CHARITABLE DEED THAT RECEIVES REWARD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY MARCH 29, 2024.

SUBJECT: CHARITABLE DEED THAT RECEIVES REWARD!

Memory verse: "But all their works they do for to be seen of men. They make broad their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.” (Matthew 23 vs 5.)

READ: Matthew 6 vs 1 - 4:

6:1: Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen of them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

6:2: Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

6:3: But when you do your charitable deeds, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

6:4: that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who see in secret will Himself reward you openly.

INTIMATION:

Charitable deed is relating or characterized by charity. It is full of love, good will, generosity, benevolent and kind. It is liberal in judging of others; disposed to looking on the best side, and to avoid harsh judgment. It is liberal in benefactions to the poor, giving freely, being generous and beneficent. It is generous in giving to the needy, and being kind or lenient in one's attitude towards others.

Charity, in Christian thought, is the highest form of love, signifying the reciprocal love between God and man that is made manifest in unselfish love of one's fellow men. The apostle Paul's classical description of charity is found in First Corinthians 13). It is pleasing to God when one gives to the poor and needy without expecting praise or attention. Giving to the needy is an obligation for the followers of Jesus. It is an expression of our faith in God and it pleases Him.

The charity or giving that receives reward from God is such that is done without ulterior motive; hidden or concealed reason of doing such charity. When you give with a pure motive, you give out of love and compassion, not out of any selfish interest. To be sure that our motives are not selfish we should do our good deeds quietly or in secret, with no thought of reward. Jesus says we should check our motives in three areas; our generosity, our prayer, and our fasting. These acts should not be self-centered but God-centered, done not to make us look good but to make God look good. 

God promises a reward for charitable deeds from a pure heart, which the Scriptures regard as deeds of righteousness. The reward God promises is not strictly material, and it is never given to those who seek it. In the biblical days of the Old Testament, the Pharisees hypocritically sounded a trumpet when they gave to the poor in the streets. In drawing attention to their act of giving, they received all the reward they would receive which was drawing attention to self. 

Christians should give in a manner by which they do not intentionally seek the praise of men. They should not give for public display. Their giving should be as private as possible in order that one’s motives for giving be kept pure. Doing good to others is good and is reckoned as a deed of righteousness. If one does good in order to receive the recognition of men, then his purpose of doing good deed is drawing attention to himself and receives no reward from God.

The term hypocrites, as used in the passage we read today, describes people who do good deeds for appearance only—not out of compassion or other good motives. Their actions may be good, but their motives are hollow. These empty acts are their only reward, but God will reward those who are sincere in their faith. It’s easier to do what’s right when we gain recognition and praise. Doing something only for yourself is not a loving sacrifice. With your next good deed, ask, “Would I still do this if no one would ever know I did it?”

When Jesus says not to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, He is teaching that our motives for giving to God and to others must be pure. It is easy to give with mixed motives; to do something for someone if it will benefit you in return. But believers should avoid all schemings and give for the pleasure of giving and as a response to God’s love. 

Charitable deed is an act of service to God, and He rewards such service accordingly. Using the gifts God has given us for His service is a deed of righteousness. But when we use our gifts for selfish motives, we are walking in unrighteousness. God used great preachers like the apostles Peter and Paul, but He also used those who have gifts of kindness for His service. Rather than wishing you had other gifts, make good use of the gifts God has given you.

For instance, the Bible in Acts 9 vs 36 - 42, tells us the story of Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas in Greek, a benevolent sister who spent time in helping others, and she made an enormous impact on her community by always doing kind things to others and helping the poor, by making coats and other garments for them. When she died, the room where she laid in preparation for her burial was filled with mourners who are very likely many of the people she had helped. Her charitable deeds among her people caused the enormous cry and prayers from the people. And God answered their prayers through the apostle Peter. And when she was brought back to life, the news raced through the town. 

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of love and compassion, that I may do my charitable deeds from a pure heart devoid of any selfish motives, in Jesus’ Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

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GUARD AGAINST OFFENSE TOWARD GOD AND MAN!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY MARCH 28, 2024.

SUBJECT : GUARD AGAINST OFFENSE TOWARD GOD AND MAN!

Memory verse: “And blessed is he who is not be offended because of Me." (Matthew 11 vs 6.)

READ: Job 9 vs 4; Isaiah 45 vs 9 - 10:

Job 9:4: God is wise in heart, and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against Him, and prospered?

Isaiah 45:9: “Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ 

Or shall your handiwork say, ‘He has no hands’?

45:10: Woe to him who says to his father, ‘What are you begetting?’ Or to the woman, ‘What have you brought forth?’”

INTIMATION:

Everything that moves you to question the integrity of God, or His love for you must be avoided and destroyed, so that the altar of your heart can be prepared for the fire from heaven. While preparing your heart to approach God in prayer, one of the things you must guard against is offense. So many have their conscience ensnared with offenses toward God or man, and all they do in prayer is nothing but complain, and murmur. When you are offended in God, you turn Him against yourself; and if God is against you, who will save you? If you despise Him, who will lift you?

When you are offended in God or man, you bear iniquities in your heart that inhibits God from hearing you (Psalm 66 vs 18). Many are stranded because of offenses. When they stand in prayer, they justify themselves against God. They say, "Lord, I've paid my tithe, I have done everything that You commanded. Only You haven't done your part." In other words, they count themselves faithful and God unfaithful. But the Bible says, "...Let God be true but every man a liar..." (Romans 3 vs 4.) Anything that makes you to murmur against God is moving you against your destiny. You can't expect Him to answer your prayers when your heart is full of complains and offenses toward God or man. 

If He withdraws His breath from you for three seconds, you will be dead. If you have lost anything, God is the reason you didn't loose everything. May be the enemy's intention was to take your life, but God stepped in and you only lost your car. But here you are, offended and complaining against Him in prayer. If He withdraws His hand from your life, can you imagine what will become of you?

In our memory verse, Jesus said that those who do not take any offense in the Lord are fortunate and blessed. Jesus said this when John the Baptist who was in prison, and began to have some doubts about whether Jesus really was the Messiah. John thought in his heart that if his purpose was to prepare people for the coming Messiah, then why was he in prison when he could have been preaching to the crowds, preparing their hearts. John expected that the coming Messiah should be able to save him from prison. 

When John the Baptist’s disciples came and put his question before Jesus,—"Are you the Coming One, or do we look for another?" Jesus knew that he was already offended in Him. He asked those disciples to go back to him with the good news of His exploits—The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. Obviously, that would have offended John the more because he already had heard all those evidence that indicated the real identity of Jesus, and wondered why He didn't want to save Him from prison. 

The wise and right thing to do when you are in doubt because of happenings around you is turn to Him, and not turn away from Him. Remember, it was in the same prison and the same Jailer that held Paul and Silas. They were doing the work of the Messiah when they were arrested and jailed. But they didn't get offended, both toward God or the men, but instead sang and praised God while in there, and God came in His Might and saved them. But for John, he was eventually beheaded when the King's daughter, on the advice of her mother, the king’s wife, asked for his head in a platter.

Romans 8 vs 28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." So, set your heart right before Him. Count Him faithful in all things. Refuse to complain, but rather let God know that you have no alternative beside Him, and that you are ready to hang on till your answer comes from Him. Any attempt to step away from God, is stepping into doom for you. Certainly, there is no unrighteous with God! (Romans 9 vs 14.)

Let your conscience be as that of the apostle Paul who said, "This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men." (Acts 24 vs 16.) Give your destiny motion by clearing off every offense from your heart, to establish a thoroughfare to heaven in prayers. This is the way to maintain a good communication line with God.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are the Lord, the Creator of all things for Your purposes. You are the All-knowing God, and the end known to You from the beginning. Give me the grace to have a conscience without offense toward You or men, that You may hear me when I call, and I will be worthy of Your blessings accardingly, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

FORGIVENESS ENGENDERS FORGIVENESS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY MARCH 26, 2024.

SUBJECT : FORGIVENESS ENGENDERS FORGIVENESS!

Memory verse: "Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, If anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." (Colossians 3 vs 13.)

READ: Matthew 6 vs 12; 14 - 15; Mark 11 vs 25 - 26:

Matthew 6:12: And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.

6:14: For If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

6:15: But If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Mark 11:25: And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you Your trespasses.

11:26: But If you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.

INTIMATION:

Forgiveness is to pardon; to acquit of sin. Forgiveness is an expression of love. When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, one of the things He told them to say was, "And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us." That is to say, "Lord forgive us, just the way we forgive others. Don't forgive us when we don't forgive others." 

When we don’t forgive others, we are denying our common ground as sinners in need of God’s forgiveness. It’s easy to ask God for forgiveness but difficult to grant it to others. Whenever you ask God to forgive you your sin, you should ask thus, “Have I forgiven the people who have wronged me?”

If we document other people's sins against us, then the Lord will document ours also, if we desire their hurt, He will desire our hurt also. So, when you don't forgive those who have offended you, your sins also remain unforgiven. Until your sins are forgiven, you don't have any fellowship or prayer access to God. 

The key to forgiving others is remembering how much God has forgiven you. Realizing God’s infinite love and forgiveness should help you love and forgive others. Is it difficult for you to forgive someone who has wronged you a little when God had forgiven you so much? Forgive those who have wronged you, and let God worry about the wrongs you have suffered. 

Many have been crying in all manner of prayers, fasting and vigils, yet God hasn't heard them, because they are holding back the sins of others in their hearts. You probably may have told your offender, "I have forgiven you, it is all over." But it is not over yet in your heart. And because the Bible says in Psalm 66 vs 18, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me," your prayers go unheard. 

You may pray as long as you like, remain on your knees all the days of your life and fast as many days as possible, if you have imprisoned somebody in your heart through unforgiveness, you will never have a breakthrough, because the Scriptures cannot be broken. Love is your vital link to God and should be the foundation stone of the altar of the heart God desires of you. There is a future in forgiveness. Let love flow from your heart to everyone and you will see God step into the affairs of your life.

It is spiritual foolishness to live with unforgiveness; the cost is too high. It is one of the traps of the devil to make you lose favor with God. Jesus told a parable in Matthew 18 vs 23 - 35, likening the kingdom of heaven to forgiveness;  A king had a servant who owed him and was unable to pay. The king wanted to sell him and members of his household to recover his money. But when the servant begged the king, he was moved  with compassion, and he forgave him the debt.

But that same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him, and seized him by the throat, insisted he must pay him. His fellow servant begged him, but he refused and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. His master got the wind of what he did and was very angry. And since he was not able to be compassionate to his fellow servant who owed him, he was delivered to the torturers until he had paid all that was due to his master.

When God forgives you your sins but later sees the way you are tormenting somebody who has offended you, He will bring your records out again and deal with you. Forgiveness brings you into eternal friendship with Jesus and gives you access to heaven's hotline. Until you free that man or woman, God will not hear your cry of affliction. That man might have really cheated you, and that woman insulted you terribly, but let him go! Let her go! Until the love foundation is in place, effectual prayer is impossible.

Watch any person who walks in hatred, malice and unforgiveness, the person's life keeps drying up. And because the person has no access to God's favor, he or she is a cheap prey to the devil. Your expression of love for your fellow human is the authentic proof of your salvation. Examine yourself, to see if there is anywhere your altar has been broken down, and plead the mercy of God for restoration. Rededicate your life to God and be determined never to be found doing what displeases Him. That long-awaited answer to your prayers will be delivered to you now, in Jesus' name!

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of forgiveness and love for one another, that my prayers will be heard by You, and that I may be able to have eternal fellowship with You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH FOR GOD’S USE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY MARCH 25, 2024.

SUBJECT: YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH FOR GOD’S USE!

Memory verse: "Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there.” (Joshua 2 vs 1.)

READ: Acts 23 vs 16 - 22:

23:16: So when Paul's sister's son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.

23:17: Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.”

23:18: So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you.

23:19: Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

23:20: And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to enquire more fully about him.

23:21: But do not yield to them: for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now they are ready, waiting for a promise from you.

23:22: So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”

INTIMATION:

God has no favorites; none preferred, liked or loved above others. We are all created in His own image and after His likeness. We are equally loved by Him; “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3 vs 16). God’s works in history is not limited by human failures or sins, and He works through even ordinary people. He can use anyone, of any age, and any background, who is willing to yield to Him. Just as God used all kinds of people to bring His Son into the world, He uses all kinds today to accomplish His will. And God wants to use you. Nobody is excluded from God’s love, but we appropriate it to ourselves by believing in His Son—Jesus Christ—He sent to us. 

Several heroes in the Bible were common people: Jacob was known as a deceiver but God used him to “father” the Israelite nation (Genesis 27 - 28). Joseph was a slave in Egypt, but God used him to save his family, and the birth of Israelite nation (Genesis 39). Moses was a shepherd in exile and a murderer, but God used him to lead Israel out of bondage, to the Promised Land (Exodus 3). Gideon was a farmer, but God used him to deliver Israel from the Midianites (Judges 6 vs 11 - 14).Jephthah was the son of a harlot, but God used him to deliver Israel from the Ammonites (Judges 11). 

David was a shepherd boy and last-born of the family, but God used him exceedingly to defeat the enemies of the Israelites, and he became Israel’s greatest king. Esther was a slave girl, but God used her to save her people from massacre (Esther). Mary was a peasant girl, but God made her the mother of Jesus (Luke 1 vs 27 - 28). Matthew was a tax collector, but God used him as one of the apostles and Gospel writer (Matthew 9 vs 9). Paul a persecutor of Christians, but God converted him to be the most influential of the apostles (First Corinthians 15 vs 9 - 10).

Our memory verse relates to the use of a prostitute by God to accomplish His plan. Rahab was a prostitute in the city of Jericho. As a prostitute, she lived on the edge of society, one stop short of rejection. Her house, built right into the city wall, provided both lodging and favors to travelers. God used her and gave her the courage to hide the spies and lie to the authorities. God works through people like Rahab whom we are inclined to reject. God remembers her because of her faith, not her profession.  If at times you feel like a failure, remember that Rahab rose above her situation through her trust in God. You can do the same.

In the passage we read today, God used a child to accomplish His plan to save the apostle Paul’s life. It is easy to overlook children, assuming that they aren’t old enough to do much for the Lord. But this young man played an important part in protecting Paul’s life. Even Jesus made it clear that children are important (Matthew 18 vs 2 - 6).

The encounter of Jesus with the woman of Samaria in John 4 vs 7 - 42 clearly emphasizes God’s character of not being particular about your background, and loves us equally. The woman (1) was a Samaritan, a member of the hated mixed race, (2) was known to be living in sin, and (3) was in a public place. No responsible Jewish man would talk to a woman under such circumstances. But Jesus did, her social status, past sin, and her race notwithstanding. The same woman was used to convert a whole city—the city of Samaria. Jesus selected “ordinary” men with a mixture of backgrounds and personalities to be His disciples. He can use you!

Prayer: Abba Father, I surrender totally to You, ready for whatever You have me do. I empty myself before You that You feel me in with Your grace, that I will be all You destined me to be, I will do all You empower me to do, and I will have all You willed for me to have, as I make myself available for Your use, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD! 

PROPER CONDUCTS IN PRAYER!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY MARCH 24, 2024.

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 sore.

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

1:12: And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.

1:13: Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

INTIMATION:

The proper conducts in prayer include the following:-

1. We must be candid in our prayers.

God is “All-knowing,” therefore, 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 to pray God; 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. Although 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 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 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 prayer is always open; you should take full advantage of walking through that sacred gate 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, and 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 fellowship with You in prayer will be acceptable to You come to You as a sweet smelling savor, and receive answer from You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!