ESCHEW SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY JULY 20, 2023.

SUBJECT : ESCHEW SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS! 

Memory verse: "Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth, a stranger, and not your own lips." (Proverbs 27 vs 2.)

READ: Luke 18 vs 10 - 14:

18:10: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax collector.

18:11: The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You, that I am not as other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.

18:12: I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

18:13: And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.’

18:14: I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

INTIMATION:

Self-righteousness is being overly confident that one acts properly (especially in comparison with others). It’s being overly virtuous. Self-righteousness is dangerous. It leads to pride, causes a person to despise others, and prevents him or her from learning anything from God. One should not glory in order to emphasize his own abilities to perform. He should glory in the basis that he or she is in the Lord and thus, it is the Lord working through him or her. When we boast in order to bring glory to Jesus, then we know that our lives are about Jesus, not ourselves. Jesus said, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing.” (John 8 vs 54.) One should live a godly life that manifests praise to God, and not give praise to himself. 

The Scripture says, “But He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he ‘whom the Lord commends.” (Second Corinthians 10 vs 17 - 18). God cannot be placed in debt to either save or glorify on the basis for human performance. Those who glorify themselves before God on the basis of their performance are establishing their own standards, and thus, they are arrogantly asking God to accept their standards as payment for their salvation. 

In comparison to the righteousness of the good God, there is no righteous person. No man can stand righteous before God on the merit of his own works of law or good deeds. Therefore, we cannot establish our own standards of performance, and then, measure ourselves righteous or good before God on the basis of our standards. One can boast only insofar as the grace of God has worked in his or her life to move him or her to respond to the will of God.

In the passage we read today, the Pharisee boasted concerning his obedience to his self-imposed religious codes and traditions. He checked off his list of righteous deeds that he did and evil deeds that he did not do. He thus trusted in himself, feeling self-confident that his performance of law should satisfy God, and thus, put God in debt to save him. The Pharisee did not go to the temple to pray to God but to announce to all within earshot how good he was. 

The tax collector went recognizing his sin and begging for mercy. I guessed he stood far from the Pharisee because he was judged unrighteous by the Pharisee. However, he stood close to God because he approached God on the basis of his spiritual inadequacies. Because he recognized his spiritual poverty, he trusted in God’s grace for his salvation. He was justified by his faith in God’s grace, not by his perfect law-keeping or performance of good deeds. Those who have self-righteously exalted themselves will be brought down. 

Self-righteous people pride themselves in their self-acclaimed quality of being right or just. Pride is inordinate self-esteem or conceit. It’s the inner voice that whispers, “My way is best.” Whenever you find yourself looking down on other people, you are being pulled by pride. Pride indicates that a person is self-centered, and thus he will fall over himself as he deals with people. Only when you eliminate pride can God help you become all He meant you to be. God cuts off the pride from His grace. Pride cripples us in our quest for a proper relationship with God. Only God must be exalted is the first step toward developing that relationship with Him. 

The Scripture says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5 vs 3.) Happy are those who are not proud, conceited or arrogant, especially concerning their spiritual relationship with God. One must empty himself of self-reliance and learn to humble himself before God. Those with such an attitude of mind will submit to the kingdom reign of God, therefore, theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The tax collector’s prayer should be our prayer because we all need God’s mercy every day. Don’t let pride in your achievements cut you off from God. 

Prayer: Abba Father, take away any spirit of pride and self-righteousness in me. Everyday of my life I will humble myself before You as a sinner that needs your mercy. Let Your humble spirit dwell in me richly, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Grace for Every Need

 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant. (Psalm 86:16)

Future grace is the constant plea of the praying psalmists. They pray for it again and again to meet every need. They give us a beautiful model of daily dependence on future grace for every exigency.

They cry out for grace when they need help: “Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!” (Psalm 30:10). 

When they are weak: “Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant” (Psalm 86:16). 

When they need healing: “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord” (Psalm 6:2). 

When they are afflicted by enemies: “Be gracious to me, O Lord! See my affliction from those who hate me” (Psalm 9:13). 

When they are lonely: “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted” (Psalm 25:16). 

When they are grieving: “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief” (Psalm 31:9). 

When they have sinned: “O Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you!” (Psalm 41:4). 

When they long for God’s name to be exalted among the nations: “God be gracious to us and bless us . . . that your way may be known on earth” (Psalm 67:1–2). 

Unmistakably, prayer is the great link of faith between the soul of the saint and the promise of future grace. If ministry was meant by God to be sustained by prayer, then ministry was meant to be sustained by faith in future grace.

His Timing Is Perfect

 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may find grace for a well-timed help. (Hebrews 4:16, my literal translation)

I know this precious verse is usually translated, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” But that is a paraphrase — a true one — to show that God shows up just when we need him. But the literal focus is on how timely the help is.

All ministry is in the future — a moment away, or a month away, or a year, or a decade. We have ample time to fret about our inadequacy. When this happens, we must turn to prayer. 

Prayer is the form of faith that connects us today with the grace that will make us adequate for tomorrow’s ministry. Timing really matters.

What if grace comes too early or comes too late? The traditional translation of Hebrews 4:16 does not make clear a very precious promise in this regard. We need a more literal rendering to see it. The promise is not merely that we find grace “to help in time of need,” but that the grace is well-timed by God.

The point is that prayer is the way to find future grace for a well-timed help. This grace of God always arrives from the “throne of grace” on time. The phrase “throne of grace” means that future grace comes from the King of the universe who sets the times by his own authority (Acts 1:7). 

His timing is perfect, but it is rarely ours: “For a thousand years in [his] sight are but as yesterday when it is past” (Psalm 90:4). At the global level, he sets the times for nations to rise and fall (Acts 17:26). And at the personal level, “My times are in [his] hand” (Psalm 31:15). 

When we wonder about the timing of future grace, we must think on the “throne of grace.” Nothing can hinder God’s plan to send grace when it will be best for us. Future grace is always well-timed.

THE IDEAL CHRISTIAN CONDUCT!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY JULY 19, 2023.

SUBJECT: THE IDEAL CHRISTIAN CONDUCT!

Memory verse: "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you," (Matthew 5 vs 44.)

READ: Romans 12 vs 9 - 21:

12:9: Let Love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

12:10: Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

12:11: not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

12:12: rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

12:13: distributing to the needs of the saints, giving to hospitality.

12:14: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

12:15: Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

12:16: Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

12:17: Repay no evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

12:18: If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

12:19: Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath: for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

12:20: Therefore if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

12:21: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

INTIMATION:

The ideal Christian conduct is the one that reflects Christ’s traits; being Christlike in behavior. The character that the Scriptures enumerate identifies those who are of the spirit of the Father, and thus, sons of the Father. For instance, God’s love is impartial. He loved us when we were His enemies. There is no reward in a love that acts out of selfish motives; to do something for others for the purpose of receiving something in return. God calls us to real and genuine love that goes far beyond being hypocritical and polite. Genuine love requires concentration and effort. It means helping others become better people. It demands our time, money, and personal involvement. 

If we love someone the way Christ loves us, we will be willing to forgive. If we have experienced God’s grace, we will want to pass it on to others. By giving an enemy a drink, we’re not excusing his misdeeds. We’re recognizing him, forgiving him, and loving him in spite of his sins—just as Christ did for us. A true heart is not one of malice or hate. Hearts of malice and hate identify those individuals who are of the world.

Forgiveness may break a cycle of retaliation and lead to mutual reconciliation. It may make the enemy feel ashamed and change his or her ways. By contrast, repaying evil for evil hurts you just as much as it hurts your enemy. Even if your enemy never repents, forgiving him or her will free you from a heavy load of bitterness. Forgiveness involves both attitudes and actions. If you find it difficult to feel forgiving toward someone who has hurt you, try responding with kind actions. 

In the passage we read today, the apostle Paul enumerates the ideal Christian conduct. You are to love your neighbor genuinely from your heart, don’t fake it. Be steadfast in doing good, and eschewing evil, and hold tightly to it. Never get weary in serving God, and serving others, keep yourself fueled and aflame, ready to serve, and be cheerfully expectant. Never quit in hard times, praying all the harder, helping the needy Christians, and given to hospitality. We must never consider others as being beneath us. We need to live in harmony with others and not be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. 

You should bless your enemies, and there should be no curse under your breath. Laugh and rejoice with those who are rejoicing, and share tears with them when they are down. Get along with everyone, both big and small, don’t be snobbish, rather make friends with nobodies, and don’t be the great somebody. Never hit back at anybody, or insist on getting even, that’s not for you to do. Instead, discover beauty in everyone, and if you have got it in you, get along with everybody.

Christians should not have enemies, but should any exists, love such from the center of who you are. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God created self. This is what God does. He gives His best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless of the good and the bad, the nice and the nasty. As Christians, we honor people because they have been created in God’s image, because they are our brothers and sisters in Christ, and because they have a unique contribution to make to Christ’s church. 

As you bless others with your service, you will be blessed. When you give generously for God's work or help the needy, those who received your gifts will be helped by those gifts, they will praise God, and also pray for you. You are blessed by your giving when you give as a response to Christ, not for anything you can get out of it. How you give reflects your devotion to Christ.

While you are shaped to serve God and to serve others, it is noteworthy that you can't please everybody by meeting the needs of everyone. Even Jesus, during His earth walk, did not meet the needs of everyone. Knowing your gifts and talents, you have to know the best application of your service, and know whom you can best help. You need to ask, "Who do I have the gift and talent to help?" And don’t delay nor hesitate to render your service.

Prayer: Abba Father, You loved and chose me even when I was neck-deep in sin and in enmity with You. I am mindful of the privilege of Your calling, and sonship. Endue me with the excellent spirit of sonship; to be Christlike in behavior, to serve You, serve others, and bearing abiding fruit, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

God’s Grace in Spiritual Gifts

 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. (1 Peter 4:10)

When we use our spiritual gifts, we are stewarding grace — not yesterday’s grace, but today’s, arriving in every moment of need. And this future grace is “varied grace.” It comes in many colors and shapes and sizes. This is one of the reasons spiritual gifts in the body are so diverse. The prism of God’s gifts in your life will refract shades of divine glory that would never come through my prism. 

There are as many future graces as there are needs in the body of Christ — and more. The purpose of spiritual gifts is to receive and dispense the future grace of God to those needs. 

But someone may ask, “Why do you take Peter to refer to future grace? Doesn’t a steward manage a household store that is already on hand?” 

The main reason I take Peter to refer to future grace is because the next verse illustrates how this works, and the reference there is to ongoing supplies of future grace. He says, “Whoever serves, [let him serve] by the strength that God supplies — in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:11). The word is “supplies,” not “supplied.” As you serve, serve in the power of the ongoing supply of God’s grace to do what you need to do.

When you fulfill your spiritual gift to serve someone tomorrow, you will be serving “by the strength that God supplies” — and the supply will be tomorrow, not today. “As your days, so shall your strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:25).

God goes on, day-by-day, moment-by-moment, supplying the “strength” in which we minister. He does this because the ongoing, inexhaustible supplier of power gets the glory. “Whoever serves, [let him serve] by the strength that God supplies — in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”

GOD'S POWER IN OUR WEAKNESSES!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY JULY 18, 2023. 

SUBJECT: GOD'S POWER IN OUR WEAKNESSES!

Memory verse: "But He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (Second Corinthians 12 vs 9.)

READ: Romans 7 vs 15 - 25:

7:15: For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.

7:16: If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good.

7:17: But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

7:18: For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

7:19: For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.

7:20: Now if I do what I not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

7:21: I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.

7:22: For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man:

7:23: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

7:24: O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

7:25: I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

INTIMATION:

Our limitations or weaknesses are perfect tools in God’s hands, and He uses them for great works and achievements if we allow Him to work through our weaknesses. We need to be courageous enough to admit our weaknesses to attract God’s help. Don't pretend to have it all together, and be honest about yourself. Instead of trying to protect yourself, or living in self-deceit of denial or making excuses, take the time to identify your personal weaknesses, and own them up. You can make a list of them as a reminder.

One of the intriguing confessions recorded in the Scripture is the apostle Paul's inability to deal with his sinful desires as enumerated in the passage we read today. God demonstrates His power in our weaknesses just as He did in apostle Paul's, and this is an encouragement to us. Normally, we recognize our weaknesses, and will not congratulate ourselves and rest at that. We will want to be freed from our weaknesses, not be content with them! Therefore, in our weaknesses or limitations, we will turn to God to seek pathways for effectiveness, rather than relying on our own energy, effort, or talent. Our weaknesses not only helps us develop Christian character; it also deepens our worship, because in admitting our weakness, we affirm God's strength.

All God's giants were weak people: Moses' weakness was his temper. It caused him to murder an Egyptian, strike the rock he was supposed to speak to, and break the tablets of the Ten Commandments. Yet God transformed Moses into "the humblest man on earth (Numbers 12 vs 3). Gideon's weakness was low self-esteem and deep insecurities, but God transformed him into a "mighty man of valor (Judges 6 vs 12). Abraham's weakness was fear. Not once, but twice, he claimed his wife was his sister to protect himself. But God transformed him into "the father of those who have faith (Romans 4 vs 11). 

Impulsive, weak-willed Peter became "a rock" (Matthew 16 vs 18). The adulterer David became "a man after God's own heart" (Acts 13 vs 22). And John, one of the arrogant "Sons of Thunder," became the "Apostle of Love." This list could go on and on. Consequently, God specializes in turning weaknesses into strengths. He wants to take your greatest weakness and transform it to a major strength. God wants to use your weaknesses, not just your strengths. Your life becomes a testimonial when people see God using you in spite of your weaknesses, and they are encouraged, and they will then think that God can use them too. Our strengths create competition, but our weaknesses create community.

The fact that God's power is displayed in weak people should give us courage. When Satan points out your weaknesses, agree with him and fill your heart with praise for Jesus, who "understands every weakness of ours," and for the Holy Spirit, who "helps our weaknesses."  (Romans 8 vs 26.) As a believer, God will not leave you to your own resources to cope with problems. Even when you don't know the right words to pray, the Holy Spirit prays with and for you, and God answers. When we are weak, allowing God to fill us with His power, then His power makes us stronger than we could ever be on our own. God wants us to depend on Him in the face of life's challenges and obstacles. Only His power will make us effective for Him and will help us do work that has lasting value.

Prayer: Abba Father, Your loving kindness is inexplicable, and undeniable. In our unfaithfulness, You have always remained faithful. Even when we were neck-deep in sin, You showered Your love on us exceedingly. You have always demonstrated Your strength in our weaknesses. My Loving Father, make Your strength perfect in my weaknesses, and strengthen in my inner man to serve You diligently, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

The Power to Profess Christ

 With great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. (Acts 4:33)

If our ministry is to witness to Christ tomorrow in some unsympathetic situation, the key will not be our brilliance; the key will be abundant future grace. 

Of all people, the apostles seemed to need least help to give a compelling witness to the risen Christ. They had been with him for three years. They had seen him die. They had seen him alive after the crucifixion. In their witnessing arsenal they had “many proofs” (Acts 1:3). You might think that, of all people, their ministry of witnessing, in those early days, would sustain itself on the strength of the past glories that were still so fresh. 

But that is not what the book of Acts tells us. The power to witness with faithfulness and effectiveness did not come mainly from memories of grace; it came from the new arrivals of “great grace.” “Great grace was upon them all.” That’s the way it was for the apostles, and that’s the way it will be for us in our ministry of witnessing. 

Whatever added signs and wonders God may show to amplify our witness to Christ, they will come the same way they came for Stephen. “And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8). Grace was arriving from God for all that Stephen needed — eventually all that he would need to die.

There is an extraordinary future grace and power that we may bank on in the crisis of special ministry need. It is a fresh act of power by which God “bore witness to the word of his grace” (Acts 14:3; see also Hebrews 2:4). The ever-arriving grace of power bears witness to the ever-given grace of truth.