DO NOT CLING TO THIS WORLD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY AUGUST 07, 2023..

SUBJECT : DO NOT CLING TO THIS WORLD!

Memory verse: "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Mark 8 vs 36.)

READ: First John 2 vs 15 - 17:

2:15: Do not love the world, or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

2:16: For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

2:17: And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

INTIMATION:

Do not cling to this world that is passing away, rather evaluate your lifestyle from an eternal perspective, and you will find your values and decisions changing. Those who would cling or pattern their lives after this world, therefore, have forgotten that they have attached themselves to something that will not exist forever. If they do not cling to Jesus or have not patterned their thinking after that which is eternal, they will not be prepared to exist in eternity. 

It’s for this reason that the worldly minded people will not inherit eternal life. If one’s focus is on the things of this world, then he cannot give himself to God in a way that God demands of His children. In order words, one cannot trust in his self-sufficiency with the things of the world, and at the same time totally trust in God.

If one owned all that is of this world, such would not profit him toward the salvation of his soul. If we truly comprehend the value of our eternal salvation, we would not trade anything of this world for it. If we understand the glory that will be revealed to us, we would understand the foolishness of clinging to this world in a manner that would divert us from Jesus. 

The value of one’s soul is beyond comparison with anything of this world, even with the world as a whole. If one loves the world, the love of the Father is not in his heart. Those who love activities and possessions of this world do not love the Father, for they are obsessed with the things of this world. Those who have been consumed with the things of the world have taken their minds off that which is to come. And that which is to come is the destruction of all that for which one has worked in this world (Second Peter 3 vs 10).

Many people spend all their energy seeking pleasure. Jesus said, however, that worldliness, which is centered on possessions, position, or power, is ultimately worthless. Whatever you have on earth is only temporary; it cannot be exchanged for your soul. If you work hard at getting what you want, you might eventually have a “pleasurable” life, but in the end you will find it hollow and empty. One cannot take his possessions with him into the dwelling of the new heavens and earth, but he can take the results of his eternal investments such as his giving. 

Don’t count on wealth and physical comforts to keep you happy because you will never have enough to keep you from dying. At the moment of death we will be naked and empty-handed before God. The only riches we have at that time are those we have already invested in our eternal heritage. At the time of death, each of us would wish we had invested less on earth, where we must leave such investments, and more in heaven, we must place our faith in God, pledge ourselves to obey Him, and utilize our resources for the good of His kingdom.

Some people think that worldliness is limited to external behavior—the people we associate with, the places we go, the activities we enjoy etc. Worldliness is also internal because it begins in the heart and is characterized by three attitudes: (1) lust of the flesh—preoccupation with gratifying physical desires; (2) lust of the eyes—coveting and accumulating things, bowing to the god of materialism; and (3) pride of life—obsession with one’s status or importance. When the serpent tempted Eve, he tempted her in these three areas. Also, when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, these were his three areas of attack.

It is possible to give the impression of avoiding worldly pleasures while still harboring worldly attitudes in one’s heart. It is also possible, like Jesus, to love sinners and spend time with them while maintaining commitment to the values of God’s kingdom. What values are most important to you? Do your actions reflect the world’s values or God’s values?

When the desire for possessions and sinful pleasures feels so intense, we probably doubt that these objects of desire will one day pass away. It may be even more difficult to believe that the person who does the will of God will live forever. But our conviction should be based on the facts of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and promises. Knowing that this evil world will end can give you the courage to deny yourself temporary pleasures in this world in order to enjoy what God has promised for eternity. 

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of eternal consciousness, that my thoughts and behavior will be heavenly bound, and I will not be obsessed with the cares of this world, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

PROPER CONDUCTS IN PRAYER!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY AUGUST 06, 2023

SUBJECT : PROPER CONDUCTS IN PRAYER!

Memory verse: "Therefore I say to you whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11 vs 24.)

READ: First Samuel 1 vs 10 - 13:

1:10: And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD, and wept in anguish.

1:11: Then she made a vow, and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but wilt give to Your maidservant a mail child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.

1:12: And it happened, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth.

1:13: Now Hannah she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.

INTIMATION:

The proper conducts in prayer include the following:

1. We must be candid in our prayers.

God is “All-knowing,” therefore, we should go to Him in prayers with total sincerity of heart, and frankness in all intents and purposes. Don't keep anything back. In the passage we read today, Hannah had no child for her husband who really loved her. She was greatly discouraged and bitter because the husband's other wife had children and ridiculed her. Her loving husband could not solve her problem. She then turned in prayer to the Provider of solutions to all problems. The antidote to discouragement is telling God honestly of your problem, how you feel, and then leave your problems with Him.

It is difficult to pray in faith when we feel so ineffective, but Hannah did. We should always be careful what we promise in prayer because God may take you up on it. Hannah so desperately wanted a child that she was willing to strike a bargain with God. God took her up on her promise, and to her credit, she did her part, even though it was painful. Hannah made a vow in return for having a mail child, to dedicate him to God for a lifetime service. God gave her a son named Samuel. She lived up to her promise, and God even blessed her with five more children excluding Samuel. 

2. Pray simply and directly. 

God is pleased with our sincerity, and uprightness. We can never pray vainly if our prayers are honest and sincere. Christ condemns vain repetitions in prayer (Matthew 6 vs 7). Repeating the same words over and over is no way to ensure that God will hear your prayer. Remember, God knows your needs even before you ask for them (Matthew 6 vs 8). However, you can come severally with the same request to God. In Matthew 26 vs 39 - 44, Jesus persistently prayed to the Father three times saying the same thing, even when He knew the Will of the Father. If you will say the same prayer Jesus said now, it will take you less than twenty seconds, because it is simple, sincere, and direct. 

3. Pray audibly and in alignment with His Word—His Will.

Align your prayer with God’s Word. Put Him in remembrance of His Word (Isaiah 43 vs 26), He is always ready to perform His Word (Jeremiah 1 vs 12). The Word of God is our blueprint for life, the architectural plan for our divine destiny. The utterance of God's Word helps to activate our faith. If you can hear yourself when you pray, you are loud enough. You really don't need to shout. God expects you to speak to Him, not shout. In Isaiah 65 vs 24 God says, "It shall come pass that before you call, I will answer; and while you still speaking, I will hear." Not while you are shouting.

4. Pray passionately.

Your prayer, and supplication should be passionate. It is the "effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man that avails much" (James 5 vs 16). The Christian's most powerful resource is communing with God through prayer. The results are often greater than we thought were possible.

5. Don't mock God.

Do not ask God to do for you what He has already mandated you to do for yourself. Continuing to pray about what God has already told you to do is rebellion against the known Will of God. For instance, in Psalm 50 vs 15, God says, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." If you are then in any trouble, the proper prayer is, "God I am in the day of trouble, I believe you will deliver me as I call upon You," not "O God I am in trouble, will You deliver Me? I am Your child...." 

6. Pray believing.

God is never far from the person who seeks Him, and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. The Bible in Hebrews 11 vs 6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Have faith in God (Mark 11 vs 22). Have faith that His promises are true and that they apply to you.

7. Pray without ceasing.

The door to God in prayer is always open; you should take full advantage of walking through that sacred door often. In First Thessalonians 5 vs 17, the Bible says, "Pray without ceasing." We cannot spend all our times on our knees praying, but it is possible to have a prayerful attitude at all times. This attitude is built upon acknowledging our dependence on God, realizing His presence within us, and determining to obey Him fully. Then we will find it natural to pray frequent, spontaneous, short prayers. A prayerful attitude is not a substitute for regular times of prayer but should be an outgrowth of those times.

8. Pray with thanksgiving.

It is the spirit of thanksgiving that makes your prayer supernatural. The apostle Paul, in Philippians 4 vs 6 says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Naturally, the best way to ask for more is to always be thankful. When you thank Him for what He has done, He will do more.

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace for proper conduct in prayer, that my prayer will come to You as a sweet smelling savor, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Jesus Bought Your Endurance

 “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (Luke 22:20)

What that means is that the new covenant, promised most explicitly in Jeremiah 31 and 32, was secured and sealed by the blood of Jesus. The new covenant comes true for God’s people who trust the Messiah, Jesus, because Jesus died to establish it.

And what does the new covenant secure for all who belong to Christ? Perseverance in faith to the end. 

Listen to Jeremiah 32:40, 

“I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.” 

The everlasting covenant — the new covenant — includes the unbreakable promise, “I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.” They may not. They will not. Christ sealed this covenant with his blood. He purchased your perseverance if you are in Jesus Christ through faith.

If you are persevering in faith today, you owe it to the blood of Jesus. The Holy Spirit, who is working in you to preserve your faith, is honoring the purchase of Jesus. God the Spirit works in us what God the Son obtained for us. The Father planned it. Jesus bought it. The Spirit applies it — all of them infallibly. 

God is totally committed to the perseverance and eternal security of his blood-bought children.

HUMILITY IS THE BELIEVER’S GREATEST ASSET!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY AUGUST 05, 2023.

SUBJECT : HUMILITY IS THE BELIEVER’S GREATEST ASSET!

Memory verse: "By humility and the fear of The Lord are riches, and honor, and life" (Proverbs 22 vs 4).

READ: Matthew 18 vs 4 & Luke 14 vs 7 - 11:

Matthew 18: 4: Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 14:7: So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them; 

14:8: When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him;

14:9: And he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place for this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place.

14:10: But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.

14:11: For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

INTIMATION:

Humility signifies lowliness of mind. It is always used in good sense in the Scripture to denote low-lying; not to think too highly of oneself; to bring low in meekness or gentleness. It is being modest, unpretentious, and having a low opinion of oneself or one's claims. Humility is a character trait dominant in all real servants of the LORD. Though gentleness , or humility, is a very elusive character trait, yet the Bible regards it as a highly important quality. God Himself is humble, and leaves on the midst of a meek and humble people (Zephaniah 3 vs 12). 

Abraham was humble and believed God, and ensured he would not offend God in any way. Any instructions given to him by God was strictly obeyed by him because of his believe in Him, and this was counted to him for righteousness. Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth (Numbers 12 vs 3). However, that was before the coming of Christ. Jesus was an epitome of humility. He was humble so much so that He was willing to give up His rights in order to obey God and serve people. His obedience in humility was to death, even a shameful death on the cross. 

Jesus Christ describes Himself as "gentle and low in heart" (Matthew 11 vs 29). If we say we follow Christ, we must also say we want to live as He lived. We should develop His attitude of humility as we serve, even when we are not likely to get recognition for our efforts. Like Christ, we should have a servant's attitude, serving out of love for God and for others, not out of guilt or fear. Everyone has the right of choice. You can choose your attitude. You can approach life expecting to be served, or you can look for opportunities to serve others. 

The apostle Paul gave the clearest definition of humility in Romans 12 vs 3, "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." Every believer should not think of himself or herself more highly than he or she ought to think, but to think soberly. 

The cure of evil desires is humility. In Proverbs 16 vs 18, the Scriptures says, "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall." Pride usually makes us self-centered and leads us to wrongly conclude that we deserve all we can see, touch, or imagine. This wrong feeling creates greedy appetites for far more than we need. Only in being humble before God that we can be released from our self-centered desires, realizing that all we really need is God's approval. When the Holy Spirit fills us, we see that this world's seductive attractions are only cheap substitutes for what God has to offer.

God hears the humble, and does not forget his cry (Psalm 9 vs 12). He dwells in the high and holy place with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, and revives the spirit of the humble (Isaiah 57 vs 15). He gives grace to the humble (James 4 vs 6; First Peter 5 vs 5), and grace (free and unmerited favour of God to sinful humanity) is all we need, and is God's greatest gift. When you humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, He will exalt you in due time (First Peter 5 vs 6) and His timing is the best since the end is known to Him from the beginning, and wants the very best for you.

Be clothed with humility (First Peter 5 vs 5) both old and young. Pride often keeps older people from trying to understand young people and keeps young people from listening to those who are older. Both young and old should be humble and serve each other, old people leading the young ones, and the young ones respecting the old. Be humble enough to admit you can learn from each other.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of humility and obedience, as exemplified in Christ Jesus our Messiah, that I may serve You and others acceptably and obtain Your grace in riches, honor, and life, in Jesus Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

 

10 Things “Yahweh” Means

 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.” (Exodus 3:15)

God’s name is almost always translated LORD (all caps) in the English Bible. But the Hebrew would be pronounced something like “Yahweh,” and is built on the word for “I am.”

So every time we hear the word Yahweh, or every time you see LORD in the English Bible, you should think: this is a proper name (like Peter or John) built out of the word for “I am” and reminding us each time that God absolutely is.

There are at least 10 things the name Yahweh, “I AM,” says about God:

1. He never had a beginning. Every child asks, “Who made God?” And every wise parent says, “Nobody made God. God simply is. And always was. No beginning.”

2. God will never end. If he did not come into being he cannot go out of being, because he is being.

3. God is absolute reality. There is no reality before him. There is no reality outside of him unless he wills it and makes it. He is all that was eternally. No space, no universe, no emptiness. Only God.

4. God is utterly independent. He depends on nothing to bring him into being or support him or counsel him or make him what he is.

5. Everything that is not God depends totally on God. The entire universe is utterly secondary. It came into being by God and stays in being moment by moment on God’s decision to keep it in being.

6. All the universe is by comparison to God as nothing. Contingent, dependent reality is to absolute, independent reality as a shadow to substance. As an echo to a thunderclap. All that we are amazed by in the world and in the galaxies is, compared to God, as nothing.

7. God is constant. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He cannot be improved. He is not becoming anything. He is who he is.

8. God is the absolute standard of truth and goodness and beauty. There is no law-book to which he looks to know what is right. No almanac to establish facts. No guild to determine what is excellent or beautiful. He himself is the standard of what is right, what is true, what is beautiful.

9. God does whatever he pleases and it is always right and always beautiful and always in accord with truth. All reality that is outside of him he created and designed and governs as the absolute reality. So he is utterly free from any constraints that don’t originate from the counsel of his own will.

10. God is the most important and most valuable reality and person in the universe. He is more worthy of interest and attention and admiration and enjoyment than all other realities, including the entire universe.

WHEN GOD SAYS "NO" TO YOUR PRAYER!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY AUGUST 04, 2023.

SUBJECT : WHEN GOD SAYS "NO" TO YOUR PRAYER!

Memory verse: "He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26 vs 39.)

READ: First Chronicles 22 vs 7 - 10:

22:7: And David said to Solomon; "My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build a house to the name of the LORD my God;

22:8: But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 'You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight.

22:9: Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.

22:10: He shall build a house for My name, and he shall be My son, and I will be his Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.'

INTIMATION:

God's answer to your prayer can be "No." And when God says "No" to your prayer, what would be your reaction? Some people will agonize, murmur, or even question God; "God why did You say no, when You had said, 'Ask, and I shall receive?'" Remember, God is a God of purpose. He created all things for His preplanned purposes. All He does is according to His purposes, including an answer to your prayer. He will not grant any request contrary to His preplanned purposes already noted in His Book for you (Psalm 139 vs 16). That which is recorded in His Book is His "Will." Therefore, when you ask anything in prayer, outside His Will, you receive a 'no' answer to such prayers.

God knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46 vs 10). He knows when our desires are not in consonance with His purposes. Therefore, when our request in prayers is outside His will, our requests are not granted. Your reaction to a 'no' answer from God should be an accepting, and humble heart before the LORD; praising, and thanking Him for the answer. In our memory verse, Jesus asked for something outside the Will of the Father, and was quick to also, humbly acknowledge that 'not as I will, but as You will.' In Jesus' sorrowful heart, He humbled Himself, even to the point of death on the cross. 

King David was a man described by God Himself as "a man after My own heart" (Acts 13 vs 22). He was worried that while he was dwelling in a beautiful palace of cedar, the Ark of the covenant of the Lord, which is a symbol of the presence of God, sat under tent curtains. David expressed his displeasure to Nathan the prophet. The prophet urged him to do all that is in his heart. Though David’s gesture was good and admirable, but God refused that David should build the temple, and gave His reason for His refusal (First Chronicles 22 vs 8). God told David that his son Solomon will undertake the task of building a house for Him instead. 

David responded to God's refusal with deep humility, not resentment. David went and sat before the Lord and humbled himself in prayer, praising God, recognizing God's blessings and accepting God's decision, promises, and commands. He recognized that God is the true king. David graciously accepted the"no" from God. He was not jealous of the fact that his son would have the honor of building God's temple, but instead made preparations for Solomon to carry out his task.

David’s humble response, and acceptance of God’s ‘Will’ should be our attitude to ‘no’ answer to our prayers by God. We should know that our prayers to Him are our ideas and desires which may not be in accordance with His Will for us. Therefore, when our requests are not granted, we should gladly accept God’s ‘no’ answer with thanksgiving that we are not outside is Will. Sometimes we are quick to make requests to God and to tell Him of our troubles, but, like David, we need to emphasize these other dimensions of prayer, which helps us deepen our spiritual life; we should take time to praise God, to count His blessings, and to affirm our commitment to do what He has already said to do.

Similarly, as David did, we should take steps now to prepare the way for our children to find and fulfill God's purpose. When they are grown to start making their own decisions, you would have helped them with the proper tools, showing them how to pray and study God's Word, the difference between right and wrong, and the importance of kingdom involvements, and reverencing God.

Prayer: Abba Father, There is none like You. Let Your Will rule every area of my life in all circumstances. My absolute trust is in You. What You have not willed for me, may it never cross my mind to request, what You cannot do for me, may it remain undone, and what You cannot give me, may I never have it, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

As Secure as God Is Faithful

 Those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:30)

Between eternity past in God’s predestination, and eternity future in God’s glorification, none is lost.

No one who is predestined for sonship fails to be called. And no one who is called fails to be justified. And no one who is justified fails to be glorified. This is an unbreakable steel chain of divine covenant faithfulness.

And so Paul says, 

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)

[He] will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:8–9)

These are the promises of our God who cannot lie. Those who are born again are as secure as God is faithful.

Today is my birthday and 20 years in serving God. It's Lord doings and is marvelous in our sight. Please I need your prayer.