HOW TO WALK IN THE WILL OF GOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY MARCH 13, 2024.

SUBJECT: HOW TO WALK IN THE WILL OF GOD!

Memory verse: "Not with eyeservice as men pleasers, but as bondservant of Christ, doing the will of God.” (Ephesians 6 vs 6.)

READ: Ephesians 5 vs 15 - 18:

5:15: See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,

5:16: redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

5:17: Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

5:18: And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.

INTIMATION:

God’s Will is expressed in His Word (His laws, and His ways). Walking in the will of God is being obedient to His Word, and strictly doing them. God has a specific plans for our individual lives, predetermined before the foundation of the earth, and His greatest desire is that we operate in them daily. 

How do we walk in the will of God? The foremost thing to do is to ensure that your will agrees with God's. How? By spending time in His presence and by reading and meditating on His Word. The Scripture says, “Can two work together, unless they are agreed?”(Amos 3 vs 3.) Agreement with God is in obeying His Word, and when you are in agreement with God, He can also reveal things to you through His Spirit indwelling you. Though It is important to listen to what God’s Word says, but it’s much more important to obey it and do them. 

Your obedience to Him is a demonstration of your willingness to fulfill His plan for your life. He promises that if you will hear Him and obey His commandments, His blessings will overtake you (Deuteronomy 28 vs 2). It’s for this reason that the apostle Paul tells us to walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, and understand what is the will of the Lord.

We are to walk circumspectly;  cautiously, carefully, and prudently. In other words, we should be cautious of the things we do and the choices we make, and ensure we comprehend the will of God for us. And the only way to do that is by developing a relationship with God—working together with Him. The cautious and careful followership with the Lord guarantees our enjoying the blessings of God and avoid the pitfalls that come from disobedience. 

Jesus is interested in people who wants a personal relationship with Him. On the day of judgement only our relationship with Christ—our acceptance of Him as Savior and our obedience to Him—will matter. Many people think that if they are “good” people and say religious things, they will be rewarded with eternal life. In reality, faith in Christ is what will count at the day of judgement.

Ask yourself this question: "Am I in God's will right now?" Judge yourself: Are you following the leading of your self-will, or God's will? God has good plans for you and I, however, if we begin to make excuses and fail to do our part, we will miss out on the blessings He longs to give . However, we cannot do this without the help of our Helper—the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and knows the things of God. He helps us work in consonance with the things that God has willed for us..

Now, don't think that life will become a bed of roses once you begin walking in God's will. There will be a few thorns here and there. You may think, "Will this really work?" or "Things were easier before."  That may be true. But the benefits of being in His perfect will far outweigh any rewards you've ever received by doing things your way or any other way than His. No matter what happens, don't give in. Just stay focused.

To walk in the Will of God, it's also Important to renew your mind. The best way to do this is by spending time in God's Word. The Scripture in Romans 12 vs 2 says, "And do not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." The more time you spend in His presence, the more He will reveal Himself to you, through the Holy Spirit, and the better you will recognize His voice. 

As you spend time in the Word, also be in constant communication with God in prayer (Prayer is having a conversation with God). In your communication, take God’s Word back to Him—use God's Word in your prayers (First John 5 vs 14 - 15), and expect Him to respond. 

Prayer is a two way communication, therefore, It’s very important to listen and hear from God; You talk and He talks. So often, God is ready to reveal answers to us right away. But as soon as we're finished talking, we whisk off to carry out our plans. Then we wonder, "Is He really listening?" The better question is, "I my really listening?" He may not speak to you audibly; He can speak to you in your inner man, or through His Word.

When God reveals His plan to you (and He will) write it down. Writing the vision down assures you that there is a plan for your life (Habakkuk 2 vs 2). Keeping it before your eyes serves as a constant reminder that you should be doing something daily toward accomplishing the task. God will never leave you alone if you are walking in His will. God will send laborers to help you accomplish the goal, and they must have a clear understanding of how they may assist you in getting the job done.

If you already know God's will for your life and is walking in it, praise God! If you know His will and is not actively working toward fulfilling your calling, I encourage you to begin. And finally, if you don't know God's will for your life, ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full (John 16 vs 24).

Prayer: Abba Father, my utmost heart desire is to do Your Will at all times. Endue me with the spirit of complete obedience to You, that I may walk in Your will all the days of my life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE SPIRIT-LED LIFE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY MARCH 12, 2024.

SUBJECT:  THE SPIRIT-LED LIFE!

Memory verse:  "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Romans 8 vs 6.) 

READ:  Romans 8 verse 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:

We observe from our memory verse that we relate with two minds in us. These are the mind of the flesh, and the mind of the spirit. That does not mean you and I have two brains, it simply means that we receive information from our natural mind (which operates without the Holy Spirit), and we get information from our spirit (through which the Holy Spirit communicates directly to us).

According to the Scriptures, to be a child of God, we are not to be led by our carnal mind, but by the Holy Spirit: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8 vs 14). The evidence of our sonship is being led by the Spirit of God. The Spirit-led life is a life of victory, and conquest of the devil, because it manifests the fruit of the Spirit that has no law against it, therefore, the accuser of brethren has nothing to accuse you of: “For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5 vs 22 - 23.)

The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Holy Spirit is the only One who knows the mind of God, and is the revealer of the truth. (John 16 vs 13). Therefore, the Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. They are the by-products of Christ control—we cannot obtain by trying to get them without His help. 

This Scripture tells us that “we have the mind of Christ.” This is because the Spirit of Christ—Holy Spirit—lives in us. The problem is that although we have the mind of Christ and know the Word of God, we don't listen to our spirit which is being enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Instead, we listen to our natural mind, which relies strictly on sense and reason without the Holy Spirit. And this mind “is in enmity against God, hence cannot please Him.”

In every situation of life, our head will be trying to give us information. It will be yelling at us so loudly, and if we don't turn our attention to our spirit we will never hear what the Lord is saying to us in that situation, nor know that which is pleasing to Him. That is why we must learn to live out of our spirit and not of our head, that is being led by the Spirit. 

Incidentally, the devil constantly bombard us with negative thoughts. If we receive them and dwell on them, they become ours because, according to the Scripture, as we think in our heart, so are we. (Proverbs 23 vs 7.) If we accept the lies of the devil as reality, then they will become reality to us because of our "faith," that is, our believe in them.

That is why in moments of worry, stress and turmoil we have to simply take the time to turn to our inner man, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, and say, "Lord, what do You have to say about this?" If we listen in faith, He will speak to us and reveal to us the truth of that situation, and what we will do to please Him. 

You and I have two huge vats of information within us. One is carnal information that comes off the top of our head. The other is spiritual information which wells up out of our heart. One is muddy. polluted water, and the other is clean drinking water. It is up to us to decide which source we are going to drink from.

Some people try to drink from both sources. That's what the Bible calls being double-minded. (James 1 vs 8.) Do you know what it means to be double-minded? It means that your mind is trying to tell you one thing, and your spirit is trying to tell you just the opposite. Instead of saying, "I'm not going to believe that of the mind because it's a lie," you get in a cross-fire, going back and forth between the two thoughts.

If you are ever going to live the happy, victorious and successful Christian life the Lord wills for us, you are going to have to decide which fountain of information you are going to drink from. You are going to have to learn to live out of your spirit and not out of your head—you must be led by the Spirit.

Prayer: Abba Father, You have adopted me as Your son, and has graciously given me Your Spirit. Give me the grace to always listen, and take counsel from Your Holy Spirit indwelling me that I may lead a victorious and conqueror’s life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

DILIGENTLY SEEK THE LORD TO RECEIVE HIS BLESSING!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY MARCH 11, 2024.

SUBJECT : DILIGENTLY SEEK THE LORD TO RECEIVE HIS BLESSING!

Memory verse: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Matthew 7 vs 7.)

READ: Psalm 34 vs 4 - 15 & 22

34:4: I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

34:5: They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.

34:6: This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of his troubles.

34:7: The angel of the LORD encamps all round those who fear Him, and delivers them.

34:8: Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

34:9: Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.

34:10: The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.

34:11: Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

34:12: Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?

34:13: Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.

34:14: Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

34:15: The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.

34:22: The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.

INTIMATION:

God promises great blessings to His people, but most of these blessings require active participation of the people in seeking Him. In the passage we read today, He promised to set us free from our fears (34:4), deliver us from trouble (34:6), guard and defend us (34:7), show us goodness (34:8), supply our needs (34:9), listen when we call to Him (34:15), and redeem us (34:22). But we must do our part: We can appropriate His blessings when we seek Him (34:4, 10), that is, cry out to Him (34:6), trust Him (34:8), fear Him (34:9), refrain from lying (34:13), turn from evil, do good, and search for peace (34:14), and serve Him (34:22).

Prayer is our lifeline to God, hence we should prayer regularly to ensure our line of seeking Him is open at all times. The apostle Paul echoed it thus, "Pray without ceasing." (First Thessalonians 5 vs 17.) Seeking God in prayers regularly, ensures God's guidance and strength that we need at all times, and to appropriate His promised blessings to ourselves. 

Regular and constant praying habit ensures a disciplined life of prayer. Though our prayers are usually interrupted by pressures of our schedules, developing a regular prayer time makes you develop 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.  

The Scripture, in Daniel chapter 6, enumerated Daniel’s prayer discipline. He  prayed three times daily. He never allowed threats or pressure of his schedules interrupt his prayer life. Daniel was a foreigner, exiled in Babylon, but never gave up his disciplined prayer life amidst all pressures of life. 

Daniel hugely partook of the attendant blessings associated with seeking God. God bestowed great wisdom on him and he enjoyed the presence and favour of God in his life. Daniel, a captive from Israel, became an adviser of kings in a foreign land. He served as an adviser to two Babylonian kings and two Medo-Persian Kings (Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius and Cyrus). 

God is waiting for us to find Him, and He rewards those who sincerely look for Him (Hebrews 11 vs 6). In our anchor Scripture, Jesus promised, “Seek, and you will find.” The Bible records the history of God’s people, and in searching its pages we will discover a loving God who is waiting for us to find Him. 

Become familiar with the way He has helped His people  in the past. When we take the first step of obedience in following God, we will discover that He is good and kind. When we begin the Christian life, our knowledge of God is partial and incomplete. As we trust Him daily, we experience how good He is.

All those who call upon God in their need will be answered, sometimes in unexpected ways. Remember God knows what we need, and our deepest needs are spiritual. Even though many Christians face unbearable poverty and hardship, they still have enough spiritual nourishment to live for God. If you have God, you have all you really need. God is enough. 

If you feel you don’t have everything you need, ask (1) Is this really a need? (2) Is this really good for me? (3) Is this the best time for me to have what I desire? Even if you answer yes to all three questions, God may allow you to go without the perceived need to help you grow more dependent on Him. He may want you to learn that you need Him more than having your immediate desires.

Prayer: Abba Father endue me with the spirit of constant prayer, supplication and raw obedience to You, realizing that by You all things consist. In so doing I may appropriate to myself Your promised blessings for those who seek You diligently, in Jesus Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

GOD’S GREAT OBJECTIVES IN REDEMPTION!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY MARCH 10, 2024.

SUBJECT: GOD’S GREAT OBJECTIVES IN REDEMPTION!

Memory verse: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His Name.” (John 1 vs 12.)

READ: John 3 vs 3 - 8:

3:3: Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 

3:4: Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

3:5: Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 

3:6: That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. 3:7: Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 

3:8: The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

INTIMATION:

Restoring relationship, and fellowship with God are two great objectives in redemption. Redemption is rescuing us in Christ from the conquest of sin which has separated us from God from the days of Adam. Restoring our relationship is the first while restoring fellowship follows thereafter. The fellowship was lost after Adam and Eve committed the felony at the Garden of Eden and were driven out. God is working to the end that the relationship and fellowship are restored and man may legally become His child, a partaker of His very nature, so that he will be a genuine heir and joint-heir with Jesus (Romans 8 vs 17).

The sin problem must be settled on legal grounds so that God will have a perfect right to impart to man His own nature, thereby making the man an absolute “New Creation.” The sin nature in man must be driven out by the nature of God coming in. Man's spirit must be in perfect harmony with the Father. Man is made up of spirit, soul and body. The part of man that had to be recreated was the spirit of man. Man must become an actual child of God, as truly as was Jesus Christ in His earthly walk. This can only come by a re-birth of the spirit of man, a real new creation of which Jesus speaks in John 3 vs 3 - 8. 

Spiritual re-birth is all God’s work through the Holy Spirit. Jesus explained that we cannot control the work of the Holy Spirit. He works in ways we cannot predict or understand. Just as we cannot predict the wind that blows where it wishes, and we hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit. As we don't control our physical birth, so we cannot control our spiritual birth. It is a gift from God through the Holy Spirit.

The second objective of redemption is to restore to man his lost fellowship. This can only come as righteousness is restored to him. Fellowship with God can never be possible if we have sin imputed to us. It was God’s design in the beginning to be in constant fellowship with us hence He visited Adam and Eve daily at the Garden of Eden. But when they sinned, they were separated from Him and lost that fellowship. 

To restore that fellowship, God sent His only begotten Son to the world to take away sin, because He is Holy, and cannot behold sin. We therefore, have to be cleansed, and made righteous to have fellowship with Him. Consequently, God gave us His own righteousness in Christ Jesus. The Scriptures in Job 33 vs 26 states that "....For He restores to man His righteousness."

The whole redemptive process has been to the end that He might have children, and that these children should live in the closest fellowship of love and freedom with Himself. Because He is a just God, sonship, then, must be on legal grounds. There must be no question as to man's legal standing in the family of God. There can be no fellowship unless man can stand in the presence of God the Father without the consciousness of guilt, of sin, or of inferiority. There can be no fellowship of the type that the Father craves unless man is utterly free from sin consciousness and free from the fear of Satan's dominion. 

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for all You wrought for us in redemption. I remain ever grateful for the awesome privilege of adopting me as Your son, heir, and joint heir with Jesus. Endue me with the spirit of complete obedience to You in all things, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!