Never Forsaken, Never Alone

  

Today : Never Forsaken, Never Alone

 

TODAY’S VERSE
God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

TODAY’S MESSAGE
Loneliness; abandonment; alienation; separation; betrayal; desertion. These are words that cut right to the heart. Because of our human relationships, all of us, to one degree or another, have experienced these painful emotions. The great news is that when you become His child, when you are born again, you enter into a permanent relationship with almighty God. He becomes your loving Father who loves you (yes, you!) so much that He has made a tremendous promise. God has written, for all to read, that He will never, never, never, never, never, never leave you or forsake you. Never! Why? Because when He chose to love you unconditionally, it is settled, end of discussion, no changing His mind, ever. You are His child forever.

 

 

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, is it really true? I want to believe it with my mind and with my heart! Help me really see how much You love me. Thank You that You promise You will never leave me or forsake me. Because of Jesus.
AMEN

 

 

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION & MEDITATION
God will never forsake me
Feel life beginning to overwhelm you. You sense all is lost and then you remember God. God said that He would never forsake you so you cry out to Him. “God help me!” you cry. As you do, you feel His presence and power and know that He is there. He has responded to your cry and He is there with all His power and love. You are saved! Affirm, “God will never forsake me!”

THE FINAL BUS-STOP!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 05, 2022.

SUBJECT : THE FINAL BUS-STOP!

Memory verse: "And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts." (Revelation 21 vs 6.)

READ: John 6 vs 16 - 21:

6:16: Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea,

6:17: got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them.

6:18: Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing.

6:19: So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were afraid.

6:20: But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.

6:21: Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.

INTIMATION:

The final bus-stop for all humans is in Jesus. In Him and with Him it is finished (John 19 vs 30). And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist (Colossians 1 vs 17). God is not only the Creator of the world but He is also its Sustainer. In Him, everything is held together, protected, and prevented from disintegrating into chaos. Because Christ is the Sustainer of all life, none of us is independent from Him. We are all His servants who must daily trust Him to protect us, care for us, and sustain us.

In John 8 vs 58 Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” When He said He existed before Abraham was born, He undeniably proclaimed His divinity. Not only did Jesus say that He existed before Abraham, He also applied God’s holy name (“I AM”—Exodus 3 vs 14) to Himself. Jesus is God, and the originator of all that is. All things maintain their existence because of His power: “He is upholding all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1 vs 3). He is the foundation upon which all that exists continues to exist. 

When Jesus came to the disciples during a storm, walking on the water (three and a half miles from shore), He told them not to be afraid. Now, imagine the entrance of Jesus into the boat, and the immediate arrival of the boat at shore where they were going. The boat that was three and a half miles from the shore, was immediately at their destination when they willingly welcomed Jesus into the boat. 

That is exactly the divine or spiritual experience of whoever willingly accepts Jesus into his or her life. Though things may not change immediately in the physical, but spiritually such persons has been translated from darkness to the Kingdom of God where all things are perfect. The manifestation of the translated life in the physical is hinged on one’s faith in Him and His work for us. 

Faith is a mind-set that expects God to act. When we act on this expectation, we can overcome our fears. The disciples were afraid because they didn’t expect Jesus to come, and they weren’t prepared for His help. Willingly accepting Jesus into your life brings you immediately to the shore where you are going. We often face spiritual and emotional storms and felt tossed about like a small boat on a big lake. If we trust our lives to Christ for His safekeeping, in spite of terrifying circumstances, He will give us peace in any storm. 

Just as God finished the work of creation (Genesis 2 vs 1 - 3) and Jesus finished the work of redemption (John 19 vs 30), so is everyone who willingly accepts Jesus into his or her life has arrived at his or her life’s final bus-stop. You are trusting in Him who has power over nature as He created all things in nature. With Him, “It is done.” Jesus said, “I will give of the fountain of water of life freely to him who thirsts." The water of life is a symbol of eternal life. Jesus used this same image with the Samaritan woman (John 4 vs 7 - 14). It pictures the fullness of life with God and the eternal blessings that come when we believe in Him and allow Him to satisfy our spiritual thirst. 

Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. The Lord God is the Beginning and the End. God the Father is the eternal Lord and Ruler of the past, present and future. Without Him you have nothing that is eternal, nothing that can change your life, nothing that can save you from sin. Is the Lord your reason of living, “the Alpha and the Omega” of your life? 

Honor the One who is the Beginning and the End of all existence, wisdom, and power. All authority belongs to Jesus, and all things are under His control, and He works among the nations of the earth as the King of Kings, and Lord of lords (First Timothy 6 vs 15). 

Prayer: Abba Father, You so loved the world, that You gave us Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. I willingly accept Him into my life as my personal Lord and Savior. In Him I live, and move, and have my being. Give me the grace to remain steadfast in my commitment to Him, in Jesus' Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

DISCOVER YOUR MINISTRY AND DO YOUR GOOD WORKS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY JANUARY 04, 2021.

SUBJECT: DISCOVER YOUR MINISTRY AND DO YOUR GOOD WORKS!

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: Matthew 5 vs 16; Acts 9 vs 36; First Timothy 6 vs 18 - 19; Titus 2 vs 4; 3 vs 8: 

Matthew 5:16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.

Acts 9:36: At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.

First Timothy 6:18: Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 

6:19: storing up for themselves a good foundation for time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Titus 2:14 Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed, and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous of good works.

Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men

INTIMATION:

God created you and put you on earth for a purpose—to serve His interest. You are put on earth to make a contribution. You weren't created just to consume resources—to eat, breathe, and take up space. God designed you to make a difference with your life. Most people are concerned about how to get the best out of life, but that's not the reason God created you. You were created to add to life on earth, not just take from it. This is one of God's purpose for your life, and it is called your "ministry," or “your service.” Jesus Christ, our example of what we are called to do, said: "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20 vs 28.)

“Good works” are acts of charity, kindness, or good will. They are works that are good, done for God's glory. They are good because they honor God and love people. They are works done for God's glory, by God's strength, because God commands. And when you do “good works,” you are serving the Lord. Therefore, whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." 

Our “good works” are acts of service or worship to the Lord. Whenever you serve others in any way, even in carrying out ordinary tasks, you are serving God and fulfilling one of your purposes. Because ultimately we serve God, every job has dignity. The apostle John said that our loving service to others shows that we are truly saved (First John 3 vs 14). If you have no love for others, no desire to serve others, and you are only concerned about your needs, it is doubtful whether Christ is really in your life. A saved heart is one that wants to serve. Through the manifestation of God’s grace, Christians have been driven by faith to conform their lives to the will of God. They do good works in thanksgiving of the grace of God.

Christians have been created anew in Christ by obedience to the gospel. They have been so recreated, not because of their good works, but purpose that God might work good through them. Christians thus work in response to what God has done for them. We serve Him out of joy, and deep gratitude for what He's done for us. We owe Him our lives. It is our works that manifest our response to the grace of God. Good works manifest the goodness of one’s heart. One judges himself, therefore, by his works, for it is in our works that we manifest our hearts. 

Serving God in your “ministry” is often misunderstood by most people. When most people hear "ministry," they think of pastors, priests, and professional clergy, but God says every member of His family is a minister (Revelation 1 vs 6; 5 vs 10). In the Bible, the words servant and minister are synonymous. If you are a Christian, you are a minister, and when you're serving, you're ministering. We are saved to ensure others are saved. We are healed to help others. We are blessed to be a blessing. We are saved to serve, not to sit around and wait for heaven. 

It takes your coming to Him and trusting in Him, for the revelation of all these in your life. And you come to Him by accepting what He did through His Son Jesus Christ for you in redemption; acknowledging Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. He saved you to accomplish His purpose for which He created you (Second Timothy 1 vs 9). In God's kingdom, you have a place, a purpose, a role, and a function to fulfill. That is His “holy calling.” This gives your life great significance and value. God has given you a unique combination of abilities and talents. Use them to serve and honor Him. 

Through salvation our past has been forgiven, our present is given meaning, and our future is secured. Therefore, seek ways to express your gratitude to Him. Have you ever wondered why God doesn't just immediately take us to heaven the moment we accept His grace? Why does He leave us in a fallen world? He leaves us here to fulfill His purposes. Once you are saved, God intends to use you for His goals. God has a ministry for you in his Body—the church, and a mission for you in the world. Seek yours from Him and serve appropriately!

It is the nature of those who have experienced the grace of God to show their appreciation to God for their salvation through good works. If one does not manifest good works in his life as a disciple, then he has little appreciation for his salvation. It is being ungrateful. We are saved, and thus work out our salvation that we have in Christ. The Scripture says work out your “own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2 vs 12 - 13). The exhortation does not say to work “for” one’s salvation, but to work it out. When one realizes the greatness of his salvation, he is motivated to do the good works to the glory to God. 

Prayer: Abba Father, my utmost heart desire is to serve You acceptably and in accordance with Your predetermined purposes for my life. I humbly ask that You reveal to me the hope of Your calling, and the give me the grace to abound in good works, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Bring It To Jesus

 : Bring It To Jesus

TODAY’S VERSE
“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrew 4:14-16 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Sometimes you need a helping hand. You need someone who understands what you are going through and can help you navigate difficult times. Jesus is that intercessor. He is God with all the power and wisdom we need, yet because of His volunteer time spent on earth in human form, He knows exactly what we are going through. He knows all our limitations, frailty, emotions and how to work with them and live a victorious life. He can guide us down the same path of faith, strength, hope and love that He took. So let’s do what the author of Hebrews suggests. Let’s come boldly to our gracious God and ask Him for the help we need today. We will find Him gracious, compassionate and able to help us when we need it the most.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Jesus, I come to You because You know all about me. You know my situation. You know my thoughts, my frustrations and my desires. You know my needs. I come to You because You are endlessly compassionate toward me and I know that You will help me when I need it the most. I give You this day with all of its challenges, struggles and complexities. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION & MEDITATION
I come boldly to Jesus with all my needs
Jesus is near. As you meditate, see Him inviting you to come to Him. As you draw close you can sense that He cares. You know in your heart that He understands you. He accepts you. He loves you. There is an affinity in your soul with Him and you can feel a joy build inside you. See yourself coming boldly to Him, because He asks you to. Affirm, “I come boldly to Jesus with all my needs.”

IN THE BEGINING GOD BY BISHOP TD JAKES

 

God's Enemies Shall Bow

 God's Enemies Shall Bow

The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord. (Exodus 7:5)

The ungodly world is hard to teach. Egypt does not know Jehovah and therefore dares to set up its idols and even ventures to ask, "Who is the Lord?" Yet the Lord means to break proud hearts, whether they will or not. When His judgments thunder over their heads, darken their skies, destroy their harvests, and slay their sons, they begin to discern somewhat of Jehovah's power. There will yet be such things done in the earth as shall bring skeptics to their knees. Let us not be dismayed because of their blasphemies, for the Lord can take care of His own name, and He will do so in a very effectual manner.

The salvation of His own people was another potent means of making Egypt know that the God of Israel was Jehovah, the living and true God. No Israelite died by any one of the ten plagues. None of the chosen seed were drowned in the Red Sea. Even so, the salvation of the elect and the sure glorification of all true believers will make the most obstinate of God's enemies acknowledge that Jehovah, He is the God.

Oh, that His convincing power would go forth by His Holy Spirit in the preaching of the gospel, till all nations shall bow at the name of Jesus and call Him Lord!

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY JANUARY 03, 2022.

SUBJECT : PRAY WITHOUT CEASING!

Memory verse: "Pray without ceasing.” (First Thessalonians 5 vs 17.)

READ: Luke 18 vs 1 - 8:

18:1: Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray, and not to lose heart,

18:2: saying, “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.

18:3: Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’

18:4: And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 

18:5: yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.”

18:6: Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.

18:7: And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry day and night to Him, though He bear long with them?

18:8: I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he really find faith on the earth?”

INTIMATION:

Praying brings us before God in communion with Him. Humbly being at all times in the presence of God is the secret to continual triumph of the believer, hence the reason to pray at all times. Though we cannot spend all our times on our knees, but it is possible to have a prayerful attitude at all times. Emphasis here is not on a continued action of prayer, but on a continued attitude of prayer. This attitude is built upon acknowledging our dependence on God, realizing His presence within us, and determining to obey Him fully. Then, we will find it natural to pray frequent, spontaneous, and short prayers. In other words, the Christian should be in a state of mind that he can at all times take part in the action of praying to the Father. 

It is the desire of the Father that His children approach Him in prayer. Prayer is the natural response of those who recognize their need for the help of God in their lives. To persist in prayer does not mean endless repetition or painfully long prayer sessions. Jesus’ lesson in the passage we read today is that if an unrighteous and unconcerned judge would act upon the persistent requests of a pleading woman, then certainly the persistent pleas of the righteous to a concerned, loving, and merciful God would attract His response to the pleas of the righteous. Consistent prayer means keeping our requests continually before God as we live for Him day by day, believing He will answer. 

Faith is essential to prayer. Faith is the recognition of the faithfulness of God, and engenders our committing ourselves and our matters to Him. Sometimes you think that God will not hear you because you have fallen short of His high standards for holy living, but if you have faith, and have trusted Him for salvation, you should know that God has forgiven us and He will listen to us. When we live by faith, we are not to give up. God may delay answering, but His delays always have good reasons. Faith shouldn't die if the answers come slowly, for delay is not denial, and that may be God's way of working His Will. As we persist in prayer, we grow in character, faith, and hope.

God not only welcomes us in prayer, He is waiting for us to pray. The godly—those who are faithful and devoted to God—should know that God is waiting for them to approach Him in prayer and should be confident that God listens to their prayers and answers at His own time (which is usually the best timing). Some other times you grow tired of praying because it seems God is not answering you, but a Christian's persistence in prayer is an expression of faith that God answers prayer. Always be confident, and know that God is present, always listening, and always answers in the best ways known to Him, and unknown to us.

A praying attitude is not a substitute to regular times of prayer, but should be an outgrowth of those times. Too often we pray glibly and superficially. Serious prayer, by contrast, requires concentration. It puts us in touch with God’s will and can really change us. Without serious prayer, we reduce God to a quick-service pharmacist with painkillers for your every ailment. However, the Holy Spirit, being the sole interpreter of the needs of the human heart, makes His intercession therein. Inasmuch as prayer is impossible to man apart from His help (Romans 8 vs 26), believers are exhorted to pray at all seasons in the Spirit (Ephesians 6 vs 18; Jude 20). 

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace for persistent prayer, as a demonstration of my absolute faith, and dependence on You in all things, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!