BECOMING LIKE CHRIST!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2020.

SUBJECT: BECOMING LIKE CHRIST!

Memory verse: "Till we all come to the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4 vs 13.)

READ: Ephesians 3 vs 16 - 19:

3:16: that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

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 may be filled with all the fullness of God.

INTIMATION:

God created us to grow. His ultimate goal is for us to mature and develop the characteristics of Jesus Christ. Becoming like Christ, is neither instant nor automatic; it is a gradual, progressive development that will take the rest of your life. It calls for an intentional commitment. You must want to grow, decide to grow, make an effort to grow, and persist in growing. Discipleship—the process of becoming like Christ—always begins with a decision, the decision to respond when Jesus calls you. Even your response is not automatic, it may take some time. Peter, James, and John were called on three different occasions by Jesus Christ before they eventually got committed (John 1 vs 35 - 42, at the Sea of Galilee; Mark 1 vs 16 - 18, and at the Lake of Gennesaret; Luke 5 vs 1 - 11).

Accepting the invitation is all you need to start. When you accept the invitation, you become a work in progress. Your spiritual transformation commences, and developing the character of Jesus would take the rest of your life. And even then, it won't be completed here on earth. It will only be finished when you get to heaven or when Jesus returns. At that point, whatever unfinished work on your character would be wrapped up.

Sadly, millions of Christians grow older but never grow up. They are stuck in perpetual spiritual infancy, remaining in diapers and booties. The reason is that they never intended to grow. They never allow the world to pass through them while passing through the world. The Word of God they hear, the people they interact with, and the circumstances they encounter in life hardly influence them from shifting their position. 

God is more interested in building your character than He is in anything else. God is more interested in what you are than in what you do or what you have. We are human beings, not human doings. God is much more concerned about your character than your career or any other thing, because you only take your character to eternity. There can be many different careers that could be in God's Will for your life, but His utmost care is that whatever you do, you do it in a Christlike manner: (First Corinthians 10 vs 31; Colossians 3 vs 17; Colossians 3 vs 23.) 

The Scripture in First Corinthians 16 vs 14 says, “Let all you do be done with love.” In becoming like Christ, our actions must be motivated by God’s love, and His love will so permeate our motives that all we do would be for His glory, that is, “doing all in the name of the Lord Jesus." And for it to be our guiding principle, we would always ask, "Is this action glorifying God?" or "How can I honor God through this action?" You do things to bring honor to Christ in every aspect and activity of your daily living. 

As a Christian, you represent Christ at all times—whatever you do, wherever you go, and whatever you say—demonstrates christlikeness in our lives. Always ask yourself these pertinent questions, "What impression do people have of Christ when they see or talk with me? "What changes would I make in my life in order to honor Christ?" Regard whatever you do or say as an act of worship or service to God. 

So many people are in love with themselves, and put self before anything else, including God. They have abandoned living for God's great purposes and settled for personal fulfillment and emotional stability. Jesus did not die on the cross just so we could live comfortable, well-adjusted lives. His purpose is far deeper. He wants to make us like Himself before taking us to heaven. This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility, and our ultimate destiny.

Prayer: Abba Father, I love you. All I have is Yours, Yours I am, and Yours I want to be. Do with me as it’s pleasing to You. Endue me with the mind of Christ that I may live a fulfilling life in Christ, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

GOD'S ANSWERS TO PRAYER

 GOD'S ANSWER TO PRAYER

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Matthew 7:7" 

Devotion : God's answers to all our prayers are illustrated in the opening scripture. His answers are always sure and they are always "yes". He says that what we ask, He will give to us; when we seek, He will lead us to find it; and when we knock He will open unto us. The duty of God is to answer our prayers. On the other hand, our duty is to ask, seek, and knock. The levels of our prayers are ask, seek, and knock. When you ask and you are not satisfied, you seek; when you ask and seek, and you are not satisfied, you knock and you will be satisfied. Dearly beloved, do you apply these levels of prayer in your prayer life? Share your thoughts here!

HAVE GOOD THOUGHTS ALWAYS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2020.

SUBJECT : HAVE GOOD THOUGHTS ALWAYS!

Memory verse: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

" (Philippians 4 vs 8.)

READ: Proverbs 4 vs 23 - 27:

4:23: Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it springs the issues of life.
4:24: Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you.
4:25: Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you.
4:26: Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.

4:27: Do not turn to the right or to the left: remove your foot from evil.

INTIMATION:

Whatever you choose to fill your mind with will affect the way you think and act. A mind filled with good things has little or no space for what is evil. An evil action begins with a single thought. Allowing our minds to dwell on lust, envy, hatred, jealousy, revenge, and other negative thoughts will lead to sin. Don’t defile yourself by focusing on evil. It is a dangerous emotion that always threatens to leap out of control, leading to violence, emotional hurt, increased mental stress, and spiritual damage. Instead, think of what is true noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.Turn your thoughts to God, His Word, and good thoughts, and you will discover more and more goodness, even in this evil world. 

In the passage we read today, the apostle Paul lists the things upon which Christians must meditate. He exhorts believers to bring their minds into control. They must focus on that which is true (Ephesians 4 vs 25). They must focus on that which is noble (Second Corinthians 8 vs 21). They must concentrate on that which is right (First Thessalonians 5 vs 22; James 3 vs 17). They must keep their minds on the pure, lovely, and admirable things of life (First Corinthians 13 vs 4 - 7). If one will only meditate on these things, then his thoughts will be optimistic about life. 

There is no room in the Christian mentality for pessimistic thinking. When one understands that all things are under the control of God who can do all things, then he or she sees the best things of life. His or her focus is on that which is good and after the nature of God who is working all things together for good (Romans 8 vs 28). This is the life about which Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10 vs 10). 

What you put into your mind determines what comes out in your words and actions. Program our mind with thoughts that are true, noble, right, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. If you have problems with impure thoughts and daydreams, then examine what you are putting into your mind through television, internet, books, conversations, movies, and magazines. Replace harmful input with wholesome material. Above all, read God’s word and pray. Ask God to help you focus your mind on what is good and pure. It takes practice, but it can be done.

The apostle Paul manifested in his life a positive view of all things. He thus exhorts believers to follow the demeanor of his life (First Corinthians 11 vs 1). The brief time he had with brethren in Philippi was enough for them to recognize the godly nature of his behavior and spirit. They were thus to follow his response to the work of God in his life (First Thessalonians 5 vs 22). 

As a person thinks in his heart, so he eventually behaves. One must thoroughly examine his heart in order to bring every evil thought under control. In order to maintain the way of righteousness, one must be on guard. We work hard to keep our outward appearance attractive, but what is deep down in our heart (where others can’t see) is more important to God. What are you like inside? When people become Christians, God makes them different on the inside. He will continue the process of change inside them if they only ask. God wants us to have healthy thoughts and motives, not just healthy bodies. 

A man attended a funeral, and people were busy discussing the late man’s attitudes and behaviors. Then the man was called up to say something about the diseased. The man looked around and said, “I will never forget how the late man laughs.” He said that to avoid making any negative comments or fill his mind with negative thoughts. This should be a model of our thought process, knowing that we should give account of every single word we speak to the Lord in the day of judgement (Matthew 12 vs 36). 

Prayer: Abba Father, l know Your thoughts for me; they of good, and not for evil. Give me the grace to think like You in every circumstance, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen. 

PRAISE THE LORD! 

MIND A CHANNEL OF PEACE

 MIND A CHANNEL OF PEACE

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3" 

Devotion : The scriptures have revealed another secret to believers in Christ Jesus about how to live a peaceful life. The opening scripture says the mind is an essential channel through which Christians can live in perfect peace. If your mind is fixed on Christ Jesus, you shall enjoy perfect peace; in other words, if you fill your mind with the holy scriptures, there will be perfect peace in your life. It is also a sign that you trust God simply because the mind is the control center of man. What a man thinks in his heart so is he, Proverbs 23:7. Peace is not just the absence of war; perfect peace is a place in Christ where you are at rest, and do not struggle for anything. Dearly beloved, do you want to cease from struggle? What do you think you must do? Share your comments here!

ALWAYS SOW THE SEED OF MERCY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2020.

SUBJECT : ALWAYS SOW THE SEED OF MERCY!

Memory verse: "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." (Matthew 5 vs 7.)

READ Matthew 25 vs 31 - 40:

25:31: When the Son of man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory:
25:32: All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats:
25:33: And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.
25:34: Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
25:35: For I was an hungry, and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;
25:36: I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’
25:37: Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You? or thirsty, and gave You drink?
25:38: When did we see You a stranger, and take You in? or naked, and clothed You?
25:39: Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and came to You?
25:40: And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these My brethren, you have done it to Me.’

INTIMATION:

Mercy is an outward manifestation of pity; it assumes need on the part of him who receives it, and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it. It signifies, in general, to feel sympathy with misery of another, especially manifested in act. Sowing the seed of mercy is manifesting outwardly act of pity, sympathy, or care in the life or affairs of another. Those who do this Jesus said are blessed. Being blessed means being supremely favored, and it is more than happiness. It implies the fortunate or enviable state of those who are in God’s kingdom. It is the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. 

In the passage we read today, Jesus here lists six physical conditions of life that represent all aspects of our human service to one another. Those who engage in them, are demonstrating acts of mercy or sowing the seed of mercy in other people’s lives. These are services the righteous render to others because God has extended mercy and grace to them. Therefore, humble service to the needs of our fellow man is the manifestation of our inward gratitude for the grace of God. Those who recognize their own spiritual poverty are merciful to others. They sympathize and have pity on others. They thus seek to relieve the suffering of others because God has had mercy on them in relation to their sin. Their mercy will eventually reap mercy from God. 

The parable describes acts of mercy we all can do every day. These acts do not depend on wealth, ability, or intelligence; they are simple acts freely given and freely received. We have no excuse to neglect those who have deep needs, and we cannot overlook such needs of others if truly we are serving God, and are grateful for the grace (unmerited favor) of God in our lives. Also, God demands our personal involvement in caring for others needs (Isaiah 58 vs 7).

As Christians, the real evidence of our belief is the way we act. To treat all persons we encounter as if they were Jesus is no easy task. What we do for others demonstrates what we really think about Jesus’ words to us: Feed the hungry, give the homeless a place to stay, look after the sick, and so on. How well do your actions separate you from pretenders and unbelievers? God will separate His obedient followers from pretenders and unbelievers; the obedient followers He called blessed, while in-obedient (pretenders and unbelievers) He will reject, and are cursed. “Depart from Me, you cursed,” would be the worst words one could ever hear. God will show no mercy to those who have shown no mercy in service to their fellow humans in one form of need or the other. 

When an opportunity to show mercy comes your way, never let it slip off your hands. It may be the testing of your obedience by the Lord, especially when you are capable of helping the needy person on your path of life. If you cherish the mercy of God in your life, then show mercy to others God brings your way. Such outward manifestation of pity endears you to the Lord, He blesses you, and it’s counted for you as righteousness.

It’s noteworthy that at death the only thing that follows you to meet with your Creator is your works on earth, either good or bad. All your possessions, wealth, talents abilities, etc are abandoned here on earth. However, you will give your report to your Creator how you utilized those things He gave you for good works. If you served well with those giftings, according to His will, He will say ‘well done, enter into my rest. Therefore, how well you have served hear on earth is a prerequisite for your admission into God’s kingdom.

Prayer: Abba Father, my utmost heart desire is to serve You appropriately with all You endowed me with. Give me the grace to utilize the endowments to the benefit of others and Your kingdom for Your glory, in Jesus’ mighty Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

ALL WE HAVE COMES FROM GOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2020.

SUBJECT : ALL WE HAVE COMES FROM GOD!

Memory verse: "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven." (John 3 vs 27.)

READ Deuteronomy 8 vs 11 - 18:

8:11: Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgements, and His statutes which I command you today,

8:12: lest - when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them,

8:13: and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold are multiplied, and all that you have multiplied;

8:14: when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

8:15: who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock;

8:16: who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end - 

8:17: then you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.' 

8:18: And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day."

INTIMATION:

All gifts and abilities come from God. He gives us the power to get everything we have, and also, expects us to manage it for Him. It's important for us to recognize that He is our source, regardless of how much effort we put into earning a living. In times of plenty, we often take credit for our prosperity and become proud that our own hard work, and cleverness have made us rich. And when you get so busy collecting and managing our gifts, the tendency is that we push God right out of our lives. Don't forget God in your abundance, or He will remove His blessing from you.

The interesting thing about this Scripture in Deuteronomy 8 vs 18, is that God was talking to the children of Israel who would eventually enter into the Promised Land. They were going to be living in homes built for giants. The fields already had the rocks cleared out for them, the furrows were dug, and the crops were planted. The Israelites were going to step in and benefit from the labor of others. God was telling them not to forget the source of their wealth when they go from living in the desert to living in mansions with abundant property. In context, God was saying, "Don't think you got wealthy by your own might or power. I'm the One who made you rich, and I did it to establish My covenant upon the earth." The covenant He made with Abraham (Genesis 12 vs 1 - 3).

The same is true for us today. God is the One who makes us gives us all the things we have. In an environment and economy of material prosperity, however, there is always the temptation to forget God. We usually take for granted all that we receive from God, and thus pride ourselves in our own accomplishments. For instance, in our diligence to work the land, we would forget it was God who made all things grow for our prosperity.  

The people of our generation live at a level of relative prosperity that most people throughout history couldn't have dreamed of, yet we didn't do anything to be born at this time. We didn't cause ourselves to be born into such opportunity and freedom. It is quite obvious that the ability to prosper is a gift from God, and we can't boast of the opportunities we have been given. 

The remedy for materialism is to remember Him from whom all blessings flow. The materialist creates a god who originates from within himself, and thus, he humanistically worships his own ability to perform and produce. The humanist focuses on the ability of man to perform, but the saint focuses on God who brings power to one’s efforts to work to the glory of God. When we are blessed, therefore, all glory must be given to to God who gave us the gifts to produce, but also gave increase to the work of our hands. Our recognition of the fruits of our hands, therefore, is an opportunity to be grateful to God for working in our lives.

The apostle Paul emphasizes that fact in First Corinthians 4 vs 7, "For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" Whatever you are; your talent, wisdom, skills etc, whatever assets you have; money, properties, etc, and whatever position you occupy in life, are all the act and doing of the LORD. Acknowledge Him, give Him thanks, and use your gifts properly—for service to Him. You are blessed to be a blessing (Genesis 12 vs 2).

Prayer: Abba Father, I am nothing without You. All powers belong to You, and by my strength I can do nothing. Only You strengthens me to do all I do, and all I have You have given me. You have daily loaded me with Your benefits, and I am forever grateful and thankful. Give me the grace to properly administer Your gifts given to me, that I may be a blessing to others, and a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly applying myself for the interest of the kingdom, in Jesus Name, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE PRESENCE OF GOD

 THE PRESENCE OF GOD

"Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Psalms 127:1" 

Devotion : The scripture above is not discouraging the children of God from engaging the services of laborers, building contractors, watchmen, and security men. It is good to engage them but the acknowledgement that God oversees their work is vital, because their technical knowledge is limited. It is only God who has the perfect knowledge to build strong houses, and has the intelligence to secure the city. The work of laborers and watchmen becomes effective and efficient if both the laborers/watchmen and their employers seek God's blessings. Dearly beloved, do not think you can do it all by yourself, or you might work in vain. Talk to the Holy Spirit about it. Share your comments here!