TRUE HUMILITY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY APRIL 12, 2023.

SUBJECT : TRUE HUMILITY!

Memory verse: "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." (Philippians 2 vs 3.)

READ: Psalm 8 vs 3 - 4; First Corinthians 15 vs 9 - 10: 

Psalm 8:3: When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, 

8:4: what is man that You are mindful of him, and the Son of man that You visit Him?

First Corinthians 15:9: For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 

15:10: But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward 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.

INTIMATION:

Humility is modesty and meekness. True humility gives a more accurate perspective of oneself and the world. It is seeing ourselves as we really are from God's perspective, and acting accordingly. When we acknowledge God’s majesty, and compare ourselves to His greatness, we will realize how small we are by comparison, and this is a healthy way to get back to reality. True humility is not convincing yourself that you are worthless or nobody before God, but recognizing God's work in you. It is having God's perspective of who you are, and acknowledging His grace in developing your abilities. We accept God’s gifts and use them to praise and serve Him.

How can we humble ourselves? Some people think that humility means putting oneself down. Truly humble people compare themselves only with Christ, realize their sinfulness, and understand their limitations. On the other hand, they also recognize their gifts and strengths and are willing to use them as Christ directs. Humility is not self-degradation; it is realistic self-assessment and commitment to serve. True humility puts others first and allows us to be content with God's leading in our lives. Such contentment gives us security so that we no longer have to prove ourselves to others. 

In one of the passage we read today, the apostle Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthian church, demonstrated clearly true humility. He considered himself least among the apostles, and thought of himself not worthy to be an apostle because of his past records. Though, his fellow apostles acknowledged him as haven gotten more revelations than them, but yet he considered himself least among them. (See Second Peter 3 vs 15 - 16.) He worked harder than the other apostles to preach the same message he initially was condemning. 

Paul felt unworthy to be called an apostle of Christ because, as a zealous Pharisee, he had been an enemy of the Christian church; even to the point of capturing and persecuting believers (see Acts 9 vs 1 - 3). His conversion stunned his fellow Pharisees. When Christ saw his zealousness in pursuing his erroneous believes, He arrested him to apply that same zealousness in doing the correct work for God. His eyes were opened to the wrong believes when Christ met him on the road to Damascus, and he was blinded to the erroneous believes.

The apostle Paul was deeply humble. He knew that he had worked hard and accomplished, but only because God had poured kindness and grace upon him which he always acknowledged. In First Corinthians 15 vs 8, he remarked himself 'as one born out of necessity' because he was a special case; the other apostles saw Christ and were with Him in the flesh, but he was in the next generation of believers—he believed after Christ appeared to him. 

Today, people practice false humility by talking negatively about themselves so that others will think they are spiritual. They will tell of their wretched past, and comparing it to their present achievements, praising themselves for their accomplishments. Rather than give glory to God and praise Him, they appropriate all their achievements to their ability and doggedness. They turn into the doer, and not God; ‘vainly puffed up by their fleshly minds,’ as the apostle Paul described such persons in Colossians 2 vs 18. False humility is self-centered while true humility is God-centered.

Let us not lose sight of the end result of all our humility and self-sacrifice—a joyous banquet with our Lord! God never asks us to suffer for the sake of suffering. He never asks us to give up something good unless He plans to replace it with something even better. Jesus is not calling us to join Him in a labor camp but in a feast—the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19 vs 6 - 9), when God and His beloved church will be joined forever.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with true humility to worship and serve You, and others. Help me to put You first in all things, and to always consider the collective interests of others above mine, in Jesus' Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

The Great King’s Wine

 

We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)

I have never heard anyone say, “The really deep lessons of my life have come through times of ease and comfort.” But I have heard strong saints say, “Every significant advance I have ever made in grasping the depths of God’s love and growing deep with him, has come through suffering.”

This is a sobering biblical truth. For example: “For [Christ’s] sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8). Paraphrase: No pain, no gain. Or:

Now let it all be sacrificed, if it will get me more of Christ.

Here’s another example: “Although he was a son, [Jesus] learned obedience through what he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). The same book said he never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).

So learning obedience does not mean switching from disobedience to obedience. It means growing deeper and deeper with God in the experience of obedience. It means experiencing depths of yieldedness to God that would not have been otherwise attained. This is what came through suffering. No pain, no gain.

Samuel Rutherford said that when he was cast into the cellars of affliction, he remembered that the great King always kept his wine there. Charles Spurgeon said, “They who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls.”

Do you not love your beloved more when you feel some strange pain that makes you think you have cancer? We are strange creatures indeed. If we have health and peace and time to love, it can become a thin and hasty thing. But if we are dying, love becomes a deep, slow river of inexpressible joy, and we can scarcely endure to give it up.

Therefore brothers and sisters, “Count it all joy . . . when you meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2).

Jesus is alive! Happy resurrection morning

 

What Is Well-Placed Shame?

 

When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. (Romans 6:20–21)

When a Christian’s eyes are opened to the God-dishonoring evil of his former behavior, the Christian rightly feels ashamed. Paul says to the Roman church, “When you were slaves of sin . . . what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?”

There is a proper place for looking back and feeling the twinge of pain that we once lived in a way that was so belittling to God. To be sure, we are not to be paralyzed by dwelling on this. But a sensitive Christian heart cannot think back on the follies of youth and not feel echoes of shame, even if we have settled it all with the Lord.

Well-placed shame can be very healthy and redemptive. Paul said to the Thessalonians, “If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed” (2 Thessalonians 3:14). This means that shame is a proper and redemptive step in conversion, and even in a believer’s repentance from a season of spiritual coldness and sin. Shame is not something to be avoided at all costs. There is a place for it in God’s good dealings with his people.

We can conclude that the biblical criterion for misplaced shame and for well-placed shame is radically God-centered.

The biblical criterion for misplaced shame says, Don’t feel shame for something that honors God, no matter how weak or foolish or wrong it makes you look in the eyes of other people. Or another way to apply this God-centered criterion of misplaced shame: don’t feel shame because of a truly shameful situation unless you are in some way participating in the evil.

The biblical criterion for well-placed shame says, Do feel shame for having a hand in anything that dishonors God, no matter how strong or wise or right it makes you look in the eyes of others.

The reason we should feel shame is disapproval for behavior that dishonors God. The reason we should not feel shame is behavior that honors God, even if people try to shame you for it.

OPENING THE DOOR TO YOUR DESTINY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY APRIL 10, 2023.

SUBJECT : OPENING THE DOOR TO YOUR DESTINY!

Memory verse: "In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.” (Ephesians 1 vs 11.) 

READ: Ephesians 1 vs 17 - 19:

1:17: That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,

1:18: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

1:19: and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power. 

INTIMATION:

A person’s life is like a large house, full of stories and experiences. There are various levels and rooms reserved for certain seasons of life, each one unique in style, complex in design and purpose. Within each house are many doors that open and close throughout the course of its existence. Some are easier to open than others. Some require a little prying. Some are best left closed forever. Others, however, require a key. The door to your destiny is one that requires a key—one that can seem very difficult to find. It cannot be created instantly or reproduced in any way. It cannot be bought with money, although it does come at a price. 

Many Christ-followers wander through their houses—their lives—never able to open the door to their destiny because they simply do not know their true identity in Christ. Although people ask themselves what their purpose in this world is, they rarely live out the answer. I truly believe that in this time of history—in a season of worldly chaos and profound self-anonymity—the Lord is calling His Bride to know her true identity and to live out her purpose, effectively advancing the Kingdom of God here on earth as it is in heaven.

To know your identity in Christ requires first and foremost that you know Him personally. As cliché as it sounds, it is the truth! How can one really know himself or herself without first intimately knowing the One who created him or her? Our journey to knowing ourselves begins with knowing God’s nature and character. He is the One who carefully molds the key of identity by revealing Himself in our lives as we pursue Him. As we grow in our knowledge of Him, the following significant things begin to take place:

It causes you to know what He says about you. If you truly desire to know what the Lord says about your identity, dive into His Word! Take this for instance; He calls you His child (John 1 vs 12), He calls you His righteousness (Second Corinthians 5 vs 21), He calls you a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven (Philippians 3 vs 20), He calls you forgiven and set free (Ephesians 1 vs 7, Romans 8 vs 2), He calls you royalty and part of a chosen priesthood. (First Peter 2 vs 9). When we become alive in Christ through salvation, He infuses our spirits with the reality of His DNA and His Kingdom. This is the primary building block of our identity in Him.

Knowing Him reveals your authority in Him. Knowing the people He has divinely called us to be sets the precedent for understanding and operating in His authority. A pastor sometime said, “Unused authority creates a spirit of poverty and limitation.” What a profound statement! How grievous it must be to the Lord when His own people do not understand the authority they possess in Him, and therefore live in apathy and purposelessness! When we operate in the supernatural authority He has implanted in us, we trample on the head of the enemy (see Luke 10 vs 19) and are equipped to preach the Gospel to the nations, witnessing signs, wonders and miracles (see Mark 16 vs 15 - 18).

In my considered opinion, the most powerful aspect of our authority in Christ, however, is that we share in His rule and reign with Him (see Second Timothy 2 vs 11 - 13). This is even more empowering when we realize “as He is, so we are in this world” (First John 4 vs 17). Although we can never be God Himself, the fact that He has called us to be as He is in this world makes certain our identity in Him.

Also, knowing Him gives you eternal perspective, especially when you wholeheartedly understand the fact that you will spend eternity with Him! This simple yet deep revelation allows you to live every aspect of your life with an eternal mindset, giving way to your purpose. 

In responding to the truth, be encouraged to seek Christ more! Allow Him to reveal His character and nature, and form your true identity that will lead to living out the destiny He has prepared for you. Evaluate your own life. Are there lies you have believed about yourself that contradict what the Lord has said about you? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where you have negated your self-worth. Pray for God to give you the courage to utilize the authority He has given you. Remember that faith requires action! 

Prayer: Abba Father, enlighten the eyes of my understanding; that I may know what is the hope of Your calling, what are the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in me, and be enabled to live as You destined for me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

BE CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY APRIL 09, 2023.

SUBJECT : BE CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE!

Memory verse: "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. ” (Hebrews 13 vs 5.)

READ: First Timothy 6 vs 6 vs 9:

6:6: Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

6:7: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

6:8: And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

6:9: But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.

INTIMATION:

Contentment is being satisfied or pleased with what you have. It primarily signifies to be sufficient. It’s not being obsessed with getting more material things, but rather being relaxed with what you have. The Scripture recognizes that there is great gain in being content. This signifies your trust and reliance on God which greatly helps in spiritual growth and personal fulfillment. Contentment helps us to honor God and center our desires on Him, and be content with what He is doing in our lives.

Christian should learn how to live whether we have plenty, or whether we have need. We should take a cue from the apostle Paul who said, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content; I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and suffer need." (Philippians 4 vs 11 - 12.) 

As a Christian, are you able to be content (get along happily) in any circumstances you face? Like the apostle Paul, we should see life from God’s point of view, relying on God’s promises to provide all our needs. We should focus on what we are supposed to do, not what we feel we should have. Christians should have their priorities straight, and be grateful for everything God had given us, detaching ourselves from the nonessentials so that we could concentrate on the eternal. 

How can we learn to be content with what we have? It’s by striving to live with less rather than desiring more; giving away out of our abundance rather than accumulating more; relishing what we have rather than resenting what we are missing. We become satisfied when we realize God’s sufficiency for our needs. When we focus our lives on behaving after the directions of the word of God, we become content with life, realizing that the purpose of life is not to consume the things of this world upon our own lusts. Rather we should focus on spiritual things that will result in eternal life.

Christians who become materialistic are saying by their actions that God can’t take care of them, or at least that He won’t take care of them the way they want. Insecurity can lead to discontentment. However, God ordained that the things of this world are to sustain our brief stay here in preparation for that which is to come. The only antidote to discontentment is to trust God to meet our needs. We should see God’s love expressed in what He has provided.

King Solomon, in recognition of the need for contentment, says to God, "Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches - Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You. And say, "Who is the Lord?" Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God." (Proverbs 30 vs 8 - 9.) 

God recognizes the attributes of man; in plenty man is likely to deny Him, and in lack man will do anything to survive, including stealing which will eventually profane God's name. For instance, having too much money can be dangerous; but so can having little. Being poor can, in fact, be hazardous to spiritual as well as physical health. It is for this reason that God prefers to provide for us, but on a day-by-day basis. There is every likelihood that possessions can take away our concentration and dependence on God because we will not be in need of anything hence will remember less of God.

Prayer: Abba Father, teach me contentment in every circumstances, for I know You will. supply all your needs in a way that You know is best for me. May I never desire nor have what You cannot give me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

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.