Mercy for Today

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22–23)

God’s mercies are new every morning because each day only has enough mercy in it for that day. God appoints every day’s troubles. And God appoints every day’s mercies. In the life of his children, they are perfectly appointed. Jesus said, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). Every day has its own trouble. Every day has its own mercies. Each is new every morning.

But we often tend to despair when we think that we may have to bear tomorrow’s load on today’s resources. God wants us to know: We won’t. Today’s mercies are for today’s troubles. Tomorrow’s mercies are for tomorrow’s troubles.

Sometimes we wonder if we will have the mercy to stand in terrible testing. Yes, we will. Peter says, “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Peter 4:14). When the reviling comes, the Spirit of glory comes. It happened for Stephen as he was being stoned. It will happen for you. When the Spirit and the glory are needed, they will come.

The manna in the wilderness was given one day at a time. There was no storing up. That is the way we must depend on God’s mercy. You do not receive today the strength to bear tomorrow’s burdens. You are given mercies today for today’s troubles. 

Tomorrow the mercies will be new. “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9).

OUR GOD ORDAINED PATHWAYS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY APRIL 16, 2021.

SUBJECT: OUR GOD ORDAINED PATHWAYS! 

Memory verse: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14 vs 6.)

READ: Psalm 16 vs 2; 7 - 9; 11:

16:2: O my soul, you have said to the LORD, “You are my LORD, my goodness is nothing apart from You.”

16:7: I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons,

16:8: I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

16:9: Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope.

16:11; You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

INTIMATION:

God has ordained our pathways. God, from the beginning, has respectively destined us, or set us apart respectively for a particular purpose or purposes, and particular ways to function. Identifying that God ordained pathway for you ensures your leading a glorious, victorious, pleasurable, joyous, and stress-free life, which was predetermined by God—our Loving Father.

Since God has preplanned all things concerning us, it is therefore given, and realistic that all keys to our preordained pathways are with Him. In our memory verse, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life...." Three principal things are in Him; ‘the way,’ ‘the truth,’ and ‘the life.’ Therefore, outside of Jesus you are in the wrong way, you can’t discover the truth, and you have no life. 

Jesus, as the way, is our path to the Father. He is one with the Father, and the same with the Father. Following Jesus is knowing the way of the Father. No one has seen the Father, and no one can see Him. But Jesus Christ came to reveal the Father to us. Observing the ways of Jesus is tantamount to observing the ways of the Father, because He is the same with the Father. Everything you need is in Him, and without Him you can do nothing (John 15 vs 5). He is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1 vs 15) and the exact representation of God. Jesus is not only equal to God (Philippians 2 vs 6), He is God (John 10 vs 30 & 38). 

As the truth, He is the reality of all God’s promises. He not only reflects God, but He reveals God to us (John 1 vs 18; 14 vs 9). Jesus said these of Himself, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner" (John 5 vs 19). "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgement is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me" (John 5 vs 30). "....When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as the Father taught Me, I speak these things" (John 8 vs 28).

As the Life, He joins His divine life to ours, both now and eternally. He is supreme over all creation (Colossians 1 vs 15), and has all priority and authority. He came from heaven, not the dust of the earth (First Corinthians 15 vs 47), and He is Lord over all (Romans 9 vs 5; 10 vs 11 - 13). He is, in truth, the only living way to the Father.

Now Jesus has come, and has gone back to the Father, to come again for the final union in marriage with His people; ‘the marriage of the Lamb’ (Revelation 19 vs 7 & 9). While He is away, He has left with us the instructions on what to do, and also has given us an Helper, just to help us to occupy until He comes (Luke 19 vs 13). The instructions are in the Holy Book—the Bible, and our Helper is the Holy Spirit. Outside of these two, you will never discover the way.

The Book of instruction—the Bible tells us that the starting point is embracing Jesus and declaring Him as Savior and Lord  over our life. When you do this, He will help you to ensure that all other things would fall in pleasant places if you follow His instructions (Psalm 16 vs 6). 

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the gift of Your only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Jesus, I confess, with my whole heart, that You are my Savior; that You died for me on the cross to pay the wages of my sin. Thank You for that supreme sacrifice. I wholeheartedly declare you as my Lord and Savior. You are the way, the truth, and the life. And in You I live, move, and have my being, in Jesus matchless name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

PROBLEMS MUST COME BUT TRUST IN GOD FOR HELP!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY APRIL 15, 2021.

SUBJECT: PROBLEMS MUST COME BUT TRUST IN GOD FOR HELP! 

Memory verse: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all." (Psalm 34 vs 19.)

READ: Psalm 34 vs 18 - 19; 50 vs 15; 71 vs 20::

34:18: The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.

34:19: Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

50:15: Call upon Me in the days of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.

71:20: You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

INTIMATION:

Problems happen to every member of the human race. Christianity doesn’t guarantee problem-free life. They come in different magnitudes, some minor, and some big. Problems don't make any appointments before coming, they don't respect age, nationality, or levels of income, or success. They usually show up when you least expect them, and stay in your life much longer than you want them to.

We often wish we could escape problems; the pain of grief, loss, sorrow, and failure, or even the small daily frustrations that constantly wear us down. God promises to be our source of power, courage, and wisdom, helping us through our problems. Sometimes He chooses to deliver us from those problems. When problems come, don’t get frustrated with God. Instead, admit that you need God’s help and thank him for being by your side.

Problems and difficulties are painful but inevitable. Many people believe that Christianity should offer a problem-free life. Consequently, as life gets tough, they draw back disappointed. Instead, they should determine to prevail with God through life’s storms. You can’t prevail with God unless you have troubles to prevail over. And the troubles sometimes present themselves as opportunities for growth. As Christians, our reactions, and attitude when faced with problems determine how long we stay in the problem, and how we obtain the promises and provisions of God inherent in our proper conduct in those problems. 

Many Christians find that when they determine to follow God, they immediately encounter great obstacles. Don't let any obstacles or problems you encounter in following God make you miss His glorious destiny for you. Don't run away from problems, because that will not solve them, and they have the capacity of drawing you away from your promise land. It is wise to face them squarely, accepting God's promise of help (Psalm 50 vs 15), and act as we should. Remember, no problem is too complicated for God if you are willing to let Him help you. Of course, nothing is impossible with God (Mark 10 vs 27), and nothing too hard for Him (Genesis 18 vs 14; Jeremiah 32 vs 17 & 27).

When God is at work, suffering, setbacks, and hardship may still occur. We are encouraged to face the problems or difficulties with happiness when they do come. Problems have a way of developing patience and character by teaching us to trust God to do what is best for us. Always look for ways to honor God in you present situation of problems, remembering that God will not abandon you. 

Also, carefully watch out for His predetermined plan for you. His promise and provision awaits those who tarry to the end. Remember this always, "Blessed is the man that endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those  who love Him" (James 1 vs 12).

Prayer: Abba Father, I know You will never leave me nor forsake me. And in all circumstances I anchor my trust in You. My help comes from You for I know You will answer me whenever I call on You. Nothing will take away my focus on You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Don’t Be Like the Mule

Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. (Psalm 32:9)

Picture God’s people as a farmyard of all sorts of animals. God cares for his animals, he shows them where they need to go, and supplies a barn for their protection. 

But there is one beast on this animal farm that gives God an awful time, namely, the mule. He’s stupid and he’s stubborn and you can’t tell which comes first — stubbornness or stupidity.

Now the way God likes to get his animals into the barn for their food and shelter is by teaching them that they all have a personal name and then calling them by name. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go” (Psalm 32:8).

But the mule will not respond to that sort of direction. He is without understanding. So God gets in his pick-up truck and goes out in the field, puts the bit and bridle in the mule’s mouth, hitches it to the truck, and drags him stiff-legged and snorting all the way into the barn.

That is not the way God wants his animals to come to him for blessing and protection. 

One of these days it is going to be too late for that mule. He’s going to get clobbered with hail and struck by lightning, and when he comes running, the barn door is going to be shut. 

Therefore, don’t be like the mule. “Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle.” 

Instead, let everyone who is godly come to God in prayer at a time when he may be found (Psalm 32:6).

The way not to be a mule is to humble ourselves, to come to God in prayer, to confess our sins, and to accept, as needy little farmyard chicks, the direction of God into the barn of his protection and provision.

Pray for His Fame

“Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.’” (Matthew 6:9)

Dozens of times Scripture says that God does things “for his name’s sake.”

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3) 

For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt. (Psalm 25:11) 

He saved them for his name’s sake. (Psalm 106:8) 

For my name’s sake I defer my anger. (Isaiah 48:9) 

Your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. (1 John 2:12) 

If you ask what is really moving the heart of God in all those statements (and many like them), the answer is that God delights in having his name known and honored.

The first and most important prayer that can be prayed is, “Hallowed be your name.” I used to think this is an acclamation. Like, “Hallelujah! The Lord’s name is hallowed!” But it’s not an acclamation. It’s a petition. Actually a kind of imperative or command. Lord, let it be! Cause it to be. May your name be hallowed. This is my request, my prayer. I am urging you to this: Cause people to hallow your name. Cause me to hallow your name!

God loves to have more and more people “hallow” his name. That’s why his Son teaches Christians to pray for it. In fact, Jesus makes it the very first and paramount prayer. Because this is the first and great passion of the Father.

“Lord, cause more and more people to hallow your name,” that is, esteem, admire, respect, cherish, honor, reverence, and praise your name. More and more people! So, you can see it is basically a missionary prayer.

SOME PROBLEMS ARE ORDAINED FOR OUR LIFTING!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY APRIL 14, 2021.

SUBJECT: SOME PROBLEMS ARE ORDAINED FOR OUR LIFTING! 

Memory verse: "Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the day's fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them." (Psalm 139 vs 16.)

READ: Romans 8 vs 28 - 30:

8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called to His purpose.

8:29: For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

8:30: Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

INTIMATION:

God customizes some of our problems so that we can fulfill the purpose for which we are created. They are stepping stones, and ordained platform en route to our divine destiny. God knows you and your potentials. The cross you carry was tailor-made by the carpenter's Son.

A case-study of Joseph the son of Jacob, makes the concept very clear. He was a favorite son to his father, and envied by his brothers, a favorite servant in Potiphar's house, a favorite prisoner to the warden and other prisoners, a favorite interpreter of dreams, and a favorite lieutenant to King Pharaoh. And after many years, he became the favorite even to his ten brothers who were envious of him.

He was pre-ordained by God to be the savior of his people, God's own chosen people. God was with him in all his travails. So many problems were lined up en route to his destined purpose; he was betrayed and deserted by his brothers; he was exposed to sexual temptation; suffered false accusation, and punished for doing the right thing. He endured a long imprisonment and was forgotten by those he helped. 

Joseph didn't plan to be in the bottom of a pit after he recounted his God-given dream to his loved ones, but he was. He did not foresee his brothers selling him into slavery, but they did. God had destined him for great things, but people and problems got in the way, apparently fashioned to get him his promise and provision. 

Joseph was faithful in the problems. He maintained his character and integrity while enduring the problem. He was patient throughout the duration of the problem. He did not complain while facing ridicule, rejection, envy, and jealousy. He held to his dream in the midst of lies, false accusations, and prison. Through it all, God showed favor to Joseph until the provision came. Joseph had the vision, and interpreted the purpose of his problem. He said, "But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.......And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God......But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." (Genesis 45 vs 5; 7 - 8; 50 vs 20.)

Even though Joseph spent years in the problem, he never stopped listening to the voice of God. He remained faithful to God, and God remained faithful to him, leading him to the divine purpose for which he was created. Are you in the middle of a severe problem? Have you gone through your spiritual checklist to make sure that you are not the cause of the problem? Do you find it difficult to find the purpose of the predicament you are in? Look for the promise in God's Word. Hold to that promise. It is given to you by your Father in heaven, who is faithful to fulfill it. All of the provisions God offers in the pantry of heaven are available to the child of God who ifaithfully stands on His promises.

Prayer: Abba Father, though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of my hands fail, and there is no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd In the stalls, yer I will rejoice in You, and joy in You my God. For I know that Your thought for me is of good and not of evil, to give me a future and hope, in Jesu’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

IT IS BY GOD’S GRACE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY APRIL 13, 2021.

SUBJECT : IT IS BY GOD’S GRACE! 

Memory verse: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2 vs 10.) 

READ: Ephesians 2 vs 8 - 10:

2:8: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourself; it is the gift of God,

2:9: not of works, lest anyone should boast.

2:10: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

INTIMATION:

The plan of salvation was initiated by God without any meritoriously devised good works of man or perfect keeping of the law. Because man could not live in a manner to save themselves, salvation had to be by grace in conjunction with man’s faith response. God extended grace to man regardless of the sin of man. In this way, therefore, grace is a gift. The condition upon which the grace of God is made effective for the salvation of man is that one must receive or accept the free gift, that is, it is conditioned on the response of man.    

Life is brought into existence and designed by God to be lived by His grace and purpose. The same way we are saved by grace through obedient faith, is the way we must live our daily lives in accord with His predetermined purpose. The same principles we apply to receive salvation we must apply to receive other blessings that come from God. We neither make or save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. We, therefore, get so frustrated when we are trying to live by works—our human efforts—amidst our emphasis on faith as Christians and wanting to lead our lives according to His precepts.

Even our faith is by the grace of God. If our life is by choice or our works, many will not be where they are today. They would have chosen, or worked for the places, positions, and races considered the best on earth.  Obviously it is all about His doing. He works out everything from the beginning, and all we do is do those good works which He planned beforehand for us and taking the paths which He prepared ahead of time for us to walk in. 

Hence the Scripture says, "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do according to His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2 vs13.) It is only by the grace of God that we walk in those predetermined paths for us. The child Jesus grew up to achieve all He did through the grace of God that was upon Him (Luke 2 vs 40), The apostle Paul, in several verses in his epistle emphasized on the working of the grace of God, even in his life. He said, "For by the grace of God I am what I am; and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (First Corinthians 15 vs 10) 

It is all about the grace of God and not by works—our human or natural ability. Let me give you a practical tip on how grace can be of benefit in your everyday life. When you get into a situation that begins to cause you to become frustrated, just stop and say, "O Lord, give me the grace to overcome this challenge." Then believe that God has heard your prayers and is answering that prayer and working out that situation, even as you go about your daily routine. Remember you have to believe because "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9 vs 23) and "If you believe, you will see the glory of God." (John 11 vs 40).

Prayer: Abba Father, without You I can do nothing. Thank You for Your grace available to me to do all things through Christ that strengthens me. May I never miss Your grace in my daily living, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!