MAKE RIGHT AND WISE CHOICES!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2020.

SUBJECT : MAKE RIGHT AND WISE CHOICES!

Memory verse: “And if it seem evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

 (Joshua 24 vs 15.) 

READ: First Chronicles 21 vs 9 - 13:

21:9: Then the LORD spoke to Gad, David's seer, saying,
21:10: “Go and tell David, saying, “Thus saith the LORD: “I offer you three things; choose one of them for yourself, that I may do it to you.
21:11: So Gad came to David and said unto him, “Thus said the LORD, ‘Choose for yourself
21:12: either three years of famine; or three months to be destroyed before your foes, with the sword of your enemies overtaking you, or else for three days the sword of the LORD—the plague in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.’ Now consider what answer I should take back to Him who sent me.”

21:13: And David said to Gad, “I am in a great distress. Please let me fall into the hand of the LORD; for His mercies are very great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man.”

INTIMATION:

All of us make hundreds of choices every day. Most choices have no right or wrong attached to them—like what you wear or what you eat. But we always face decisions that carry a little more weight. We don’t want to do wrong, and we don’t want to cause others to do wrong, so how can we make such decisions? Right and wise choices made in accordance with God’s laws, which is His will. God has, in His Word, defined the right and wise path of life for us. Still God gives us choices, and we, too, often choose wrongly. These wrong choices may cause pain, but they can help us learn and grow and make better choices in future. Living with the consequences of our choices teaches us to think and choose more carefully.

Every choice for good sets in motion other opportunities for good. Evil choices follow the same pattern, but in the opposite direction. Each choice you make in obedience to God’s Word will bring a greater sense of order to your life, while each choice made in disobedience will bring confusion and destruction. The choice you make will shape your integrity. Obedient choices will bring the greatest safety and security. It is amazing that God set before the Israelites a choice between a blessing and a curse (Deuteronomy 30 vs 1). It is even more amazing that most of them, through disobedience, chose the curse. We have the same fundamental choice today. We can live for ourselves or live in service to God. To choose our own way is to travel on a dead-end road, but to choose God’s way is to receive eternal life (John 5 vs 24).

We must learn to make choices, not on the basis of flashy appeal or short-range pleasure, but in view of the long-range effects: having eternity with Christ in mind. When we don’t know Christ, we make choices as though there were no afterlife. In reality, this life is just the introduction to eternity. How we live this brief span determines our eternal state. What we accumulate on earth has no value in getting eternal life. Even the highest social or civic honors cannot earn us entrance into heaven. Always evaluate your lifestyle and choices from eternal perspective, and you will find your values and decisions changing.

In the passage we read today, God gave David three choices. Each was a form of punishment God had told the people what they could expect if they disobeyed His laws (plague, famine, war). David wisely chose the form of punishment that came most directly from God. He knew how brutal and harsh men in war could be, and he also knew God’s great mercy. He made the very wise and right choice to fall into the hands of ‘All-merciful’ God. This brilliant choice is for us to make today. When you sin greatly, turn back to God. To be punished by Him is far better than to take your chances without Him.

Any choices outside wise counsel of the Word of God is sinful. And sin is enticing because it offers a quick route to self-satisfaction and makes us feel like “one of the crowd.” When we go along with others and refuse to listen to the truth, our own appetites become our masters, and we’ll do anything to satisfy them. But, sin, even when attractive, is deadly. God does not usually stop us from making wrong choices. He lets us choose independence from Him, even though He knows that in time we will become slaves to our own rebellious lifestyle and lose our freedom not to sin. There is no worse slavery than slavery to sin. We can’t be friendly with sin and expect our lives to remain unaffected. Turn and run—this is not cowardly; it is extremely brave.

There are very necessary evaluations you need to make when you are making a choice. Ask yourself, “If I choose one course of action, does it: (1) help my witness for Christ Am I motivated by a desire to help others know Christ? (3) Does it help me do my best? (4) Is it against a specific command in Scripture and would thus cause me to sin? (5) Is it the best and most beneficial course of action? (6) Am I thinking only of myself, or do I truly care about the other person? (7) Am I acting lovingly or selfishly Does it glorify God? (8) Will it cause someone else to sin? Finally, the question, “What would Jesus do?” may help us make the right choices because He is never wrong.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of obedience to Your Word, that it will rule my decisions in all things, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

COMMIT YOUR WAY TO THE LORD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2020.

SUBJECT : COMMIT YOUR WAY TO THE LORD!

Memory verse: “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.”

 (Psalm 37 vs 5.) 

READ: Psalm 55 vs 22; Proverbs 3 vs 6; 16 vs 3:

Psalm 55:22: Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you, He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Proverbs 3:6: In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

16:3: Commit Your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.

INTIMATION:

To commit your way to the Lord means to let God’s will rule in all areas of your life. Put Him first in your life, entrusting everything—your life, family, jobs, possessions—to His control and guidance. It means to trust in Him, believing that He can care for you better than you can for yourself. When you commit your way to Him, you should be willing to wait patiently for Him to work what is best for you. God wants us to give our burdens to Him, but often we continue to bear them ourselves even when we say we are trusting in Him. Trust in the same ‘strength’ that sustains you to carry your cares also. 

There are different ways to fail to commit our way to the Lord. Some commit their way only superficially. They say the Lord is ruling in their affairs, and in all their ways, but in reality they are doing certain things according to their own ways and wisdom. Others give God temporary control of their interests only to take control back the moment things stop going the way they expect, forgetting that God makes all things work together for good to them who love Him (Romans 8 vs 28). Still others commit their task fully to the Lord, but put forth no efforts themselves, and they wonder why they do not succeed. We must trust Him completely in all our ways. However, we should not omit careful thinking or belittle our God-given ability to reason; but we should not trust our own ideas to the exclusion of God’s will expressed in His Word. 

When we have an important decision to make, we sometimes feel that we can’t trust anyone—not even God. But God knows what is best for us. He is a better judge of what we want than we are! We must not be wise in our own eyes. We should always be willing to listen to and be corrected by God’s Word and wise counselors. Bring your decisions to God in prayer; use the Bible as your guide, and then follow God’s leading. Only the principles of God are eternal, and thus they are the only guarantee to a good life. If one would trust in the word of God for guidance, God will clear the way. If God is the center of one’s life, then what one plans should be based on the will of the Lord. The wise person will know the will of God, and thus plan according to the will of God. 

To receive God’s guidance, we must acknowledge God in all we do. This was emphasized by Jesus when He said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6 vs 33). This means to put God first in your life, to fill your thoughts with His desires, to take His character for your pattern, and to serve and obey Him in everything. Look at your values and priorities. What is important to you? Where is God on that list? What is His advice? Make Him a vital part of everything you do, then He will guide you because you will be working to accomplish His purposes.

Carrying your worries, stresses, and daily struggles by yourself shows that you have not trusted God fully with your life. It takes humility, however, to recognize that God cares, to admit your need, and to let others in God’s family help you. Sometimes we think that struggles caused by our own sin and foolishness are not God’s concern, forgetting that when we were neck-deep in sin He paid the penalty of sin for us. When we turn to God in repentance, He will bear the weight even of those struggles. Letting God have your anxieties call for action, not passivity. Don’t submit to circumstances but to the Lord, who controls circumstances.

Prayer: Abba Father, one thing I desire so much in my life is Your divine guidance because I know that by my own strength and wisdom I cannot prevail, and without You I can do nothing, and I am nothing. Give me grace to acknowledge Your ways in all I do, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

GUARD YOUR INTEGRITY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2020.

SUBJECT : GUARD YOUR INTEGRITY!

Memory verse: “The just man walks in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.”

 (Proverbs 20 vs 7.) 

READ: Matthew 5 vs 33 - 37:

5:33: Again, you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shalt not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to  the Lord.’
5:34: But I say to you, do not swear at all, neither by heaven; for it is God's throne;
5:35: nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
5:36: Nor shall you swear by thy head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.
5:37: But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.’

INTIMATION:

Integrity denotes honesty, uprightness, morality, and wholeness. Therefore, a man or woman of integrity is known for honesty, uprightness, morality, and wholeness. 

Integrity is more valuable than wealth, but most people don’t act as if they believe this. In a bid to get what they want they compromise their integrity in order to achieve their aim. They will pay any price to get what they want thereby falling into various temptations, and indulging in many forms of compromises— ritual and devilish sacrifices to acquire wealth, lying, cheating on people, and employers, invading taxes, stealing, withholding tithes, refusing to give, and so on.

Many compromise their honesty to achieve their objectives. Dishonesty is a difficult sin to avoid. It is easy to cheat if we think no one else is looking. But dishonesty affects the very cure of a person. It makes him or her untrustworthy and untrusting. It eventually makes him or her unable to know himself or herself or relate with others. Don’t take dishonesty lightly. Even the smallest portion of dishonesty contains enough of the poison of deceit to kill your spiritual life. If there is any form of dishonesty in your life tell God about it now.

Christians should live such a character of life that whatever they say should be understood as truth. They should be good for their words. If a Christian makes a promise, it should be assumed that he will keep that promise. A person with a reputation for exaggeration or lying often can’t get anyone to believe him or his word alone. Always be honest so that others will believe your simple yes or no. By avoiding lies, half truths, and omissions of the truth, you will become known as a trustworthy person. Truthfulness seems so rare that we feel we must end our statements with “I promise.” If we tell the truth all the time, we will have less pressure to back up our words with an oath.

Making casual oath is common to many in normal conversation in order to establish integrity or credibility. Integrity and credibility of the Christian should be based on the behavior of one’s life, not on casual statements continually made in conversation. The statement of Christians should be considered true and correct without the necessity of making oaths in order to reinforce what they say. 

Our integrity is often put on the line in money matters. God calls us to be honest even in small details we could easily ignore. But if we are not trustworthy with our money here (no matter how much or little we have), we will be unfit to handle the vast riches of God’s kingdom. Heaven’s riches are far more valuable than earthly wealth. See that you maintain your integrity in all matters, whether big or small. Never try to get away with anything. Be a man or woman of integrity whether you have or not. We should guard our integrity. A reputation for honesty is worth far more than the money we might gain by compromising it.

Parents who behave themselves with integrity will leave an example for their children to do likewise. One of the best things parents can leave for their children is a heritage of integrity. Your life circumstances, whether rich or poor, should never cause you to compromise your integrity. When we know and love God, we realize that a lower standard of living—or even poverty—is a small price to pay for personal integrity. Do your actions show that you sacrifice your integrity to get what you want? What changes do you have to make in order to get your priorities straight? 

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace to guard against any form of compromises in my integrity that I may stand approved of You in all my conducts, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

HUMILITY CURES WORLDLINESS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2020.

SUBJECT : HUMILITY CURES WORLDLINESS!

Memory verse: "By humility and the fear of The Lord are riches, and honor, and life" (Proverbs 22 vs 4).

READ: Matthew 18 vs 4 & Luke 14 vs 7 - 11:

Matthew 18: 4: Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 14:7: So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them; 

14:8: When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him;

14:9: And he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place for this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place.

14:10: But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.

14:11: For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

INTIMATION:

Humility signifies lowliness of mind. It is always used in good sense in the Scripture to denote low-lying; not to think too highly of oneself; to bring low in meekness or gentleness. It is being modest, unpretentious, and having a low opinion of oneself or one's claims. Humility is a character trait dominant in all real servants of the LORD. Though gentleness , or humility, is a very elusive character trait, yet the Bible regards it as a highly important quality. God Himself is humble, and leaves on the midst of a meek and humble people (Zephaniah 3 vs 12). 

Abraham was humble and believed God, and ensured he would not offend God in any way. Any instructions given to him by God was strictly obeyed by him because of his believe in Him, and this was counted to him for righteousness. Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth (Numbers 12 vs 3). However, that was before the coming of Christ. Jesus was an epitome of humility. He was humble so much so that He was willing to give up His rights in order to obey God and serve people. His obedience in humility was to death, even a shameful death on the cross. 

Jesus Christ describes Himself as "gentle and low in heart" (Matthew 11 vs 29). If we say we follow Christ, we must also say we want to live as He lived. We should develop His attitude of humility as we serve, even when we are not likely to get recognition for our efforts. Like Christ, we should have a servant's attitude, serving out of love for God and for others, not out of guilt or fear. Everyone has the right of choice. You can choose your attitude. You can approach life expecting to be served, or you can look for opportunities to serve others. 

The apostle Paul gave the clearest definition of humility in Romans 12 vs 3, "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." Every believer should not think of himself or herself more highly than he or she ought to think, but to think soberly. 

The cure of evil desires is humility. In Proverbs 16 vs 18, the Scriptures says, "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall." Pride usually makes us self-centered and leads us to wrongly conclude that we deserve all we can see, touch, or imagine. This wrong feeling creates greedy appetites for  far more than we need. Only in being humble before God that we can be released from our self-centered desires, realizing that all we really need is God's approval. When the Holy Spirit fills us, we see that this world's seductive attractions are only cheap substitutes for what God has to offer.

God hears the humble, and does not forget his cry (Psalm 9 vs 12). He dwells in the high and holy place with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, and revives the spirit of the humble (Isaiah 57 vs 15). He gives grace to the humble (James 4 vs 6; First Peter 5 vs 5), and grace (free and unmerited favour of God to sinful humanity) is all we need, and is God's greatest gift. When you humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, He will exalt you in due time (First Peter 5 vs 6) and His timing is the best since the end is known to Him from the beginning, and wants the very best for you.

Be clothed with humility (First Peter 5 vs 5) both old and young. Pride often keeps older people from trying to understand young people and keeps young people from listening to those who are older. Both young and old should be humble and serve each other, old people leading the young ones, and the young ones respecting the old. Be humble enough to admit you can learn from each other.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of humility and obedience, which exemplified in Christ Jesus our Messiah, that I may obtain Your grace in riches, honor, and life, in Jesus Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

ENTRANCE INTO THE KINGDOM!

 

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2020.

SUBJECT : ENTRANCE INTO THE KINGDOM!

Memory verse: 

"

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

 (John 3 vs 5.) 

READ: John 3 vs 3 - 9:

3:3: Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
3:4: Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? C an he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born?”
3:5: Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
3:6: That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
3:7: Do not marvel not that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
3:8: The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes, and where it goes. So is every one who is born of the Spirit.”

INTIMATION:

The Kingdom of God is the sphere of God’s rule; it’s the sphere in which, at any given time, His rule is acknowledged. God has not relinquished His sovereignty in the face of rebellion, demoniac or human, but has declared His purpose of establishing His  Kingdom. God calls upon all humans everywhere, without distinction of race or nationality, to submit voluntarily to His rule. Speaking generally, references to the Kingdom fall into two classes, the first, in which it is viewed as present and involving suffering for those who enter it (Second Thessalonians 1 vs 5); The second, in which it is viewed as future and is associated with reward (Matthew 25 vs 34), and glory (Matthew 13 vs 43).

The fundamental principle of the Kingdom is declared in the words of the Lord, “The Kingdom of God is in the midst of you,” (Luke 17 vs 21), that is, where the King is, there is the Kingdom. Thus at the present time and so far as the earth is concerned, where the King is and where His rule is acknowledged, is, first, in the heart of the individual believer, and then in the churches of God. Entrance into the Kingdom of God is by the “new birth,” for nothing that anyone may be by nature, or can attain to by any form of self-culture, avails in the spiritual realm. And as the new nature, received in the new birth, is made evident by obedience, it is further said that only such as do the will of God shall enter into His Kingdom.

Jesus stated what is necessary for inclusion of the kingdom reign of Jesus in the heart of men, and thus, one’s participation in the community of God. The condition is the ‘new birth,’ the birth of the spirit by being regenerated by the power of God. The condition will be the manifestation of one’s response to all that God has done in order to bring one into a covenant relationship with Him. Based on the redemptive work of Jesus, God the Father forgives us, and sends the Holy Spirit to wash away our sins and continually renew us.  All who welcome Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives are reborn spiritually, receiving new life from God—the new birth. Through faith in Christ, the new birth changes us from the inside—rearranging our attitudes, desires, and motives. 

Being born of God makes you spiritually alive and puts you in God’s family. When one is born of the Spirit, he or she is spiritually rejuvenated by the Holy Spirit through the sacrificial blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1 vs 7). In new birth, the Spirit does the work of sanctification without the perception of men. One must be born of the water of baptism, at which point, one is renewed by the Holy Spirit. Born of water is the response of the individual to the grace of God. 

What Jesus is saying is that unless one truly repents because of obedient faith, and is immersed into Christ, he or she cannot participate with Jesus in the kingdom of God. One is thus born anew in baptism by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Born of the Spirit is the work of God in  the spirit realm beyond our understanding. The Spirit does His work to bring us forth from the grace of baptism pure of sin because we have relinquished by obedience to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the new nature You have imparted to me though my obedient faith in whatChrist wrought for us in redemption. Give me the grace to live according to Your will, to avail me entrance to Your kingdom, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

WHEN GOD SAYS ‘NO’ TO YOUR PRAYER!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7, 2020.

SUBJECT : WHEN GOD SAYS "NO" TO YOUR PRAYER!

Memory verse: "He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.

" 

(Matthew 26 vs 39.)

READ: First Chronicles 22 vs 7 - 10:

22:7: And David said to Solomon; "My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build a house to the name of the LORD my God;

22:8: But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 'You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight.

22:9: Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.

22:10: He shall build a house for My name, and he shall be My son, and I will be his Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.'

INTIMATION:

God's answer to your prayer can be "No." And when God says "No" to your prayer, what would be your reaction? Some people will agonize, murmur, or even question God; "God why did You say no, when You had said, 'Ask, and I shall receive?'" Remember, God is a God of purpose. He created all things for His preplanned purposes. All He does is according to His purpose, including an answer to your prayer. He will not grant any request contrary to His preplanned purposes already He noted in His Book for you (Psalm 139 vs 16)p. That which is recorded in His Book is His "Will." Therefore, when you ask anything in prayer, outside His Will, you receive a 'no' answer to such prayers.

God knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46 vs 10). He knows when our desires is not in consonance with His purposes. Therefore, when our request in prayers is outside His will, our requests are not granted. Your reaction to a 'no' answer from God should be an accepting, and humble heart before the LORD; praising, and thanking Him for the answer. In our memory verse, Jesus asked for something outside the Will of the Father, and was quick to also, humbly acknowledge that 'not as I will, but as You will.' In Jesus' sorrowful heart, He humbled Himself, even to the point of death on the cross. 

King David was a man described by God Himself as "a man after My own heart" (Acts 13 vs 22). He was worried that while he was dwelling in a beautiful palace of cedar, the Ark of the covenant of the Lord, which is a symbol of the presence of God, sat under tent curtains. David expressed his displeasure to Nathan the prophet. The prophet urged him to do all that is in his heart. Though David’s gesture was good and admirable, but God refused that David should build the temple, and gave His reason for His refusal (First Chronicles 22 vs 8). God told David that his son Solomon will undertake the task of building a house for Him instead. 

David responded to God's refusal with deep humility, not resentment. David went and sat before the Lord and humbled himself in prayer, praising God, recognizing God's blessings and accepting God's decision, promises, and commands. He recognized that God is the true king. David graciously accepted this "no" from God. He was not jealous of the fact that his son would have the honor of building God's temple, but instead made preparations for Solomon to carry out his task.

David’s humble response, and acceptance of God’s ‘Will’ should be our attitude to ‘no’ answer to our prayers by God. We should know that our prayers to Him are our ideas and desires which may not be in accordance with His Will for us. Therefore, when our requests are not granted, we should gladly accept God’s ‘no’ answer with thanksgiving that we are not outside is Will. Sometimes we are quick to make requests to God and to tell Him of our troubles, but, like David, we need to emphasize these other dimensions of prayer, which helps us deepen our spiritual life; we should take time to praise God, to count His blessings, and to affirm our commitment to do what He has already said to do.

Similarly, as David did, we should take steps now to prepare the way for our children to find and fulfill  God's purpose. When they are grown to start making their own decisions, you would have helped them with the proper tools, showing them how to pray and study God's Word, the difference between right and wrong, and the importance of kingdom involvements, and reverencing God.

Prayer: Abba Father, There is none like You. Let Your Will rule every area of my life in all circumstances. My absolute trust is in You. What You have not willed for me, may it never cross my mind to request, what You cannot do for me, may it remain undone, and what You cannot give me, may I never have it, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

DO NOT CLING TO THIS WORLD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2020.

SUBJECT : DO NOT CLING TO THIS WORLD!

Memory verse: 

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

"

 (Mark 8 vs 36.)

READ: First John 2 vs 15 - 17:

2:15: Do not love the world, or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
2:16: For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
2:17: And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

INTIMATION:

Do not cling to this world that is passing away, rather evaluate your lifestyle from an eternal perspective, and you will find your values and decisions changing. Those who would cling or pattern their lives after this world, therefore, have forgotten that they have attached themselves to something that will not exist forever. If they do not cling to Jesus or have not patterned their thinking after that which is eternal, they will not be prepared to exist in eternity. It’s for this reason that the worldly minded people will not inherit eternal life. If one’s focus is on the things of this world, then he cannot give himself to God in a way that God demands of His children. In order words, one cannot trust in his self-sufficiency of the things of the world and at the same time totally trust in God.

If one owned all that is of this world, such would not profit toward the salvation of his soul. If we truly comprehend the value of our eternal salvation, we would not trade anything of this world for it. If we understood the glory that will be revealed to us, we would understand the foolishness of clinging to this world in a manner that would divert us from Jesus. The value of one’s soul is beyond comparison with anything of this world, even with the world as a whole. If one loves the world, the love of the Father is not in his heart. Those who love activities and possessions of this world do not love the Father, for they are obsessed with the things of this world. Those who have been consumed with the things of the world have taken their minds off that which is to come. And that which is to come is the destruction of all that for which one has worked in this world (Second Peter 3 vs 10).

Many people spend all their energy seeking pleasure. Jesus said, however, that worldliness, which is centered on possessions, position, or power, is ultimately worthless. Whatever you have on earth is only temporary; it cannot be exchanged for your soul. If you work hard at getting what you want, you might eventually have a “pleasurable” life, but in the end you will find it hollow and empty. One cannot take his possessions with him into the dwelling of the new heavens and earth, but he can take the results of his giving. 

Don’t count on wealth and physical comforts to keep you happy because you will never have enough to keep you from dying. At the moment of death we will be naked and empty-handed before God. The only riches we have at that time are those we have already invested in our eternal heritage. At the time of death, each of us will wish we had invested less in earth, where we must leave it, and more in heaven, we must place our faith in God, pledge ourselves to obey Him, and utilize our resources for the good of His kingdom.

Some people think that worldliness is limited to external behavior—the people we associate with, the places we go, the activities we enjoy. Worldliness is also internal because it begins in the heart and is characterized by three attitudes: (1) lust of the flesh—preoccupation with gratifying physical desires; (2) lust of the eyes—coveting and accumulating things, bowing to the god of materialism; and (3) pride of life—obsession with one’s status or importance. When the serpent tempted Eve, he tempted her in these areas. Also, when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, these were his three areas of attack.

It is possible to give the impression of avoiding worldly pleasures while still harboring worldly attitudes in one’s heart. It is also possible like Jesus, to love sinners and spend time with them while maintaining commitment to the values of God’s kingdom. What values are most important to you? Do your actions reflect the world’s values of God’s values?

When the desire for possessions and sinful pleasures feels so intense, we probably doubt that these objects of desire will one day pass away. It may be even more difficult to believe that the person who does the will of God will live forever. But our conviction should be based on the facts of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and promises. Knowing that this evil world will end can give you the courage to deny yourself temporary pleasures in this world in order to enjoy what God has promised for eternity. 

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of eternal consciousness, that my thoughts and behavior will be heavenly bound, and I will not be obsessed with the cares of this world, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!