THE SLUGGARD AND THE DELIGENT

 THE SLUGGARD AND THE DELIGENT

"The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. Proverbs 13:4" 

Devotion : In the opening scripture above, the sluggard and the diligent man are contrasted. Sluggards are people who are habitually lazy; in fact, they are so lazy that they make excuses not to work and do not sow during seed time. Therefore, at harvest time, they have nothing to harvest. Such people will desire but have no means to satisfy their desire because they are poor. The diligent, on the other hand, are people characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort; indeed, they are busy working and sowing during seed time. Hence, in the harvest they are busy harvesting their crops and saving some against a rainy day. Such people desire and are able to meet their desires because they are financially sound enough to afford anything. God gives more grace to the diligent to continually enjoy success so they can be a channel of blessings to others. Dearly beloved, are you a sluggard or diligent? What makes you think so? Share your comments here!

MY NAME

 MY NAME

"If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. John 14:14" 

Devotion : Jesus Christ is the Son of God and He is God; the express image of the Godhead bodily, Hebrews 1:3. Why did Jesus Christ ask His disciples to use His name? He asked them to use His name because He will depart from them to heaven and using His name will be similar to having His physical presence with them. He will also be the power behind the name to do whatever they asked. The Holy Spirit will also be present to respond to the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Believers in Christ Jesus should love using the name of Jesus Christ, because it is the only name exalted above all other names to get things done, Philippians 2:9. Dearly beloved, do you love using the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth? If yes, why; or If no, why not? Share your thoughts with other readers!

YOUR PART IN GOD’S BLESSINGS!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2020.

SUBJECT : YOUR PART IN GOD’S BLESSINGS!

Memory verse: 

"Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments."

 (Psalm 112 vs 1.)

READ: Psalm 34 vs 4 - 14:

34:4: I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
34:5: They looked to Him, and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.
34:6: This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
34:7: The angel of the LORD encamps round those who fear him, and delivers them.
34:8: Oh taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
34:9: Oh fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.
34:10: The young lions lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.
34:11: Come, you children, listen to me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
34:12: Who is the who man desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
34:14: Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

34:15: The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.

INTIMATION:

Blessing is a fortune, grace, or gift from God. He promises great blessings to His people, but many of these blessings require active participation on the part of the people. For instance, the passage we read today says; He will set us free from fears, deliver us from trouble, guard and defend us, show us goodness, supply our needs, listen when we call on Him, and redeem us. But we must do our part. We can appropriate His blessings when we have the fear of the Lord in us, seek Him, cry out to Him, trust Him, refrain from lying, turn from evil, do good, and search for peace, are broken-hearted, and serve Him. 

Many blessings are available to us—honor, prosperity, security, freedom from fear—if we fear the Lord and delight in obeying His commands. If you expect God’s blessings, you must revere Him and gladly obey Him. The Bible often connects the fear of the Lord (love and reverence for Him) with obedience. King Solomon said that the conclusion of the matter on the whole duty of man is to “Fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12 vs 13). David said that a person who fears the Lord doesn’t lie, turns from evil, does good, and promotes peace. 

To fear the Lord is to give Him deep respect, reverence, obedience, and honor. We demonstrate this attitude by humility and genuine worship. Reverence is much more than sitting quietly in church. It includes obeying God in the way we speak and the way we treat others. We do all as a result of recognizing His awesomeness. In order to be God’s child, one must have a right attitude toward God that results in a life-style of obedience to His will. If one will see good in his or her life, then he or she must submit to the will of the Lord. Obedience to God begins with humility. We must believe that His way is better than our own. We may not always understand His ways of working, but by humbly obeying, we will receive His blessings. God wants our obedience more than anything else. 

When we take that first step of obedience in following God, we will discover that He is good and kind. Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6 vs 33.) Seeking first the kingdom of God is His will, and if you do, He will shower all His blessings on you! When we begin the Christian life, our knowledge of God is partial and incomplete. As we trust Him daily, we experience how good He is. Great blessings come to those who obey His commands, but severe punishment comes to those who disobey Him. This punishment may come swiftly or over time, but it will come. 

Certain things keep us from God’s ultimate blessings. These include; ungrateful hearts, not worshiping or submitting to Him, hardening our hearts, trying God’s patience because of stubborn doubts. Don’t harden your hearts, but reject the glamour of sin and anything else that would lead us away from God.  Along with God’s blessings comes the responsibility to live up to His demands of fairness, honesty and justice. 

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of complete obedience to You, that I will do Your will at all times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

 

OUR WORKS WILL BE JUDGED!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY OCTOBER 20, 2020.

SUBJECT: OUR WORKS WILL BE JUDGED!

Memory verse: "And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” (Revelation 20 vs 12.)

READ: First Corinthians 3 vs 12 - 15:

3:12: Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 

3:13: each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

3:14: If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, He will receive a reward.

3:15: If anyone’s work is burned, He will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

INTIMATION:

One day history will come to a close, but eternity will go on forever. For we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14 vs 11 - 12.) Although, no one is saved by deeds, but God’s gracious gift of salvation does not free us from the requirement of faithful obedience and service. Deeds are seen as clear evidence of a person’s actual relationship with God. Jesus will look at how we have handled gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities. Each and every believer’s work will be evaluated by God. Our work will earn us God’s approval or disapproval, and eventually our rewards. 

The elect will be saved by grace, not on the merit of how they performed law and accumulated good works. Christians are not saved as the result of legally keeping law simply because no one can keep the law perfectly. However, they are created in Christ for good works (Ephesians 2 vs 10). The result of their faith is that they obey the law of God (Romans 3 vs 31). We would say, therefore, that it is by these works of obedience that we will be judged. The deeds of the Christian are the result of his or her salvation by grace. The works, therefore, are the manifestation of the Christian’s thanksgiving for His or her salvation in Christ. When we realize how far God had to send His in order to redeem us from condemnation, we respond with a life of thanksgiving. Our good works, therefore, are works of thanksgiving, not works of merit. 

Jesus promises a reward for those who have been faithful to the Master. While we sometimes experience immediate and material rewards for our obedience to God, this is not always the case, if so, we would be tempted to boast about our achievements and only do good for what we get. Though there can be reward now, but the better  and more effective and lasting reward will come later—at the Day of Judgement. Jesus said that if we look for rewards now, we will lose them later. Our heavenly reward far outweighs whatever earthly reward we can get, even when we gained the whole earth. Our heavenly rewards will be the most accurate reflection of what we have done on earth, and they will be far greater than we can imagine.  

Jesus said, “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.” (Matthew 16 vs 27.)

Jesus Christ has been given the authority to judge all the earth. Although the judgement is already working in our lives, there is a future, final judgement when Christ returns, and everyone’s life will be reviewed and evaluated. This will not be confined to unbelievers; Christians, too, will face a judgement. Though the eternal destiny of Christians is secure, but Jesus will look at how we handled gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities in order to determine their heavenly rewards. 

In the passage we read today, the apostle Paul gives an analytical description of how our works will be judged. He likened our works to various quality, and standard of products; like gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and straw. Each product is passed through the testing agent of fire here. If one’s work is like straw or hay, or wood which is of little or no value, it burns easily revealing its weakness, and value. If it is like Gold or silver, which is improved by heating, it appears more better and acceptable, and is counted for you as good work by Christ.

Although, you are saved by the free gift of salvation, the weakness of your work determines your position, place, and value in the kingdom of God. Those whose works are weak and unacceptable occupy the least places in the kingdom. Jesus said, “...but he who is least in the kingdom of God....” (Luke 7 vs 28). His statement therefore, clearly indicates that the kingdom is in classes or grades. All works are rewarded by God. Jesus said in Revelation 22 vs 12, “ And Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Each of us must serve Christ in the best way we know and live each day knowing the books will one day be opened, and we will be rewarded according to our works.

Prayer: Abba Father, as the Day is fast approaching, engrace me to live a life of raw obedience to You, that my works, when tested, will be approved and acceptable to You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

DOING THE. WORD

 DOING THE WORD

"Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:9" 

Devotion : The Apostle Paul, in the opening scripture, gave his disciples a spiritual principle to apply to their life. The Apostle used his lifestyle as a living example to teach the gospel. He believed in leadership by example, a principle which Christ Jesus also taught His disciples, Matthew 28:19-20. There are five vital words/phrases that must be of interest to every Christian. They are learned, received, heard, seen in me, and obey. Christians must look up to their leaders to learn from them, receive from them, hear/listen to them, see the Word of God in them, and finally obey it. A leader who tells you to "do what I say but don't do what I do" is a bad leader and must be avoided. The best leader to follow as Christians is Jesus Christ of Nazareth: He is the author and finisher of our faith, Hebrews 12:2. Dearly beloved, what do you like about the leadership of Jesus Christ? Share your comments here!

SPIRITUAL GROWTH TO MATURITY TAKES TIME!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY OCTOBER 19, 2020.

SUBJECT : SPIRITUAL GROWTH TO MATURITY TAKES TIME!

Memory verse: 

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

 (Second Corinthians 3 vs 18.)

READ: Mark 4 vs 26 - 29:

4:26: And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground;
4:27: and should sleep by night and rise day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.
4:28: For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.  

4:29: But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.

INTIMATION:

There are no shortcuts to maturity. It takes years for us to grow to adulthood, it takes a full season for fruit to mature and ripen. The same is true for the fruit of the Spirit. The development of Christlike character cannot be rushed. Spiritual growth, like physical growth, takes time. When ripening fruit quickly by any method other than the natural process on the plant, it loses its flavor. We often expect quick changes in our lives and quick victories over sin. Our journey with God is lifelong process, however, and the changes and victories may take time. 

God could miraculously and instantaneously change your life. Usually, however, He chooses to help you gradually, teaching you one lesson at a time, doing it in stages, “little by little.” Rather than expecting instant spiritual maturity and solutions to all your problems, slow down and work one step at a time, trusting God to make up the difference between where you should be and where you are now. You will soon look back and see that a miraculous transformation has occurred. While we worry about how fast we grow, God is concerned about how strong we grow. God views our lives from eternal perspective, so He is never in a hurry. 

Today we're obsessed with speed, but God is more interested in strength and stability than swiftness. We want the quick fix, the shortcut, the on-the-spot solution. We want a sermon, a seminar, or an experience that will instantly resolve all problems, remove all temptation, and release us from all growing pains. But real maturity is never the result of a single experience, no matter how powerful or moving. Growth is gradual. Be patient. We are changed from one level to another, until we are perfected by Jesus Christ at His coming. 

Christian growth is a lifelong process. Although we have a new nature, we don’t automatically think all good thoughts and have all pure attitudes when we become new people in Christ. But if we keep listening to God, we will be changing all the time. The God who began a good work in us continues it throughout our lifetime and will finish it when we meet him face to face. God’s work for us began when Christ died on the cross in our place. His work in us began when we first believed. Now the Holy Spirit lives in us, enabling us to be more like Christ every day. Change may be slow, but your life will change significantly if you trust God to change you.

Remember that life in Christ is never complete. Heaven promises completeness; until then, growth is the normal pattern. Growth often endures seasons of drought and drabness. That’s normal. The key to growth includes daily devotion to Christ through Bible study and prayer. Christian life takes hard work, self-denial, and grueling preparation. As Christians, we are running toward our heavenly reward. The essential disciplines of prayer, Bible study, and worship equip us to run with vigor and stamina. 

Do you sometimes feel as though you aren’t making progress in your spiritual life? When God starts a project He completes it! God will help you grow in grace until he has completed His work in your life. When you are discouraged, remember that God won’t give up on you. He promises to finish the work He had begun. When you feel incomplete, unfinished, or distressed by your shortcomings, remember God’s promise and provision. Don’t let your present condition rob you of the joy of knowing Christ or keep you from growing closer to Him.

Christian maturity means making Christ the beginning and end of our faith. To grow to maturity, we must center our life on Him, not depending on religious ritual, not falling back into sin, not trusting ourselves, and not letting anything come between us and Christ. Christ is sufficient and superior.

Prayer: Abba Father, I totally surrender to You. My eyes are upon You, transform me as it pleases You, until I am approved to receive Your crown of glory, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

BE NOT OFFENDED IN GOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY OCTOBER 18, 2020.

SUBJECT : BE NOT OFFENDED IN GOD!

Memory verse: “And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me." (Matthew 11 vs 6.)

READ: Job 9 vs 4; Isaiah 45 vs 9 - 10:

Job 9:4: God is wise in heart, and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against Him, and prospered?

Isaiah 45:9: “Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ 

Or shall your handiwork say, ‘He has no hands’?

45:10: Woe to him who says to his father, ‘What are you begetting?’ Or to the woman, ‘What have you brought forth?’”

INTIMATION:

So many have their conscience ensnared with offenses toward God or man, and all they do in prayer is nothing but complain, and murmur. When you are offended in God, you turn Him against yourself; and if God is against you, who will save you? If you despise Him, who will lift you? If He withdraws His breath from you for one minute you will be dead. If you have lost anything, God is the reason you didn't loose everything. May be the enemy's intention was to take your life, but God stepped in and you only lost your car. But here you are, offended and complaining against Him. If He withdraws His hand from your life, can you imagine what will become of you?

No one can harden himself against God and prosper. It is impossible to reason from the viewpoint of the fallibility of man in order to win in a context against Him who has created and controls all things. Many are stranded because of offenses. When you are offended in God or man, you bear iniquities in your heart that inhibits God from hearing you (Psalm 66 vs 18). While preparing your heart to approach God in prayer, one of the things you must guard against is offenses. Anything that makes you to murmur against God is moving you against your destiny. You can't expect Him to answer your prayers when your heart is full of complains and offenses toward God or man. 

For those who justify themselves against God, when they stand in prayer, they say, "Lord, I've paid my tithe, I have done everything that You commanded. Only You haven't done your part." In other words, they count themselves faithful and God unfaithful. But the Bible says, "...Let God be true but every man a liar..." (Romans 3 vs 4.) Everything that moves you to question the integrity of God, or His love for you must be destroyed, so that the altar of your heart can be prepared for the fire from heaven. 

In our memory verse, Jesus said that those who do not take any offense in the Lord are fortunate and blessed. Jesus said this when John the Baptist that sat in prison, began to have some doubts about Jesus, whether He really was the Messiah. John thought in his heart that if his purpose was to prepare people for the coming Messiah, then why was he in prison when he could have been preaching to the crowds, preparing their hearts. John expected that the coming Messiah should be able to save him from prison. 

When John the Baptist’s disciples came and put his question before Jesus,—"Are you the Coming One, or do we look for another?" Jesus knew that he was already offended in Him. He asked the disciples to go back to him with the good news of His exploits—the blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. Obviously, that would have offended John the more because he already had heard all those evidence that indicated the real identity of Jesus, and wondered why He didn't want to save Him from prison. The wise and right thing to do when you are in doubt because of happenings around you is turn to Him, and not turn away from Him.

It’s noteworthy that it was in the same prison and the same Jailer that held Paul and Silas. They were doing the work of the Messiah when they were arrested and jailed. But they didn't get offended, both toward God or the men, but instead sang and praised God while in there, and God came in His Might and saved them. But for John, he was eventually beheaded when the King's daughter, on the advice of the mother, asked for his head in a platter. Let your conscience be as that of the apostle Paul who said, "This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men." (Acts 24 vs 16.) 

The Scripture in Romans 8 vs 28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." So, set your heart right before Him. Count Him faithful in all things. Refuse to complain, but rather let God know that you have no alternative beside Him, and that you are ready to hang on till your answer comes from Him. Any attempt to step away from God, is stepping into doom for you. Certainly, there is no unrighteousness with God! (Romans 9 vs 14.) Give your destiny motion by clearing off every offense from your heart, to establish a thoroughfare to heaven in prayers. This is the way to maintain a good communication line with God.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are the Lord, the Creator and Owner of all things. All that happens are already known to You, and You allow them for Your purposes. Engrace me with a conscience free from offenses toward You and men, that I may be worthy of Your blessings accordingly, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!