Faithful to the faith

 We need to be faithful to the faith found in the Word of God. Many people are taking the Bible and shredding it, mimicking it, and dissecting it. And these people call themselves theologians!

The word “theos” means God and the word “logos” means word. So a theologian is someone who is supposed to know the Word of God. I don’t know why they call them “theologians.” Because they don’t believe the logos, they must not know the Theos. They are like Grape Nuts – neither grapes nor nuts.

The truth is that these theologians set themselves up for judgment from the Word of God. We are not to judge the Word of God; the Word of God is to judge us. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

If ever a generation needed to be faithful to the faith, it is this current generation. We are just one generation away from paganism. If we don’t pass God’s Word along to the next generation, they won’t have it. Friend, we are stewards of the faith of God. First Corinthians 4:2 says, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

Faithful with our finances

 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much” (Luke 16:10).

What would you do if you had a million dollars? You might say you would give some to help others. Would you?

Let me tell you a good test of what you would do if you had a million dollars. It is what you are doing with that one hundred dollars you have right now. That’s the best test. If you are not faithful in the least of what you have, you will not be faithful when you have much.

And if God cannot trust you with money, He certainly will not trust you with spiritual power. Many of us do not have spiritual blessings because we simply haven’t been faithful with our finances. And because we’ve not been faithful with our finances, God doesn’t bless us spiritually.

Proverbs 28:20 says, “A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.”

BENEFITS OF CONSISTENT DEVOTION TO GOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY JANUARY 19, 2023.

SUBJECT : BENEFITS OF CONSISTENT DEVOTION TO GOD!

Memory verse: "Those who trust in the LIRD are like Mount Zion which cannot be moved, but abides forever." (Psalm 125 vs 1.)

READ: Psalm 91 vs 9 - 12; 14 - 16:

91:9: Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place.

91:10: No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

91:11: For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.

91:12: in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

91:14: Because He has set His love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

91:15: He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 

91:16: With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.

INTIMATION:

The person who trusts in God and obeys His Will is untouchable until God takes him or her. If we dwell and abide with Him, by entrusting ourselves to His protection and pledging our daily devotion to Him, we will be kept safe. To put your trust in God is to have immeasurable peace.

No other scenario in the Scriptures, perhaps, most buttresses this point than the story of Daniel. Daniel was one of three governors set over his kingdom by King Darius. Daniel distinguished himself above other governors and satraps that the king gave thought to set him over the whole realm of his kingdom. Daniel had an excellent spirit in him, and consequently made enemies at work, and they sought to find a charge against him. He was, at that time, over 80 years old.

Daniel was a determined man, consistent in his devotion to God. He wouldn't bow to just any wish, even if it came from the emperor himself. Daniel kept praying to the God of Israel, the God he believed in. He stood for his convictions and would not redirect his prayers to a person he knew was a mortal.

In Babylon, the kings word was law. In the Medo-Persian empire, however, when a law was made, even the king couldn't change it. King Darius was an effective government administrator, but he had a fatal flaw—pride. By appealing to his vanity, the men talked Darius into signing a law effectively making him a God for 30 days, and that whoever petitions any god or man except king Darius, shall be cast into the lions' den. For praying to God, Daniel was guilty, and was to be food for hungry beasts in the king's special execution pits.

So Daniel was sentenced to the lion pit, and the sentence was carried out. But the lions did not disturb him. Although he sat right beside them, they didn't touch him. Daniel himself, walked out of the pit the next morning, alive and well. Why would lions suddenly go on a hunger strike? Lions eat only when hungry, not for recreation. And the whole point of having a bunch of lions caged up was to keep them hungry. The ancients would typically starve lions so they could watch the ferocious lions tear up the ones convicted. 

In accordance with Persian custom, this cruel punishment was transferred to those who had conspired against the king by provoking him into an unjust action (See also Esther 7 vs 9 - 10). The king’s great anger resulted in the execution of the evil officials and their families. The fact that these lions were starving is proven by how they savagely tore apart Daniel's false accusers. These were hungry lions. Evil deeds often backfire on those who plan cruelty.

Then what kept these lions from devouring Daniel? Though, to many It remains a mystery how Daniel survived a night trapped in a pit filled with hungry lions. Nonetheless, the Almighty God, whom Daniel worship consistently, sedated the lions’ wild instincts for just that night. Daniel himself put it more directly: "My God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in His sight" (Daniel 6 vs 22). 

Prayer: Abba Father, You are ever faithful, and Your companionship is sure for those who consistently obey, and put their trust in You. Endue me with the spirit of complete obedience , and devotion to You, that I may stand sure of Your protection, and fellowship with You at all times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

WHY WE FAST AND PRAY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18, 2023.

SUBJECT : WHY WE FAST AND PRAY!

Memory verse: "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17 vs 21.)

READ: Luke 2 vs 37; Acts 14 vs 23:

Luke 2:37: And this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Acts 14:23: So when they had appointed them elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.

INTIMATION:

A fast is a voluntary abstinence from food or drink or both for the purpose of calling on God to respond to one’s request. It is a period of time when no food was eaten and people approached God in humility, sorrow for sin, and urgent prayer. Fasting is noble and difficult. It gives us time to pray, teaches us self-discipline, reminds us that we can live with a lot less, and helps us appreciate God’s gift. Fasting is both an outward sign of humility and regret for sin, it is a sign of mourning for sin, and an inner discipline that clears the mind and keeps the spirit alert. 

Fasting indicates our seriousness with God. By separating ourselves from the daily routine of food preparation and eating, we could devote that extra time to considering our sin and praying to God for help. Hunger pangs would reinforce our penitence and remind us of our weaknesses and our dependence upon God. Fasting is always helpful as we seek God’s will in special situations. People often fast during the time of calamity in order to focus their attention on God and to demonstrate their change of heart and their true devotion. 

Fasting is an understood practice of the disciples of Jesus. Jesus said to His disciples, “When you fast,” it is not if the disciples would fast. Fasting is the natural response of those who respond with discipleship to the Lordship of Jesus. It is the response of those who depend on God’s work in their lives, for in fasting one is calling on God to respond to his pleas for help. Fasting is done in order to take one’s mind off the physical needs of the body in order to concentrate on the spiritual needs of the inner man. 

Fasting not only strengthens our self-discipline, it also helps us to focus our attention on the work of God in our lives. The purpose of fasting is to inwardly humble oneself before God in order to proclaim one’s dependence on the work of God in his or her life. In humbling ourselves before God, we manifest our dependence on God in order to plead for His work in our lives. 

Prayer is an expression of one’s most inner feelings of thanksgiving to God and request for His help. In the Bible prayer is often combine with fasting on the part of the one who prepares his or her mind in prayer. Praying is to speak reverently to God in order to praise God for who He is, express thanks, and/or make a request. It is earnestly entreating God in sincerity of your intention, always rendered "supplication." Prayer is one of the greatest opportunities given to man by God. It is one of the greatest privileges and ministries available to all Christians. Indeed, everyone who seeks to take his or her place in the Kingdom of God should seek or learn how to pray effectively. 

Fasting and praying are spiritual preparations necessary for seeking the face, and help of God in our journeys of life, especially in situations beyond our control. It also shows our dependence on God for protection and leading, indicative of our faith that God is in control, and our affirmation that by our strength we cannot prevail. When we take time to put God first in any endeavor, we are preparing well for whatever lies ahead. It’s also an indication that we are not taking God’s promises to us for granted. 

God’s blessings are appropriated through prayer, and fasting humbles one because going without food is a reminder of our complete dependence on God. It gives one more time to pray and meditate on God. Prayer and fasting increase the faith of the believers. Therefore, Christians who wants to grow in faith must give themselves to prayer and fasting. 

Prayer: Abba Father, engrace me with spirit of supplication, and total dependence, loyalty, and complete trust, in You. For I know the thought You think toward me, thought of good and not of evil, to bring me to the expected end. You created me for Your purpose here on earth, and let the purpose, expressed in Your Will for my life, be accomplished in Jesus Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

God holds on to us

 Sometimes I hear people share their testimonies, and in the midst they’ll make a comment like, “Brethren, pray for us that we’ll hold out faithful to the end.” I think I know what they mean, but I always smile a little bit because I have the following picture in my mind:

I see Noah and his entire family holding on to some slimy pegs sticking out the side of the ark. Rather than being on the inside of the ark, they’re holding on to the outside of the ark. And Noah says to Mrs. Noah, “Honey, pray for me that I’ll hold out faithful to the end.” Friend, he never would have made it.

But God said to Noah, “Come into the ark” (Genesis 6:18). Thank God that He did! And when Noah came in, God shut the door. The same God that shut the water out, shut Noah in. Now, Noah may have fallen down inside that ark, but he never fell out of it.

First Thessalonians 5:24 says, “Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.” It’s not that we hold on to Him, though we ought to. But something even better is that He holds on to us!

Freedom to choose

 Don’t ever let anybody tell you that you have been predestined to go to hell. You have the freedom to decide otherwise. We are not machines. We are human beings. You are free to do as you wish, but it takes the grace of God for you to do as you ought.

You say, “Well I can do whatever I want.” That is true, but you see the problem is with your “wanter.” You always want what is wrong until you have the grace of God in your heart. The only reason that you can choose to do right is because He first chose you. But you still are free to choose.

God has issued a call. He has invited you. God’s Word says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). He will give you the power to come, and today if you want to come, you can. You have the freedom to decide.

THE WORTH OF BELIEVERS TO GOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY JANUARY 17, 2023.

SUBJECT: THE WORTH OF BELIEVERS TO GOD! 

Memory verse: "They shall be Mine, says the Lord of Hosts, On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him." (Malachi 3 vs 17.)

READ: First Peter 2 vs 9 - 10:

2:9: But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

2:10: Who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

INTIMATION:

The love of the Father marked the believers out for the position of sons and daughters way back before the morning stars sang their first anthem, and we are made to the praise of His glory. He planned that they should be holy without blemish before Him. He marked them out for the position of sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself; and they are the marked ones. Believers have been chosen by God as His very own, and His jewels, a special treasure to Him above all people, and they are to Him a kingdom of priests, as Christ has made them kings and priests to our God that they shall reign on the earth. 

He has blessed them with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ (Ephesians 1 vs 3). They’re blessed. They are rich in Him and has His fullness. Believers are sufficient in His sufficiency. All that He is, they have. Believers are what God says they are. And God has told them that they are in the Beloved. God the Father sees the believers as His own righteousness in Christ Jesus. "And they are complete in Him," and this completeness is over and above all that we can ask or think or desire. 

The believers have been called to represent Him to others. They are united with Christ as members of His body, and they join in His priestly work of reconciling God and people. God has given them eternal life in Christ. Their eternal life with Christ is certain because they are united in His powerful victory. God’s incomparable great power is available to help the believers. 

Now, look at the conclusion of the whole matter as the apostle Paul says: “....We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor power, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8 vs 37 - 39.)

These verses contain one of the most comforting promises in all Scriptures. Believers have always had to face hardships in many forms: hardship, persecution, illness, imprisonment, and even death. These sometimes cause them to fear that they have been abandoned by Christ. But Paul exclaims that it is impossible to be separated from Christ. His death for us is proof of His unconquerable love. Nothing can separate the believers from Christ’s presence. God tells them how great His love is so that they will feel totally secure in Him. If you are in Christ and believe these overwhelming assurances, you will not be afraid.

Now if you are a believer, you know your worth to God in Christ. You see your vast responsibility. You can pray for you now know how. Take your place in Christ. Dare to act your part. Dare to let God use you. Dare to let love reign in your life. Dare to be in your daily life what He says you are. Dare to do what He says you can do. Dare to confess that you are what He says you are. All is yours. Use them. As you act on the Word, the Word reacts in You; it builds up in you, and so you grow in Christ. Believers are partakers of His Nature, of His very substance and Being.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are awesome, merciful, and compassionate. In all the world there’s none like You. Your love for me is unparalleled and unfathomable. You have blessed me with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places, and made me partaker of Your divine nature. Forever You are my God and Father. I am persuaded that nothing will ever take away my love for You, in the mighty Name of Jesus’ I have prayed, Amen. 

PRAISE THE LORD!