REJOICE ALWAYS IN THE LORD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2020.

SUBJECT : REJOICE ALWAYS IN THE LORD!

Memory verse: "Rejoice always.” (First Thessalonians 5 vs 16.) 

READ: Philippians 3 vs 1; 4 vs 4:

3:1: Finally, My brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice.

INTIMATION:

To rejoice is to delight, be joyful, be happy, or make happy. To rejoice in the Lord is to be joyful, happy, delighted, or gladdened in the Lord for who He is, and what He does, is doing, and can do. Rejoicing is pleasing to God hence His demand on people to be joyful. God encourages joy. God doesn’t intend for religion to be only meditation and introspection. He also wants us to celebrate. Serious reflection and immediate confession of sin is essential of course. But this should be balanced by celebrating who God is, what He has done, is doing, and can do for His people. Therefore, worship involves both celebration and confession. In believers meetings, there are times of meditations, and celebration: rejoicing in the Lord and demonstration of His goodness. 

One of the feasts that God gave to Moses for the children of Israel is the feast of Tabernacles, also called the feast of ingathering (Leviticus 23 vs 33 - 44). It was a special celebration involving the whole family that lasts for seven whole days. The feast taught family members of all ages about God’s nature and what He had done for them, and was a time for renewed commitment to God. In our societies in the world today, families need rituals of celebration to renew our faith and to pass it on to our children. Among Christians are Christmas, and Easter. Also, Churches and Fellowships have other special days to commemorate God’s goodness and nature. 

But the apostle Paul tells that rejoicing in the Lord should be a constant practice for us. It was so important to him that he emphasized the word ‘rejoice’ twice in a verse of just nine words (Philippians 4 vs 4.) In his letter, from the prison in Rome to the church in Philippi, he emphasized the need of rejoicing in the Lord always. Although, it seems strange that a man in prison would be telling a church to rejoice. But his attitude teaches us an important lesson: As believers in Christ, and trusting in God, our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outward circumstances. Paul was full of joy because he knew that no matter what happened to him, Jesus Christ was with him.

It is in our nature to get easily discouraged about unpleasant circumstances. It’s also easy for us to take unimportant events too seriously. There are times when the last thing we want to do is rejoice. Our mood is down, our situation is out of hand, and our sorrow or guilt is overwhelming. Yes, but this is as a result of your not looking at life from the right perspective: Your focus is on the circumstance you face, instead of on Him who controls all circumstances. 

We can relate to the writers of the psalms in the Bible who often felt the way stated above. But no matter how low the writers felt, they were always be honest with God. And as they talked to God, their prayers ended in praise. When you don’t feel like rejoicing, tell God how you truly feel, be attentive, and you will find out that God will give you a reason to rejoice; Even at that same time, God has given you that day, that hour to live and to serve Him, be glad!!

You may not have been joyful because you have a wrong perspective of life. For instance, in the event of someone abusing you, calling you names indicative of the person’s regard of you as useless. Such circumstance is mostly unpleasant and discouraging. But such should not be taken serious, and not worry you, knowing that the ultimate assessment that matters is God’s assessment, not a fellow human’s assessment. “Let God be true and every man a liar” (Romans 3 vs 4.)

The apostle Paul, gives us three very important commands; be joyful, never stop praying, and be thankful (First Thessalonians 5 vs 16 - 18). Our joy, prayers, and thankfulness should be continuous, and not fluctuating with our circumstances or feelings. However, obeying these commands often go against our natural inclinations. But when we make a conscious decision to do what God says, we will begin to see life and people in the right perspective as God sees it. And when we do God’s Will, we will find it easier to be joyful and thankful.

Prayer: Abba Father, engrace me to rejoice in You always; having the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that I may be called a tree of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that You may be glorified, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE CALL TO REST

 THE CALL TO REST

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28" 

Devotion : If worldly people understood the Gospel, they would run for salvation. Worldly people are laboring in sin and are heavily laden by it; they need Jesus Christ to save them. The yoke of Jesus is easy because we become joint heirs with Jesus Christ when we believe in the Gospel. He then gives us a discerning heart to learn from Him. As we learn in meekness and lowness of heart, we find rest for our souls in Him. His yoke is His righteousness, humility, assignment, and truthfulness which is easy and light to practice. Dearly beloved, why do you think worldly people do not want to receive Christ? Share your comments here!

LOOK UNTO JESUS

 LOOK UNTO GOD

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32" 

Devotion : Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith, was kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. He exhibited these qualities when He started His ministry; even on the cross He forgave all those who were involved in His crucifixion. The eleven disciples had these qualities, except Judas Iscariot. Steven was kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving; he forgave those who stoned him to death, among whom was the Apostle Paul under the name of Saul. The ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the church and in the world will be severely limited without the qualities of kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness. The children of God have these qualities inherent in them; what they need to do is to cultivate them. Let us be open-minded and seize every opportunity to demonstrate our kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiving attitudes. Dearly beloved, how far have you demonstrated the above qualities? Share your comments here!

THE BELIEVER’S UNUSED ABILITIES!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2020.

SUBJECT:  THE BELIEVER’S UNUSED ABILITIES!

Memory verse:  "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (First Peter 2 vs 9.) 

READ:  Second Peter 1 verse 2 - 4:

1;2; Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 

1:3: as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 

1:4: by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

INTIMATION:

Many Christians still have not understood fully the finished work of Christ for them, haven made available to us the power of God as “partakers of His divine nature.” The finished work is like undeveloped resources in the African Continent. The finished work still remains the only source of our ability to live for God, have a relationship with Him, and obtain and harness all the promises of God to us, live a prosperous life and have good success. 

 

In the passage we read today, we note that God has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness since we now partakers of His very nature—divine nature. God has supplied us with everything in this life that is necessary for living according to His directions and for developing a nature that prepares us for eternal dwelling. One of these things is certainly the Word of God. It is through the word of God that we learn how to conduct our lives according to the will of God. The word of God is certainly the guide that we must follow in order to be certain concerning the conduct of our lives in behavior and godly living.

The power to lead s godly life comes from God. Because we don’t the resources to be truly godly, He allows us to be "partakers of the divine nature" in order to keep us from sin and help us live for Him. The divine nature is being clothed with Christ through the obedience to the gospel, being cleansed of sin, and thus brought into the fellowship of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Putting on Christ is dressing oneself in the divine nature of godliness and sanctification of the Spirit. Those who have put on the divine nature of Christ have been delivered from the lust of the world because they are now slaves to Jesus. 

When we are born again, we are born of the Spirit, therefore, we are spirit. God is Spirit, and by His Spirit, empowers us with His own moral goodness. And we have been born of incorruptible seed through the Word of God which lives and abides forever. (First Peter 1 vs 23.) However, many believers want an abundance of God’s grace and peace, but they are unwilling to put forth the effort to get to know Him better through Bible study and prayer. To enjoy the privileges God offers us freely, we must grow in our “knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”

Who has imagined or knows what it might mean, or what it means if that nature of God is fully harnessed, and  utilized by every human who has received it. This nature of God comes with the operation of the Spirit of God in us. The Spirit grants us the creative ability manifested in creation. The miracle-working power that was manifested in Jesus is imparted to us. In fact, all the nine gifts of the Spirit are made available to us. It is for this reason that Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and they may have it more abundantly." (John 10 vs 10.)

Not many Christians have realized that we have in us divine ability. You then ask, "How can this be utilized?" It is acting upon His Word, knowing that all His promises are real and for you to receive if you believe, and knowing that you have your inheritance in Him as God has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance in the light. We take Him, by grace, to lead us into all the fullness of our inheritance. In the new creation, God is at work in us, thinking through our minds, operating through our recreated spirits. He has actually taken us over. Let Him Rule! While He is at work in us, we, as theatre of His marvelous works, should show the excellencies of Him. 

Here is the gold mine. We are an elect people. We are God's own possessions. He set us apart that we may unveil the hidden treasures of grace by God at work in us. He is illuminating us, leading us into all the truth and reality. In Colossians 2 vs 3, the Scriptures says; "In Whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden." And He has given us light and ability to know what these treasures are: The knowledge of what He has done; knowledge of what He is to do in us; knowledge of what we are; knowledge of what we may do with His ability. And He has also made available the wisdom to utilize all these varied knowledge.

Now, imagine what will happen if all these divine abilities available to us are fully harnessed by the believer, displaying the virtues and perfections in Him. Such life will be exceedingly glorious. It’s ours to live, but it has been substantially underutilized.

Prayer: Abba Father, You have graciously imparted on us Your divine nature. Engrace me to live in Your fullness, manifesting Your divine abilities, utilizing fully the huge treasures of wisdom and knowledge revealed to us in Your Word, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

ARE YOU READY FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD

 

Revelation 6:1-2 - "I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, Come and see. And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

September 15, 2020 President Trump was joined by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, the two Arab states entering into the normalization pact with Israel.

A white horse with a bow and no arrows denotes conquering through peace. Could this be the beginning of the opening of the seal judgments foretold 2,000 years ago. The peace accord will only be temporary.

Revelation 6:3-4 - "When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, Come and see. Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword."

The second seal brings with its opening war. Only time will tell for sure. We must be ready!

James 5:8 - "Be ye also patient (and ready); stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh."

--

In His service,

Dr. Gary S. Linton, PhD
Ministrymaker Ministries, Inc.
Ministrymaker Ministerial Fellowship
Ministrymaker University & Seminary

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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!