Help My Unbelief

 

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. (Romans 12:3)

In the context of this verse, Paul is concerned that people were thinking of themselves “more highly than [they] ought to think.” His final remedy for this pride is to say that not only are spiritual gifts a work of God’s free grace in our lives, but so also is the very faith with which we use those gifts. “. . . each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”

This means that every possible ground of boasting is taken away from us. How can we boast if even the qualification for receiving gifts is also a gift?

This truth has a profound impact on how we pray. Jesus gives us the example in Luke 22:31–32. Before Peter denies him three times Jesus says to him, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Jesus prays for Peter’s faith to be sustained even through the sin of denial, because he knows that God is the one who gives faith. So we should pray the way Jesus did — for ourselves and for others that God would sustain our faith.

Thus, the man with the epileptic son cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). This is a good prayer. It acknowledges that without God we cannot believe as we ought to believe.

Let us pray daily, “O Lord, thank you for my faith. Sustain it. Strengthen it. Deepen it. Don’t let it fail. Make it the power of my life, so that in everything I do, you get the glory as the great Giver. Amen.”

FORGIVENESS BEGETS FORGIVENESS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY JUNE 12, 2023.

SUBJECT : FORGIVENESS  BEGETS FORGIVENESS!

Memory verse: "Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, If anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." (Colossians 3 vs 13.)

READ: Matthew 6 vs 12; 14 - 15; Mark 11 vs 25 - 26:

Matthew 6:12: And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.

6:14: For If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

6:15: But If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Mark 11:25: And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

11:26: But If you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.

INTIMATION:

Forgiveness is to pardon; to acquit of sin. Forgiveness is an expression of love. When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, one of the things He told them to say was, "And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive every one that has sinned against us." That is to say, ‘Lord forgive us, just the way we forgive others. Don't forgive us when we don't forgive others.’

When we don’t forgive others, we are denying our common ground as sinners in need of God’s forgiveness. It’s easy to ask God for forgiveness but difficult to grant it to others. Whenever we ask God to forgive us our sin, we should first ask ourselves, “Have I forgiven the people who have wronged me?”

If we document other people's sins against us, then the Lord will document ours also, if we desire their hurt, He will desire our hurt also. So, when you don't forgive those who have offended you, your sins also remain unforgiven. Until your sins are forgiven, you don't have any fellowship or prayer access to God. 

The key to forgiving others is remembering how much God has forgiven you. Realizing God’s infinite love and forgiveness should help you love and forgive others. Is it difficult for you to forgive someone who has wronged you a little when God had forgiven you so much? Forgive those who have wronged you, and let God worry about the wrongs you have suffered. 

Many have been crying in all manner of prayers, fasting and vigils, yet God hasn't heard them because they are holding back the sins of others in their hearts. You probably may have told your offender, "I have forgiven you, it is all over." But it is not over yet in your heart. And because the Bible says in Psalm 66 vs 18, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me," your prayers go unheard. 

You may pray as long as you like, remain on your knees all the days of your life and fast as many days as possible, if you have imprisoned somebody in your heart through unforgiveness, you will never have a breakthrough, because the Scriptures cannot be broken. Love is your vital link to God, and the foundation stones of the altar of your heart relationship with God. There is a future in forgiveness. Let love flow from your heart to everyone and you will see God step into the affairs of your life.

It is spiritual foolishness to live with unforgiveness; the cost is too high. It is one of the traps of the devil to make you lose favor with God. Jesus told a parable in Matthew 18 vs 23 - 35, likening the kingdom of heaven to forgiveness;  A king had a servant who owed him and was unable to pay. The king wanted to sell him and members of his household to recover his money. But when the servant begged the king, he was moved  with compassion, and he forgave him the debt.

But that same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him, and seized him by the throat, insisted he must pay him. His fellow servant begged him, but he refused and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. His master got the wind of what he did and was very angry. And since he was not able to be compassionate to his fellow servant who owed him, his master delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

When God forgives you your sins but later sees the way you are tormenting somebody who has offended you, He will bring your records out again and deal with you. Forgiveness brings you into eternal friendship with Jesus and gives you access to heaven's hotline. Until you free that man or woman, God will not hear your cry of affliction. That man might have really cheated you, and that woman insulted you terribly, but let him go! Let her go! Until the love foundation is in place, effectual prayer is impossible.

Watch any person who walks in hatred, malice and unforgiveness, the person's life keeps drying up. And because the person has no access to God's favor, he or she is a cheap prey to the devil. Your expression of love for your fellow human is the authentic proof of your salvation. 

Examine yourself, to see if there is anywhere your altar has been broken down by i forgiveness, and plead for the mercy of God for restoration. Rededicate your life to God and be determined never to be found doing what displeases Him. That long-awaited answer to your prayers will be delivered to you now, in Jesus' name!

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of forgiveness, and love for one another, that I may be able to have eternal fellowship with You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

CHRIST’S NEW COMMANDMENT OF LOVE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY JUNE 11, 2023.

SUBJECT : CHRIST’S NEW COMMANDMENT OF LOVE!

Memory verse: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another." (John 13 vs 34.)

READ: Romans 13 vs 8 - 10:

13:8: Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

13:9: For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as Yourself.”

13:10: Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

INTIMATION:

The new commandment is the law of love for one another. It was given by our great King Jesus Christ, who said, “Love one another as I loved you” (John 15 vs 12). To love others was not a new commandment (see Leviticus 19 vs 18), it was originally summarized in the Old Testament, and was the basis for all the laws of how people should relate with one another. But to love others as Christ loved us was new and revolutionary. 

Now we are to love others based on Jesus' sacrificial love for us; He loved us and gave His life so that we can live. Jesus is a living example of God's love—Who gave His only Son as a propitiation for us. His unique and unequalled love for us caused Him to give His life for us, hence He said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15 vid 13).

Jesus summarized the law as Love for God and neighbor (Matthew 22 vs 37 - 40). The new law holds us accountable to God and devoted to others. In the the passage we read today, the apostle Paul said that love demonstrated toward a neighbor would fully satisfy the law. Therefore, when we fail to love we are actually breaking God’s law. A heart of love, both towards God and your fellow human, is a fundamental requirement in our relationship and fellowship with God.

We must treat all people as we would want to be treated. This is a debt that all believers in Christ owe. Why? Because we are permanently in debt to Christ for the lavish love He has poured out on us. The only way we can even begin to repay this debt is by fulfilling our obligation to love others in turn. Because Christ’s love will always be infinitely greater than ours, we will always have the obligation to love our neighbors. 

The love for your neighbor is limitless and has no boundaries. It doesn’t ignore anybody, because ignoring anybody, whether rich or poor, is tantamount to withholding our love. But we must not favor the rich for what they can do for us, while ignoring the poor who can offer us seemingly nothing or so little in return.

The Scripture recognizes love for one another as a demonstration of love for God; "If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar, for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" (First John 4 vs 20.) Therefore, love your neighbor you are seeing before you can claim your love for God you do not see.

Christians must obey the law of love, which supersedes both religious and civil laws. It’s quite easy for us to excuse our indifference to others merely because we have no legal obligation to help them, and even, in some circumstances, justly harming them if our actions are technically legal! For instance, if our actions are legal and beneficial to us, we may not care how it affect others. But Jesus does not leave loopholes in the law of love. Whenever love demands it, we are to go beyond human legal requirements and imitate the God of love. 

When we believers lose the motivation of love, we become critical of others. We stop looking for good in them and see only their faults. Soon we lose our unity. Have you talked behind someone’s back? Have you focused on others’ shortcomings instead of their strengths? Remind yourself of Jesus’ command to love others as you love yourself. (Matthew 22 vs 39). When you begin to feel critical of someone, make a list of that person’s positive qualities. When problems need to be addressed, confront in love rather than gossip.

It’s noteworthy that we need self-love that can influence our love for others. But even if you have low self-esteem, you probably don’t willingly let yourself go hungry. You take care of your body and may even exercise. You clothe yourself reasonably well. You make sure there is a roof over your head. You try not to let yourself be cheated or injured. This is the kind of love we need to have for our neighbors. 

Now, do we see that others are fed, clothed, and housed as well as they can be? Are we concerned about issues of social justice? Loving others as ourselves means actively working to see that their needs are met. Interestingly, people who focus on others rather than on themselves rarely suffer from low self-esteem.

Examine your attitude and actions toward others. Do you build people up or tear them down? When you really criticize someone, remember God’s law of love and say something good instead. Saying something beneficial to others will cure you of finding fault and increase your ability to obey God’s law of love.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of love for You and my neighbor that I may love others as Christ loves me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Faith for the Future

 

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. (2 Corinthians 1:20)

If “all the promises of God find their Yes in [Jesus],” then to trust him now in the present is to believe that his promises will come true.

Those are not two separate faiths — trusting him, and believing in his promises. Trusting Jesus — believing in Jesus for salvation — means believing that he keeps his word. Being satisfied in the crucified and risen Jesus includes the belief that at every future moment, to all eternity, nothing will separate us from his love, or keep him from working all things together for our good. And that “good” is ultimately seeing and savoring the beauty and worth of God in Christ as our supreme Treasure.

The confidence that this all-satisfying good will be there for us forever is based on all the glorious grace of the past, especially the grace that God did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all (Romans 8:32).

We need to taste now the spiritual beauty of God in all his past achievements — especially the death and resurrection of Christ for our sins — and in all his promises. Rooted in this past grace, our confidence and trust lay hold on all that God himself will be for us in the next moment, and in the next month, and in the endless ages of eternity.

It is he and he alone who will satisfy the soul in the future. And we must be sure of this future, if we are to live the radical Christian lives that Christ calls us to live here and now.

If our present enjoyment of Christ now — our present faith — does not have in it the Yes to all God’s promises, it will not embrace the power for radical service in the strength that God (in every future moment) will supply (1 Peter 4:11).

My prayer is that reflecting like this on the nature of faith in future grace will help us avoid superficial, oversimplified statements about believing the promises of God. It is a deep and wonderful thing.

When Reason Serves Rebellion

 

The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!” (Proverbs 22:13)

This is not what I expected the proverb to say. I would have expected it to say, “The coward says, ‘There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!’” But it says, “sluggard,” not “coward.” So, the controlling emotion here is laziness, not fear.

But what does laziness have to do with the danger of a lion in the street? We don’t usually say, “This man is too lazy to go do his work because there is a lion outside.”

The point is that the sluggard creates imaginary circumstances to justify not doing his work, and thus shifts the focus from the vice of his laziness to the danger of lions. No one will approve his staying in the house all day just because he is lazy. But they might excuse him if there is a lion in the street.

One profound biblical insight we need to learn from this is that our heart exploits our mind to justify what we want. That is, our deepest desires precede the rational functioning of our minds and incline the mind to perceive and think in a way that will make the desires look right, even if they’re wrong.

This is what the sluggard is doing. He deeply desires to stay at home and not work. There is no good reason to stay at home. So, what does he do? Does he overcome his bad desire — his laziness? No, he uses his mind to create unreal circumstances to justify his desire.

Jesus said, “The light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil” (John 3:19). We love the darkness so that we can keep on doing what we want without exposure. In this condition, the mind becomes a factory of darkness — a fountain of half-truths, equivocations, sophistries, evasions, and lies — anything to protect the evil desires of the heart from exposure and destruction.

Consider and be wise.

FEAR NOT!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY JUNE 10, 2023.

SUBJECT : FEAR NOT!

Memory verse: "Say to those who are fearful-heart, “Be strong, do not fear!, Behold your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you." (Isaiah 35 vs 4.)

READ: Psalm 27 vs 1; Isaiah 41 bs 10; Second Timothy 1 vs 7; Hebrews 13 vs 6:

Psalms 27:1: (A Psalm of David.)The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Isaiah 41:10: Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Second Timothy 1:7: For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Hebrews 13:6: So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

INTIMATION: 

Fear is a dark shadow that envelops us and ultimately imprisons us within ourselves. Everyone has been a prisoner of fear at one time or another—fear of rejection, misunderstanding, uncertainty, sickness, or even death. But we can conquer fear by trusting in the Lord, who brings salvation. If we want to dispel the darkness of fear, let us remember with the psalm writer that “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalms 27  vs 1 (A Psalm of David.)

Throughout the Bible we find this phrase “Do not fear!” God wasn’t trying to scare the people. He was showing His mighty power so the people would know He was the true God and would, therefore, obey Him. If they would do this, He would make His power available to them. God wants us to follow Him out of love rather than fear. To overcome fear, we must think more about His love. First John 4 vs 18 says, “Perfect love casts out fear.”

Fear can immobilize us. The size of a job, it’s risk, or the pressure of the situation can cause us to freeze and do nothing. One remedy for fear is found here: ‘Don’t focus on the fear; instead, focus on God who controls all circumstances.’ Getting started is often the most difficult and frightening part of a job.

When you fear what lies ahead, remember that God will stay with you through difficult times and that He has promised you great blessings. When new situations or surroundings frighten you, recognize that experiencing fear is normal. To be paralyzed by fear, however, is an indication that you question God’s ability to care of you. 

The Lord says, in Isaiah 43 vs 2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; nor shall the flame kindle upon you.” Going through rivers of difficulty will either cause you to drawn or force you to grow stronger. If you go in your own strength though, you are more likely to drawn. If you invite the Lord to go with you, He will protect you.

In any struggle, fear can keep us from taking a stand for God and from participating in God’s victories. Face your fear head-on. If you are grounded in God, victory will come when you hold that ground. Every believer is the Master’s child. What a privilege! Because we are God’s children, we share in great treasures as co-heirs. God has already given us His best gifts: His Son, His Holy Spirit, forgiveness, and eternal life; and He encourages us to ask Him for whatever we need.

When we allow fear to rule us, we make fear more powerful than God. Remember God is greater than all your fears. Recognizing why you are afraid is the first step in committing your fear to God. When we follow God regardless of the difficulties, we demonstrate courageous, and overcoming faith. 

Have you ever been surrounded by the “enemy” or faced overwhelming odds? God is never intimidated by the size of the enemy or the complexity of a problem. With Him, there are always enough resources to resist the pressures and win the battle. Know it that the size and nature of your problem would not restrict God’s ability to help you. 

Jesus said in Matthew 10 vs 29 - 32: “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Jesus said that God is aware of everything that happens even to sparrows, and you are far more valuable to Him than they are. You are so valuable that God sent His only Son to die for you (John 3 vs 16). 

Because God places such value on you, you need never fear personal threats or difficult trials. These can’t shake God’s love or dislodge His Spirit from within you. This doesn’t mean, however, that God will take away all your troubles. The real test of value is how well something holds up under the wear, tear, and stress of everyday life. Those who stand up for Christ in spite of their troubles truly have lasting value and will receive great rewards. 

Do you ever think that because you aren’t good enough for God, He will not save you? Do you ever feel as if salvation is for everyone else but you? If God gave His Son for you, He isn’t going to hold back the gift of salvation. If Christ gave His life for you, He isn’t going to turn around and condemn you. He will not withhold anything you need to live for Him.

Prayer: Abba Father, in You I live, and move, and have my being. If You be for me, no one can be against me. You are my helper, I will not be afraid, under the canopy of Your mighty wings You have hidden me, and is standing me on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. Therefore, I will fear no evil for You are my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. I commit my whole being to Your care, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

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!