GOD’S LOVE FOR US!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY AUGUST 27, 2020.

SUBJECT : GOD'S LOVE FOR US!

Memory verse: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." 

(John 3 vs 16.)

READ: Romans 5 vs 6 - 11:

5:6: For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

5:7: For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.

5:8: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

5:9: Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

5:10: For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

5:11: And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

INTIMATION:

God is filled with compassion and wants us to realize we are loved and cared for. This is one of God's most outstanding and obvious characteristics. The message of the gospel comes to a focus in His passion for us as is stated, and demonstrated in our memory verse. Here God sets the pattern of true love or passion for others, setting the pattern for all true love relationships. 

When you love someone dearly, you are ready and willing to give freely to the point of self-sacrifice. For His love for us, God paid dearly with the life of His Son, the highest price He could pay, and unheard of in history. Jesus accepted wholeheartedly, His propitiation for our sins, accepted our punishment, paid the price for our sins on the cross (Ezekiel 18 vs 4 & Romans 6 vs 23). He, in exchange, offered us the new life that He had bought for us; exchanging His life of inestimable value with out lives that are completely worthless.

The apostle Paul, in the passage we read, expounded the love of God for us. He explained that when we were weak and helpless because we could do nothing on our own to save ourselves, Christ had to come to rescue us. He came at exactly the right time in history in accordance with God's plan and schedule. It is God that controls all history, and He controlled the timing, method, and events surrounding Jesus' death. God sent Jesus to die for us, not because we were good enough, but just because He loved us and is passionate about our well being.

The apostle Paul explained that the love that caused God to create the world for an extension of His kingdom, and caused Christ to die in our place, is the same love that sends the Holy Spirit to live n us and guide us daily. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that saved us and is available to us in our daily lives. 

God is a Passionate Father. In Psalms 103 vs 13 the psalmist reminds us: 

"As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him." Jesus demonstrated this the day the disciples found themselves on the Sea of Galilee, and a storm was brewing, which is typical of the Sea of Galilee even today. The boat containing these disciples started to take in water because of the turbulence. With the boat beginning to sink, these terrified disciples asked the ultimate question, "Lord, don't You care?" Of course He cares!

Many of us have at one time or the other felt like that, "Lord where are You when I really need You?" "God, I'm going under. Don't You care?" But a believer and a child of God will remember the promise found in First Peter 5 vs 7, "Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you." Does God care about your health? Yes! Does He care about your finances? Yes! What about that relationship that has never become what you hoped it would? Yes, He does care! He cares about the minutest details of your life that even the very hairs of your head is counted. (Matthew 10 vs 30). Though you may not know He cares, rest assured He does.

Be assured that, having begun a life with Christ, you have a reserve power and love to call on each day for help to meet every challenge or trial. Too often, in our spiritual life, although we may need to love God more, there is a much higher need to recognize just how much He loves us. When our relationship is such that we feel God's love and His passion for His children, we naturally begin to love Him more. You can pray for His power and love as you need it.

In Psalms 145 vs 18 the psalmist tells us, "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth." What this means is that He is never too busy for you. When you pray, you will never get busy signal. He hears you and ready to meet your real need. Jesus had a very special term He used to describe the personal and passionate nature of God. He called Him, "Abba." The word Abba is an Aramaic word used to describe the most intimate, personal nature of a father. He is never too busy for you. He is never more concerned about a crisis in one individual than another. 

Prayer: Abba Father, thank you for Your love for me. You have daily loaded me with Your benefits, always forgiving me my iniquities, healing me all my diseases, redeeming my life from distractions, satisfying my mouth with good things, so that my youth is renewed like the eagle's, and crowning me with loving kindness and tender mercies. May I not miss my path in You, in Jesus' Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

DOUBLE HONOUR

 DOUBLE HONOUR

"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. Timothy 5:17" 

Devotion : Leaders in Christ Jesus who come across the opening Scripture should be glad indeed. This should motivate them to do the work which the Lord has called them into with love and zeal, because in the end our Lord Jesus Christ will reward them exceedingly. There is a condition to the reward; it says those who rule well are worthy of double honor. Also those who labor in the Word of God and doctrine or teachings of Christ deserve double honor. Leaders in Christ Jesus must therefore aim at doing their work efficiently and effectively, and those who labor in the Word and doctrine must live what they teach. Dear beloved, are you a leader or do you aspire to be one? What must you do to deserve double honor? Share your comments here!

ENTER HIS REST!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26, 2020.

SUBJECT: ENTER HIS REST!

Memory verse: "And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious.” (Isaiah 11 vs 10.)

READ: Hebrews 4 vs 3 - 10: 

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. 
4:4: For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 
4:5: and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest..”
4:6: Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience,

4:7: again, He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after so long a time; as it is said: “Today if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
4:8: For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day.
4:9: There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.

4:10: For he who has entered His rest has also ceased from his works, as God did from His.

INTIMATION:

For Christians, God’s rest is peace with Him now and eternal life on a new earth later. God desires that we enter into rest with Him. He offers us the opportunity to enter His ultimate place of rest—He invites us to come to Christ. To enter His rest, you must believe that God has this relationship in mind for you; you must stop trying to create it, you must trust in Christ for it, and you must determine to obey Him. However, those who are disobedient by refusing to maintain an obedient faith, will not enter into rest with God. Today is the best time to find peace with God. Tomorrow may be too late.

We do not need to wait for the next life to enjoy God’s rest and peace; we may have it daily now! Our daily rest in the Lord will not end with death but will become an eternal rest in the place that Christ is preparing for us (John 14 vs 1 - 4). Christ has done everything that needs to be done about our sins, and obtained a clean bill of health for us. Our own work is to believe in Him and His finished work for us in redemption. Jesus said that the work of God we are to do is to believe in Him whom God sent (John 6 vs 29). And those who have believed enter into God’s rest. 

Jesus sad, “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11 vs 28 - 30.) The rest Jesus promises is love, healing, and peace with God, not the end of all labor. A relationship with God changes meaningless, wearisome toil into spiritual productivity and purpose. 

The yoke of Jesus emphasizes the challenges, works, and difficulties of partnering with Christ in life. Responsibilities weigh us down, even the effort of staying true to God. But Jesus’ yoke remains easy compared to the crushing alternative of being a toy in Satan’s hands. Jesus doesn’t offer a life of luxurious ease—the yoke is still an oxen’s tool for working hard. But it is a shared yoke, with weight falling on bigger shoulders than yours. Someone with more pulling power is in front helping. Suddenly you participating in life’s responsibilities with a great Partner—and now that frown can turn into a smile, and that gripe into a song.

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, just as the people in Moses’ day had turned back from the Promised Land because of the difficulties they faced at the time, 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.

One finds peace in realizing that his or her sins are forgiven by the grace of God. One finds peace of mind he or she understands that God has loved us and delivered us from our sin through the cross of Christ. In Christ, one is not under the curse of law, that is, having to keep law perfectly in an effort to save oneself (Galatians 3 vs 11 - 14). In Christ one can cast all anxiety upon God who cares for our emotional and spiritual well-being. 

Since the creation of man, God has given man the hope of an existence beyond the creation. The hope that the world is not all there is was promised to man from the very beginning. If one does not have faith in the word of promise, then he or she will reap the same  consequences as those in Israel who did not believe (Psalm 95 vs 11). The final rest of heaven has been in God’s plan since before the creation of the world. 

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of obedience and absolute faith in You, and finished work of Christ for me on the cross, that I may be a partaker of the inheritance You have given me in Christ, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

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!