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THE LOVE OF GOD IN CHRIST!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2020.

SUBJECT: THE LOVE OF GOD IN CHRIST!

Memory verse:  "Hold fast the pattern  of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus." (Second Timothy 1 vs 13.)

READ:  Ephesians 3 vs 17 - 19; Romans 8 vs 37 - 39:

Ephesians 3:17: That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
3:18: may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the width, and length, and depth, and height—
3:19: to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.

Romans 8:37: Yet, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
8:38: For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
8:39: nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

INTIMATION:

God’s love for us in Christ is total, immeasurable, and inexhaustible. It reaches every corner of our experience. It covers the breadth of our own experience, and it reaches out to the whole world. It continues the length of our lives. It rises to the heights of our celebration and elation. It reaches to the depths of discouragement, despair, and even death. When you feel shut out or isolated, remember that you can never be lost to God’s love. We may feel that our faith in God and our love for Christ and for others will always be inadequate. We will experience times of failure. But we can remain confident that Christ will help our faith and love grow as our relationship with Him deepens. 

The passages we read today reaffirms God’s profound love for His people. No matter what happens to us, no matter where we are, we can never be separated from His love. Suffering should not drive us away from God but help us to identify with Him and allow His love to heal us. These verses contain one of the most comfortable promises in all Scriptures. Believers have always had to face hardships in many forms; persecution, illness, difficulties, imprisonment, attacks, and even death. These sometimes cause them to fear that they have been abandoned by Christ. But the apostle Paul exclaims that it is impossible to be separated from Christ. His death for us is proof of His unconquerable love. Nothing can separate us from Christ’s presence. 

The love of God in Jesus Christ for us ensures the fullness of God available to us. This “fullness” is expected only in Christ because all of God was in Christ’s human body. When we have Christ, we have everything we need for salvation and right living.  In union and through His empowering Spirit, we are complete. But we must appropriate that fullness through faith and through prayer as we daily live for Him. You can ask the Holy Spirit to fill every aspect of your life to the fullest.

God tells us how great His love is so that we will feel totally secure in Him. If we believe these overwhelming assurances, we will not be afraid. Jesus never worked independent of His Father. Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will in no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6 vs 37 - 40.) 

Christ will not let His people be overcome by Satan and lose their salvation.  Jesus out of His great love, gave up His life for our sakes. He had not acted out of His own self-interest, selfishly holding on to the glory of heaven that He already possessed (Philippians 2 vs 6). Instead, Jesus had willingly “died for all” because of His love for us. Because Christ died for us, we also are dead to our old lives. When we have Christ, we have everything we need for salvation and right living. We should no longer live to please ourselves: we should spend our lives pleasing Christ. 

People can feel so guilt-ridden by their past that they think God could never forgive and accept them. But consider the apostle Paul’s past. He had scoffed at the teachings of Jesus and had hunted down and murdered God’s people before coming to faith in Christ (Acts 9 vs 1 - 9). God forgave Paul and used him mightily for His kingdom. No matter how shameful your past, God also can forgive and use you. “He who has begun a good work in You will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1 vs 6.)

Prayer: Abba Father, Your unparalleled love for my sinful self is inexplicable and undeniable. Give me the grace, O Lord, to give my best in obedience to You, and in gratitude for Your love for me, even when I don’t deserve it, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE DAY OF ADVERSITY

 THE DAY OF ADVERSITY

"If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. Proverbs 24:10" 

Devotion : Scripture has acknowledged that there is a day of adversity: it is a day of highest opposition from the kingdom of darkness; a day when God allows the kingdom of darkness to tempt man. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ had His day of adversity, when the kingdom of darkness was allowed to crucify Him. Nonetheless, the strength of Christ grew even stronger, to overturn death by bringing resurrection, and totally defeat the devil and his cohorts of darkness. Job had his day of adversity; his wife even asked him to curse God and die, but Job kept his integrity towards God. Finally, Job overcame his trial and was restored twice over. Every Christian will face their day of adversity and God expects His children to always triumph over adversity. The scriptures, the Holy Spirit, the blood of Jesus, the name of Jesus, holiness, grace, prayer, etc are some of the tools or weapons to overcome adversity. Dearly beloved, do not fail on the day of adversity because you have enough weapons to win. Hallelujah! Share your comments here!

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!