Talk to God, Not Just About Him

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. (Psalm 23:4)

The form of the 23rd psalm is instructive.

In Psalm 23:1–3 David refers to God as “he”:

The Lord is my shepherd . . .

he makes me lie down . . .

he leads me . . .

he restores my soul.

Then in verses 4 and 5 David refers to God as “you”:

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me.

You anoint my head with oil.

Then in verse 6 he switches back:

I shall dwell in the house of the Lord.

The lesson we can learn from this form is that it is good not to talk very long about God without talking to God.

Every Christian is at least an amateur theologian — that is, a person who tries to understand the character and ways of God and then put that into words. If we aren’t little theologians, then we won’t ever say anything to each other, or to God, about God, and will be of very little real help to each other’s faith.

But what I have learned from David in Psalm 23 and other psalms is that I should interweave my theology with prayer. I should frequently interrupt my talking about God by talking to God.

Not far behind the theological sentence, “God is generous,” should come the prayerful sentence, “Thank you, God, for your generosity.”

On the heels of, “God is glorious,” should come, “I adore your glory.”

This is the way it must be, if we are feeling God’s reality in our hearts as well as thinking it in our heads and describing it with our lips.

THE DESTRUCTIVENESS OF PRIDE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY APRIL 09, 2021.

SUBJECT : THE DESTRUCTIVENESS OF PRIDE!

Memory verse: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16 vs 18.)

READ: Psalm 12 vs 3; 101 vs 5;  Proverbs 8 vs 13; 11 vs 2; 13 vs 10; 16 vs 5; 29 vs 23: 

Psalm 12:3: May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things.

Psalm 101:5: Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy, the one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, him I will not endure.

Proverbs 8:13: The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.

11:2: When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.

13:10: By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.

16:5: Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; though they join forces, none will go unpunished.

29:23: A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.

INTIMATION:

Pride is inordinate self-esteem or conceit; disdainful treatment of others. Pride, in the Scripture, also denotes being boastful, haughty, vainglory, presumptuous, and puffed up. Many people are lofty in their thoughts. They always believe that to surrender to Jesus Christ is all that is required, and all other things will by itself fall into places. A humble and contrite spirit, which are the major requirements for believers, are grossly lacking in them. That is the consequence of pride.

Pride is an ingredient in every quarrel. It stirs up conflict and divides people. Examine your life truthfully, and you will acknowledge that pride has been leading to quarrels. Guard against pride. If you find yourself constantly arguing, always trying to rationalize your actions and behaviors, examine your life for pride. Be willing to admit your mistakes, and be open to godly advice of others, and ask for help when you need it. The proud would hardly utter such statements as, "I was wrong" or "I am sorry." They are difficult phrases to utter because they require humility.

When people are driven by pride into wrong doing, they try their best to rationalize their actions, using such words as; "He spoke to me harshly and I gave it back to him," "I was provoked to anger, and I reacted the way I did." It is often their desire to return evil for evil, tear people down verbally or get back at them, if they feel hurt. But this is ungodly, God encourages us to pay back wrongs by praying for the offenders, to seek peace and pursue it. If we love life and desire to see good days, we should eschew evil and do good.

Pride is the inner voice that whispers, "My way is best." It is resisting God's leadership, negating His concepts, and believing that you are able to live without His help. Whenever you find yourself doing this, or wanting to do it your way and looking down on other people, you are being pulled by pride. Only when you eliminate pride can God help you become all He meant you to be. 

Proud people take little account of their weaknesses and do not anticipate stumbling blocks. They think they are above the frailties of common people, but they are always caught in that web. In this state of mind they are easily tripped up. Ironically, proud people seldom realize that pride is their problem. Pride leads to disgrace, punishment, destruction; it produces quarrels, ends up in downfall, and brings one low. 

The proud attitude heads the list of seven things God hates: "These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren." (Proverbs 6 vs 16 - 19.)

Pride and lies go hand in hand. The proud will always seek to defend their actions, requiring to put up a defense. Such defense are fraughted with lies in other to drive home their point. We may be tempted to believe that some lies are relatively harmless, even useful at times. But God does not overlook lies, flattery, deception, or boasting. Each of these sins originates from a bad attitude that is eventually expressed in our speech. The tongue can be our greatest enemy because, though small, it can do great damage (See James 3 vs 5 - 6). Be careful how you use yours.

Avoid pride when God prospers you, and makes you powerful. It is true that "pride goes before destruction."  If God has given you wealth, influence, popularity, and power, be thankful, but be careful. God hates pride. While it is normal to feel elation when we accomplish something, it is wrong to be disdainful of God or to look down on others. Give God credit of what you have, and use your gifts in ways that pleases Him. Remember, no matter what your position in society, God expects you to honor, worship, and obey Him.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with a humble and contrite heart, that I may constantly examine my ways, thoughts, and actions to eliminate any form of pride, engrace me to admit my faults, my wrongs, and to boldly say "I am sorry," in Jesus' Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

BENEFITS OF CONSISTENT OBEDIENCE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY APRIL 08, 2021.

SUBJECT : BENEFITS OF CONSISTENT OBEDIENCE!

Memory verse: "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved." (Mark 13 vs 13.)

READ: Philippians 2 vs 5 - 11: 

2:5: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 

2:6: who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

2:7: but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

2:8: And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death of the cross.

2:9: Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given him the name which is above every name,

2:10: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and those under the earth,

2:11: and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

INTIMATION:

We should strive to be consistent in our obedience. Heroic spiritual lives are built by stacking days of obedience one on top of the other. Like a brick, each obedient act is small in itself, but in time the acts will pile up, and a huge wall of strong character will be built to form a great defense against temptation. 

Consider Jesus Christ, who has always existed with God; He is equal to God because He is God. Though Jesus Christ is God, He became a man in order to fulfill God's plan of salvation for all people. Jesus actually became a human to identify with our sins; He voluntarily laid aside His divine rights and privileges out of love for, and obedience to His Father. Christ died on the cross for our sins, and God glorified Him because of His consistent obedience to the end. He highly exalted Him  and given Him the name above every name.

Therefore, if we say we follow Christ, we must also say we want to live as He lived, and strive to live as He lived. He is our role model, and we are called Christians because we are expected to be Christlike. To believe in Jesus "to the end" will take perseverance because our faith will be challenged and opposed. Severe trials will sift true Christians from fair-weather believers. Enduring to the end does not earn salvation for us but marks us as already saved, and an evidence that we are really committed to Jesus. The assurance of our salvation will keep us strong in times of persecution. Persistence or consistency is the by product of a truly devoted life.

Consider the difference between Samuel, the last judge of Israel, and Saul, Israel's first king. Saul, the king, was characterized by inconsistency, disobedience, and self-will. He did not have a heart for God. Samuel, the judge, was characterized by consistency, obedience, and a deep desire for God's Will. He had a genuine desire for God. For instance, when God called Samuel, he said, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears" (First Samuel 3 vs 10). But when God, through Samuel, called Saul, he replied, "Why then do you speak like this to me?" (First Samuel 9 vs 21). Saul was more dedicated to himself while Samuel was dedicated to God. Saul, in his inconsistency, tried to please God by spurts of religiosity, but real spirituality takes a lifetime of consistent obedience.

In Second Chronicles 26 vs 4 - 5, King Uzziah was remembered for doing what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. He sought God in the days of prophet Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper. But when he was strong his heart was lifted up to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense (Second Chronicles 26 vs 16).

For much of his life, Uzziah did what was right in the sight of the Lord. But when he turned away from God, he was struck with leprosy and remained leprous until his death (Second Chronicles 26 vs 21). Today, he is remembered more for his arrogant act and subsequent punishment than for his great reforms.

God requires lifelong obedience. Spurts of obedience are not enough. Only "he who endures to the end" will be rewarded. Be remembered for your consistent faith, being consistent in your faith every day, that way you will build a lifetime of obedience. Otherwise you, too, may become more famous for your downfall than for your success.

Prayer: Abba Father, I want to live like Christ did; consistent in my obedience to You till the end. Strengthen me in my strive, and help me to live like Christ, and for You, in Jesus' Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Make Satan Know His Defeat!

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

The more real Satan appears in our day — the more obviously active — the more precious the victory of Christ will become to those who trust him.

The New Testament teaches that when Christ died and rose again, Satan was decisively defeated. A time of limited freedom is granted to him, but his power against God’s people is broken and his destruction is sure.

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)“[Christ] himself likewise partook of the same things [flesh and blood], that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” (Hebrews 2:14)“[God] disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” (Colossians 2:15) 

In other words, the decisive blow was struck at Calvary. And one day, when Satan’s time of limited freedom is over, Revelation 20:10 says, “The devil . . . [will be] thrown into the lake of fire . . . and will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

What does this mean for those of us who follow Jesus Christ? 

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)“Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies!” (Romans 8:33)“[Neither] angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38–39)“He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)“They [the saints] have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Revelation 12:11) 

Therefore, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you!” He has been defeated, and we have been given victory. Our task now is to live in that victory and make Satan know his defeat.

BE CONSISTENT WITH THE LORD!

Be Consistent with the Lord!

“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Psalms 37:5 (KJV)

The children of God have been given this simple principle to use in their walk with the LORD. God has not stopped working; He has been working ever since He created heaven and earth (John 5:17). He is the creator of time and responsible for arranging events in our daily life. Therefore, when we commit our needs to Him in prayer, He does not want us to complain and murmur or do anything to negate our prayers. Rather, He wants us to trust or have faith in Him (Mark 11:22). This faith is what He needs to connect with us and to accomplish His purpose in us. Without faith or trust, it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). Though our prayers may tarry, let us not lose faith or confidence in our God, for surely He will bring it to pass. Hallelujah! Dear beloved, are your prayers being answered? If they are not, don’t give up yet—God is still watching on His Word to do it for you. Abraham had to wait on God for twenty-five years before he received his promise of Isaac; his faith or trust was tested, and he passed the test. Beloved, learn from his life and pass your test of faith, and your reward will be waiting for you. Hallelujah! Be an overcomer!

Prayer Point: My Father and my God, thank You for encouraging me to commit all my needs to You and trust You to supply them. I commit all my needs regarding my life, family, community, and my nation to You. I trust in You that You are capable of supplying all my needs. Please give me the grace to wait till all my needs are supplied 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.

BE SPIRITUALLY AWAKE ALWAYS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY APRIL 07, 2021.

SUBJECT : BE SPIRITUALLY AWAKE ALWAYS!

Memory verse: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (First Peter 5 vs 8.)

READ: Matthew 13 vs 24- 30:

13:24: Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 

13:25: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went away. 

13:26: But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 

13:27: So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' 

13:28: He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' 

13:29: But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 

13:30: Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."

INTIMATION:

Our adversary, the devil, is relentlessly on a mission, walks about seeking who or what to kill, to steal, or to destroy. People who are unguarded spiritually are easy prey to the devil, and such people are said to be spiritually sleeping. It denotes when people take away their focus off the LORD, and focus on their feelings, weaknesses, or troubles. They focus on their circumstances, instead of focusing on Him who controls circumstances. At such times, you are especially vulnerable to the devil's attack. The devil’s attack is imminent for the followers of Christ whom the he perceives as lost by him.

It’s the Lord’s desire that His children remain spiritually active at all times; always in constant communion with Him, and our communion with Him is in prayer. Consequently, Jesus said “Men should always pray and not lose heart.” (Luke 18 bs 1.) Constant prayer habit means keeping our requests continually before God as we live for Him day by day, seeking His leading, guidance and protection, believing He will answer. Constant communion with Him does not mean endless repetition or painfully long prayer sessions. As we persist in prayer, we grow in character, faith, and hope. 

Christians must walk with maturity, spiritual sensitivity, and industry, being cautious in their Christian life lest they be tempted to forsake their confession. It’s the responsibility of those who slept to keep watch over the fields. When those who are responsible for the hearts of men fail in their duty to watch over the flock, Satan will damage or destroy the flock through his influences. 

Satan has no power over the one who voluntarily keeps himself or herself close to Jesus. However, Satan roams about as a nervous lion looking for his lunch. Those who are ignorant of his warning roars will fall victim to his hunger for the souls of men. Therefore, it’s necessary that the Christian learn how the devil seeks to destroy the lives of men. One must be aware of how he stalks his prey. The sober and vigilant Christian is constantly listening for the roar of the hungry Satan. He can identify how Satan works. 

However, if he or she becomes ignorant of God’s word, or enticed by the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, or pride of life, he or she will be ensnared by the devil and consumed. The Christian must remember that Satan cannot voluntarily consume anyone he so chooses. The apostate Christian has simply given himself or herself over to Satan because of his or her own ignorance of the word of God or willingness to forsake the fellowship of the community of God’s people, and of the Lord.

God harvest (judgement) of all people is coming. We are to make ourselves ready by making sure that our faith is sincere. At the end of the world, angels will separate the evil from the good. There are true and false believers in church today, but we should be cautious in our judgements because only Christ is qualified to make the final separation. If you start judging, you may damage some of the good plants. It's more important to judge your own response to God than to analyze others' responses. 

Prayer: Abba Father, I submit totally to You. I have no other God but You. Give me the grace to be spiritually awake at times, and never be ignorant of the devices of the devil. Let not the devil's machinations take away my focus on You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen. 

PRAISE THE LORD!

The Difference Between Test and Temptation!

The Difference Between Test and Temptation! 

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” James 1:13-14(KJV)

There is a difference between test and temptation. God tests to promote us but the devil tempts to demote us. In other words, a test comes from God, and He tests us in order to bring out the best in us and strengthen our faith in Him. On the other hand, temptation comes from the devil, who has the motive to cause us to sin against God and makes us weak in faith. Beloved, when you are tempted with evil, do not say you are being tempted by God because God cannot be associated with evil. Lust is an evil desire to satisfy the flesh; it seeks to entice you to compromise on your moral principles and the Word of God (1 John 2:16). When you agree to its thought, it leads you to sin against God. Guard yourself with the Word of God so that you can identify lust and overcome it (Proverbs 4:25–27). Just as Job was tested, we will also be tested by God to bring out the best of us. When you are going through a period of trial or testing, you will have a personal witness from the Holy Spirit. This will encourage you to press on to the end so that you can be glorified. Hallelujah! Be an overcomer!

Prayer Point: My Father and my God, thank You for teaching me the difference between test and temptation. Please equip me with Your Word to pass all my tests and overcome all the temptations that will come my way 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.