THE SOURCE OF GOD’S GRACE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY MARCH 26, 2023.

SUBJECT: THE SOURCE OF GOD’S GRACE!

Memory verse: "Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5 vs 2.) 

READ: Ephesians 2 vs 8 - 9:

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

2:9: not of works, lest any man should boast.

INTIMATION:

We gain entry into the realm of God’s grace through Jesus in whom we must have faith. Grace is the unmerited favor of God toward man that was made possible by the sacrificial offering of Jesus on the cross. God demands our obedient response to Him by faith. Therefore, the application of grace in one’s life must be based on the condition of our obedient faith, and attracts the grace of God. And without faith it is impossible to please God. It is in exercising of our faith in our obedient fellowship with God that plugs us into the source of His power—His grace. 

If there is anything the devil tries to do, is to keep people out of fellowship with the Lord. Satan knows that once you are connected to the source of divine power, it is finished for him. Fellowship with the Lord is what ensures a victorious and peaceful Christian life. But without fellowship with Him, you will struggle the entire time you are here on this earth as a Christian, even though you will be saved because your name is in the Book of life. Though the free gift of our salvation is not based on our fellowship, rather on the blood of Jesus shed on the cross for our sins. But without fellowship in obedient faith one will not partake of the riches of the glory, and the exceeding greatness of His power. 

Do you know what happens when you are in fellowship with God—spending quality time with Him? You become a custodian of His grace—the power of God to help you meet your needs and solve your problems. As soldiers of the cross, you and I are not supposed to be afraid of our enemy—the devil. Instead, we are to ‘be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might—His grace,’ knowing that we are plugged into the ultimate power source, the power that can make and destroy. When the spirit of fear comes along, rather than shaking like a leaf, we are to be bold as a lion, and remind the devil that ‘God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind’ (Second Timothy 1 vs 7). 

The devil comes against those who are doing damage to his kingdom, those who are doing something for God as His ambassadors. How then do we withstand the devil? By girding on the full armor of God; taking the shield of faith, and by wielding the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, by which we can quench his fiery darts (Ephesians 6 vs 13 - 17). 

Being strong in the Lord, in my considered opinion, is being strong in fellowship with God. And it’s only after being strengthened in fellowship with obedient faith that you can properly access the whole armor of God. Therefore, you should come apart with the Lord (fellowship with the Lord) privately before you come apart publicly. Spend time with God so you can remain stable as you deal with the daily affairs of life.

Being in fellowship with the Lord does not mean that you will be in a room with God all the time. If you will give twenty or thirty minutes of sleep in the morning in order to get up early and seek His face, God will honor that sacrifice. It you are willing to turn off the television for thirty minutes in the evening and spend some time in fellowship with the Lord, you will be richly rewarded. 

However, God is a Loving Father, He will not require more of you than what you are able to give Him. He is not an ogre who is out to make you miserable. He just knows what you need in order to have that abundant, enjoyable, and victorious life. When you fellowship with the Lord, you learn to quickly follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. 

Prayer: Abba Father, You are my all. I thirst to be in Your presence at all times. Endue me with the spirit of faithful obedience to You in all things that I may have fellowship with You at all times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

BE A WORD WARRIOR!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY MARCH 25, 2023.

SUBJECT: BE A WORD WARRIOR!

Memory verse: "Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified." (Isaiah 43 vs 26.) 

READ: First John 5 vs 14 - 15; Hebrews 4 vs 12:

First John 5:14: Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask any thing according to His will, He hears us:

5:15: And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Hebrews 4:12: For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

INTIMATION:

You must have a word-stuffed heart to maintain a hotline communication with God. Emotional displays in prayer does not move God. No amount of tears from your cry will move God if your communication is void of adequate ‘Word’ preparation. God is only moved when you ask according to His Will. So, all you need is the right words, and right presentation, and your communication with Him will be through. 

When we communicate with God, we don’t demand what we want, rather we discuss with Him what He wants for us. It is all about His Will, not our will. If we align our prayers to His Will, He will listen, and we can be certain that if He listens, He will give us a definite answer. His Word is His Will. God said to Joshua, “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1 vs 8.) And the apostle Paul told the believers in Colosse, "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom...." (Colossians 3 vs 16.)

One thing is needful for every other thing to fall in place, and is the the Word of God. If you check through Scriptures, you will find out that everything is hooked to and rooted in the Word. Faith, effectual prayer, success etc, are all rooted in it. Being outstanding in Christianity is a function of your Word content, and not the amount of religious exercises you engage in. I have seen many heavy prayer warriors who are weary, but I am yet to see a Word warrior who is not a conqueror. When you are wordless, your prayers can't be genuine. You will either be under pressure, or just be playing games. 

It is God's Word that connects you to the Throne for response. No matter how long you have been cheated by the devil, when you cry to God and say, "Lord, can't You see how I am being cheated? Can't You see how long I have been a Christian?" All He will say is, "My son, talk sense! What do you want Me to do for you?" He wants you to bring your strong reasons from His Word and put Him in remembrance of them (Isaiah 41 vs 21; 43 vs 26). So until you remind Him of His Word that commits Him to your deliverance (Jeremiah 1 vs 12), your prayers will continue to remain unanswered. 

The Bible in John 1 vs 1 & 14 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth." Jesus is the Word of God. Therefore, locating the Word for any situation, is locating Jesus for that situation.

Now, the Bible says in Matthew 21 vs 42 & 44, "Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone which the builders rejected, has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes?' And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder." The stone referred to here is Jesus, and He is also the Word. If any opposition falls on it, that opposition will be broken; and when it falls upon any opposition, it grinds it to powder. That means any time you locate Scriptures that address any issue of concern in your life and use them, you are spiritually hauling stones against the opposition, breaking them first and then grinding them to powder.

The Bible says, "..The Scriptures cannot be broken.." (John 10 vs 35). So, the Word of God cannot be stopped; it is irresistible and always gets its way. The Word of God is not simply a collection of words from God. Embedded in the Word is the power and might of God. It is living and dynamic as it works in us. It penetrates the core of our moral and spiritual life. It discerns what is within us, both good and evil. Locating the Word is bringing God to the scene. 

We are certain of the stability and surety of God’s of Word (His promise). Because He has made the promise, it will happen. Christians must work by faith in the Word of God. When one trusts in the promise of God, then God’s Word is able to transform his or her life. Therefore, there can be no change in life unless one focuses his attention on the promise that God will justly reward those who remain faithful. It is imperative that Christians maintain a strong faith in reference to what God has promised. If they do, then their lives will conform to that which they believe. 

Rather than spend time doing some religious exercises that won't profit you, spend it in the Word, to gather the appropriate stones that will bring down your Goliath. Go by the River of Life (the Bible), carefully choose and pick up those lively stones (Scriptures), put them in your bag (your heart) and then move against the opposition and you are sure to bring it down.

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace to be studious of Your Word; the sword of the Spirit, that I may be a conqueror in all life’s circumstances, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Forever Satisfied

 

“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35)

This text points to the fact that believing in Jesus is a feeding and drinking from all that Jesus is. It goes so far as to say that our soul-thirst is satisfied with Jesus, so that we don’t thirst anymore.

He is the end of our quest for satisfaction. There is nothing beyond, and nothing better.

When we trust Jesus the way John intends for us to, the presence and promise of Jesus is so satisfying that we are not dominated by the alluring pleasures of sin (see Romans 6:14). This accounts for why such faith in Jesus nullifies the power of sin and enables obedience.

John 4:14 points in the same direction: “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” In accord with John 6:35, saving faith is spoken of here as a drinking of water that satisfies the deepest longings of the soul. And the satisfaction becomes productive, like a well overflowing.

It’s the same in John 7:37–38: “Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”’”

Through faith, Christ becomes in us an inexhaustible fountain of satisfying life that lasts forever and leads us to heaven, and on the way sets us free from the sinful illusions of other satisfactions. This he does by sending us his Spirit (John 7:38–39).

Ministry and the Fear of Man

 “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 1:8)

A great obstacle to serving the Lord, especially among the young, is the fear of rejection and opposition. 

All kinds of thoughts enter the mind about how some people might not like the way we act or speak. People might disagree or be offended. I might make a mistake and get criticized. 

The fear of man is a great hindrance to ministry.

So God says, Don’t fear, because I will be with you and I will deliver you. God’s presence and approval is more valuable than all the accolades of men. And God says that, in and through all your troubles, I will deliver you. You will triumph in the end. You will be more than a conqueror. 

And the same thing is promised to all of us in Christ Jesus today:

“[God] has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5–6)“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) 

So God said to young Jeremiah, and God says to young people today whom he is calling to serve him — and to the rest of us — “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’” — or I’m too old, or I’m too anything (Jeremiah 1:7). Why?

Because your life is rooted in the unshakable, sovereign purposes of God. You have been chosen and consecrated and formed and appointed for a great purpose.Because God’s authority, not your own, is behind your serving and your speaking.And because God himself will be with you to deliver you in all your trials.

THE CHRISTIAN’S FIGHTING METHOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY MARCH 24, 2023.

SUBJECT: THE CHRISTIAN’S FIGHTING METHOD!

Memory verse: "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (John 17 vs 14.) 

READ: Second Corinthians 10 vs 3 - 6:

10:3: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 

10:4: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down stronghold, 

10:5:casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 

10:6: and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

INTIMATION:

Christians live in the world in a physical body. Though as ‘new creations’ in Christ, they are not of this world, but they are in this world (John 17 vs 14). God does not take them out of the world nor make them robots, they are still in the world and will be subject to influences in the world, even those caused by Satan and his agents. Therefore, they will still engage in battle of life but are assured of victory even before the battle. However, they are fighting not against the physical things of this world (flesh and blood), but against “principalities” and “power” (the powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by the devil). 

The Christian is in a war with the deceptive beliefs of witchcraft, false science, false religions, and man’s ignorance of the truth. Though they live in the flesh as humans, and are merely weak humans, but they don’t need to use human plans and methods to win their battles. Since Christians’ battle is against the spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places, the weapons of their warfare are spiritual. The weapons are not physical—arms and ammunition—but the power and might of God embedded in His Word. The power of the Christian is strong against the works of Satan because the power of their weaponry originates from God, not man. 

God’s mighty weapons are available to us as we fight against Satan’s strongholds. The Christian must choose whose methods to use—God’s or the world’s. The apostle Paul assures us that God’s mighty weapons—prayer, faith, hope, Love, God’s Word, the Holy Spirit—are most powerful and infinitely effective (Ephesians 6 vs 13 - 16). These weapons can break down the proud human arguments against God and the walls that Satan builds to keep people from finding God. When dealing with people’s proud arguments that keep them from a relationship with Christ, we may be tempted to use our own methods. But nothing can break down these barriers like God’s weapons. 

The scripture in Hebrews 4 vs 12 says, "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

The Word of God is living, life-changing and dynamic as it works in us. It is living not in the book, not on the written page, but in the lips of the believer. Therefore, it is the spoken Word that commands the power of God. The Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit, is the only offensive and defensive weapon in God’s armor. With it you can defend yourself and attack the enemy at the same time. 

Jesus acted upon the Word of God. He used the Father's Words to defeat the adversary. Jesus showed the efficacy of the Word in His conquest of the adversary, the devil, when he tempted Him. His reply to Satan in all his temptations is, “It is written”; the written Word of God in the Scriptures. (Matthew 4 vs 1 - 11.) And when He has subdued him, by the Word, he left Him. If you want the adversary to stop the operation of his adverse activities of stealing, killing, and destroying in your life, engage him with the Word.

Satan is very conversant with the Word, and can still deceive you with it. He tried this trick on Jesus in his temptation, but was conquered. He quoted from the Scripture, Psalm 91 vs 11 - 12, to lure Him. But Jesus countered his quotation by putting it into the correct context of the general teaching of Scripture (Deuteronomy 6 vs 16). In this, Jesus gives us an example that Scripture must always be understood in the whole text of the theme of the Scriptures. Jesus affirmed that Psalm 91 vs 11 - 12 would be fulfilled according to God’s plan of work in His life, and not according Satan’s maneuvers. 

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You most gracious Lord, for Your unfailing armor made available to the believer. Give me the grace to effectively and efficiently take up Your whole armor in my battle against the adversary, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Ignorance Guarantees Ungodliness

 

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence. (2 Peter 1:3)

I am amazed at the power that the Bible attributes to knowledge.

Listen again to 2 Peter 1:3: “[God’s] divine power has granted . . . all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.”

Literally, all the power available from God to live and be godly comes through knowledge! Amazing! What a premium we should put on doctrine and instruction in the Scriptures! Life and godliness are at stake.

Not that knowing guarantees godliness. It doesn’t. But it seems that ignorance guarantees ungodliness. Because, Peter says, the divine power that leads to godliness is given through the knowledge of God.

Here are three implications, a warning, and an exhortation.

1. Read! Read! Read! But beware of wasting your time on theological foam and suds. Read rich doctrinal books about “the one who called you to his glory and excellence.”

2. Ponder! Ponder! Slow down. Take time to think about what the Bible means when you read it. Ask questions. Keep a journal. Let yourself be humbly troubled by puzzling things. The deepest insights come from trying to see the unifying root of two apparently antagonistic branches on the tree of truth.

3. Discuss. Discuss. Be a part of a small group that cares passionately about the truth. Not a group that just likes to talk and raise problems. But a group that believes there are biblical answers to biblical problems, and they can be found.

Warning: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).“They have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2). So beware of the deadly effects of ignorance.

Exhortation: “Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord” (Hosea 6:3).

THE NEW BIRTH!

 

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY MARCH 23, 2023. 

SUBJECT: THE NEW BIRTH!

Memory verse: "Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and yt shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2 vs 38.) 

READ: John 3 vs 3 - 8:

3:3: Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 

3:4: Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

3:5: Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 

3:6: That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. 3:7: Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 

3:8: The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.

INTIMATION:

The new birth is the birth of the Spirit by being regenerated by the power of God. To be part of the kingdom of God, that is, to enter into the kingdom of God, Jesus stated a condition for one’s participation in it. The condition will be the manifestation of one’s response to all that God has done in order to bring one into a covenant relationship with Him. In this one statement of Jesus, the condition is established for one’s participation with Him in the kingdom of God. He is not establishing a commandment as a work of merit or a condition that will put God in debt to save one. 

This birth is not the result of one’s ancestral heritage from Abraham. Neither is it the physical birth that would result from a sexual relationship between a man and a woman. Neither is the birth generated from the religious inventions of men who would pronounce themselves righteous before God. The new birth is from God. The cleansing of sin at the point of baptism originates from the One against whom sin has been committed. However, His forgiveness and justification are given when men respond by faith to be buried and resurrected with the One who died for our sins (Romans 6 vs 3 - 6). It is at the point of baptism, therefore, that one is born again.

In the passage we read today, Nicodemus’ first question was certainly for the purpose of generating further explanation by Jesus concerning what He said about a new birth. Jesus answer is that to be in God’s kingdom, one would have to be spiritually born again in order to come into a covenant relationship with God. One must be born of the water of baptism, at which point, one is renewed by the Holy Spirit. What Jesus is saying is that unless one truly repents because of obedient faith, and is immersed into Christ via immersion baptism in water, he or she cannot participate with Jesus in the kingdom of God. 

One is thus born anew in baptism by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. “Born of water” is the response of the individual to the grace of God. “Born of Spirit” is the work of God in a realm we do not fully understand. We are simply told that it is the Spirit who does His work to bring us forth from the grave of baptism pure of sin because we have relinquished to obedience to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. The apostle Paul says, “Therefore we are buried with Him through baptism into death: that just as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6 vs 4.)

When one is born of the Spirit, He is spiritually rejuvenated by the Holy Spirit through the sacrificial blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1 vs 7). To be saved we must be spiritually regenerated in order to be reconciled to God. Just as the wind cannot be seen by the physical eyes of humans, and so is the work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration. The Spirit does His work in the regeneration of the soul of man at the point of immersion. In the new birth, the Spirit does His work of sanctification without the perception of men. 

Baptism parallels the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and it also portrays the death and burial of our sinful old way of life followed by resurrection to new life in Christ. Remembering that our old sinful life is dead and buried with Christ gives us a powerful motive to resist sin. Not wanting the desires of our past to come back to power again, we can consciously choose to treat our desires as if they were dead. Then we can continue to enjoy our wonderful new life with Christ. (Galatians 3 vs 27; Colossians 3 vs 1 - 4). 

Therefore, the confession of our believe in Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, is a step in our obtaining new birth in Him. The baptism by immersion into water parallels our death, burial of our sinful old way of life followed by our resurrection to new life in Christ. One is this born anew by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for our death and burial with Christ by baptism. And our resurrection from the dead by Your glorious power, and making us walk in the newness of life. May I never take this Your sacrificial death for my sin for granted, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!