HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF?

 

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY DECEMBER 31, 2020.

SUBJECT: HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF?

Memory verse: "Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, For we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13 vs 30.) 

READ: Numbers 13 vs 1 - 2, 25 - 28, 30 - 33:

13:1: And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

13:2: “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader among them.”

13:25: And they returned from spying out the land after forty days.

13:26: Now they departed and came back to Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel in the wilderness congregation in the Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh; they brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land.

13:27: Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.

13:28: Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there.

13:30: Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, For we are well able to overcome it.”

13:31: But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.”

13:32: And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature.

13:33: There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

INTIMATION:

How do you see yourself, as a grasshopper or as a mighty warrior of God? Is yours an evil report or a good report? Are you in self-doubt, or self-pity of yourself? Do you know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made by your Creator? (Psalm 139 vs 14.) Do you realize that you are made in His image and after His likeness? (Genesis 1 vs 26.) God’s character goes into the creation of every person. When you feel worthless or even begin to hate yourself, remember that God’s Spirit is ready and willing to work within you. We should have as much respect for ourselves as our Maker has for us.

God can give the courage and confidence you need to be a winner. But you have to be in agreement with His plan for your life. You have to quit seeing yourself as just the opposite of what he says you are. You must learn to change your self-image. Not only must you learn to see yourself differently, but also to carry yourself differently. 

Don't let the devil fill your head with thoughts of unworthiness. Remember: thoughts are seeds. Your spirit can only produce for you what you sow and nurture within your own mind and heart. Every thought you allow to enter and take root in your innermost being will begin to grow and produce fruit after its kind. That is why you need to learn to replace negative thoughts and words with positive ones. You need to stop seeing yourself as an unworthy sinner and begin to see yourself as the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. (First Corinthians 1 vs 30; Second Corinthians 5 vs 21).

In the passage we read today, we observed that when the Children of Israel drew near to their destination—the Promised Land, the Lord instructed Moses to choose twelve men, one from each tribe, and send them on a scouting expedition into the land of Canaan. When they returned, all twelve of them agreed that the land was fruitful and productive, that it was a land flowing with milk and honey. But when it came to deciding a course of action, ten of the twelve gave "an evil report," while only two of them, Joshua and Caleb, gave a good report. The reason the ten gave an evil report is because they were afraid. The problem was that they were looking at the situation in the natural, through the eyes of the flesh, while Caleb and Joshua were looking at it in the spiritual, through the eyes of the Lord.

The land has already been given to them by the Lord for their possession (Numbers 33 vs 53). It is only left for them to go and take it, even if it means a battle, because they are aware the God has already given the land, and the battle is His. The ten said of the inhabitants of the land and of themselves: There we saw giants, and we were, in our own sight, like grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. 

When the Lord sets before you a new opportunity, do you fearfully moan, "I can't overcome the giants in the land," or do you boldly declare, "I'm going up right away, because I'm well able to take it?" Ten of the Israelites saw the giants, but two saw God! Keep your eyes on God. You plus God is enough in any situation. Never look at circumstances, but rather look up to the One that controls the circumstances!

Prayer: Abba Father, You skillfully wrought me in the lowest part of the earth. I am made in Your image and after Your likeness, and marvelous are Your works. Blot out of me any thoughts of evil report, and self-doubt, for I can do all things through You that strengthens me, in Jesus’ matchless Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

TRUST AND AWAIT GOD’S TIME!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 30, 2020.

SUBJECT : TRUST AND AWAIT GOD’S TIME!

Memory verse: "For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie: though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” (Habakkuk 2 vs 3.) 

READ: Daniel 8 vs 16 - 19:

8:16: And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, “Gabriel make this man understand the vision.”

8:17: So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, “Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end.”

8:18: Now, as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep with my face to the ground; but he touched me, and stood me upright.

8:19: And He said, “Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation, for at the appointed time the end shall be.

INTIMATION:

God is our Creator, and is 'All-Knowing’—perfect in knowledge. The end of all things are known to Him from the beginning (Isaiah 46 vs 10.). Even when we are yet unformed in our mother’s womb, He knew us and everything about us. God created all things, and planned all things according to His purpose and timing; "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3 vs 1). And at the fullness of His time—at His appointed time—He will cause things to happen according to His predetermined purposes. For this reason, He is always on time. He planned the time, and does His bidding at the fullness of the planned time. 

From our perspective, God sometimes seems slow to intervene on our behalf. But what might appear slow to us is good timing from God’s perspective. It’s easy to become impatient while waiting for God to act, but we must never give up on Him. When God is silent and you are in deep anguish, be patient and know that “all things work together for good to those that love God, to those who are the called according to His “ (Romans 8 vs 28). All you need do is sit down and review your life; what God has done for you, and also review the great acts of God throughout biblical history. This will remind you that God is at work, not only in history, but also in your life today.

God will act when He is ready. For instance, children have difficulty grasping the concept of time. “It’s not time yet” is not a reason they easily understand because they only comprehend the present. And as His children, and as limited human beings, we can’t understand God’s perspective about time. We want everything now, unaware that God’s timing is better. When God is ready, He will do what needs to be done, not what we would like Him do. We may be as impatient as children, but we must not doubt the wisdom of God’s timing. Wait for God to reveal His plan. Don’t take matters into your own hands.

God’s answer doesn’t always come the moment we want it. but God answers us when He knew the right time had come. God knows the best time to act. When you feel that God has forgotten you in your troubles, remember that God has a time schedule we can’t see. God may have seemed slow to you when in distress, and every day you longed to be delivered. But God is not slow, He just is not on our timetable. God is not limited by time. It’s easy to get discouraged when years pass and the world doesn’t get better. 

We sometimes wonder if God is able to see the future. But don’t assume that God has our limitations. God is completely unrestricted by time. Because He is eternal, we can depend on Him. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently for it, for surely it will take place, if God has assured about it. Of course, it isn’t easy to be patient but, “though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come.” (Habakkuk 2 vs 3.) We must trust God even when we don’t understand why events occur as they do.

For instance, who will imagine the Savior of the world working in a small-town carpenter’s shop until He was 30 years old! It seems incredible that Jesus would have been content to remain in Nazareth all that time, but He patiently trusted His Father’s timing for His life and ministry. Like Jesus, we need to resist the temptation to jump ahead before receiving the Spirit’s direction. Don’t jump ahead—trust God’s timing.

Jesus, during His earth walk, demonstrated God’s timing in events. When His friend Lazarus died due to sickness, He took four days to get to this family He loved and often stayed with them. He knew their pain but did not respond immediately. His delay had a specific purpose. He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (John 11 vs 14.) God’s timing, especially His delays, may make us think He is not answering or is not answering the way we want. But He will meet all our needs according to His perfect schedule and purpose (Philippians 4 vs 19.) Patiently await His timing. 

God is with us through every situation, in every trial; protecting, loving, guiding us (Psalm 46 vs 1; 59 vs 16), and has promised He would never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13 vs 5), and will be with us always, even up to the end of age (Matthew 28 vs 20). He knows and loves us completely. God is perfect (Matthew 5 vs 48), and consequently, everything about Him is perfect. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He knows us perfectly. Trust His judgement and trust that He has your best interests in mind (Jeremiah 29 vs 11).

Prayer: Abba Father, You are my Faithful Companion, and Loving Father. I know You have the best plan and time for me. Let it be to me according to Your perfect timing, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THAT YOU ARE IN CHARGE?

 Have You Forgotten You Are in Charge? 

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19 (KJV)

Knowing that you are in charge makes life easy. The kingdom of darkness, being led by the devil, will always spread false information to deceive people into believing that they are so powerful, in order to cause harm and destruction (John 8:44). Thus, they enslave people with fear, poverty, sickness, sin, discouragement, death, etc. Dear beloved, meditate on the opening scripture and believe that you are in charge because Jesus Christ has given you power over the devil and his machination. Don’t ever forget it, so that you can keep putting your authority and power to use to always win the battles of life. Remember that all the power of the enemy cannot hurt you if you keep treading on him and his cohort of darkness every day. Beloved, the kingdom of darkness knows that you have power over them but they will still tempt you to know if you really know who you are in Christ Jesus (Matthew 4:4–11). They will tempt you with sin because they know sin can make you ineffective. Therefore, avoid sin and live in holiness, so that the Holy Spirit will be happy working with you and making the power in you always active over the enemy. Beloved, be fervent in prayer and speak in tongues to edify yourself every day (1 Corinthians 14:4). Keep believing in the Word of God and preach it, and the signs Jesus Christ spoke about will follow you, and the kingdom of darkness will always be afraid of you because you are always on fire for the Lord (Mark 16:17–18). Hallelujah! You are an overcomer!

Prayer Point: My dear heavenly Father, thank You for giving me power over the devil and the kingdom of darkness. I will keep preaching the gospel and exercising authority over the devil and his kingdom, for many people to be saved and teach them how to also use their authority in Christ Jesus. Amen!

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BENEFITS GOD GIVES BELIEVERS THROUGH CHRIST!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY DECEMBER 29, 2020.

SUBJECT: BENEFITS GOD GIVES BELIEVERS THROUGH CHRIST!

Memory verse:  "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." (First John 5 vs 11.) 

READ: Ephesians 1 vs 17 - 19; Colossians 1 vs 12 - 14:

1:17: That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
1:18: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

1:19: and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power,

Colossians 1:12: Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
1:13: He has delivered us from the power of darkness and  conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
1:14: in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

INTIMATION:

The benefits that God gives all believers through Christ include: (1) He has enabled us to share in His inheritance; (2) He has rescued us from Satan’s kingdom of darkness and made us His children; (3) He has brought us into His eternal kingdom; (4) He has purchased our freedom from sin and judgement with His blood; and (5) He has forgiven all our sins. 

Before we believed in Christ, our nature was evil. We disobeyed, rebelled, and ignored God (even at our best, we did not love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind). The Christian, however, has a new nature. God has crucified the old rebellious nature (Romans 6 vs 6) and replaced it with a new loving nature (Colossians 3 vs 9 - 10). The penalty of sin died with Christ on the cross. God declared us not guilty, and we need no longer live under sin’s power. God does not take us out of the world or make us robots—we will still feel like sinning, and sometimes we will sin. The difference is that before we were saved, we were slaves to our sinful nature; but we are free to live for Christ (see Galatians 2 vs 20). 

Through our believe in Christ we have been adopted as children of God: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1 vs 12.) Those who “received Him” and “believed in His name” were given the privilege of becoming the sons of God. Receiving and believing did not constitute one as a son of God, it only gives one the privilege. Receiving and believing we’re only conditions upon which one must move into doing that which God requires to become a son of God, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3 vs 26 - 27). 

Now, as children of God we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ in His inheritance: “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8 vs 17.) The obedient son of God inherits what the Father has promised for His sons. When we put on Christ in baptism, we belong to Him and are Abraham’s seed. We are heirs “heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3 vs 29).

True believers have been translated from darkness to light, from slavery to freedom, from guilt to forgiveness, and from the power of Satan to the power of God. We have been rescued from a rebel kingdom to serve the rightful King. And they are to live eternally with Him. Our conduct should reflect our new allegiance. 

The Scripture says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence.” (Ephesians 1 vs 7.) Redemption means Christ setting sinners free from slavery to sin and Satan, and revealing of the righteousness of God that comes to man through faith in Jesus Christ. This belongs to all those who acknowledge Christ as Savior and confess him as their Lord. The death of Jesus points to two wonderful scriptural truths—redemption and forgiveness. Through His death, Jesus paid the price to release us from slavery to sin. Forgiveness of our sins was granted on the basis of the shedding of Jesus’ blood—He died as a perfect and final sacrifice.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for all You wrought for us in Christ. Guide me appropriately, O Lord, that I may in complete obedience to as to earn all the benefits of the believer in Christ p, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

ARE YOU COMPROMISING HIS VIEWS?

 Are You Compromising His Views? 

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:6 (KJV)

Becoming familiar with God can lead to compromising His views. The Most High has a sure Word for everything that He had made. He knows all things. No wonder everything on earth is naked before Him (Hebrews 4:13). He knows the right paths, the paths that seem to be right but are wrong, and the wrong paths. This makes it vital to consult Him first before embarking on any mission or endeavor. Dear beloved, are you becoming too familiar with God? Some Christians were committed to the Word of God during the initial stage of their Christian life. However, when things began to change for the better, they began to compromise the Word of God. They now confided in themselves or others, till their life began to take a nosedive (Proverbs 14:12). Beloved, if you find yourself in this place, it is time to repent and get committed to the Lord and His Word. God requires consistency in studying His Word; that is why He said we should meditate on it day and night and observe to practice it (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:2–3). He didn’t say we should stop meditating on His Word once things begin to change for good in our lives. Beloved, when King David began compromising the Word of God and took things into his own hands, His Kingdom began to fall apart, till he got right with God and took Him seriously again (2 Samuel 11:1–27, 12:1–14). Compromise neither your relationship with God nor His Word; confide in Him in every decision, choice, and action, or reaction, and you will always succeed. Hallelujah! God bless you!

Prayer Point: My holy Father, I’m excited to be Your child. Thank You for the counsel from Your Word. I promise to meditate on Your Word day and night and put every Word to practice. I will also consult You in every decision, choice, action, and reaction. Please remind me any time I’m compromising Your Word, and I will repent in Jesus’ name. Amen!

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START FROM YOUR OWN HOUSE!

 Start from Your Own House! 

“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” 1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV)

A house is simply a structure in which people live. In other words, it is a dwelling place for individuals and families. Every human being is born into a family where the language, culture, values, etc. are learned and become part of our lives. The knowledge for building a house comes from God. He also gives the understanding to learn languages, culture, values, etc. It is God’s idea that when one becomes an adult, they learn how to provide for their household (Genesis 2:15). It is a place where God teaches responsibility. God takes the family seriously and assesses our abilities and capabilities at that level, to decide when we are ready for a bigger responsibility. Thus, if a person cannot provide for their household, it is obvious that they cannot do better in the church or house of God. Dear beloved, are you providing for your own family? If you are of age to work, then God expects you to work in order to provide for your family. God is always willing to work with you on that if you avail yourself to Him and make up your mind to be a blessing to your household. Beloved, if you do very well at the family level, then God can trust you with the responsibilities in the church. Once you are able to handle the family and the church very well, then you become qualified to take on a higher assignment such as national and international duties, like David (1 Samuel 16:12–13). Hallelujah! God bless you!

Prayer Point: My dear heavenly Father, Your Word is like honey to my taste and I love it. I avail myself to You. Please equip me to be able to provide for my family and take on responsibilities in the church. Let me do my responsibilities so well that I will be qualified for national and international assignments in Jesus’ name. Amen! Everyday with Jesus on www.miheanyi.blogspot.com House of Joy there is power in God's word.

Were you blessed by today's message? Kindly go to the comment section and share your comments, and testimonies. Let's also know your challenges so that we can pray for you. 

LET THE JOY OF THE LORD BE IN YOU ALWAYS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY DECEMBER 28, 2020.

SUBJECT: LET THE JOY OF THE LORD BE IN YOU ALWAYS! 

Memory verse: "Rejoice in the Lord always: Again I will say, rejoice.

"

 (

Philippians 4 vs 4.)

READ: Psalm 37 vs 4 - 5; Isaiah 12 vs 3:

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 

37:5: Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.

Isaiah 12:3: Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

INTIMATION:

Joy is a common theme in Christ’s teaching—He wants us to be joyful always. Joy is the quiet, confident assurance of God's love, and work in our lives—that He will be there no matter what! Joy is lasting because it is based on God’s presence within us. It is only in being joyous that “you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” The key to immeasurable joy is living in intimate relationship with Christ, the source of all joy. When we do, we will experience God’s special care and protection and see the victory God brings even when defeat seems certain. The fullness of our joy comes from a consistent and intimate relationship with Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit—the rivers of living water. As we contemplate His daily presence, we will find contentment. 

The Bible, in John 7 vs 37 - 39, says, “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, Let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, who those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” Salvation is a gift from God that ensures our overwhelming and unparalleled inheritance in Jesus Christ. You can only access this by your delighting (being joyful) in the Lord. When you delight in the Lord, you will commit your ways to Him, completely trusting in Him, and surely He will give you the desires of your heart, and ensures they are accomplished. 

Joy comes from a consistent relationship with Jesus Christ, that is abiding in Him, and Him in you; being a branch of the vine that you may bear fruit. Abiding in Christ means (1) believing that He is God’s Son, (2) receiving Him as Savior and Lord, (3) doing what God says, (4) continuing to believe the gospel, and (5) relating in love to the community of believers—Christ’s Body. When our lives are intertwined with His, He will help us walk through adversity without sinking into debilitating lows and manage prosperity without moving into deceptive highs. The joy of living with Jesus Christ daily will keep us levelheaded, no matter how high or low our circumstances. True joy transcends the rolling waves of circumstances. 

For instance, the apostle Paul wrote our memory verse to the believers in Philippi while he was in prison. It is quite strange that a man in prison will be telling  a church to rejoice. But his attitude teaches an important lesson, our inner attitude do not have to reflect our outward circumstances. Paul was full of joy because he knows that no matter what happens to him, Jesus Christ was with him. If you are not joyful, you will never look at things in the right perspective. Ultimate joy comes from Christ indwelling within us through the Holy Spirit. He who lives within us will fulfill His final purposes for us. As we understand the future He has for us, we will experience joy. Don’t base your life on circumstances, but on God who controls circumstances.

To delight in someone means to experience great pleasure and joy in his or her presence. This happens only when we know that person well. Thus, to delight in the LORD, we must know Him better. Knowledge of God’s great love for us will indeed makes us delight in Him. And we will To commit ourselves to the LORD, entrusting everything—our lives, families, jobs, possessions—to His control and guidance. We are to trust in Him, believing that He can care for us better than we can ourselves. We should be willing to wait patiently for Him to work out what is best for us.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are my everything. My joy is complete in You. My total confidence is in Your assured presence and fellowship with me always, Surely, Your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life as I dwell in Your presence forever, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!