efforts.

The passage we read today gives us the supreme example of self-surrender in Jesus. The night before His crucifixion Jesus surrendered Himself to God's plan. He prayed, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will." (Mark 14 vs 36.) Jesus didn't pray, "God, if you are able to take away this pain, please do so." He had already affirmed that God can do anything! Instead he prayed, "God, if it is in your best interest to remove this suffering, please do so. But if it fulfills your purpose, that's what I want, too."

Genuine surrender says, "Father, if this problem, pain, sickness, or circumstance is needed to fulfill your purpose and glory in my life or in another's, please don't take it away. This level of maturity does not come easy. In Jesus' case, He agonized so much over God's plan that He sweat drops of blood. Surrender is hard work. In our case, it is intense warfare against our self-centered nature.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the excellent spirit of total surrender of my whole life to You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

DWELL NOT IN THE PAST!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY JULY 28, 2020.

SUBJECT: DWELL NOT IN THE PAST! 

Memory verse: "But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

 (Luke 9 vs 62

.)

READ: Philippians 3 vs 13 - 14:

3:12: Not that I have already attained, or am already perfect; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

3:13: Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended: but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
3:14: I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

3:15: Therefore, let us, as many are mature, have this mind, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

INTIMATION:

The past belongs to history, do not dwell in it. Looking back at the past only serves to limit your vision for the future. Even though the past is not entirely gone, your atonement and redemption from yesterday's mistakes and failures can be the bricks and mortar of today. You need to dream of things that never were and press toward the goal God has ordained for your life. The only reason you should look back is to remember the good God has done for you.

A wise person will not complain about the past. Though we may learn from the past, focusing on misfortunes of the past may lead us to make wrong decisions in the present. Your problems cannot be solved by reliving the failures of the past. King Solomon wisely said in Ecclesiastics 7 vs 10, "Do not say, 'Why were the former days better than these?' For you do not inquire wisely concerning this." Instead of living in the past, decide to live for today, and let it determine the future. 

Reliving the past is a time wasted which would have been well spent on pressing on to the future. Are you looking back at a past relationship, a lost promotion, a bitter experience? Is your mind so fixed on a person or a situation that it keeps you from going forward with your life? It's noteworthy that what was once hard to bear is often sweet to remember. However, with the single-mindedness of an athlete in training, we must lay aside everything harmful and forsake anything that may distract us from being effective Christians. The past belongs to history, and should not hold you back, but the knowledge gained is helpful to face the present and plan the future.

In the passage we read today, the apostle Paul had reason to forget the past—he had held the coats of those who had stoned Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 7 vs 57 - 58, Paul is called Saul here). We have all done things for which we are ashamed, and we live in the tension of what we have been and what we want to be. Because our hope is in Christ, however, we can let go the past guilt and look forward to what God will help us become. Sometimes trying to live a perfect Christian life can be so difficult that it leaves us drained and discouraged. We may feel so far from perfect that we think we can never please God with our life. Quit looking back at "what might have been" and refusing to enter into God's gracious provision of "what can be." 

Don’t dwell on your past. Instead grow in the knowledge of God by concentrating on your relationship with Him now. Realize that you are forgiven, and then move on to a life of faith and obedience. Look forward to a fuller and more meaningful life because of your hope in Christ. You must leave Egypt before you can reach your promised land. Remember, God took the children of Israel 'out' so He can bring them 'in.' You must leave the past behind before you can arrive into your provision.

Dissatisfaction comes when our attention shifts from what we have to what we don’t have. You may remember what you had in the past but don’t have now and begin agonize over your present position. Like the children of Israel in Exodus 16 - 17, they could think of nothing but the delicious Egyptian food they had left behind. Somehow they forgot that the brutal whip of Egyptian slavery was the cost eating that food. They didn’t seem to notice what God was doing for them—setting them free, making them a nation, giving them a new land—because they were so wrapped up in what God wasn’t doing for them. 

We must not allow things of this world to detract us from our goal of eternal dwelling. It’s helpful to think about what occupies our attention most of the time. Are we grateful for what God has given us, or are we always thinking about what we would like to have or what we had in the past and are missing now? We should not allow our unfulfilled desires to cause us to forget God’s gifts of life, health, work, and good friends. 

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for all You have done, still doing, and will do for me. You are perfect in all Your ways, and knows better than I know myself. What You cannot give me, may I never have it, what You cannot do for me, may it remain undone, the life You cannot give to me, may I never live it, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen. 

PRAISE THE LORD!

OBEDIENT PROFITS

OBEDIENT PROFITS

"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17"

Devotion : It pays when disciples, members, citizens and subordinates obey their leaders. It is even vital in the church for members to obey and submit to the leaders placed over them. Jesus Christ, the bishop, has appointed shepherds, pastors or leaders to carry out His work on earth. They will give account to every soul entrusted under their care; therefore, in as much as they have a responsibility, the members also have a responsibility to support them. Their support is in their obedience and submission so that the shepherds can do their work with joy. When they work with joy, blessings flow to the members. On the other hand, when they don't get the support because of disobedience and insubordination, they are grieved; and instead of blessing flowing, grief, pain, bitterness, and curses are passed on to the members. Dear beloved, let us choose to submit to authority in the church and our state. Praise the Lord! Share your comments here!

THE MERCIES OF GOD

THE MERCIES OF GOD

"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. Lamentations 3:22" 

Devotion : Mercy is a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion. Truly indeed it is the mercies of God that we are not consumed. God's mercies endure forever (Psalms 136:1). The mercies of God sent Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, to die for the sin of mankind. Because of the mercies of God the murderer, thief, prostitute, drunkard, liar, etc. can be saved by Jesus Christ. Dear beloved, wherever you are, whatever you have done, the mercies of God can extend to you, for His compassion fails not. Take advantage of God's mercies and be blessed. The mercies of God can pick you from poverty and place you among kings (2 Samuel 9:1-13). Jesus Christ was a man of compassion (Matthew 9:36). Hallelujah! Share your thoughts here!

ASPIRE TO BE PERFECT!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY JULY 27, 2020.

SUBJECT: ASPIRE TO BE PERFECT! 

Memory verse: "Therefore, you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."

 (Matthew 5 vs 48

.)

READ: Second Corinthians 3 vs 18; First John 3 vs 2 - 3:

Second Corinthians 3:18: But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

First John 3:2: Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 

3:3: And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

INTIMATION:

“Perfect” comes from the Greek word “Teleios” which signifies haven reached its end, finished, or complete. It’s used primarily for a person’s physical development, then with ethical imports—fully grown, mature. It also, conveys the idea of goodness without necessary reference to maturity, but rather completeness in deeds. For Christ, being perfect is bringing to an end, by completing or accomplishing, His earthly course in the accomplishment of His Father’s Will, the successive stages that culminated to His Death on the cross and resurrection thereto, that made Him perfect legally and officially, for all that He would be to His people on the ground of His sacrifice.

All parts of our lives and character should be in the process of becoming conformed, both inwardly and outwardly, to God's standards. We should be like our Heavenly Father—holy in everything we do. After people commit their lives to Christ, they sometimes still feel a pull back to their old ways, nonetheless, we should aspire to be perfect just as He is. Holiness means being totally devoted or dedicated to God, set aside for His special use and set apart from sin and its influence. We're to be set apart and different, not blending in with the crowd, yet not being different just for the sake of being different. 

We should not be surprised, ashamed, or shocked that have not attained perfection, and still need to grow. God is not finished with us. We can encourage this growth process by deliberately applying Scripture in all areas of our life, by accepting the discipline and guidance Christ provides, and by giving Him control of our desires and goals. Perfection or completeness will be attained at the second coming of Christ—“we shall be like Him For we shall see Him as He is.”

The Bible, in Hebrews 10 vs 14, says, “For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” We have been made perfect, yet we are “being sanctified” (made holy). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ, once for all, made His believers perfect (complete) in God’s sight—holy and without blemish as planned by God from the beginning for His people. Jesus Christ, through the indwelling Holy Spirit in the believers, is making us holy (progressively cleansed and set apart for His special use) in our daily pilgrimage here on earth. Daily we are being transformed into the image of God from one stage to another—“from glory to glory,” by the Holy Spirit.

God's quality in our lives make us different. Our focus and priorities must be His. All these are in direct contrast to our old ways, we cannot become holy on our own, but God gives us His Holy Spirit to help us obey and to give us power to overcome sin. How can we perfect? We can be perfect as follows:

1. In character. In this life we cannot be flawless, but we can aspire to be as much like Christ as possible.

2. In holiness. Like the Pharisees, we are to separate ourselves from the world's sinful values. But unlike the Pharisees we are to be devoted to God's desires rather our own and carry His love and mercy into the world.

3. In maturity. We can't achieve Christlike character and holy living all at once, but we must grow toward maturity and wholeness. Just as we expect different behavior from a baby, a child, a teenager, and an adult, so God expects different behavior from us, depending on our stage of spiritual development.

4. In love. We can seek to love others as completely as God loves us. We can be perfect if our behavior is appropriate for our maturity level—perfect yet with much room to grow. Our tendency to sin must never deter us from striving to be more like Christ.

Christ calls all of His disciples to excel, to rise above mediocrity, and to mature in every area, becoming like Him. Those who try to be perfect will one day be perfect even as Christ is perfect. By gazing at the nature of God with unveiled minds, we can be more like Him. In the gospel, we see the truth about Christ, and it transforms us morally as we understand and apply it. Through learning about Christ’s life, we can understand how wonderful God is and what He is really like. As our knowledge deepens, the Holy Spirit helps us to change. Becoming Christlike is a progressive experience, the more we follow Christ, the more we will be like Him.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are the Holy Sovereign God. Endue me with Your Spirit to aspire to be like You—perfect, and without faults, and to be complete in Christ, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!