BE THE FIRST

 BE THE FIRST

"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18" 

Devotion : The opening scripture uses the term "as much as lieth in you" because peace is inherent in the believer in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit who comes to live in the believer in Christ Jesus comes with the virtue of peace. Since it is already inherent in you, what is needed is to cultivate it. The more you cultivate it, the more capable you become of always living at peace with all men. Always ask the Holy Spirit to develop patience in you because peace walks with patience. Dearly beloved, are you a peace-loving person? Share your thoughts here!

GOD’S CONCEPT OF PROSPERITY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2020.

SUBJECT : GOD’S CONCEPT OF PROSPERITY!

Memory verse: "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1 vs 8.)

READ: Genesis 39 vs 1 - 3:

39:1: And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.

39:2: And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

39:3: And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

INTIMATION:

The dictionary definition of prosperity is the state of being prosperous; successful; good fortune; thriving; affluent; wealth. In our contemporary world, prosperity is viewed and acknowledged as the state of economic well-being: having money, possessions, and wealth. But God's concept of prosperity and good success does not connote the state of economic well-being. It is a function of obedience to God's laws, being strong and courageous to follow God's leading, and constantly reading, studying and meditating on God's Word to ensure you observe them. However, economic well-being can be an aftermath of functioning in God's concept of prosperity. 

In the passage we read today, Joseph, a slave in Potiphar's house, was noted in the Scriptures as a successful and prosperous man. His master saw that all he did prospered in his hands. All these were possible because the Lord was with him. Not because he had a flourishing business, money, or possessions. He, however, feared God, and was obedient to God’s laws. Therefore, prosperity and success are the aftermath of our relationship with God. It is embedded in our obedience to God's laws.

Many people think that prosperity and success come from having money, possessions, wealth, power and so on, hence their relentless desire to get ahead in pursuance of these things. But the strategy for prosperity that God is teaching us from the anchor Scripture goes against such criteria. For God it means being controlled by Him. Therefore, to be prosperous and have good success, you must obey the rules of living found in God's laws, be strong and courageous to obey, and follow His leading. 

You may not succeed by the world's standards, but you will be a success in God's eyes, and His opinion is final and lasts forever.

Often we can't see what the results or benefits of following God will be, but certainly the results are being prosperous and having good success. So, when you are not certain what to do, obedience to what God has revealed in the Scriptures is the only sure step we can take. So, resolve to set aside time each day to read and meditate on God's Word. Remind yourself of God's words day and night. Act today upon what you know God has said, and He will assure your success in carrying out His purposes, and living for Him.

Instances abound in the Scriptures of those that were prosperous and had good success by obeying God and following His leading. Our father in the faith, Abraham, through obedience became the friend to God, and was blessed in all things: "And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord blessed Abraham in all things." (Genesis 24 vs 1.) Obedience to God's laws and following His leading is the panacea to failure.

The most valuable thing in life is your relationship with God, and this is cost-free. He has given us the biggest gift to humanity, that is the "gift of salvation." The onus is on us to avail ourselves of this awesome privilege since God has freely given us the opportunity to accept the gift and the attendant reconciliation with Him through our Messiah Jesus Christ. 

Prayer: Abba Father, Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. Give me the grace to abide in Your word always that I may be successful and prosperous in Your eyes, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

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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"Let him who is taught the Word share in all good things with him who teaches. Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap." - Galatians 6:6-7