A PURE HEART GUARANTEES ACCESS TO GOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY JUNE 09, 2023.

SUBJECT : A PURE HEART GUARANTEES ACCESS TO GOD!

Memory verse: "Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God." (Matthew 5 vs 8.)

READ: Psalm 24 vs 3 - 4:

24:3: Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? 

24:4: He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.

INTIMATION:

A pure heart is the foundation for prayers that command answers from heaven. Preparing your heart in purity is the first step to establishing a viable communication link with God, because prayer can only flow when sin is absent. It takes a pure heart and pure hands to approach the presence of God. 

Whatever pollutes or corrupts your heart blocks your access to heaven's hotline. The psalmist says in Psalm 66 vs 18, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear." Since the purity of your heart is the determining factor in receiving answers to prayers, your heart must be adequately prepared to ensure that your exercise in prayers does not end in futility. 

Our communication with God has its root in the heart. This is because the heart is the abode of the spirits—the spirit of man (the inward man), and the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit). The communion of the spirits is in the heart; the Holy Spirit communes with our inward man, and through this communion the heart intent, the real you is revealed to God. 

The heart is the altar upon which the sacrifices of praise and the incense of prayers are offered. The Bible says in First Samuel 16 vs 7, "....For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks on the the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Therefore, your heart must be adequately prepared, and consecrated to God for Him to hear you. 

It is not what you do or say outwardly that guarantees a release from heaven, but what goes on in your heart. In fact, what becomes of you ultimately in the kingdom is a function of what goes on in your heart. When your heart is upright, the words that your lips utter are pure knowledge (Job 33 vs 3), and acceptable to God.

God rates you by what He sees in your heart. That means, there is no outstanding answer to prayers without first an outstanding preparation in the heart. God does not reckon with the outward appearance, neither is He moved by physical efforts; what moves Him is your heart. Therefore, your heart must be set for an encounter with Him when you pray. 

In First Samuel 1 vs 13, the Bible says, "Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken." She spoke in her heart, but God heard her. Her real self was known to God who saw her pure heart and sincere supplication, and He granted her petition.

Each time the children of Israel sought an encounter with God, they always made a sin offering (Leviticus 9 vs 3 - 4). The sin offering covers their sin and purifies their hearts. For instance, before Elijah's mount Carmel victory, the first thing he did was to repair the broken down altar, which in the New Testament order represents the heart (First Kings 18 vs 30). If anything has tampered with God's altar in your life, then get set to repair it; because until that is done, communication in prayer with Him cannot be established.

In the New Testament order, the sin offering represents the renewing of your covenant position through consecration of your heart to God. With this in place you can't miss Him. Every blessing in Scriptures is reserved for the righteous and that includes the blessing of answered prayers.

Sin is a barrier to prayers. It offends our Holy God and separates us from Him. Because God is holy, He cannot ignore, excuse, or tolerate sin as though it didn't matter. You can't embrace sin and expect God to embrace you. Therefore, only the pure in heart should expect to see God in their affairs. If God must hear you, you must first hear Him.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are Holy, and Your eyes do not behold iniquity. Only those with a pure can approach You. O Lord, create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me, that I may be worthy of receiving from You that which You reserves for the righteous, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE NEED OF THANKSGIVING IN OUR PRAYERS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY JUNE 08, 2023.

SUBJECT : THE NEED OF THANKSGIVING IN OUR PRAYERS!

Memory verse: "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (First Thessalonians 5 vs 18.)

READ: Psalm 103 vs 1 - 5:

103:1: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name!

103:2: Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:  

103:3: Who forgives our iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 

103:4: Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 

105:2: Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

INTIMATION: 

Thanksgiving is the expression of joy Godward, and an integral part of our relationship with, and praise to God. It is the fruit of the Spirit, and believers are encouraged to abound in it. The Bible, in Revelation 7 vs 11 - 12 says, "All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: "Amen! blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen."

In everything we should give thanks because it is the Will of God. We know that God is the performer of every good thing we have seen in our lives, and others. He is the doer of all the invisible happenings in our lives in accordance with His goodness and mercy. God is responsible for all the benefits especially intangible benefits, accruing to us in life, and giving Him thanks always help us avoid taking God's provisions for granted. 

All we have are gifts from God; life, faith, salvation, possessions etc (John 3 vs 27; Ephesians 2 vs 8 - 9; James 1 vs 17). When someone gives you a gift, the appropriate response is 'thank you.' Thanksgiving therefore, is also a proper response to God at all times, and in everything. The psalmist says, “It is good to gives thanks to the Lord, and sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night. (Psalm 92 vs 1 - 2.)

The basis of praise, and thanksgiving is declaring God's character and attributes. When we recognize and affirm His goodness we are holding up His perfect moral nature for all to see. With genuine praise, and thanksgiving, we ascribe to God all the glory due to Him. We cannot thank Him enough for His great and wondrous acts in our lives. 

In the passage we read today, David tried listing some of the benefits accruing to us daily from God; plenty for which to give Him thanks and praise. He forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems us from destruction, crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies, satisfies our desires, and gives righteousness and justice. We receive all of these without deserving any of them. No matter how difficult your life’s journey, you can always count your blessings. And praise and thanksgiving benefit us because it takes our minds off our problems and needs, and focuses on God's power, mercy, majesty, and love. 

God has graciously adopted us as His children who are born of His Will, therefore, we should rest assured of His presence in our lives at all times. Consequently, in everything that happens to us, we should be thankful for God's presence, and for the good that He will accomplish through the happening, knowing that, "All things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8 vs 28). 

It’s noteworthy that God works in 'all things,’ not just in isolated incidents, and for our good. This does not mean that all that happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen world, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good. 

The psalmist in Psalm 95 vs 2 says, "Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving…" Therefore, we should always acknowledge God's goodness, and His presence with thanksgiving. God is pleased when we give Him thanks. He uses our responsiveness to teach us more about Himself, revealing Himself more to us for our benefits.  

Your offer of thanksgiving will not be in words only. Just as we naturally show appreciation for what others have done to us both in words and material offering, we should do the same to our Father in heaven. Your material offering in thanksgiving is an application to God for more. God will ever reciprocate all your offerings to Him, and in greater dimension. 

Thanksgiving should be in all areas of life, and If you are truly thankful, your life will show it. As an integral part of our praise to God, it is what we do ourselves. This is the instruction of the Lord. (See Leviticus 7 vs 28 - 30). God told the people of Israel to bring their offering personally with their own hands. They were to take time and effort to express thanks to God. It’s quite obvious that you are the only person who will express adequately your thankfulness to God and to others who have blessed, or helped you.

Prayer: Abba Father, Your praise will be in my lips always, and I will thank You, O Lord, for Your presence and the good that You will accomplish through any circumstances of life that I face. Endue me with the spirit of grace, supplication, and thanksgiving to You at all times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

YIELD YOUR HEART TO GOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY JUNE 07, 2023.

SUBJECT: YIELD YOUR HEART TO GOD!

Memory verse:  "Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer" (Psalm 19 vs 14).

READ: Psalm 37 vs 31; 40 vs 8:

37:31: The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide.

40:8: I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.

INTIMATION: 

The heart is the chief organ of physical life. It occupies the most important place in human system. By an easy transition the word came to stand for man’s entire mental and moral activity, both rational and the emotional elements. In other words the heart is used figuratively for the hidden springs of the personal life. 

The Bible describes human depravity as in the ‘heart,’ because sin is a principle which has its seat in the centre of man’s inward life, and then ‘defiles’ the whole circuit of his action (Matthew 15 vs 19 - 20). On the other hand, Scripture regards the heart as the sphere of Divine influence (Romans 2 vs 15). The heart, as lying deep within, contains ‘the hidden man,’ (First Peter 3 vs 4) the real man. It represents the true character but conceals it.

The very first place in your life is your heart (your mind). It is very important to yield to God that very first place in your life! When you do this, you will be yielding your mind and spirit as channels through which God can think His thoughts. When His thoughts are expressed through you and in you, your words become His will. Your prayer, your thought process, your words are according to His will, and you will a commander of this world because you get whatever you say. 

By your words, you establish in your life the exact place that God will hold. God recognizes you by your words. Your prayer and meditation should be from your heart that you may obey Him from your heart. Obeying God from your heart means to give yourself fully to Him; to love Him with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind (Matthew 22 vs 37). This is God’s greatest commandment, and He wants to give you the power to obey Him with all your heart. 

As you meditate, see that your meditations are governed by the word of God. Your conduct is largely made of past thinking. Jesus said, “...Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12 vs 34). You cannot think or meditate long and deeply without your thought materializing into action and words. And what you say and do reveal what is in your heart. Therefore, occupying your heart with God and His Word ensures that you will always walk in accordance with His Will. Consequently, you will receive all your petitions to Him because you will always pray according to His Will flooding your heart.

Jesus says in Revelation 3 vs 20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and He with Me.” Jesus knocks at the door of our hearts because he wants to save us and have fellowship with us.

God is willing to live in the hearts of His people—He takes residence in the heart of those who love Him. Therefore, yield your heart completely to Him, put Him first in everything in all areas of your life, and you will be a true follower of Him. A lifetime of doing good is not enough if we make the crucial mistake of not following God with all our hearts. 

Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to Him and make Our home with him” (John 14 vs 23). Do you realize what it means to have God the Father and the Son make Their home with you? It is awesome! Nothing can be impossible with you! You will have the world in your pocket!

When you discover God, your understanding of what place God holds in your life begins to come alive. The discovery starts with reading and hearing the Word, to know Him—the only One who has the answer for all your life concerns. As you study, you will realize the greatness of God's words, and also realize your own limitations. In His Word is the answer to any dilemma in which you might ever find yourself. If you do realize these truths and affirm them, God will open doors to you that you formerly thought were impossible to open. 

Give your heart completely to God. Let your words express the truth about what God means to you, about your union and partnership with Him. Affirm that He is the One who backs you up and furnishes you with the strength to accomplish all you do. 

Give Him credit for His ability and wisdom. Dare to confess aloud to let the world hear that your confidence for success lies in His grace as He has shown to you. God will always honor such commitment. Only with Him do all things become possible, and "without Him you can do nothing" (John 15 vs 5).

Prayer: Abba Father, in You I live, and move, and have my being. Flood my heart with Your thoughts for I desire an intimate relationship with You. Create in Me a clean heart, always thirsty of Your Word. My desire is that Your Word will richly dwell in me through faith, and I may be filled with the fullness of You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

REJOICE ALWAYS IN THE LORD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY JUNE 06, 2023.

SUBJECT : REJOICE ALWAYS IN THE LORD!

Memory verse: "Rejoice always.” (First Thessalonians 5 vs 16.) 

READ: Philippians 3 vs 1; 4 vs 4:

3:1: Finally, My brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice.

INTIMATION:

To rejoice is to delight, be joyful, be happy, or make happy. To rejoice in the Lord is to be joyful, happy, delighted, or gladdened in the Lord for who He is, and what He does, is doing, and can do. Rejoicing is pleasing to God hence His demand on people to be joyful. God encourages joy. God doesn’t intend for religion to be only meditation and introspection. He also wants us to celebrate. 

Serious reflection and immediate confession of sin is essential of course. But this should be balanced by celebrating who God is and what He has done, is doing, and can do for His people. Therefore, worship involves both celebration and confession. In believers’ meetings, there are times for meditations and times of celebration—rejoicing in the Lord and demonstration of His goodness. 

One of the feasts that God gave to Moses for the children of Israel is the feast of Tabernacles, also called the feast of ingathering (Leviticus 23 vs 33 - 44). It was a special celebration involving the whole family that lasts for seven whole days. The feast taught family members of all ages about God’s nature and what He had done for them, and was a time for renewed commitment to God. 

In our societies in the world today, families need rituals of celebration to renew our faith and to pass it on to our children. Among Christians are Christmas and Easter. Also, Churches and Fellowships have other special days to commemorate God’s goodness and nature. 

But the apostle Paul tells that rejoicing in the Lord should be a constant practice for us. It was so important to him that he emphasized the word ‘rejoice’ twice in a verse of just nine words (Philippians 4 vs 4.) In his letter, from the prison in Rome to the church in Philippi, he emphasized the need of rejoicing in the Lord always. 

Although, it seems strange that a man in prison would be telling a church to rejoice. But his attitude teaches us an important lesson: As believers in Christ, and trusting in God, our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outward circumstances. Paul was full of joy because he knew that no matter what happened to him, Jesus Christ was with him.

It is in our nature to get easily discouraged about unpleasant circumstances. It’s also easy for us to take unimportant events too seriously. There are times when the last thing we want to do is rejoice. Our mood is down, our situation is out of hand, and our sorrow or guilt is overwhelming. Yes, but this is as a result of your not looking at life from the right perspective: Your focus is on the circumstance you face, instead of on Him who controls all circumstances. 

We can relate to the writers of the psalms in the Bible who often felt the way stated above. But no matter how low the writers felt, they were always be honest with God. And as they talked to God, their prayers ended in praise. When you don’t feel like rejoicing, tell God how you truly feel, be attentive, and you will find out that God will give you a reason to rejoice; Even at that same time, God has given you that day, that hour to live and to serve Him, be glad!!

You may not have been joyful because you have a wrong perspective of life. For instance, in the event of someone abusing you, calling you names indicative of the person’s regard of you as useless. Such circumstance is mostly unpleasant and discouraging. But such should not be taken serious, and not worry you, knowing that the ultimate assessment that matters is God’s assessment, not fellow human’s assessment. “Let God be true and every man a liar” (Romans 3 vs 4.)

Several occasions necessitate our rejoicing in the Lord always. They include: (1) His Incarnation—the union of God and man in the person of Jesus Christ, (2) God’s power available to us, (3) His presence with the Father interceding for us, (4) His presence with us, (5) His ultimate triumph, (6) Hearing the gospel, (7) Our salvation, (8) Receiving the Lord, (9) Our enrollment in heaven, (10) Our liberty in Christ, (11) Our hope in Christ, (12) Our prospect of reward, and (13) The obedience and godly conduct of fellow believers. 

The apostle Paul, gives us three very important commands—be joyful, never stop praying, and be thankful (First Thessalonians 5 vs 16 - 18). Our joy, prayers, and thankfulness should be continuous, and not fluctuating with our circumstances or feelings. However, obeying these commands often go against our natural inclinations. But when we make a conscious decision to do what God says, we will begin to see life in the right perspective as God sees it. And when we do God’s Will, we will find it easier to be joyful and thankful.

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace to rejoice in You always; having the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that I may be called a tree of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that You may be glorified, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

NEGATIVE EMOTIONS DENY US ANSWER TO OUR PRAYERS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY JUNE 05, 2023.

SUBJECT: NEGATIVE EMOTIONS DENY US ANSWER TO OUR PRAYERS!

Memory verse: "Then they will cry to the LORD, but He will not hear them; He will even hide His face from them at that time, because they have been evil in their deeds"(Micah 3 vs 4.)

READ: Isaiah 59 verses 1 - 2:

59:1: Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 

59:2: but your iniquities have separated you from your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.

INTIMATION:

As believers, we have heard that our confession is our possession—what we say is what we get. But there are times we can't get what we say. These are times when we bear loads of grudges, resentment, envy, hatred, anger, unforgiveness, and like emotions. The loads of such negative emotions are very heavy and costly to our relationship with God, because they are regarded as sin.

The dictionary definition of sin is "a moral offense or shortcoming, especially from the point of view of religion." It is the a rebellion against God's laws, a perversion of heart.  "Sin is a reproach to any people" (Proverbs 14 vs 34), as well as to God. 

Though we may have been dragged into such emotions by wrongdoing to us by another, but these emotions hurt us more than they hurt the one who has wronged us. This is because, if our faith is strong and our prayer is persistent, there is only one thing that can stand in the way of answered prayer—getting what you say, and it is un-repented sin. 

In the passage we read today, the prophet Isaiah says that the Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save, neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear when we call upon Him, but our iniquities have separated us from our God, and consequently, He hides His face from us, and refuses to listen to us nor hear our prayers. What a terrible condition for a Christian; being unable to talk to God! 

When we understand what our resentment does to us, we see how much better it is for us to allow our enemies to get away with their cruelty, even murder, and forgive them, rather than hold a grudge and cut ourselves off from God. God knows the heart of our enemy, and repays accordingly without needing any helps from us. The Bible tells us that vengeance is God's business, not ours. We should have regard for good things in the sight of all men:

"Repay no evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath: for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay,' says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry feel him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12 vs 17 - 21.)

God takes vengeance on our enemies because He is just, and perfect in all His ways. Ours is to do good at all times. The writer of Hebrews concord with the apostle Paul when he says; “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord, looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled” (Hebrews12 vs 14 - 15). 

However, an unforgiving spirit is so destructive that we are warned that when God does take vengeance on our enemies, we are not even to be happy that He did so: "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him" (Proverbs 24 vs 17 - 18). 

Once you understand the destructiveness of "getting even," you will be able to ask God to keep you from resentment in all its forms. In Matthew 5 vs 39 Jesus commanded us thus; "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also." Jesus is suggesting that our response to injustice should not be demanding our right, but to give it up freely! According to Him it is more important to give justice and mercy than to receive it.

Jesus said in Mark 11 vs 25; "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." Only in so doing that you receive what you ask in prayers.

Study Acts 13 vs 42 - 51, on the account of two God's steadfast servants, both spirit-filled men, Paul and Barnabas in Antioch where they preached and taught. The Gentiles heard and were glad and glorified God, and all those who believed received the Spirit and were ordained to eternal life. The Jews, however, incited the devout men and women against Paul and Barnabas and drove them from the city. They left, and they were filled with joy in the Holy Spirit, and never had any desire for retaliation. The Spirit-filled life doesn't seek revenge but joyously reflects the presence of God within.

Prayer: Abba Father, uproot any root of resentment, unforgiveness, and other negative emotions that separate me from You, that I may be found a worthy son, living at peace with all people and have regard for good things in the sight of all, in Jesus’ Name I prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Dependable in the Mundane

 

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

One of the most powerful testimonies to the all-sufficiency of God’s future grace is the “faith principle” that has governed the lives of so many missionaries, notably those of Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF).

Without condemning those who follow a different pattern, it has been the practice of those who follow in the steps of Hudson Taylor and George Mueller to move the hearts of supporters to give by directing their requests to God and not to people.

James H. Taylor, the great-grandson of the founder of OMF, explains how this faith in future grace, rooted in demonstrations of bygone grace, honors God.

We . . . begin from a position of faith. We believe God does exist. We have become convinced of this in a variety of ways, but all of us have experienced the grace of God in bringing us to know Himself through Jesus Christ and through rebirth by His Spirit. We believe we have good grounds for believing in Him through the historical fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead: we believe that someone who said He would die and rise again, and did it, is credible in every other way. Therefore we are prepared to trust Him, not only for the eternal salvation of our souls, but also for the practical provision of our daily bread and financial support.

OMF publishes testimonies of God’s amazing faithfulness to demonstrate the glory of his all-supplying future grace. “We want to demonstrate that God can be trusted to do all that He says He will do, by sharing how He has provided for such mundane needs as plane tickets, meals, medical expenses, and the regular support of a whole group of Christian people for well over a hundred years.”

What OMF is devoted to is glorifying the dependability of God — in their message and in their method. Hudson Taylor put it this way: “There is a living God. He has spoken in the Bible. He means what He says and will do all that He has promised.”

Lives of faith are the great mirror of the dependability of God.

What Makes God Proud

 

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:16)

I want very much for God to say to me what he said about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: “I am not ashamed to be called your God.”

As risky as it sounds, does this not really mean that God might actually be “proud” to be called my God? Fortunately this wonderful possibility is surrounded (in Hebrews 11:16) by reasons: one before and one after.

Take the one after, first: “God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.”

The first reason he gives why he is not ashamed to be called their God is that he has done something for them. He made them a city — the heavenly city “whose designer and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10). So, the first reason he is not ashamed to be called their God is that he has worked for them. Not the other way around.

Now, consider the reason he gives in the front. It goes like this: “They desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God.”

“Therefore” signals that a reason has just been given for why God is not ashamed to be called our God. The reason is their desire. They desire a better country — that is, a better country than the earthly one they live in; namely, a heavenly one where God is.

When we desire this heavenly city — this dwelling place of God — more than we desire all that this world can give, God is not ashamed to be called our God. When we make much of all that he promises to be for us, he is proud to be our God. This is good news.

So, open your eyes to the better country, the city of God that he has prepared for us, and let yourself desire it with all your heart. God will not be ashamed to be called your God.