CERTAIN SINS CARRY THE PENALTY OF POVERTY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2020.

SUBJECT: CERTAIN SINS CARRY THE PENALTY OF POVERTY!

Memory verse: "They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no bud; it shall never produce meal. If it should produce, aliens would swallow it up.” (Hosea 8 vs 7.)

READ: Proverbs 20 vs 17 & 21; 23 vs 21; 24 vs 33 - 34: 

20:17: Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

20:21: An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed at the end.

23:21: For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

24:33: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest; 

24:34: So shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like an armed man.

INTIMATION:

There are sins, according to Scriptures, that carry the penalty of poverty, among other consequences. Laziness, drunkenness, gluttony, dishonesty among others, are the sins that carry the penalty of poverty. God recognizes our good works and rewards us exceedingly abundantly more than what we can imagine. He also rewards our when we do evil God, and takes from us more than we profited by one sin. 

According to our memory verse, people who do evil, "have sown the wind, and they will reap the whirlwind." The yield of a crop has direct relationship with the type of seed sowed. A good seed planted in good soil and given the proper proportion of sunlight, moisture, and fertilizer will yield bountifully. For such seeds, a single seed can produce multiple fruit in good conditions.

The Scripture, in Proverbs 13 vs 11, says, “Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase.” There is every dignity in labor. Ill-gotten gains or wealth  usually grow wings and fly away. Therefore, it’s like sowing in the wind, that is, investing in activities without substance. Like the wind that comes and goes, ill-gotten wealth offers no real prosperity, but will always leads to sad end. 

Evil can prevail for a while, but justice prevails forever. 

In our society today, numerous instances of the end of those involved in evil practices to get rich abound. Some the law has caught up with them, and they are in ruin, some have died untimely, and their families left behind scattered the wealth. This is because such riches are not from the Lord, consequently, it brings sorrow along with it. While “the blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10 vs 22).

Drunks and gluttons will always end up in lavishing their resources on drinks and food. Their appetite for food and drink becomes their bane, eventually their resources are filtered away on their insatiable appetite on these things. At a time, their health will start experiencing unfavorable changes resulting from drunkenness and overfeeding. The devourer will come with sicknesses of all manner to filter away their resources. 

The lazy person is unwilling to work hard and do His or her best on any given assignments to him or her. The easy way to life is such people’s attraction. Consequently, they are not zealous, hardworking, and eventually end up with little or nothing.

Quick, sudden, and ungodly riches are ‘come easy, go easy.’ Their effects are short-lived, and their end usually destructive. Because they are ungodly, they separate you from God. And life outside of your Creator is useless, purposeless, meaningless, and leads to eternal damnation.

Prayer: Abba Father, whatever You cannot give me let me never have it. May I never have the provision that will lead me to excessive eating and drinking. Endue me with the spirit of best practices in every endeavor I engage in, in Jesus’ Name  I prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE CAN DO SPIRIT

 THE CAN DO SPIRIT

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13" 

Devotion : I cannot do this or that is definitely a language used by those in the world. It is not a language of the children of God: Jesus Christ has given the children of God the power to succeed in all things. The "can-do spirit" is the doctrine every Christian must be taught; the utterance of every Christian is transformed upon coming into contact with the doctrine of the "can-do spirit". When you declare to yourself that you can do it, the Holy Spirit takes your words and gives you the inner strength to accomplish whatever you have purposed to accomplish. Dearly beloved, what do you seek to achieve? The grace of God is available to you in Christ Jesus to accomplish that task. Hallelujah! Share your comments here!

PRAY FOR YOUR DAILY NEED!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2020.

SUBJECT: PRAY FOR YOUR DAILY NEED!

Memory verse: "Give us this day our daily bread." (Matthew 6 vs 11.)

READ: Exodus 16 vs 2 - 5: 

16:2: Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.
16:3: And the children of Israel said to them, “Oh, that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
16:4: Then said the LORD to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law, or not.
16:5: And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.”

INTIMATION:

God relates with us on a "daily" bases, hence our request for our daily needs. All through the Scriptures one would discover that God is concerned about 'our days,' not 'our years.' The Bible used "days" in reference to man over 85 times. However, "years" for man is referred to about 5 times, but used In reference to God often. For instance, the Psalmist in Psalm 102 vs 24 says, "I said, "O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days; Your years are throughout all generations."

When we ask in prayer for our daily need, we are acknowledging that God is our sustainer and provider. It is a misconception to think that we provide for our needs ourselves. We must trust God daily to provide what He knows we need. Jesus said, "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ...For your Heavenly Father knows you need all these things." (Matthew 6 vs 31 - 32.) Our daily needs are already known to God, and He promises to meet our needs. God is our ‘Source’ and we must remain connected to the source. If you are running low on strength, ask yourself, “How long have I been away from the ‘Source’?” 

God's provision is daily, not all at once. He is always testing us daily. This testing is out of His love and care for us that we don't fall away from faith, and ensure we trust in Him. God wants us to ask for our daily needs because of our tendency to relegate God to the background if He allows to have all our needs in one go. By daily provisioning God is only helping us to remain focused on Him, not that He is miserly or that His hands are shortened that He cannot bless us exceedingly. The likelihood is that if we are allowed to store up His blessings, we might cut off communication with Him because we will believe we don’t need Him anymore. He never allows us to be self-satisfied. 

God wants us to completely depend on Him in everything. If He allows us to have we need in one go, we would turn to depend on our possessions, instead of the Provider. And depending on the provisions God has given us is idolatry which He forbids amongst His children. Job said, "If I have made gold my hope. Or said to fine gold, 'You are my confidence'; If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gained much; If I have observed the sun when it shines, or the moon moving in brightness, so that my heart has been secretly enticed, and my mouth has kissed my hand; This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgement, For I would have denied God who is above." (Job 31 vs 24 - 28.) Job affirmed that depending on the things God has given us is idolatry and denies our Father in heaven. 

The story of the children of Israel in the wilderness clearly showcases the way God relates with us on a daily bases. In the wilderness they had no meet or food to eat, and they were greatly disturbed. They cried to Moses, complaining that they will eventually die of hunger in the wilderness, and preferred they stayed back in Egypt where they had bread and meet to eat to their satisfaction. The Lord heard their complaints and rained bread from heaven in the morning, and quails in the evening for them to eat. But God warned that they will only take for their daily needs, except for the sixth day when they are allowed to take two days ration to make up for the sabbath (the seventh day) when they are not expected to work.

God, in His supreme wisdom, knows that our life is more likely to be effective if we have neither poverty nor riches, hence He deals with us day-to-day basis, so that we can do all things relying on Him. The Scripture in Proverbs 30 vs 8 - 9 says, ".....Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You. And say, "Who is the Lord?" Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God." Solomon recognizes the attributes of man; in plenty man is likely to deny God; He is not in need of anything hence will remember less of God. And in lack man will do anything to survive, including stealing which will eventually profane God's name. Hence the reason God wants to daily provide for us. 

Prayer: Abba Father, daily will I seek You, for You have daily loaded us with benefits. I am fully persuaded You will supply all my daily needs to live for You. Give me the grace never to look away from You in all circumstances, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

A CHILD OR A MAN

 A CHILD OR A MAN

"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Corinthians 13:11" 

Devotion : The Bible has clearly told us the difference between a child and an adult or mature person. Children speak first of all, before trying to understand what they have said, then think through what they have uttered. Adults/mature people, on the other hand, will think through what they are about to say, understand it, and then finally speak their thoughts. This explains why children make a lot of mistakes and like making unnecessary noise. The scripture says that sin is not absent in a multitude of words but that he who restrains his lips is wise, Proverbs 10:19. Maturity lies in the ability to control one's thoughts and choose carefully before acting on them. A man or woman who has not put away childish things cannot go far in life, cannot achieve much, and will most likely be treated like a child. It is easy for a child of God to grow into maturity by meditating on the Word and obeying the Word. Dearly beloved, are you a child or a man? Share your thoughts here!

BE GUIDED BY GOD’S WORD!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2020.

SUBJECT: BE GUIDED BY GOD’S WORD!

Memory verse: "Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path." (Psalm 119 vs 105.)

READ: Matthew 4 vs 7 - 10: 

4:1: Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
4:2: And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was an hungry.
4:3: Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4:4: But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
4:5: Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple,
4:6: and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written, ‘He shall give His angels charge over You,’ and, ‘in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”
4:7: Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”
4:8: Again, the devil took Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory,
4:9: And said to Him, “All these things will I give You, if you will fall down and worship me.”
4:10: Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shalt worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.”
4:11: Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

INTIMATION:

It is not within man to direct his own behavior in order to be pleasing God. Therefore, the word of God is the Map by which man directs his life. Being guided by the Word of God is the sure and shortest way to your ‘Promise Land.’ God’s guidance or direction is contained in His Word. Not adopting God’s guidance nor recognizing them, is the cause of your delay in arriving at your God ordained promise land and achieving His purpose for your life on earth, and consequently, not receiving His promise. Satan, God's greatest enemy, and the accuser of brethren, is a master at turning us away from God’s guidance or turning them around to deceive us, thereby keeping us away from receiving God’s provisions for us. 

To walk safely in the woods at night we need a light so we don’t trip over tree roots or fall into holes. In this life, we walk through a dark forest of evil. But the Bible can be our light to show us the way ahead so we won’t stumble as we walk. It reveals the entangling roots of false values and philosophies. Study the Bible so you will be able to see your way clear enough to stay on the right path. 

The travail of Jesus Christ, in the passage we read today, clearly illustrates the concept of Satan's plan of action. Satan tried to twist the word of God when Jesus was in the wilderness through a series of temptations. Each time Satan tempted Him, Jesus responded, "It is written." Satan twisted the Scripture, trying to keep the Son of God from fulfilling His mission at the cross. If Satan twisted Scripture with Jesus Christ, he will most assuredly twist Scripture with you. The false doctrine taught in many churches today is nothing less than the prince of darkness turning the word of God around using willing preachers to lead people away from God's purpose, and prevents them from entering into His provision for their lives.

If you will follow God's word, you will shorten the time it takes to reach your promise land. The word clearly gives the road map for our travail on earth, and our preparation for our union with Christ in eternity. How you conduct and direct ourselves with the road map, determines how well you navigate yourself through life’s challenges and how long you stay in them. 

The children of Israel were in their problem for forty years. Jesus was in the problem for forty days. What made the difference? The answer is this;  Jesus walked straight through the wilderness by following the guiders found in the Words of His Father found in Scripture. The children of Israel made a career of their wilderness experience by refusing to obey the Lord's direction. Even after they walked out of the land of their captivity, their hearts remained full of idolatrous habits and negative attitudes, formed by four hundred and thirty years of slavery. They were out of Egypt, but Egypt was still in them.

Jesus said the following statements of Himself: "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner" (John 5 vs 19). "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgement is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me" (John 5 vs 30). "....When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as the Father taught Me, I speak these things" (John 8 vs 28).

Jesus never failed to look at God’s word. He obeyed fully, without equivocation, the words of His Father. He stayed focused and the Scripture said this of Him, “...He humbled Himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2 vs 8.) And as Christians we should be like Christ.

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace to function in all my ways being lead by Your word, in the mighty Name of Jesus I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

 

NEW HEART NEW SPIRIT

 NEW HEART NEW SPIRIT

"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26" 

Devotion : The promise in the opening scripture was fulfilled by our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. On the cross he declared, "It is finished", John 19:30. When a person receives Jesus as his Lord and Saviour, he is given a new heart and a new spirit. His stony heart is replaced with a heart of flesh. This is a total transformation called being born again: the spirit of the person is reborn and this gives a person an obedient heart to understand and obey the Word of God. The Holy Spirit who is the seal of salvation is also given to the person who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. What the Christian should aim at is to always appreciate God and strive to please Him. He also has the best chance to succeed in life, since he has God as his Father, who will direct him along the path of success. Dearly beloved, how did you feel when you became born again? Share your comments here!

DRAW NEAR TO GOD IN YOUR LIFE!

 

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2020.

SUBJECT: DRAW NEAR TO GOD IN YOUR LIFE!

Memory verse: "But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works." (Psalm 73 vs 28.)

READ: James 4 vs 7 - 10: 

4:7: Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 

4:8: Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

4:9: Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 

4:10: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

INTIMATION:

God has promised His presence in our lives. However, the condition applied to us is that we must come close to Him, and only in doing so He draws near to us. How then do we come close to Him? The passage we read today in the Scripture clearly shows us how to come close to God: 

1. Submit to God by yielding to His authority and will, commit your life to Him and His control, and be willing to follow Him. Be "Born-again." God’s presence is in His kingdom, being part of the kingdom is personal, and it’s entrance requirements are repentance and spiritual rebirth. This kingdom has already begun in the hearts of believers (Luke 17 vs 21). It will be fully realized when Jesus returns again to judge the world and abolish evil forever.

2. Resist the devil. Don't allow Satan to entice and tempt you or deceive you with his subtleties. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom He may devour.” (First Peter 5 vs 8.) The sober and vigilant Christian is constantly listening to the roar of the hungry Satan. One can identify how he works. However, if one becomes ignorant of God’s word, or enticed by the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life, one will be ensnared by Satan and consumed (First John 2 vs 15 - 16). 

Christians must be cautious in their lives lest they will be tempted to forsake their confession. Satan has no power over the one who voluntarily keeps himself or herself close to Jesus. Christians can withstand the temptations that are presented by Satan by exercising faith in God through prayer, Bible study, and good works toward others. With the power of the Holy Spirit you will resist him. 

3. Cleanse your hands and purify your hearts. That is lead a pure life. Abstain from evil, and do good. Be cleansed from sin, replacing your desire to sin with your desire to experience God's purity. Those who have made their hands dirty by becoming friend of the world must repent. Let not your heart seek the things of this world. Be pure with the wisdom from above in order to remain in the grace by which you are saved.

4. Lament, mourn, and weep. Don't be afraid to express deep heartfelt sorrow for what you have done. Let your remorse over your sin be obvious through your mournful behavior. One will not come to repentance if he or she does not recognize his or her sinful condition. One must recognize his or her spiritual poverty in order to seek the riches of God’s grace. 

5. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor. Humbly obey God regardless of present circumstances, and in His good time, He will honor you. It is our responsibility to take the initiative to deal with our pride. We cannot exalt ourselves before God on the basis of our works. Man’s pride detours him from submitting to the will of God. In order to be lifted up by God, we must come to God with a humble heart (Matthew 23 vs 12). God cannot lift up those who feel that they have lifted themselves up apart from Him.

We often worry about our position and status, hoping to get proper recognition for what we do. However, it is better we are not recognized by men, while putting our best to be recognized by God in our obedience and humility which counts in eternity. 

So many of us get worried regarding our experiencing God presence in our lives. Many wants obvious happenings or feelings to confirm God's presence in their lives. It's actually more than just a feeling or happening, but more of your believe and faith in God and trust in His Word.

A little boy of twelve years became born again during a revival. The next week at school, his friends questioned him about the experience. One of them asked him, "Did you see a vision?" Another asked him, "Did you hear God speak?" The young convert answered no to all the questions. They then asked him, "Well, how do you know you were saved?" The young boy scratched his head and looked up to heaven and finally said, "It's like when you catch a fish with your hook, you can't see the fish or hear the fish; you just feel it tugging at your line. I just felt God tugging on my heart."

When you make one small step toward Him, He makes great steps toward you, so great that He sent His Son to die for you. It is only in forgetting ourselves that we can draw near to Him.

Prayer: Abba Father, my utmost heart desire is to have an intimate relationship with You, where I will be a vessel of honor in Your hand. Give me the grace to lead a life of absolute humility and obedience to You in all things, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!