WHAT GOD REQUIRES OF US!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2020.

SUBJECT : WHAT GOD REQUIRES OF US!

Memory verse: “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all thy heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 10 vs 12.)

READ: Deuteronomy 10 vs 12 - 17:

10:12: And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all thy heart and with all your soul,

10:13: and to keep the commandments of the LORD, and His statutes, which I command you today for good?
10:14: Indeed, heaven and the highest of heavens belong to the LORD your God, also the earth with all that is in it.
10:15: The LORD delighted only in your fathers, to love them, and He chose their descendants after them, you above all people, as it is this day.
10:16: Therefore, circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.

10:17: For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, mighty, and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.

INTIMATION:

Often we ask, “What does God expect of me?” This is the most important question anybody could ask. God created us for His predetermined purposes. The Bible in Psalm 139 vs 15 - 17 says, “My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed, and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts for me, O God! How great is the sum of them!”

God created us for His purposes and carefully wove us together as is soothing to His predetermined purposes. He prepared beforehand every day of our lives even before we had even lived one day, and every moment laid out before a single day had passed. He put together His precious thoughts for and about us, and these things are already recorded in a His book. He, therefore, requires us to walk in His preordained path to achieve His thoughts for us.

In the passage we read today, the Bible gives a summary of what God expects from us in a simple form and easy to remember. Here are the essentials: (1) Have reverence for God. (2) Walk in His ways. (3) Love Him. (4) Serve Him with all your heart and soul. (5) Keep His commands. However, we usually complicate the expectations of God from us with man-made rules, regulations, and requirements. And regrettably we fall short of those man-made conditions, thereby become frustrated and burned out from trying hard to please God. Concentrate on His real requirements and find peace. 

God demands that we submit to Him inside, in our hearts, as well as outside, in our bodies. When this is done, we begin to imitate God’s love and justice in our relationships with others. If our hearts are right with God, then our relationships with other people can be made right too. When your heart has been cleansed and you have been reconciled to God, you will begin to see a difference in the way you treat others. 

Jesus said that loving God with all ourselves is the first and greatest commandment (Matthew 22 vs 37 - 39). This command, combined with the command to love your neighbor (Leviticus 19 vs 18), encompasses all the other Old Testament laws. We are to love God, think constantly about His commandments, teach His commandments to our children, and live each day by the guidelines in His Word. 

God emphasized the importance of parents’ teaching the Bible to their children. The church and Christian schools cannot be used to escape from this responsibility. The Bible provides many opportunities for object lessons and practical teaching. Consequently, it would be a shame to study it only one day in a week. Eternal truths are most effectively learned in constant study and meditation on God’s Word.

Your life reflects your view of life. How you define life determines what you get out of it. Your perspective of life will influence how you invest your time, spend your money, use your talents, and value your relationships. Your view of life may, inadvertently, be based on a faulty metaphor. To fulfill the purposes God made you for, you will have to challenge conventional wisdom and replace it with the biblical metaphors of life. This is what the Scripture tells us in Romans 12 vs 2 that states, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Now that you have known what God requires of you, walk in the light of God’s requirements, and fulfill His purpose of life for you. God walks with you when you are in His predetermined path, and ensures you are on the right track  Walking in God’s predetermined path for you is tantamount to entering into an agreement with Him. Such agreements are irrevocable and eternal. Even though we rarely uphold our end of the agreement, God would always be faithful to His part. 

God’s mercy is unconditional. No matter how many times we turned from God, He is always there to restore us. It is comforting to know that despite our inconsistencies and sins, God loves us unconditionally. Eternal life is achieved not on the merit system but on the mercy system. God loves us no matter who we are or what we have done. 

Prayer: Abba Father, my utmost heart desire is to please You and walk in Your ways. My purpose in life is not in myself to determine. Guide me through life’s journey that I may not miss the path You already prepared for me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

 

JESUS CHRIST IS TIMELESS

 JESUS CHRIST IS TIMELESS

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Hebrews 13:8" 

Devotion : Mankind and other creations are affected by time: as day and night go by, mankind and other creations change. Mankind and other living things grow old and pass away. Other creations that are not living things are affected by wear and tear or the passage of time. But Jesus Christ is not affected by time: in fact, He created time and can alter it. The opening scripture is simply explaining that Jesus Christ is God, because it is only God who remains the same and is not affected by time. Indeed, Jesus Christ is eternal. As believers in Christ Jesus, if time is going against us, we have someone to call to alter time in our favor; that person is Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He can also cause certain events to repeat themselves, which is why it is sometimes said that history repeats itself. Dearly beloved, do you want time to favor you? You know who to call! Share your comments here!

PERSISTENT PRAYER

 Luke 18:1-8  And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Brethren, this is the time to pray for one another not to faint to our economy depression and the Pandemic.

Philippians 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Remember, it is our exclusive right to pray and with Thanksgiving not to be careful for nothing. Pray for body of Christ worldwide, pray for group members, pray for your family members and your country. May you never faint to pray and conquer the enemies in Jesus Name. Amen!

GOD’S POWER IN OUR LIMITATIONS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2020.

SUBJECT: GOD'S POWER IN OUR LIMITATIONS!

Memory verse:  "Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5 vs 3.)

READ:  First Corinthians 1 vs 26 - 29:

1:26: For You see your calling, brethren, that not many wise men according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
1:27: But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;

1:28: and the base things of the world, and things which are despised, God has chosen, and things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 

1:29: that no flesh should glory in His presence.

INTIMATION:

Humans are imperfect. Each of us has a bundle of flaws and imperfections: physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. You may also have uncontrollable circumstances that weaken you, such as financial or relational limitations. We are God's creatures, and He has allowed these imperfections in our life for His predetermined purposes. God is always drawn to people who are weak and admit it. Jesus regarded this recognition of our need as being "poor in spirit." (Matthew 5 vs 3.) It's the number one attitude He blesses. If God considers perfection in using people, obviously nothing could be done, because none of us will be eligible since we are all imperfect.

A limitation is not a sin, or a vice, or a character defect that you can change, such as overreacting, or impatience. A limitation is any inadequacy that you inherited or have no power to change. It may be a physical limitation, like a handicap, a chronic illness, or disability. It may be emotional limitation, such as a trauma scar, a hurtful memory, a personality quirk, or a hereditary disposition. Or it may be a talent or intellectual limitation: We are not all super bright or talented. Your limitations or weaknesses are not an accident. God deliberately allowed them in your life for the purpose of demonstrating His power through you.

The most important issue is that God loves you, even in your weakness or limitations. It is for our weaknesses that God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to the world, as a propitiation for our sins, since we can't handle sin ourselves. The Bible in John 3 vs 16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..." Come to think of it, if we are perfect, are we going need God? The answer is no! God allows those limitations in us to always remind us of our need for Him. He gives us the power to accomplish the seemingly impossible tasks, our limitations not withstanding. Knowing that the power is His, not ours, should keep us from pride and motivate us to keep daily contact with God, our power source. 

Sometimes we deny our limitations or weaknesses, defend them, excuse them, hide them, and resent them, instead of owning them up. That prevents God from using them the way He desires. God has a different perspective on your limitations or weaknesses. In Isaiah 55 vs 9 God says, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." He has His reasons for creating you the way He did, and that knowledge is known to Him alone. Be totally truthful, and allow Him to use you as He purposed.

The Scripture, in Romans 11 vs 33 states, "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements, and His ways past finding out!" God's knowledge and wisdom are greater than man's, and passed finding out. Although God's method and means are beyond our comprehension, He Himself is not arbitrary, He governs the universe and our lives in perfect wisdom, justice, and love. He often acts in ways that are the exact opposite of what we expect. We think that God only wants to use our strengths, but He also wants to use our limitations or weaknesses for His glory.

When we think of the limitation in your life, you may be tempted to conclude, "God could never use me." But God is never limited by our limitations. Rather He brings His great power to bear in our situations, haven considered us as ordinary containers—earthen vessels (frail and fallible human beings). The Bible, in Second Corinthians 4 vs 7, says, "But we have this treasures in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not if us."

Prayer: Abba Father, Your wisdom is beyond human comprehension, and Your ways passed finding out. Nothing is useless in Your hands, and my limitations and weaknesses are great tools in Your hands. Therefore, I empty myself before You each day that You use me as is pleasing to You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

GOD IS TOO FAITHFUL TO FAIIL US

 Song by Moses Bliss 

EASIER TO DO

 EASIER TO DO

"Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? Mark 2:9" 

Devotion : Jesus Christ asked the scribes a question when they reasoned in their heart that Jesus could not forgive sins. But Jesus Christ demonstrated that He could forgive sins by healing the sick of the palsy. Jesus demonstrated that it was easier to forgive sins than to perform miracles. He is therefore teaching us that we should find it easy to forgive people who wrong us; if we harbor unforgiveness in us, it will hinder our blessings. He is also teaching us to do the easier things first before thinking about the difficult ones. Dearly beloved, do you find it easy to forgive those who offend you? Share your comments here!

TO HAVE ALL THINGS POSSIBLE WITH YOU!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2020.

SUBJECT:  TO HAVE ALL THINGS POSSIBLE WITH YOU!

Memory verse:  "Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9 vs 23.)

READ:  Mark 11 vs 22 - 25:

11:22: So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.

11:23: For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be 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.

11:24: Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you have then, and you will have them.

11:25: And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you Your trespasses.

INTIMATION:

The believer who has faith in God, and continually “believes” Him without any iota of doubt, and also in right standing with Him will have all things possible with Him. Note Jesus’ remark in our memory verse; “...all things are possible to him who believes.” Notice that the word 'believes' is a present-continuous tense. The believing is continuous, You don't believe today, and tomorrow be filled with doubt. You can't believe now, and later begin to doubt. James called that a wavering faith; "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man, suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways" (James 1 vs 6 - 8). 

Doubt is the opposite of faith. You have faith when you decide to take God for His Word. You doubt when you decide not to take God for His Word, or you fail to make a decision to take God's Word regarding any issues you are involved in. Our faith in God and His Word must not waver, and must remain firm, no matter how frightened or unsure we may feel about the outcome of any matter. It’s the nature of humans to see before believing, that is, walking by sight like, instead of by faith (Second Corinthians 5 vs 7). God's way is to believe and then see. Hence He "calls those things which do not exist as though they did" (Romans 4 vs 17).  And "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed" (John 20 vs 29). 

Look at the instructions of Jesus in the passages we read today: (1) "Have faith in God." Without faith we can't please Him, knowing that if you come to Him, you must believe He is what He said He is, and that those who seek Him diligently will be rewarded (Hebrews 11 vs 6). (2) You have to believe in your heart that what you say will come to pass. It is only what you believe in your heart that you speak out in faith. (3) You must speak out your believe. It is only in confessing your faith—your believe, that you receive from Him. It is whatever you speak in faith to His hearing, He will do to you (See Numbers 14 vs 26).

Many people think that they need "great faith" in order to have their words work miracles. This is not what Jesus taught in Scripture. However, He said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17 vs 20). Therefore, put your faith into action by speaking it out, the amount of faith nothing withstanding, then the grace of God—the power of God (not your faith) will swing into action.

Some people become discouraged when they speak and did not receive immediately. Though, the outcome may or may not be immediate but it is sure to come provided you have the right standing with God. Take a cue from the following, Jesus cursed the fig tree in Mark 11 vs 14, "Let no man eat fruit from you ever again." It was the following morning that the disciples saw that the fig tree that He cursed the previous day has dried up from the roots (See Mark 11 vs 20). In another scenario, when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He called him to come forth, and he who had died came out immediately. (See John 11 vs 43 - 44).

Finally, the other qualifying condition to have what you say is having the right motives in prayer. When you do not have the right motives, you receive nothing. It is only with the right motives in prayer that you can bring the power of spoken faith in the Word into action. To have right motives: (1) you must not hold a grudge against another person (Mark 11 vs 25); (2) you must not pray with selfish interest; (3) your request must be for the good of God's kingdom; (4) you must have faith in God and His Word, not faith in the object of your request. You must have total trust in God, if you do, then God can work exceedingly great things through you (Ephesians 3 vs 20). 

Prayer: Abba Father, my trust is in You who made heaven and the earth. I know it is only what I say in faith that You have promised I will have. Give me the grace to have the Word of faith is in my mouth and in my heart, and to continually speak out my faith, and believe, that may have what I say, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!