AS YOU GIVE SO YOU RECEIVE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2021.

SUBJECT : AS YOU GIVE SO YOU RECEIVE!

Memory verse: "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6 vs 38.)

READ: Second Corinthians 9 vs 6 - 11:

9:6: But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

9:7: So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

9:8: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

9:9: As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever."

9:10: Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,generation,

9:11: while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

INTIMATION:

God has a divine law of giving and receiving. If you want to receive reward for your giving, you need to understand this divine law. Therefore, understand that it is the measure with which you give that determines what you will receive from God. That is to say, "What you give determines what you receive."

In our memory verse, Jesus used the picture of measuring grain in a basket to ensure the full import and clear understanding of His teaching. A forgiving spirit demonstrates that a person has received forgiveness. If you are critical rather than compassionate, you will also receive criticism. If you treat others generously, and compassionately, however, these qualities will come back to you in full measure. Jesus taught us to love others as ourselves, not judge them.

The measurement here  is relatively not in volume or quantity, but rather in value, or quality. In Mark 12 vs 42 - 43, a poor widow made an offering of two mites, which makes a quadrans, and Jesus told His disciples that the poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury, because others have given out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty gratuitously put in all that she had, her whole livelihood. Though her gift was the smallest, she gave more than the others put together in the eyes of the Lord.

The value of a gift is not determined by its quantity, but by the spirit in which it is given. A gift given grudgingly or for recognition loses its value. God desires that your gift be pleasing to Him, the volume or quantity not withstanding. Your gift is pleasing to God when it is given out of a heart of gratitude, and a spirit of generosity. When you give with God's desired motives, the dividend you receive thereto far more outweighs what you have given. The reward to you is in: ‘good measure, press down, shaking together, and running over.’

For instance, King Solomon gave a sacrifice of a thousand cows out of a heart of gratitude and a spirit of generosity, and it was pleasing to God. Rather than give him the wisdom to rule the Israelites he requested, God gave him his petition and added riches and honor. (First King 3 vs 4 - 14). You cannot out-give God. 

A giving attitude is more important than the amount given. A person who can give only a small gift with sincerity of heart shouldn't be embarrassed. God is concerned about how a person gives from his or her resources. God Himself is a cheerful giver. Consider all He has done for us. He is pleased when we who are created in His image give generously and joyfully. 

People may hesitate to give generously to God because they worry about having enough left over to meet their needs. Obviously, it is lack of faith in God, and also reflects ungratefulness to Him. The Bible tells us that withholding from God tends to poverty (Proverbs 11 vs 24). God wants to produce tremendous blessings for you, spiritually, physically, and financially. Real giving is an act of faith. Failure to give is unbelief. It is giving place to the devil. Believe God's Word and be blessed. That is why the saying, "givers never lack."

Prayer: Abba Father, You have imparted Your nature of love on me in redemption. Engrace me with the spirit of gratuitous and generous giving in reflection of my faith and trust in You, in Jesus' Name I have prayed, Amen,

PRAISE THE LORD!

BE FERVENT IN SPIRIT!

 Be Fervent in Spirit!

“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” Romans 12:11 (KJV)

To be fervent means to be very hot, glowing, and zealous. This is the kind of spirit the Lord wants you to have. If you make up your mind to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, the enemy will wage all forms of attack against you. According to the opening scripture, one form of attack is slothfulness. The meaning of slothfulness is indolence or laziness. Beloved, the enemy would want to plant this seed in you so that you would not attach any seriousness to the work of God; for example, attending church meetings late on a regular basis and choosing to postpone the work of God, giving several excuses. Remember that excuses are not acceptable in the Kingdom of God (Luke 14:18–20). God wants His children to make a deliberate effort to be zealous for His work—be passionate for His ministry, be prayerful, fellowship with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, be prompt to obey the Lord, and rejoice always, and you will overcome slothfulness. Hallelujah! Beloved, laziness can lead to lukewarmness and Jesus Christ may have to vomit you out of His mouth (Revelation 3:16). Jesus Christ was very zealous for the Father’s work, so He wouldn’t allow people to turn the temple of God into a marketplace (John 2:14–17). Beloved, learn to be fervent and zealous for the Lord, and He will use you to accomplish great things in His Kingdom. Hallelujah! Be an overcomer!

Prayer Point: My gracious and loving Father, I bless Your name for inspiring me to be fervent in spirit and zealous for Your work. I cease from being lazy and making up excuses. I make myself available to You. Please use me to fulfill Your will and purpose for my life so that many people can be blessed in Jesus’ name. Amen!

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.

BUILD A GOOD FOUNDATION!

 Build a Good Foundation! 

“For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.” Psalms 31:3 (KJV)

A good foundation is what the child of God needs to have a successful life. The psalmist knew this secret, so he made the LORD his rock and fortress. God as his rock gave him a good foundation on which to build his life; God as his fortress gave him protection from the pressures and challenges of life. In this dispensation, God has given us His Word as rock and fortress. Jesus Christ said heaven and earth will pass away but the Word of God abides forever (Matthew 24:35). As a child of God, build your life on the Holy Scriptures; let the Word of God be your life and do nothing without the Word of God. Use it to fortify yourself. Daily, search for the Scriptures that have a solution to your needs and speak them continually in faith to your situation, and you will always abide in victory. Hallelujah! Dear beloved, do you need a guide in your life? Go to the Word. The Word of God has everything you need to make your life prosperous on earth. Remember that you are a product of God’s Word, and you cannot make it in any other way except by the Word (1 Peter 1:23). The Kingdom life is dependent on the Word of God, so depend on it and God will come through for His name's sake. Hallelujah! Glory to the Highest!

Prayer Point: My loving Father, thank You for making Your Word available to me. Indeed, it is sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. Please continually lead and guide me into deeper intimacy with Your Word and find solutions to all my needs and challenges. Let me be always victorious and lead others to Your Word to find peace and solutions to their needs in Jesus’ name. Amen!

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.

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LIVING BY THE WORD GUARANTEES A SUPERB LIFE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2021.

SUBJECT : LIVING BY THE WORD GUARANTEES A SUPERB LIFE!

Memory verse: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119 vs 105).

READ: Psalm 119 vs 97 - 105; 129 - 130:

Psalm 119:97: Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.

119:98: You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me.

119:99: I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.

119:100: I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts. 

119:101: I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word.

119:102: I have not departed from Your judgements, for You Yourself have taught me. 

119:103: How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 119:104: Through Your precepts I get understanding, therefore I hate every false way.

119:105: Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.

119:129: Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.

119:130: The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. 

INTIMATION:

Living by the Word of God guarantees a superb life. God's Word makes us wise, wiser than our enemies and wiser than any of our teachers who ignore it. The practice starts with your believe in the Word. Believe is having trust in, or firm conviction about something. To believe in the Word is accepting its existence, recognizing its value or advantage, and to have faith in its ability. The Word is the same as God (John 1 vs 1), therefore, believe in the Word is believe in God. All God's attributes are also associated with His Word. Believing that God exists is only the beginning. You have to have faith in what you believe, and demonstrate that faith by practicing what you have believed. 

Even the demons also believe, but fail to practice that believe (James 2 vs 19). God will not settle for mere acknowledgement of His existence. He wants a personal, dynamic relationship with you that will transform your life by demonstrating your faith in His Word. God assures us that all who honestly seek Him; who act in faith on the knowledge of God (the Word), putting into practice or action the Word they believe, will be rewarded by Him (Hebrews 11 vs 6). True wisdom goes beyond amassing knowledge; it is applying knowledge in a life-changing way. Intelligent or experienced people are not necessarily wise. Wisdom comes from allowing God's teachings to guide you. 

The efficacy of the Word of God is described in the Bible in Hebrews 4 vs 12 thus:- "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." The Word of God is not simply a collection of words from God, or a vehicle for communicating ideas. It is living, life-changing, and dynamic as it works in us. His Words are purposeful hence it accomplishes what He please, and prospers in the things for which He sent it, and never returns to Him void (Isaiah 55 vs 11). 

In this life, we walk through a dark forest of evil. But the Bible can be our light to show us the way ahead so we won't stumble as we walk. It reveals the entangling roots of false values and philosophies. Studying the Bible, and practicing what it tells you, makes you able to see your way clear enough to stay on the right path. God’s powerful Word is superbly sharp, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense. It lays us open to listen and obey. Nothing, and no one is impervious to God's Word, and cannot get away from it, no matter what.

When we live our life by the Word; doing what God says we should do, we rest assured of a guaranteed superb life. This is because we can't go wrong since God can never go wrong. The Lordship of God is undoubted. He is unique in His knowledge and in His control of all things, including the future. His consistent purpose is to carry out what He has said, and planned. God means what He says, and what He says goes. 

All that is written in Bible are God's Word, and are for our benefit. Remember the instruction of the LORD to Joshua in Joshua 1 vs 8: "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Live the Word life, and rest assured of good success in all areas of your life, and the numbers of your days on this earth God will fulfill (Exodus 23 vs 25).

Prayer: Abba Father, the entrance of Your Word illuminates my path, and gives me understanding. Therefore, help me to resist every evil plotting of the enemy to take away Your Word from me, in Jesus' Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

BE FILLED WITH JOY AND PEACE

 Be Filled with Joy and Peace! 

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:13 (KJV)

Apostle Paul was a man of insight; he prayed for the Roman Church to be filled with joy and peace in believing. This is what we need to pray for as children of God. We are serving a God of hope and our hope must be kept alive by continually believing in the Word of God. Beloved, continually believing in the Holy Scriptures will keep your joy and peace in Christ alive (Mark 11:23–24). The number one goal of the enemy is to kill your joy and peace by throwing many challenges at you. You must not allow him to win over you. Sustain your joy and peace by reading the portions of scriptures that keep your hope alive, such as the Psalms; Psalms 27 and Psalms 8, for example, will inspire you to continually hope in God. Listen to inspiring songs and messages that provide hope and comfort. Fellowship with people who keep your faith alive (Hebrews 10:25). Put your mind in a position where you will not be discouraged, so that you can always abound in joy, hope, and peace. No wonder the Word of God wants us to think about things that are true, noble, just, pure, love, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Thus, godly thoughts will make it easy for God to fill you with joy and peace. Hallelujah! God bless you!

Prayer Point: Dear heavenly Father, I believe in You and trust You with my life. Please fill my heart and mind with Your joy and peace, to continually abound in hope till my hope is fulfilled in Jesus’ name. Amen!

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.

OUR GREATEST NEED!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2021.

SUBJECT : OUR GREATEST NEED!

Memory verse: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6 vs 33.) 

READ: Mark 8 vs 34 - 38:

8:34: When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take his cross, and follow Me.

8:35: For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.

8:36: For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 

8:37: Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

8:38: For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

INTIMATION:

Human beings have always seen their greatest need as financial. Governments and their leaders, businesses, families, even churches get trapped into thinking in the same manner, and that money is the answer to every problem. Though, the Bible states that "Money answers everything" (Ecclesiastes 10 vs 19), it is not the greatest need of man. The greatest need of man is God's kingdom, and His righteousness, and all other of your needs, including financial, will be added to you (Matthew 6 vs 33).

God should be first in all things. In the passage we read today, Jesus said, a man's soul is worth more than the entire world. The exchange of your soul for the world's possessions is a huge loss. Invariably, the soul is worth more than the whole world.  and to ensure the safety of your soul, you must come to the point where you are willing to give up everything to follow God. The profit to be gained from doing God's Will is more than just spiritual, it is total, and in all aspects of life, and to eternity. 

Our willingness to lose our lives for the sake of the gospel, is not because our lives are useless, but because nothing, not even life itself, can compare to what we gain with Christ. Jesus wants us to choose to follow Him rather than to lead a life of sin and self-satisfaction. He wants us to stop trying to control our own destiny and to let him direct us. This makes good sense because, as our Creator, our Maker, Christ knows better than we do on what real life is about. He asks for submission, not self-hatred; He asks us only to lose our self-centered determination to be in charge, but rather yield to Him.

To "seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness" 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. Obviously, in our lives, people, objects, goals, and other desires all compete for priority attention. Any of these can quickly become most important to you if you don't actively choose to give God first place in every area of your life. Therefore, never allow your natural human desires and feelings overshadow God's purpose in your life.

Jesus said, however, that worldliness, which is centered on possessions, position, or power, is ultimately worthless. Whatever you have on earth is only temporary, and will one day be burned up: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." (Second Peter 3 vs 10.)

Realizing that the earth is going to be burned up, we should put our confidence in what is lasting and eternal, and not be bound to earth and its treasures or pursuits. We should strive to develop Christlike character, rather than spend more of our time piling up possessions. Whatever you have on earth is only temporary; it cannot be exchanged for your soul. Your greatest need is not possessions culminating in pleasurable living. Your greatest need is your relationship with your Creator, and it is the only thing that follows you and qualifies you for abundant life here on earth, and to have eternal life as well with Him.

We are left here with a choice; reject Jesus now and be rejected by Him at His second coming, or accept Him now and be accepted by Him then. Rejecting Christ may help you escape shame for the time being, but it will guarantee an eternity of shame later.

Prayer: Abba Father, without You I am nothing, and can do nothing of substance. Life in You engenders abundant life on earth, and culminates into eternal life with You. Help me in my utmost heart desire for an intimate friendship with You, that I may be worthy of Your everlasting crown, in Jesus' Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

WALK IN WISDOM!

 Walk in Wisdom! 

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 (KJV)

The kingdom of God has principles laid down for the children of God. One of these principles is to walk circumspectly—meaning, be discrete in the choices you make. Use the wisdom of God to make the right choices. One of the choices we have to make is to choose to use time efficiently and effectively. As children of God, we must know the times in which we find ourselves and make the best out of it (John 7:8). We must use time wisely to prepare ourselves for the opportunities that God will make available for us. If we abuse or misuse our time, we may be walking as fools and miss all the opportunities that God will grant us. Beloved, the enemy also has plans for you; his plan is for you to miss your time and opportunities. He can cause you to miss a job interview, marriage, business opportunity, etc. When David made good of his time to prepare himself, he was able to take advantage of the opportunity to defeat Goliath and became prominent in Israel (1 Samuel 17:34–50). Walk in the wisdom of the Word of God and see yourself succeed as a child of God. Hallelujah! Be wisdom conscious!

Prayer Point: My faithful Father, thank You for this exhortation. I have decided to walk in wisdom in order to make judicious use of my time and opportunities. Please remind me and stir me up anytime I’m taking time for granted, and I will repent. I pray for my brethren all over the world, that they will walk carefully and wisely in using time to prepare and take advantage of all the opportunities You make available to them in Jesus’ name. Amen!

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.