WALKING IN THE WILL OF GOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY APRIL 01, 2021.

SUBJECT: WALKING IN THE WILL OF GOD!

Memory verse: "Not with eyeservice as men pleasers, but as bondservant of Christ, doing the will of God.” (Ephesians 6 vs 6.)

READ: Ephesians 5 vs 15 - 18:

5:15: See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,

5:16: redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

5:17: Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

5:18: And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.

INTIMATION:

God’s Will is expressed in His Word (His laws, and His ways). Walking in the will of God is being obedient to His Word, and strictly doing them. God has a specific plans for our individual lives, predetermined before the foundation of the earth, and His greatest desire is that we operate in them daily. 

How do we walk in the will of God? The foremost thing to do is to ensure that your will agrees with God's. How? By spending time in His presence and by reading and meditating on His Word. The Scripture says, “Can two work together, unless they are agreed? (Amos 3 vs 3.) Agreement with God is in obeying His Word, and when you are in agreement with God, He can also reveal things to you through your spirit. It is important to listen to what God’s Word says, but it’s much more important to obey and do what it says. 

Your obedience to Him, is a demonstration of your willingness to fulfill His plan for your life. He promises that if you will hear Him and obey His commandments, His blessings will overtake you (Deuteronomy 28 vs 2). We are to walk circumspectly, or "cautiously, carefully, and prudently." In other words, we should be cautious of the things we do and the choices we make, and ensure we comprehend the will of God for us. And the only way to do that is by developing a relationship with the Lord—working together with Him. The cautious and careful followership with the Lord guarantees our enjoying the blessings of God and avoid the pitfalls that come from disobedience. 

Ask yourself this question: "Am I in God's will right now?" Judge yourself. Are you following the lead of your self-will, or God's will? God has a plan for you; however, if you begin to make excuses and fail to do your part, you will miss out on the blessings He longs to give you. However, you cannot do this without the help of our Helper—the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and knows the things of God. He helps us work in consonance with the things that God has willed for us.

Now don't think that life will become a bed of roses once you begin walking in God's will. There will be a few thorns here and there. You may think, "Will this really work?" or say "Things were easier before."  That may be true. But the benefits of being in His perfect will far outweigh any rewards you've ever received by doing things your way or any other way than His. No matter what happens, don't give in. Just stay focused.

To walk in the Will of God, it's also Important to renew your mind. The best way to do this is by spending time in God's Word. The Scripture in Romans 12 vs 2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." The more time you spend in His presence, the more He will reveal to you, through the Holy Spirit, and the better you will recognize His voice. 

Also be in constant communication with God in prayer. In your communion, take God’s Word back to Him—use God's Word in your prayers (First John 5 vs 14 - 15), and expect Him to respond. Prayer is a two way communication, therefore, It’s very important to listen and hear from God; You talk and He talks. So often, God is ready to reveal answers to us right away. But as soon as we're finished talking, we whisk off to carry out our plans. Then we wonder, "Is He really listening?" The better question is, "Are we listening?" He may not speak to you audibly; He can speak to you in your inner man, or through His Word.

If you already know God's will for your life and are walking in it, praise God! If you know His will and are not actively working toward fulfilling your calling, I encourage you to begin. And finally, if you don't know God's will for your life, ask, and you shall receive, so that your joy may be full (John 16 vs 24).

Prayer: Abba Father, my utmost heart desire is to do Your will. Endue me with the spirit of complete obedience to You, that I may walk in Your will all the days of my life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

LOOK TO JESUS!

Look to Jesus!

“For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” Hebrews 2:18 (KJV)

God is so good to provide us models so that we don’t walk in darkness. He has given us Jesus Christ to look up to; He is our aid even in times of temptations and trials. Dear beloved, are you going through trials, challenges, difficulties, or pains? Call on Jesus Christ; since He himself went through temptations, sufferings, trials, and pains, He is able to help us overcome ours. Beloved, we have a High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses. He was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Don’t look elsewhere for solutions—look to Jesus Christ and His Word, and you will be able to prevail. Remember that He is the author and the finisher of our faith, so He is dependable (Hebrews 12:2). You cannot grow to maturity without going through temptations, tests, trials, and challenges. Therefore, aim at maturity by following Jesus Christ, and He will teach you how to win over all obstacles in your Christian race. Praise the Lord!

Prayer Point: My dear Lord Jesus, I’m so grateful to have You as the author and finisher of my faith. I’m determined to follow You and look up to You, especially in trying times, so that You can help me overcome such hard times and be able to encourage others to count on You as well. 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.

POSSESSING YOUR OWN VESSEL IN SANCTIFICATION!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY MARCH 31, 2021.

SUBJECT: POSSESSING YOUR OWN VESSEL IN SANCTIFICATION!

Memory verse: "That each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,” (First Thessalonians 4 vs 4.)

READ: First Thessalonians 4 vs 1 - 4 & 7:

4:1: Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, 

4:2: for you know what commandments we gave through the Lord Jesus.

4:3: For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that you should abstain from sexual immorality;

4:4: that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor;

4:7: For God did not call us unto uncleanness, but in holiness.

INTIMATION:

 Sanctification—a separation to God—is the will of God for the believer, and the purpose of calling the believer by the gospel. It’s the separation of the believer from evil things and ways, and leading the life befitting of those so separated. Sanctification is that relationship with God into which one enters by faith in Christ, and in which their sole title is the death of Christ.

Sanctification before the coming of Christ was done by washing themselves and their clothing in a special ceremony (Numbers 8 vs 5. - 8). While we are not required to carry out such ceremonies today, we can purify ourselves by reading God’s Word, thoughtfully applying it to our lives, and preparing our hearts to participate in worship through anticipation, self-examination, and meditation. Just as we “set apart” time for worship, we also “set apart” ourselves to be in God’s presence.

Since we know that sanctification is a basic requirement in our relationship with God, we are duty bound to possess our own vessels in sanctification. We should “set apart” ourselves to find out what areas in our lives we are not pleasing God—not walking in accordance with His precepts. We can only do this through self-examination, and meditation on the Word of God to discern ourselves the ways we are individually falling short of separation to God in Christ. 

Sanctification must be learned from God, and He teaches it by His Word. We are members of Christ Body—the church, and the Scripture says, “Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.”(Ephesians 5 vs 25 - 26.) In studying and meditating on the Word each of us should identify in our lives how to possess our own vessel in sanctification (First Thessalonians 4 vs 4). Our acts of sinfulness defer, and it takes “the washing of water by the Word” to reveal our respective areas of sin against God. The Scripture points out sin, motivates us to confess, leading to renewal our relationship with Christ, and guides us back to right path.

In John 17 vs 17, Jesus said to the Father, “Sanctify them by Your truth, Your word is truth.” A follower of Christ becomes sanctified through believing and obeying the Word of God. The believer has already accepted forgiveness through Christ’s sacrificial death. But daily application of God’s Word has a purifying effect on our minds and hearts. David gave the insight thus, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word” (Psalm 119 vs 9). Sanctification must be pursued by the believers, earnestly and undeviatingly 

Jesus, our Master and Savior, said that He sanctified Himself during His earth walk by the truth of God’s Word, so as to be model for us, “And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. (John 17 vs 19.) He led a life of humility and obedience to God the Father, even with His status as equal to God. The Scripture stated thus: 

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2 vs 5 - 8.)

We are living in a world that is dominated by sin and evil. The question then is, “How do we stay pure in a contaminating environment?” We cannot do this on our own, but must have counsel and strength more dynamic than the tempting influences around us. That counsel or wisdom and strength is in the Word of God; reading and doing what it says, with the Holy Spirit helping us in our weaknesses or infirmities.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of studying and meditation on Your Word, and that I may find grace to do all that is contained there in, in Jesus’ Name ai have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

HOLINESS BY GRACE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY MARCH 30, 2021.

SUBJECT:  HOLINESS BY GRACE!

Memory verse:  "For God did I not call us to uncleanness but in holiness.” (First Thessalonians 4 vs 7.) 

READ:  First Peter 1 vs 13 - 16:

1:13: Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1:14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;

1:15: but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 

1:16: because it is written, “Be Holy, For I am holy.”

INTIMATION:

Grace, as undeserved (unmerited) favor, is one aspect of grace, we are  probably most accustomed to hearing about, and it is wonderful. But we have also seen that grace is power—the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives that enables us overcome our problems. It is the power of God available to meet our needs without cost to us. There is nothing more powerful than grace, and it is received by believing rather than through human effort.

What is holiness? Holiness is being "separated to God,"—being consecrated or set aside for sacred use. It is standing apart from sin and evil. It is a separation that should result in "conduct befitting those so separated." It is the characteristics or nature of God especially the third person of the "Trinity."  Holiness is a demand on us by God. We are to separate ourselves from the world's sinful values, and be devoted to God's desire rather than our own, and carry His love and mercy into the world.

God's plan for us ab initio, is to be like Him, hence His creating us in His own image and after His likeness (Genesis 1 vs 26). He wanted us to live like Him. Unfortunately, sin separated us from Him. In His love, mercy and grace, He sent His Son, as a propitiation for our sins (First John 4 vs 10), and through His blood reconciled us back to Himself, to live for Him and be like Him. But while God wants us to be holy, He realizes our weakness and inability. He knows that without help we can never be what He desires for us to be or wants us to do. That is why He has sent His Spirit to help us to fulfill His design and purpose for us.

Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us, and the Holy Spirit has been sent to prepare us for that place. That is not a Scripture, but it is scriptural; that is, a truth based on the Word of God. This process through which the Holy Spirit makes us holy, or leads us into holiness is called sanctification. Therefore, sanctification refers to the process that God uses to do a work in us by His Holy Spirit to make us more and more holy until finally we become just like His Son Jesus. It is God's grace (the power of the Holy Spirit) we receive that enables us to meet the need of sanctification—the transformation process to holiness.

In Hebrews 10 vs 14, the Bible says, "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified." We have been made perfect, yet we are being sanctified (made holy). Through His death and resurrection, Christ once for all, made His believers perfect in God's sight. At the same time He is making them holy (progressively cleansed and set apart for His special use) in their daily pilgrimage here. We should not be surprised, ashamed or shocked that we still need to grow. God is not finished with us yet.

Sanctification is a progressive venture. The finality of that process will never occur while we are in these earthly bodies. But we don't need to be concerned about that. The only thing we need to be concerned about is progress. The question we must ask ourselves is: “are we making progress toward holiness, are we cooperating with the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to do what He wants to do in our lives?” 

As believers we are not to be anxious about holiness or the process of sanctification ('be anxious for nothing' (Philippians 4 vs 6)), but we are to be serious about it. We are to recognize that it is God's Will for us. We are to desire and thirst for it with all our hearts, and sincerely ask God for it in our fellowship with Him. We are to make every effort to cooperate with the Holy Spirit Who is working to bring it to pass in us day by day.

Prayer: Abba Father, in Your loving kindness, and the riches of Your grace You saved us from the bondage of sin and Satan to live for You, and be like You. I thirst for the sanctification by Your Spirit to enable me lead a holy life as You desire, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

YOU ARE CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS!

You Are Created for Good Works!

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

As a child of God, you need to understand that you are a tool in the hand of God. If God wants to carry out His work on earth, the first people He will consider using are His children, those who are born again in Christ (Matthew 28:19–20). Therefore, avail yourself for God to use you to carry out His mission on earth; His mission is the good works that He continually carries out on earth. Jesus Christ spoke about God’s mission on earth: preach the gospel to the poor; heal the broken-hearted, preach deliverance to the captives, recover sight to the blind, set at liberty those that are bruised, and preach the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18). Beloved, which of these good works are you walking in? Prepare your heart with the Word of God and get yourself ready to be used by God. If you are already doing it, receive more grace to do greater good works. However, if you haven’t started, now is the time to start. Ask the Lord to lead you to the aspect of His work that you can do and do it faithfully to His glory. Hallelujah! Be an overcomer!

Prayer Point: My dear Father, I’m grateful to hear that I’m Your workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works. I avail myself to You. Use me to do good works in the lives of people so that they can be blessed and give glory to You 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.

YOU CAN OVERCOME TEMPTATION!

You Can Overcome Temptation!
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (KJV)

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was sincere with the disciples and said a servant is not greater than his Lord; therefore, whatever they have done to Him, they will do likewise to His disciples (John 15:20). As a child of God, be aware that temptations will come your way. The devil will tempt you to bring you down but you need to stand firm in prayer and the knowledge of the Word of God. Always look for the way of escape, which God has made available in the midst of the temptation, and use it to overcome the temptation. Do not condone temptation, because it can demote you. No wonder Jesus Christ was promoted when He overcame all of the devil’s temptations (Matthew 4:11). Dear beloved, you are an overcomer, so take heed in the Word of God so that you don’t fall—others are dependent on your victory. Praise the Lord! You are an overcomer!

Prayer Point: My loving Father, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. I arm myself with Your Word daily to prosper therein. By Your Word, I take advantage of the way of escape that You make available for me in every temptation to win to the glory of Your name, 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.

THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE IN CHRIST!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY MARCH 29, 2031.

SUBJECT: THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE IN CHRIST!

Memory verse: "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8 vs 1.)

READ: Romans 8 vs 31 - 34:

8:31: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

8:32: He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

8:33: Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 

8:34: Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is at the right hand of God, who als makes intercession for us.

INTIMATION:

When you believe in Jesus Christ and His redemptive work for us, and confess Him as your Lord and personal Savior, you are said to be “in Christ.” If you are in Christ, there is no condemnation for you (Romans 8 vs 1). 

“In Christ” is a metaphor that refers to one’s close spiritual and salvational relationship with Christ. When one has been immersed into Christ (Romans 6 vs 3), he or she comes into a saved covenant relationship with God wherein he or she is not in a state of condemnation. In a state where there is no condemnation, one is free from the bondage of sin. 

In Christ one is not directing his or her life according to the desires of the flesh, but according to the directions of the Spirit (Galatians 5 vs 16). He or she is not walking according to the pride of meritorious conduct, but to his or her submission to the word of God. If you are ‘in Christ,’ you have righteousness reckoned, imputed and imparted to you in the new creation. The Scripture in Ephesians 4 vs 24 says, "And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." The new man is created, according to God, in righteousness and holiness.

The Scripture says, "Who is He who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of the God, who also makes intercession for us" (Romans 8 vs 34). Now, if Christ gave His life for you, He isn’t going to turn around and condemn you, unless His sacrifice is for nothing! No one can bring a charge against the children of God except the One to whom the body of Christ belongs.  No one has a right to condemn the members of the body except the One who saved them. However, since God so loved His children by offering His own Son, then it is not logical to believe that He would charge His blood-bought children with sin. If Jesus gave Himself on the cross to save the church—His body, then it’s not logical to believe that He would turn to condemn those for whom He died.

Jesus is at the right hand of God. However, He is not there for the purpose of condemnation, but for the work of intercession on behalf of the saints (Hebrews 7 vs 25; 9 vs 24). His continued intercession means that the Christian has the continual cleansing of sin by His sacrificial blood (First John 1 vs 7). It’s through His blood and intercession, therefore, that we stand justified before God. Jesus is pleading for us in heaven. God has acquitted us and has removed our sin and guilt, so it is Satan, “the accuser of brethren,” not God, who accuses us. When he does, Jesus, our advocate, sits at God’s right hand to present our case. Jesus is our mediator between us and God. As humanity’s representative, He assures us of God’s forgiveness. Christ is always at God’s right hand, interceding for us. He is always available to hear us when we pray.

Prayer: Abba Father, I remain ever grateful for what a You wrought for me in Jesus Christ. My desire, in response to Your unalloyed gifts, is to live everyday of my life for You, and in You. Give me the grace, and strengthen me to lead the life of total trust and commitment to You, for by my own strength, I cannot do it, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!