LET YOUR LIFE COMMUNICATE YOUR FAITH!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY MARCH 18, 2024.

SUBJECT: LET YOUR LIFE COMMUNICATE YOUR FAITH!

Memory verse: "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel," (Philippians 1 vs 27.)

READ: Philippians 1 vs 12 - 14:

1:12: But I want you to know brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,

1:13: so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;

1:14: and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

INTIMATION:

Let the conduct of your life communicate your faith as a Christian, showing others the strength of your commitment to serving God, and living for Him. God has chosen us to be Christ’s representatives on earth. Therefore, we should live our lives worthy of the calling we have received—the awesome privilege of being called Christ’s very own. People are watching your life. Can they see Christ in you? How well are you doing as His representative?

The conduct of your life should reflect your faith in Christ and growth stage in life. For instance, If you are a parent and a Christian, part of your mission is to raise your children to know Christ, to help them understand His purposes for their lives, and to send them out on their mission in the world.

It is obvious that our lives must support and validate the message we communicate. Before most unbelievers will accept the Bible as credible, they want to know that Christians are credible. This is why the Bible, in our memory verse, says, "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ...." Be sure that you live in a way that brings honor to the Christ and His Good News. It is not enough to hear or read the Word of God or even know it well. We must put it into practice. 

How easy it is to listen to a sermon and forget what the preacher said. How easy it is to read the Bible and not think about how to live differently. How easy it is to debate what a passage means and not live out that meaning. Exposure to God's Word is not enough, it must lead to obedience to that Word. It is your obedience to the Word that the unbelievers look out for before accepting your message of the Good News.

The apostle Paul was in prison in Rome when he wrote his epistles to the churches in various locations. For many people, being imprisoned would cause them to be bitter, discouraged, and give up, but the apostle Paul saw it as one more opportunity to spread the Good News of Christ. Even in prison, he was fearlessly speaking for Christ. He became an encouragement to many Christian then who were afraid of persecution.

For Christians today, we may not be in prison, but we still face many circumstances that can lead to discouragement—times of indecision, financial burdens, loss of our jobs, various forms of hardships, family conflicts, church conflict etc. Our acts in such situations will reflect what we believe, and communicate to others, especially the unbelievers who we really a . We should become an encouragement to others by the way we live. When we live faithfully for Him during difficult situations, we encourage others to do same.

We should live in such a way that we are a credit to the Message of Christ. The apostle Paul’s life has always communicated exceeding faith in Christ to many. His utmost desire is for Christ to be magnified in his body, whether by life or death. He summarized his faith by saying, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1 vs 21.) Whether he lived or died, he wanted Christ exalted in his conducts. 

To those who don’t believe in God, life on earth is all there is, and so it is natural for them to strive for this world’s values: money, popularity, power, pleasure, and prestige. For the apostle Paul, however, to live meant to develop eternal values and to tell others about Christ. His purpose in life was to speak out boldly for Christ and to become like Him. And this should be the core of all believers’ conduct.

Prayer: Abba Father, let my words and actions be the exact expression of my faith in Christ, and the selling point to unbelievers. Give me the grace to live in accordance with this desire of exhibiting at all times absolute obedience and trust in You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

SERVANTHOOD LEADS TO TRUE GREATNESS IN CHRIST!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY MARCH 17, 2024.

SUBJECT: SERVANTHOOD LEADS TO TRUE GREATNESS IN CHRIST!

Memory verse: "But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23 vs 11.)

READ: Mark 10 vs 42 - 45: 

10:42: But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

10:43: Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.

10:44: And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.

10:45: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

INTIMATION:

Service is a process of attending to, or meeting the need of, and subjecting one's will to that of another. Christlike or Christian attitude in service is such that lays aside rights in order to serve others. Service is the key that opens the door of true greatness in Christ. In our memory verse, Jesus stated that the one amongst His followers who serve others is the greatest among them. To Him, true greatness comes from serving—giving yourself to serving God and others. 

Businesses, organizations, and institutions measure greatness by personal achievement. In Christ’s kingdom, however, service is the way to get ahead. Rather than seeking to have your needs met, look for ways that you can minister to the needs of others. Service keeps us aware of others' needs, and it stops us from focusing only on ourselves. Jesus, the greatest man, came as a servant. Believers should be selfless rather than self-centered in our service to God and to man. Instead of expecting God to serve us, we are to serve Him for who He is, not for what we get from Him.

When you serve others, even in carrying out ordinary tasks, you are serving God. And because ultimately we serve God, every service has dignity. For instance, in First Samuel 2 vs 11 the Bible says; "But the child ministered to the Lord before Eli the priest." In other words, Samuel was Eli's helper, or assistant, in his priestly duties—service to God, and the Scripture recognized him as a minister to God, therefore, he was God's helper too, though he was an assistant to Eli.

Jesus, the greatest man ever, came as a servant, and challenged society’s norms. To Him, greatness comes from serving—giving of yourself to serve God and others. When we give our lives in service to Christ, we discover the real purpose of living. Real discipleship implies real commitment—pledging our whole existence to His service. In Matthew 16 vs 24, Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let Him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me...” “And He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10 vs 38).

To take up our cross and follow Jesus means to totally commit ourselves to His service, identifying with Him publicly, and acknowledging our readiness to experience certain opposition, and to be willing to face even suffering and death for His sake. God should be our first priority. Jesus calls us to a higher mission than to find comfort and tranquility in this life. The apostle Peter was regarded as the head of the apostles by Jesus, hence His challenge to him to tend His sheep; handing over to him at His departure from the earth; and extracting real commitment in follower-ship, and discipleship from him:

“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah,  do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes Lord, You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said Again the second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to Him the third time, “Simon, the son of Jonah, do you love Me?” ....And He said to Him, “Lord You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.” (John 21 vs 15 - 17.)

It was in the same manner that the apostle Peter instructed elders in the early church, and even in the churches today, extracting total commitment from them: “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Sheppard the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lord’s over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” (First Peter 5 vs 1 - 4.)

Our care for others is a measure of our greatness. How much concern do you show for others? This is a vital question that can accurately measure your greatness in God’s eyes. How have you expressed your care for others lately, especially the helpless, the needy, the poor—those who can’t return your love and concern? Your honest answer to that question will give you a good idea of your real greatness.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of servanthood, that I may serve You, and others selflessly, and when the Chief Shepherd appears, I will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE GRACE OF A GIVING HABIT!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY MARCH 16, 2024.

SUBJECT: THE GRACE OF A GIVING HABIT!

Memory verse: "The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself." (Proverbs 11 vs 25.)

READ: Second Corinthians 9 vs 6 - 11:

9:6: But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

9:7: So let each one give as He purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

9:8: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

9:9: As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

9:10: Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruit of your righteousness.

9:11: while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

INTIMATION:

The giving habit is a grace in response to God’s saving grace in our lives. Giving is, therefore, after the manner by which God extended grace toward us. It is the testing of our love, not only for God, but also for others. The giving habit remains a great grace anyone can receive from God. It produces inward joy and spiritual growth. 

God Himself practices this great habit;: “For God so loved the world He gave....” (John 3 vs 16). He gave the greatest gift that can ever be given, out of His love for you and I. You are familiar with the generosity of our Master, Jesus Christ, rich as He is, He gave it all away for us; in one stroke He became poor and we became rich. (Second Corinthians 8 vs 9.)

Believers know the import of that great gift to us all, and the glory the devotion brought to Christ: “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him given Him a name which above every name” (Philippians 2 vs 9). In the same vein, your giving habit is counted for you as righteousness that endures forever (Second Corinthians 9 vs 9). 

Consequently, God is more than extravagant with you, and can pour on you His grace in astonishing ways that you have all sufficiency in everything, and is ready for anything and everything. This increases the fruit of your righteousness, and God ensures that you are enriched in everything for all generosity, and your beneficiaries will be praying, and giving thanks to God for you. 

The amount we give is not as important as why and how we give. God does not want us to give grudgingly. Instead, He wants us to give out of dedication to Christ, love for fellow believers, the joy of helping those in need, as well as the fact that it is simply the good and right thing to do. A giving habit is more important than the amount given. The person who can give only a small gift, according to his or her ability, shouldn’t be embarrassed. God is concerned about how a person gives from his or her resources (See Mark 12 vs 41 - 44). Your having difficulty in letting go of your possessions reflects ungratefulness to God.

What then do we gain by giving?: Freedom from enslavement to our possessions, the joy of helping others, increase in our fruit of righteousness, sufficiency in all things, enduring God’s supply of your needs, prayers and thanksgiving to God for you, and God’s approval. Also, giving helps us gain a right perspective of our possessions. We realize they were never really ours to begin with, but were given to us by God for His use and to help others. 

People may hesitate to give generously because they worry about having enough money left over to meet their own needs. Contrary to the world’s expectation, we become richer by being generous. And this is the mystery of a giving grace. God blesses those who give freely of their possessions, time, and energy. 

When we invest what God has given to us in His work, He will provide us with even more to give in His service. A stingy Christian should be an extinct specie. Generosity proves that a person’s heart has been cleansed of self-interest and filled with the servant-spirit of Jesus Himself. That is why acts of generosity result in God being praised. It’s God who provides the seed of righteousness in our hearts from which our giving abound to others. 

We thus give because He first gave to us. The result of the righteousness of God in our hearts is that it produces the fruit of righteousness in the lives of others. In other words, the result of the justification of the Christian by the grace of God is that Christians freely give to help others (Hebrews 10 vs 12). 

Most believers would not want growth in faith, knowledge, or love to stop at a certain level. Yet many decide a fixed percentage of their money to give and stay there for life. True discipleship includes growing in the mature use of all resources, so giving should expand as well. God can give you the desire and enable you to increase your capacity to give. Don’t miss this opportunity for growth. 

Prayer: Abba Father, You remain the greatest Giver ever. You have given me the same spirit that was in Christ, that I may give my service to You and others in love. Give me the grace to fully manifest the giving habit, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

BENEFITS OF CONSISTENT DEVOTION TO GOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY MARCH 15, 2024.

SUBJECT : BENEFITS OF CONSISTENT DEVOTION TO GOD!

Memory verse: "Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion which cannot be moved, but abides forever." (Psalm 125 vs 1.)

READ: Psalm 91 vs 9 - 12; 14 - 16:

91:9: Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place.

91:10: No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

91:11: For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.

91:12: in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

91:14: Because He has set His love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

91:15: He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 

91:16: With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.

INTIMATION:

The person who trusts in God and obeys His Will is untouchable until God takes him or her. If we dwell and abide with Him, by entrusting ourselves to His protection and pledging our daily devotion to Him, we will be kept safe. To trust God is to have immeasurable peace.

No other scenario in the Scriptures, perhaps, most buttresses this point than the story of Daniel. Daniel was one of three governors set over his kingdom by King Darius. Daniel distinguished himself above other governors and satraps that the king gave thought to set him over the whole realm of his kingdom. Daniel had an excellent spirit in him, and consequently made enemies at work, and they sought to find a charge against him. He was, at that time, over 80 years old.

Daniel was a determined man, consistent in his devotion to God. He wouldn't bow to just any wish, even if it came from the emperor himself. Daniel kept praying to the God of Israel, the God he believed in. He stood for his convictions and would not redirect his prayers to a person he knew was a mortal.

In Babylon, the kings word was law. In the Medo-Persian empire, however, when a law was made, even the king couldn't change it. King Darius was an effective government administrator, but he had a fatal flaw—pride. By appealing to his vanity, the men talked Darius into signing a law effectively making him a God for 30 days, and that whoever petitions any god or man except king Darius, shall be cast into the lions' den. For praying to God, Daniel was guilty, and was to be food for hungry beasts in the king's special execution pits.

So Daniel was sentenced to the lion pit, and the sentence was carried out. But the lions did not disturb him. Although he sat right beside them, they didn't touch him. Daniel himself, walked out of the pit the next morning, alive and well. Why would lions suddenly go on a hunger strike? Lions eat only when hungry, not for recreation. And the whole point of having a bunch of lions caged up was to keep them hungry. The ancients would typically starve lions so they could watch the ferocious lions tear up the ones convicted. 

In accordance with Persian custom, this cruel punishment was transferred to those who had conspired against the king by provoking him into an unjust action (See also Esther 7 vs 9 - 10). The king’s great anger resulted in the execution of the evil officials and their families. The fact that these lions were starving is proven by how they savagely tore apart Daniel's accusers. These were hungry lions. Evil deeds often backfire on those who plan cruelty.

Then what kept these lions from devouring Daniel? Though, to many It remains a mystery how Daniel survived a night trapped in a pit filled with hungry lions. Nonetheless, the Almighty God, whom Daniel worship consistently, sedated the lions’ wild instincts for just that night. Daniel himself put it more directly: "My God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in His sight" (Daniel 6 vs 22). 

Prayer: Abba Father, You are ever faithful, and Your companionship is sure for those who consistently obey, and put their trust in You. Endue me with the spirit of complete obedience , and devotion to You, that I may stand sure of Your protection, and fellowship with You at all times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

RELATING WITH GOD HEARTILY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY MARCH 14, 2024.

SUBJECT : RELATING WITH GOD HEARTILY!

Memory verse: "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God." (Psalm 42 vs  1.)

READ: Matthew 22 vs 37:

22:37: Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

INTIMATION:

The heart is the chief organ of physical life, and occupies the most important place in the human system. By an easy translation the heart came to stand for man’s entire mental and moral activity, both rational and the emotional elements. In other words, the heart is used figuratively for the hidden springs of the personal life. The Scripture regards the heart as the sphere of divine influence. The heart, as lying deep within, contains ‘the real man or hidden man.’ It represents the true character but conceals it. 

The principle by which one must live life is summed up in the statement that Jesus made in the passage we read today. With such love one establishes a correct relationship with God by obedience to His will. If one loves God, obedience to His word will be the natural part of his life. Then his affections and feelings must be directed toward what God would have  him be in his life. His intellectual capabilities must be focused on knowing God and His will. 

The craving for communion with God should define the spiritual character of God’s people. God desires to have fellowship with us. But most of us are afraid to have fellowship with Him because of our sin. Though sin breaks our close relationship with God, but Jesus Christ, God’s Son, opens the way for us to renew our fellowship with God. He longs to be with us. He actively offers us His unconditional love. Our natural response is fear because we feel we can’t live up to His standards. But understanding that He loves us, regardless of our faults, can help remove the dread.

In our relationship with God we can respond and obey either out of love or out of fear.

When we realize God's desire to be our Faithful Companion, we find Him less an authority figure and more a desirable companion Who is no less in charge in our lives. We now realize He is on our side, how much He wants the best for us, and how absolutely dependable He is. The inborn unhealthy fear of God that stems from our sin nature and is often stirred up by the enemy of our souls, is weakening as we are getting a clearer picture of who He really is.

Unfortunately many people never really seek Him with all their hearts. They are content to learn as a child would. That is, learning and following rules in order to avoid big problems, but not as willing to spend any great period of time with the Lord in the free time they have. There is little delight in the relationship, only obedience out of necessity.

We may live basically good lives and yet miss doing what is most important. A lifetime of doing good is not enough if we make the crucial mistake of not following God with all our hearts. A true follower of God puts Him first in all areas of life. A wise person once said, "When God measures you, He puts the tape around your heart, not your head."

Prayer: Abba Father, I desire You as my companion. Build in my heart Your steadfast Spirit, so as to follow and obey You in every aspect of my life. My utmost heart desire is an intimate relationship with You. But by my strength I can do nothing. Help me to accomplish this, in Jesus' Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!