SELF SUFFICIENCY

 SELF SUFFICIENCY

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; Thessalonians 4:11" 

Devotion : The will of God for His children is to be self-sufficient. It is something that does not come by chance but by careful study of the Word of God and the practice thereof. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ does not want His children to be continually dependent on others. His wish is that His children enlighten themselves, do their own business, and work with their own hands; He also wants them to live truthfully toward others, and lack nothing. This will be a good light to those who are in the world so that they don't take Christianity for granted. God does not like it when people in the world make comments such as Christians are lazy or Christians are unemployed. Let us live up to expectation and shine as the true light of the world. Praise the Lord! Share your thoughts here!

THE BEST WAY TO LIVE!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY AUGUST 8, 2020.

SUBJECT: THE BEST WAY TO LIVE! 

Memory verse: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." (Romans 12 vs 1.)

READ: Luka 9 vs 23 - 26:

9:23: And He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
9:24: For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save.
9:25: For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 
9:26: For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels.

INTIMATION:

The best way to live is to surrender to Christ. Everybody eventually surrenders to something or someone. If not God, you will surrender to the opinions or expressions of others, to money, to resentment, to fear, to your own pride, lusts, ego, self-defeat, or pity. You were designed to worship God, and if you fail to worship Him, you will eventually create things (idols) that are gods to you, and you give your worship or life to them. God created you to worship Him, and also allowed the freedom of choice. You are free to choose who or what to surrender to, but you are not free from the consequences of that choice. There is freedom before surrender, but no freedom after surrender from the consequences of not surrendering to Him. If you don't surrender to Christ, you surrender to crisis. 

Since outside of Christ is crisis, the only way to live life devoid of crisis is surrender to Him. Nothing else works. All other approaches lead to frustration, disappointment, and self-destruction. The apostle Paul calls surrender a "your reasonable service." Surrendering your life is not a foolish emotional impulse but a rational, intelligent act, the most responsible and sensible thing you can do with your life. That is why Paul said, ".Therefore we must make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him." (Second Corinthians 5 vs 9.) Your wisest moments will be those when you say yes to God. 

Sometimes it takes years to discover this most sensible way to live. When this happens you eventually discover that the greatest hindrance to God's blessing in your life is not others, it is yourself—your self-will, stubborn pride, and personal ambition. You can't fulfill God's purposes for your life while focusing on your own plans. The time of the discovery in your life is immaterial, the important thing is that you have turned to your Owner. You need to discover yourself, if God is going to do His deepest work in you, it starts from this discovery.

Give all of you to God: your past regrets, your present problems, your future ambitions, your fears, dreams, weaknesses, habits, hurts, and hang-ups. Put Jesus Christ in the driver's seat of your life and take your hands off the steering wheel. Never you be frightened; nothing under His control can ever be out of control. You may not understand the circumstances you are in with Him, but it is the best for you, because all the things He does, work together for your eventual good, and in line with His purpose of your life. When you are Mastered by Christ, you can handle anything. You will be like the apostle Paul: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4 vs 13.)  

Our place, time, and how we surrender differs. Paul's moment occurred on the Damascus road after he was knocked down by a blinding light. For others, God gets our attention with less drastic methods. Regardless, surrendering is never just a one-time event. Paul said, "I die daily." (First Corinthians 15 vs31.) There is a moment of surrender, and there is the practice of surrender, which is moment-by-moment and lifelong. Remember, when you surrender, you become a living sacrifice, and the problem of a living sacrifice is that it can crawl off the altar, so you may have to re surrender your life fifty times a day. You must make it a daily habit. (Luke 9 vs 23.)

Let me warn you: When you decide to live a totally surrendered life, that decision will be tested. Sometimes it will mean doing inconvenient, unpopular, costly, or seemingly impossible tasks. It will often mean doing the opposite of what you feel like doing. Christ presented a clear and challenging description of the Christian life. Being His disciple means putting aside selfish desires, shouldering one’s “cross” every day, and following Him. It is simple and yet so demanding. For believers it means understanding that we belong to Him and that we live to serve His purposes. 

Consider this: Do you think of your relationship with God primarily in terms of what’s in it for you (which is considerable) or in terms of what you can do for Him? Are you willing to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Him? Anything less is not discipleship; it is merely superficial lip service. Have you surrendered to Christ? Or are you still arguing and struggling with God over His right to do with your life as He pleases? If you have not, now is your time to surrender to God's grace, love, and wisdom; receiving His Nature! Following Christ means total submission to Him—perhaps even to the point of death.

Prayer: Abba Father, without You, I am completely nothing. I obediently and completely surrender all of my life to You, that You do with it as it’s pleasing to You. My utmost heart desire is to live everyday of my life in You, for You, and with You. So help me God, in Jesus’ most precious Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

 

LEARN FROM OUR FATHER

LEARN FROM OUR FATHER

He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. Psalms 103:9"

Devotion : Jehovah has a character He wants us to emulate and let it become our lifestyle. The opening Scripture says God will not always reprove or rebuke us, nor will He keep His anger forever. How nice for our Father to behave toward His children! He becomes angry when we disobey Him but He does not reject us; He rebukes us in love and patiently waits for us to learn to do the right thing. In like manner He tells us to be angry but sin not; we should not allow our anger to linger in our heart to propel us to do wrong. In other words, we should quickly turn away from our anger (Ephesians 4:26-27). If you are quick tempered, it is time to work on it and become like our heavenly Father. If you are a parent, don't rebuke your children in anger but reprove them in love and patiently wait for them to learn to do right. Hallelujah! Share your comments here!

FIXING YOUR THOUGHTS ON ETERNITY!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY AUGUST 7, 2020.

SUBJECT: FIXING YOUR THOUGHTS ON ETERNITY! 

Memory verse: "While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (Second Corinthians 4 vs 18.)

READ: Second Peter 3 vs 10- 13:

3:10: But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are it will be burned up.
3:11: Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
3:12: looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
3:13: Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

INTIMATION:

To make the most of your time on earth, you must maintain an eternal perspective. You should be mindful of eternal inheritance than what you can get now. Everything you see, and have now will one day pass away (Second Peter 3 vs 10). This will keep you from majoring on earthly things which are minor and help you concentrate on the thing that is eternal, and the ultimate! The more we understand the temporary nature and existence of this world, the more we will focus our attention on that which will permeate the final destruction of all things. We look forward to the passing of the things that are seen in order to enter the glory of that which is presently not seen. 

Nothing seen or experienced in this life is worth the eternal life with God, and nothing we have here on earth will matter a thing in eternity. Even now, so much of what we waste our energy on will not matter even a year from now, much less for eternity. Don't trade your life for temporary things. Our ultimate hope when we are experiencing terrible illness, persecution, or pain is the realization that this life here on earth is not all there is. There is life after death! Knowing that we will live forever with God in a place without sin and suffering can help us live above the pain that we face in this life. Christians who are spiritually detached from what will pass away will be anxiously hastening the coming of that glory which is without end.

The Christian should be godly; maintaining an emotional and spiritual detachment from the things of this world, and seek after God’s ways. He must conduct his or her life as God would direct through His word. Christians should be holy just as our Father in heaven is. Holy is from the word that means “to separate.” The believer’s conduct should be as one separated or detached from what will be terminated. Christians must not become attached to the material world which will have its end in the consuming fire. Their minds must be on the things that are above, the things which will permeate the consummation of all earthly things. 

The Bible, in First Corinthians 7 vs 31, says, "And those you use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away." We should be unhindered by the cares of this world, not getting involved with the burdensome pursuit of earthly things, and should deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you because the world, as you see it, is on its way out.

What are you allowing to stand in the way of your mission? What is keeping you from being an unbeatable Christian? Whatever it is, let it go. Let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back. The Bible, in Hebrews 12 vs 1, says, "....Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Jesus warned us on distractions by earthly things when He said in Luke 9 vs 62, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." What does Jesus want from us? Total dedication, not halfhearted commitment. We can't pick and choose among Jesus' ideas and follow Him selectively; we have to accept the cross along with the crown.

You've probably heard the expression "You can't take it with you." But the Bible says you can send it on ahead by investing in people who are going there! The Bible, in First Timothy 6 vs 18 - 19, says, "Let them do good, that they are rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life." Be wise, be selfless, and be rich in good works. We should not be lazy and complacent because Christ has not returned. Instead, we should live in eager expectation of His coming. What would you like to be doing when Christ returns? That is how you should be living each day.

Prayer: Abba Father, You have put eternity in our hearts, engrace me to always be eternity conscious, and daily conduct myself in that consciousness, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

 

JESUS TAKE THE LEAD

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST AND TESTIMONY

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST AND TESTIMONY

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11"

Devotion : The blood of Jesus Christ is a very effective weapon against the devil and his cohorts of darkness. Even in heaven Archangel Michael and his angels used the blood of Jesus to overcome the devil and his cohorts of darkness. Any time we use the blood they are powerless before us; as a Christian never stop using the blood of Jesus. Another weapon at our disposal is the word of our testimony; testimonies are not meant to be quiet over. Our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ want to hear our testimonies; when they do anything for us, be it small or very great, we must not be quiet over it and take it for granted. The more we testify the more Jesus Christ keeps doing more miracles for us so that we can glorify Him. Our testimonies also expose the works of the enemy and make them feel ashamed and powerless. Hallelujah! Share your testimonies here!

GOD’S WORDIS HIS TRANSFORMING TOOL!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY AUGUST 6, 2020.

SUBJECT: GOD’S WORD IS HIS TRANSFORMING TOOL!

Memory verse: "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4 vs 12.)

READ: Jeremiah 23 vs 29; John 15 vs 3; 17 vs 17:

Jeremiah 23:29: “Is not My word like a fire?” Says the LORD, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock into pieces?

John 15:3: You are already clean because of the word which I spoken to you.

17:17: Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth."

INTIMATION:

God has specialized tools for transforming us. These tools are used by the Holy Spirit to help mold us into Christlikeness. These tools cannot be operative on you except you are willing and submissive to allow Him work on you. One of these tools is the Word of God—the Truth. The Word of God is a tool that transforms us. It can make you into what God wants you to be, and give you everything you could possibly need. This transformation by the Word, through believing and obeying the Word, is called sanctification.

Our memory verse defines the Truth— the Word of God. It is not simply a collection of words, nor a doctrinal guidebook for communicating ideas. It is living. life-changing, creates faith, and is dynamic as its work in us; frightens the devil, causes miracles, heals hurts, build character, transforms circumstances, imparts joy, overcomes adversity, defeats temptation, infuses hope, releases power, cleanses our minds, brings things into being, and guarantees our future forever! 

The Word of God reveals who we are and what we are not. It penetrates the core of our moral and spiritual life. It discerns what is within us, both good and evil, and consequently, the Holy Spirit uses it for our cleansing. Therefore, in transforming us, God’s Word require decisions of hearing, obeying, and practicing; we must not only listen to the Word; we must also let it shape of our lives.

The Word transformation occasions spiritual growth in us, and it is the process of replacing lies with truth—the truth found in the Word of God.  A follower of Jesus Christ has already accepted forgiveness through Christ's sacrificial death. But daily application of God's Word has a purifying effect on our minds and hearts. The Word in the Scripture points out sin, motivates us to confess, renews our relationship with Christ, and guides us back to the right path.

The Spirit of God uses the Word to make us like the Son of God. To become like Jesus, we must fill our lives with His Word. The Bible, in Second Timothy 3 vs 17, says, "That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. God's Word is unlike any other word. When God speaks things happen. All of creation was spoken into existence by God. The apostle James, in James 1 vs 18, points this out; "Of His own Will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures." God decided to give us life through the Word of truth so we might be the most important of all the things He made—"first fruits of His creatures."

God's Word is the spiritual nourishment you must have to fulfill your purpose in life. Therefore, never take it for granted. You should consider it as essential to your life as food. Job said, "I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." (Job 23 vs 12.) The Bible calls the Word of God milk (First Corinthians 3 vs 2; First Peter 2 vs 2), bread (John 6 vs 48), solid food (First Corinthians 3 vs 2), and sweet dessert (Psalm 119 vs 103). This four-course meal is the Spirit's menu for spiritual strength and growth. 

Therefore, Knowing that in the Word there is everything, crave for it like no other food, because in it all other things exist. Jesus said; "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4 vs 4). The Word of God is the all-encompassing nourishment we need for the good life. Jesus quoted the Scripture in Deuteronomy 8 vs 3; "...man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord." Many people think that life is based on satisfying their appetites. If they can earn enough money to dress, eat, and play in high style, they think they are living "the good life." But such things do not satisfy our deepest longings. In the end they leave us empty and dissatisfied. 

Prayer: Abba Father, Your Word gives, transforms, and grows life. Let the entrance of Word, already settled in heaven, transform my life by the renewal of my mind and heart that I may live completely for You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen. 

PRAISE THE LORD!