THE USE OF THE LIPS

THE USE OF THE LIPS

"Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Psalms 63:3" 

Devotion : The lovingkindness of God is indeed better than the natural life on Earth. Lovingkindness is coined from two words: love and kindness. It is His lovingkindness that sent Jesus to die on the cross to redeem mankind from sin and bondage of the devil. When you taste of God's lovingkindness, your lips will spontaneously praise Him. You cannot taste God's lovingkindness and remain quiet. Our lips were given to us to praise God and it is our duty to ensure that we use them to continually praise Him (Hebrews 13:15). Dear beloved, have you ever tasted of the lovingkindness of God? Share your stories here!

SERVANTHOOD IS THE REAL PURPOSE OF LIFE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY AUGUST 25, 2020.

SUBJECT: SERVANTHOOD IS THE REAL PURPOSE OF LIFE!

Memory verse: "But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant." (Matthew 23 vs 11.)

READ: Matthew 20 vs 25 - 28; 23 vs 11 - 12:

20:25: But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the ruler of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 

20:26: Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 

20:27: And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—

20:28: just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many.

23:11: But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 

23:12: And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

INTIMATION:

The real purpose of our living is in given our lives to Christ, and in service to God and others. That is real discipleship, and it implies real commitment, pledging our whole existence to service of God and others. In service is rooted true greatness. To Jesus greatness comes from serving—giving yourself to service unto God and others. Service keeps us aware of others' needs, and it stops us from focusing only on ourselves. Jesus, the greatest man, came as a servant. 

Serving can roundly be described as subjecting one's will to that of another. Christlike attitude in service is such that lays aside rights in order to serve others. This is selflessness—putting others first. The great Jesus, our Messiah, said that His mission was to serve others, even to the extent of given His life away for the sake of saving others. Christ's nature of humility and servanthood, was instrumental to His greatness, and doing what no other has done or can do—giving one’s life for another. 

Also, servanthood is the hallmark of real leadership. A real leader has a servant's heart. Servant leaders appreciate others' worth and realize that they're not above any job. Jesus taught His disciples that the greatest person in God's Kingdom is the servant of all. Authority is given not for self-importance, ambition, or respect, but for useful service to God and others. 

On the night of the Passover meal, Jesus washed the disciple’s feet, even the feet of the one who would betray Him. That act of humility in service might be the single, greatest act of such ever done in history. Here was God Himself, in Jesus Christ, taking the form of a servant and washing the dirty, smelly feet of the disciples…even the feet of an enemy (Judas Iscariot), to give us an example of serving in humility like He did. 

The societal norm is that the great amongst us, and the leaders are served. But Jesus said, it is the other way round, the great, and the leaders should be serving others with that which God has given them. Instead of using people, they are to serve them. When you serve others, even in carrying out ordinary tasks, you are ultimately serving God. For instance, in First Samuel 2 vs 11, the Bible says, "But the child ministered to the Lord before Eli the priest." In other words , Samuel was Eli's helper or assistant in his priestly duties—service to God, and because Samuel was Eli's helper, he was God's helper too. And because our service is ultimately to God, every service has dignity. 

If we say we follow Christ, we must also want to live as He lived. We should develop His attitude of humility, and selfless service. This we can do by allowing the mind that was in Christ to be in us (Philippians 2 vs 5). Though selfless service might result to no recognition for our efforts, yet we must serve regardless of any recognition.

Prayer: Abba Father, engrace me with the mind of Christ that I may lead a life of selfless service acceptable to You, that I may receive Your approval, and crown of glory of living in eternity with You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE MASTER KEY

 THE MASTER KEY

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; John 14:16" 

Devotion : Prayer is so important for the children of God that it cannot be over emphasized. In the opening Scripture, Jesus Christ said He will pray the Father, and He shall give the disciples another Comforter. To pray the Father simply means to pray what God has already promised to give us. If the Son of God prayed to get things done on Earth, it simply means that without prayer nothing gets done on Earth. This is how vital and essential prayer is to the children of God. True to His Word, after He prayed, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, was released to abide with the saints forever (Acts 2:2-3). Hallelujah! The Holy Spirit has come to comfort, lead, guide, teach, remind, and help us to live the victorious life God has designed for us. Dear beloved, are you cooperating with the Comforter? Share your comments here!

THE HINDERING EFFECT OF UNBELIEF!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY AUGUST 24, 2020.

SUBJECT: THE HINDERING EFFECT UNBELIEF!

Memory verse: "Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” (Matthew 13 vs 58.)

READ: Hebrews 4 vs 2 - 3: 

4:2: For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

4:3: For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath,‘ They shall not enter My rest,’ although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 

INTIMATION:

The most common hindrance to receiving God’s blessings is unbelief. The unbelievers are guilty of not believing that God will do what He says He will do. They hardly confess in faith what God says, and that He will do what He has promised He will do. If you continue to confess positively, your spirit will be influenced by that confession. 

Unbelief is the root cause of why God's Word bless some people and not bless others. In the passage we read today, the Scripture says that, when people hear God's Word but do not believe it, then the word preached will profit them nothing. This is because it’s not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Unbelief blinds people to the truth and robs them of hope. 

So many Christians turn back from their promised rest in Christ because of the difficulties of the present moments which overshadow the reality of God’s promise, and their doubts that God will fulfill His promises. Consequently, they try doing things on their efforts. When we trust on our efforts instead of Christ’s power, we are in danger of turning back. Our own efforts are never adequate; only Christ can see us through.

Faith or belief is the first sure step to receiving from God. Not believing in God leads to disobedience. And disobedience is regarded as rebellion and stubbornness against God, tantamount to witchcraft that is regarded as the most serious sin of all because, as long as a person rebels, he or she closes the door of forgiveness and restoration with God. (First Samuel 15 vs 23.) Our memory verse notes that Jesus felt that it was of little use to do the miraculous works of the Father in His home town because of the unbelief of His people. If He had, they would as well ask Him to leave, just as the Gaderenes did, for they did not at that time understand who He really was (Luke 8 vs 37). 

The miracles were used to confirm the spoken word of God (Mark 16 vs 20; Hebrews 2 vs 3 - 4)). However, where there was no searching for truth in the hearts of men, there is no need to uselessly confirm the spoken word. By leaving the area because of their unbelief, Jesus was emphasizing that believing in His teaching was more important than working miracles. However, miracles are not a guarantee that one will accept the word of God. Take for instance, Israel as a nation experienced the wonders of God when she was delivered from Egyptian captivity. However, when at Sinai, the Israelites rebelled against God. 

It’s in believing that the glory of God is made manifest to us. Our faith triggers the grace—power of God to help us in our times if need. Jesus said to Martha at the tomb of Lazarus; “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” (John 6 vs 40.) God’s glory is the backing of His Word. Not believing God and His Words is regarded as disobedience (Hebrews 4 vs 6). Many Christians know a great deal about Christ, but they do not know Him personally—they don’t combine their knowledge with faith. The Good News about Christ they hear benefits them nothing in their lives because it’s not mixed with faith. Believe in Him and then act on what you know. Trust in Christ and do what He says.

Jesus said that “all things are possible to him who believes,” because He who promised is faithful and will do it. With faith in Him, we can have everything we need to serve Him. Jesus said, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” (Mark 11 23 - 24.)

Prayer: Abba Father, my trust is in You. Endue me with the spirit of trust and believe in You in all things, that I may enter Your rest, and have all things possible to me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

GOD IS A GIVER

 GOD IS A GIVER

"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Isaiah 40:29" 

Devotion : God has proven beyond reasonable doubt that He is a giver. He gives power to the faint or weak and increases strength for the one who lacks might. He is always in the business of seeking whom He might bless. In the New Testament He sent Jesus to give us grace (John 1:17): grace to give us favor and strength to accomplish His purpose on earth. He also gave us the Holy Spirit to teach and direct us. In like manner He is counting on us to help the weak among us and also give to the needy in the church and our society. God is a giver and wants His children to be givers. Hallelujah! Dear beloved are you a giver? Share your thoughts here!

GOD IS TIMELESS

 GOD IS TIMELESS

" In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1" 

Devotion : God lives in eternity: He created the heaven and the Earth before time began. He created time on Earth but does not live in time; He is timeless. Science has proved that the earth is millions of years old. They could be right because the Earth was created before time was created. Genesis chapter 1 illustrated how God created light, day, night, sun, and the moon to be the elements of time. If Elohim created heaven and Earth and everything therein, then what can't He create for His children? We are indeed serving a living God. As a child of God, don't be limited by time - you have a Father who can change time to suit you. Praise the Lord! Dear beloved what did you learn from this gospel? Share your thoughts here!

SPIRITUAL MATURITY—BECOMING LIKE CHRIST!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY AUGUST 23, 2020.

SUBJECT: SPIRITUAL MATURITY—BECOMING LIKE CHRIST!

Memory verse:  "Till we all come to the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4 vs 13.)

READ:  Ephesians 4 vs 11 - 16:

4:11: And He Himself gave some apostles, some, prophets, some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers, 
4:12: for the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; 
4:13: till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ;
4:14: that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
4:15: but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

4:16: from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

INTIMATION:

Spiritual maturity—becoming like Christ, is neither instant nor automatic; it is a gradual, progressive development that will take the rest of your life. You are a work in progress. Your spiritual transformation in developing the character of Jesus will take the rest of your life, and even then it won't be completed here on earth. It will only be finished when you get to heaven or when Jesus returns. At that point, whatever unfinished work on your character that is left will be wrapped up.

God is more interested in building your character than He is in anything else. God is more interested in what you are than in what you do. We are human beings, not human doings. God is much more concerned about your character than your career, because you will take your character into eternity, but not your career. There can be many different careers that could be in God's Will for your life, but His utmost care is that whatever you do, you do it in a Christlike manner. 

The apostle Paul in reference to doing all things in Christlike manner said, in the following Scripture passages: "Therefore, whether you eat and drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (First Corinthians 10 vs 31); "Let all you do be done with love." (First Corinthians 16 vs 14.); "And whatever you do in word and deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Colossians 3 vs 17.); "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." (Colossians 3 vs 23.)

Doing "all in the name of the Lord Jesus" means bringing honor to Christ in every aspects and activities of daily living. As a Christian, you represent Christ at all times; wherever you go, and whatever you do and say. Always ask yourself these pertinent questions, "What impression do people have of Christ when they see or talk with me?” "What changes would I make in my life in order to honor Christ?" Regard whatever you do or say as an act of worship or service to God. This would help you treat your job, actions, and words as the cost of discipleship.

In describing the mature Christian, the apostle Paul says that one of the marks is “speaking the truth in love.” This sounds so simple, but it seems so hard for us to do. Some of us are fairly good at speaking the truth, but we forget to be loving. Some of us are good at being loving, but we don’t have it in us to level with others if the truth is painful. The instruction here is to do both: Speak the truth, but do it in a loving manner. Think of the trouble we would spare ourselves if we followed this practice, especially in the church! When you have a problem with another believer, don’t go to someone else with it. Go directly to that person, and speak the truth in love.

So many people are in love with themselves, and put self before anything else, including God. They have abandoned living for God's great purposes and settled for personal fulfillment and emotional stability. Jesus did not die on the cross that we could live comfortable, well-adjusted lives. His purpose is far deeper. He wants to make us like Himself before taking us to heaven. This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility, and our ultimate destiny.

Prayer: Abba Father,  endue with the spirit of love, humility, and obedience, that I may do all things in ChristlIke manner, and pleasing You at all times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!