THE FLESH AND BLOOD OF JESUS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY DECEMBER 01, 2023.

SUBJECT : THE FLESH AND BLOOD OF JESUS!

Memory verse: "He who eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, dwells in Me, and I in him.” (John 6 vs 56.) 

READ: John 6 vs 51 - 58:

6:51: I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

6:52: The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

6:53: Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

6:54: Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

6:55: For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

6:56: He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

6:57: As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

6:58: This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. 

INTIMATION: 

The Lord’s Supper (the eating and drinking of the flesh and blood of Jesus) was when Jesus celebrated with the apostles their deliverance from sin through the cross. He also wanted them and all that will believe in the new covenant to celebrate what would take place that would result in their forgiveness of sins. The blood of Jesus that cleansed us of sin, brings us into a covenant relationship with God. 

Jesus gave His incarnate body in order to be a sacrifice for the sins of those who would hear and learn from Him. As a result they would respond to the events of the good news of His death, burial and resurrection. Therefore, through the eating of the Supper (the flesh and blood of Jesus), Christians spiritually drink and eat of His blood and body because they abide in Him and He in them.

The life of the flesh is in the blood (Leviticus 17 vs 11). The two are essential elements in man’s physical being. Those who eat the flesh of Jesus, who is the Bread of Life, will never spiritually die. They will dwell in God’s presence without end. Jesus said the metaphorical statement that one must partake of Him as the Bread of Life in order to sustain his life throughout eternity. Jesus gives spiritual life that comes from His sacrificial death on the cross.

When we partake of the bread during the Lord’s Supper, we partake of the life that we have in the body of Christ. If one is not in the body, therefore, he does not have life. It is for this reason that we are baptized into the body in order to have life. As the life of the flesh is in the blood, and was forfeited by sin, life eternal can be imparted only by the expiation made in giving up of the life by the sinless Savior.

The shedding of His blood in expiratory sacrifice brings us into a covenant relationship with God to enjoy His covering. To “drink His blood” is to appropriate the saving effects of His expiatory death. "God's Covering" is an expression which describes the spiritual protection and nurture which God provides for all those who are in a covenant relationship with Him. You cannot see His covering but you can certainly experience the effect which it has. The believer is not only saved, redeemed, and justified by the blood of Christ, but the blood sets the believer free from the power of sin and makes him holy and enables him to grow in Christ likeness by the work of the Holy Spirit.

The new covenant in the blood of Jesus is the platform that allows us to enter into the presence of a perfect and holy God. It was shed on our behalf, and it grants us membership into a divine family and access to God's presence. It is the most precious treasure, and we should never lose our gratitude toward it.

Through the blood of Jesus, our sins are not just covered, but completely washed away.” “The blood of Jesus is the bridge that reconciles us to God and makes us his beloved.” “In the blood of Jesus, we find victory over death and the promise of eternal life.”

Those who are eating and drinking the “flesh and blood” of Jesus are the ones who have eternal life. Therefore, Christians are actively eating and drinking of the Lord’s Supper today that Jesus instituted. They eat and drink of the bread and fruit of the vine that represents the body (life) and blood (atoning sacrifice) of Jesus. Therefore, they are the ones who are in possession of eternal life because they have obeyed the gospel in order to come into Christ (Romans 6 vs 3 - 6). When Christians partake of the Super, they are figuratively partaking of the incarnate blood and body of Jesus that was given as an atonement offering for their sins (Romans 3 vs 25).

In His incarnate state on earth, the Son was sustained by the power of God as everything of this world is sustained. Jesus lived because of His obedience to do the Will of the Father. In like manner, those who continue to feed on Jesus will continue to be sustained by Jesus who continues throughout eternity. Therefore, the eternity of anyone depends on their feeding on the life that proceeds from Jesus. Those who do not feed on Jesus cannot expect to be sustained throughout eternity. 

Eternal existence, therefore, depends on remaining in the presence of God who is indigenously eternal. Nothing can maintain eternity apart from the presence of God. Only God is eternal, and thus, all who would desire eternal existence must seek to come into a relationship with God. 

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the Supreme Sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Messiah on the cross for our salvation, and our new covenant relationship with You resulting from the sacrifice. I will continually celebrate the event of the cross by the eating and drinking of the body and blood of Jesus, and rejoice in my continued sustenance in Your presence, Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

OBEDIENCE TO GOD BREEDS SUCCESS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2023.

SUBJECT : OBEDIENCE TO GOD BREEDS SUCCESS!

Memory verse: "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth; but you shalt meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1 vs 8.) 

READ: Psalm 1 vs 1 - 3:

1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.

1:2: But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law he meditates day and night.

1:3: He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper.

INTIMATION:

Only two paths of life lie before us—God’s way of obedience or the way of rebellion and destruction. God judges people on their faith in Him and their response to His revealed will—His Word. Those who diligently try to obey God’s will are blessed. These are the righteous: They are defined by their desire to seek the law of God. Their study of, and meditation on the word of God identify them as the people of God (Second Timothy 2 vs 15). They do not simply read, but think on the things that have read. They are those whose minds are focused on godly things. Their minds are not be so busied with the things of the world that they do not have time to think on God’s Word. 

The faith of the righteous is continually nourished by the word of God (Romans 10 vs 17). God is working for the righteous. They are like healthy, fruit-bearing trees planted along a riverbank with strong roots (Jeremiah 17 vs 7 - 8), and God promises to watch over them. God’s wisdom guides their lives. In contrast, those who don’t trust and obey God have meaningless lives that blow away like dust. Be sure to choose God’s path because the path you choose determines how you will spend eternity.

You can learn how to follow God by meditating on His Word. This means spending time reading and thinking about what you have read. It means asking yourself how you should change so you will live as God wants. Knowing and thinking about God’s Word are the first steps toward applying it to your everyday life. If you want to follow God more closely, you must know what He says. The more we know of the whole scope of God’s Word, the more resources we will have to guide us in our daily decisions. The more we delight in obeying God, the more fruitful we are. 

In the passage we read today, the writer begins the Psalm extolling the joy of obeying God and refusing to listen to those who discredit or ridicule Him. The phrase “whatever he does shall prosper” does not mean immunity from failure or difficulties. Nor does it guarantee health, wealth, and happiness. What the Bible means by prosperity is this: When we apply God’s wisdom, the fruit (results or by products) we bear will be good and will receive God’s approval. Just as a tree soaks up water and bears luscious fruit, we also are to soak up God’s Word, producing actions and attitudes that honor God. To achieve anything worthwhile, we must have God’s Word in our hearts. 

God told Joshua that to succeed he must obey the rules for living found in God’s law. Often we can’t see what the results or future benefits of following God will be. When we are not certain what to do, obedience to what God has revealed in the Scriptures is the only sure step we can take. Resolve to set aside time each day to read and think about God’s Word. Remind yourself of God’s words day and night. Act today on what you know God has said, and God will assure your success in carrying out His purposes.

God told Joshua that success and prosperity come from obeying and being controlled by Him. God said that to succeed, Joshua must (1) be strong and courageous, because the task ahead would not be easy, (2) obey God’s law, and (3) constantly read and study the Book of the Law—God’s Word. To be successful, follow God’s words to Joshua. You may not succeed by the world’s standards, but you will be a success in God’s eyes—and His opinion is most important and the final.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of obedience to, and meditation on, Your Word that I may observe to do according to all that is written in it, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

WHEN GOD’S ANSWER TO YOUR PRAYER IS “NO”!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2023.

SUBJECT : WHEN GOD’S ANSWER TO YOUR PRAYER IS “NO”!

Memory verse: "The word of the Lord came to David 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' (First Chronicles 22 vs 8).

READ: First Chronicles 22 vs 9 - 10:

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 doesn’t answer yes at all times to our requests, even when the requests are intended for good. When your request is outside His plan and purpose for your life, His answer to your request will be in the negative. You may have sometimes prayed with good intentions, only to have God say no to your request. This is God’s way of redirecting you, most times, to His greater purpose in your life. 

Accepting God’s no requires as great faith as carrying out His yes. Our humility in accepting God’s no, and allowing Him to rearrange your schedule, demonstrates your level of obedience to, and faith in Him. The plan of building the temple was David’s his idea, not God’s. However, God sanctioned this desire of David, and thus God claimed the temple after it was built. But we must not forget that the temple was never in the original plan of God for Israel.

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. Then the prophet urged him to do all that is in his heart. 

But God refused that David should build a temple for Him. God told David that his job was to unify and lead Israel and to destroy its enemies. This huge task would require David to shed a great deal of blood. God did not want His temple built by a warrior. Because David was a man of war, God didn’t allow him the privilege of fulfilling his dream of building a temple. This task was left to Solomon, a king who inherited a kingdom of peace from his father. 

God has done many things in David’s life, and He plans to do even more! This is so in the life of some of us. Like David, we should humble ourselves and give glory to God, even when He says no to our prayers. We should humbly respond, accepting His answer,  saying such things to him as, “O LORD, there is none like You, Omnipotent and Omniscient, knowing the end from the beginning. To You be all the glory and adoration.”

In response to God’s refusal of David building the temple, he 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. The righteousness of David was manifested in his response to God’s denial of His building a temple. 

He submitted in humility, knowing that the eternal plan of God must be worked out in the affairs of men. He was not presumptuous against the plan of God, and by faith he submitted to God’s will in his life, remembering that God, who made all things according His predetermined purposes, knows the end from the beginning.

Though David thought well, his request was good, but God said no. This does not mean that God rejected David. In fact, God was planning to do something even greater in David’s life than allowing him the privilege of building the temple. Sometimes God says no to our plans for His own reasons, and purposes. When He does, we should utilize other opportunities He gives us. His response is an example of those who would walk by faith, not sight. Though we do not understand all of God’s plans, we understand enough to walk by faith, trusting that He will perform His promises. 

However, God told David that his son Solomon will undertake the task of building a temple for Him instead. David graciously accepted this "no" from God. David made the plans and collected the materials so that his son Solomon could begin work on the temple as soon as he became king. He was not jealous of the fact that his son would have the honor of building God's temple, but instead made preparations for him to carry out his task. David responded to God's refusal with deep humility, not resentment. He accepted his part in God’s plan and did not try to go beyond it. 

It’s noteworthy that although God turned down David’s request, He promised to continue the dynasty of David forever. David’s earthly dynasty ended four centuries later, but Jesus Christ, a direct descendant of David, was the ultimate fulfillment of this promise (Acts 2 vs 22 - 36). Christ will reign for eternity—now in His spiritual kingdom, and in heaven, and later, on earth, in the New Jerusalem (Luke 1 vs 30 - 33; Revelation 21).

Prayer: Abba Father, You are my all in all. Whatever You cannot give me, let me never have it. Whatever You cannot do for me, let it remain undone forever. Endue me with a humble spirit; to acknowledge, obey, and trust in You at all times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE CARNALLY MINDED CANNOT PLEASE GOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2023.

SUBJECT: THE CARNALLY MINDED CANNOT PLEASE GOD!

Memory verse: "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be." (Romans 8 vs 7.)

READ: Romans 8 vs 5 - 8:

8:5: For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

8:6: For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

8:7: Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

8:8: So then those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 

INTIMATION:

Humans are divided into two categories; those who are dominated by their sinful nature; those behavioral patterns of life that are considered desires of the carnal nature of man, and those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit. All of us would be in the first category if Jesus hadn’t offered us a way out. Once we have said yes to Jesus, we will want to continue following Him, because His way brings life and peace. 

The carnally minded focuses on his own desires. He is in the flesh. In a religious context, it is the one who focuses on his own ability to perform law in order to save himself. The carnally minded person is walking in sin, though he may not recognize the fact that he is in sin. The individual who persists on remaining “in the flesh,” or is focusing on his own meritorious performance of law, is actually working against the plan of God to have all men trust in Him for direction. Such a person is focusing on himself and not on God’s grace. This is the man who seeks to walk by sight without the faith that is necessary to please God (Hebrews 11 vs 6). 

We all have evil desires, and we can’t ignore them. In order for us to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we must deal with them decisively (crucially them). These desires include obvious sins, such as sexual immorality and demonic activities. They also include less obvious sins, such as hostility, jealousy, and selfish ambition. Those who ignore such sins or refuse to deal with them reveal that they have not received the gift of the Spirit that leads to a transformed life.  

As long as one seeks to approach God on his own terms, he will not allow God to direct his life. In the world of religions there are countless religious people who are seeking to worship God on their own terms. They are walking in the flesh because they are seeking to worship God on their own terms. They are walking in the flesh because they are seeking God either by following after the security of their own traditions or the assurance of their own subjective religiosity. Such religions are “after the flesh” because they are not based on direction  from God.

In Galatians 5 vs 19 - 21, the Bible says, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, Idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the likes; of the which I tell you beforehand, just as I have also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5 vs 19 - 21.)

In the above list it was apostle Paul’s goal only to list examples of the lusts of the flesh. These are the sins of the unregenerate life, the life of living after the base nature of man. These actions, or works, are in contrast to the fruit of the Spirit, that is, the product that comes from the one who is dependent on God. The person who walks after the Spirit focuses by faith on the cross and God’s grace. He has life and peace of mind because he is trusting in the grace of God and not in his abilities in reference to law-keeping.

In Galatians 6 vs 8, the Bible says, “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” It will certainly be a surprise if you planted corn and pumpkins came up. It’s a natural law to harvest what we plant. It’s true in other areas, too. If you gossip about your friends, you will lose their friendship. Every action has results. If you plant to please your own desires, you’ll harvest a crop of sorrow and evil. If you plant to please God, you will harvest joy and everlasting life. 

You are free to choose between two masters, but you are not free to adjust the consequences of your choice. Each of the two masters pays with his own kind of currency. The currency of sin is eternal death. That is all you can expect or hope for in life without God. Christ’s currency is eternal life—new life with God that begins on earth and continues forever with God. 

Daily we must consciously choose to center our lives on God. Use the Bible to discover God’s guidelines, and then follow them. In every perplexing situation, ask yourself, What Will Jesus want me to do? When the Holy Spirit points out what is right, do it eagerly. How much influence do your desires have on your life? Your goal should be to let God’s desires be yours. Being controlled by own desires will stunt your growth.

Prayer: Abba Father, all things are Yours. And by You all things consist. My total trust and confidence is in You. Give me the grace never to shift my trust and focus from You, for any reason, in any circumstances, and by anything, and endue me with the mind of Christ, in Jesus’ Name I prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

BOLDLY DECLARE GOD’S WORD WITH FAITH!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2023.

SUBJECT : BOLDLY DECLARE GOD’S WORD WITH FAITH!

Memory verse: "And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, 'I believed and therefore I spoke,' we also believe and therefore speak." (Second Corinthians 4 vs 13.)

READ: Acts 14 vs 1 - 3:

14:1: Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.

14:2: But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.

14:3: Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

INTIMATION:

Bold declaration of the Word of God with faith is agreeing with Him, and only in so doing will God work with you. Prophet Amos asked the very important question, "Can two walk together, unless they have agreed?" (Amos 3 vs 3.) You agree with God by believing and boldly declaring in faith what He says in His Word. 

The Bible 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.” (Hebrews 11 vs 6.) Faith must act in faithful obedience to the will of God expressed in His Word. This is obediently giving oneself over to faith in the Word of God.

If one truly believes then he or she will speak forth the word of God. The faith that one must have is not worth having if one is not willing to boldly declare, and even ready die for it. When you speak lack, sickness, fear, defeat, and inability, you are disagreeing with God because He says, ‘He is your shepherd, and you shall not want’ (Psalm 23 vs 1), ‘He supplies all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4 vs 19). ‘By His stripes you are healed’ (Isaiah 53 vs 5), and ‘He sent His Word and healed you, and delivered you from your destructions’ (Psalm 107 vs 20), "’For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind’ (Second Timothy 1 vs 7). 

As 'Believers' we should boldly be speaking the words of our Father in unquestionable faith, and the power in the Word will manifest in your lips as though is the Father speaking them. It is not you or in your power, but God who hastens to perform His Word (Jeremiah 1 vs 12). As a child of God, and a believer in Christ's work of redemption for you, God, "Has given you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist" (Luke 21 vs 15). 

How do we agree with God? We agree by saying what God says while disagreeing with the wicked, lying devil. Know it that when your word is not in agreement with God's Word, you weary Him with your word. (Malachi 2 vs 17). Our relationship with the Lord should be in humility, obedience, and trust. It should not be of weariness and harshness in words. In our memory verse, the apostle Paul reveals that the release of power of God is consequent upon our bold declaration of His Word in faith. Now that you know, begin to declare boldly the Words of your Father. 

It should be in the heart of all Christians to walk closely with God. The Bible records the testimony of Enoch that he walked with God (Genesis 5 vs 24). Enoch wasn't the only person who could walk with God, you and I also can walk with Him. Hebrews 11 vs 5 says that Enoch "pleased God" by agreeing in faith with God. We can walk just as closely with God as Enoch did if we choose to agree with Him in faith.

Prayer: Abba Father, You have magnified Your Word above all Your Name. I am persuaded that forever Your Word is settled in heaven as the Scripture foretold and Your Word never comes back to You void but will achieve the purpose it was sent and prosper in it. As I boldly declare Your Word with absolute and obedient faith, confirm my bold declaration of Your Word with signs following, in Jesus' Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!