Facing the Truth Brings a Happier Life

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. 2 Corinthians 13:5(NLT)

Nobody can be set free from a problem until they’re willing to admit they have one. An alcoholic, drug addict or anyone who’s lost control of their life is doomed to suffer until they’re able to say, “I’ve got a problem, and I need help with it.”

Even though our problems may have been brought upon us because of something done against our will, we have no excuse for allowing the problem to persist, grow and even take control over our entire life. Our past experiences may have made us the way we are, but we don’t have to stay that way. We can take the initiative by taking positive steps to change things, and we can ask for God’s help.

Whatever your problem may be, you must face the truth and assume some personal responsibility. The Bible says we must evaluate ourselves. That might seem daunting, but Jesus Christ is in you and can help you through any past problems and issues.

Face the truth, it can be the beginning of a happier life!

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, I don’t want to live in denial and fear of my problems. I choose to evaluate myself and get to the bottom of these issues because I know that You can help me work through them to have a happier life.

OBEDIENCE IS THE GATEWAY TO GOD’S GLORY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY APRIL 05, 2024.

SUBJECT: OBEDIENCE IS THE GATEWAY TO GOD’S GLORY!

Memory verse: "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to Him.” (John 14 vs 21.)

READ: Genesis 22 vs 15 - 18:

22:15: Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven,

22:16: and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son.

22:17: That in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.

22:18: In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.

INTIMATION:

When we generally think of obedience, we think of doing what one is instructed to do. For instance, in speaking to our children we may say, "Will you please obey me and do what you are told?" What we mean is, "Please carry out my instructions." Such uses are not far removed from the intended meaning of Scripture, but far enough that the true essence of the word is lost.

Obedience to God is more than submission to authority. It is a submission which results from believe, trust, and persuasion—out of faith in God. Now, faith is of the heart; you believe in your heart which is invisible to man, while obedience by submission is of the conduct and may be observed. Therefore, when you obey God, you give the only possible evidence that in your heart you believe God. Of course, it is persuasion of the truth that results in faith (we believe because we are persuaded that the thing is true).

In the passage we read today, we saw the glory of God upon Abraham because of obedience; in blessing he was so blessed that he was rich in all things; his descendants were so multiplied that the entire earth are his descendants, either through Isaac or Ishmael. And through his seed the whole earth is blessed in the Person of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Jesus said that His followers show their love for Him by obeying Him. Love is more than lovely words; it is commitment and conduct. God is so delighted in our obedience to Him. Consequently, our obedience occasions the manifestation of Himself to us, and we are assured of the love of the Father. What will be more glorious than this?

God considers our obedience better than our sacrifices and offerings. Christians today always lay emphasis more on religious rituals, sacrifices, and offerings; like going to church, taking communion, paying tithes, and so on. God doesn't want these sacrifices and offerings without an attitude of devotion (obedience) to Him. He doesn't have any need of these activities, they have no effect on His status, or nature. Sacrifices and offerings are all for our benefits. But benefits from God to us on these activities are only derivable on the platform of raw and complete obedience to God, otherwise they are empty if our reasons for doing them are selfish. 

The prophet Samuel told Saul, "To obey is better than sacrifice" (First Samuel 15 vs 22). All we should do is to give God the obedience and lifelong service He desires from us, and He will benefit us as the Scripture says, "You shall eat the good of the land" (Isaiah 1 vs 19). 

Sacrifices and offerings are not bribes to make God overlook our character faults. All God wants is our sincere faith and devotion to Him. The Christian rituals, sacrifices, and offerings are to be outward sign of an inward faith in God. 

Many today have come to place more faith in the rituals of their religion than in God they worship. God does not take pleasure in your outward expressions if your inward faith is missing (Hosea 6 vs 6). Though religious rituals can help people understand God and nourish their relationship with Him, but they are helpful only if it is carried out with an attitude of love and obedience to God.

The consequences of disobedience is grave. It is likened to rebellion and stubbornness to God. Rebellion and stubbornness are serious sins. They involve far more than being independent and strong-minded. Scriptures equates them with divination (witchcraft) and idolatry (First Samuel 15 vs 23). Rebellion against God is perhaps the most serious sin of all because as long as a person rebels, he or she closes the door of forgiveness and restoration with God.

Prayer: Abba Father, my utmost heart desire is for an intimate relationship with You, and total submission to Your Will. Endue me with the spirit of raw and complete obedience to You that my outward expression of obedience to You will be a reflection of my inward attitude of faith in You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

The Danger of Jealousy

 The Danger of Jealousy

For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. James 3:16(NLT)

Anger caused by jealousy is one of the first negative emotions mentioned in the Bible. Genesis 4 tells us that Cain killed his brother Abel because he was jealous to the point of being angry. Although this is one of the more extreme results of jealousy, it reminds us of how dangerous jealousy can be.

In today’s society many people feel their status is dependent on their job or position in the church. Because of this mindset, they’re afraid someone else may get promoted ahead of them. Jealousy causes them to try to be important in the eyes of man.

If you have this problem, understand that God has you where you are for a reason. He knows what’s in your future, and He may have you in training for it right now.

Don’t despise the days of small beginnings. Our rewards come from obeying the specific callings He’s placed on our lives, not from jealously trying to achieve things that you think will impress people. Don’t let jealousy grow in you. Trust God to place you where you need to be.

Prayer Starter: God, jealousy is dangerous and I don’t want to have any part of it. My status isn’t dependent on worldly positions and recognition. All I nee

d is You.

THE HOLY SPIRIT'S CONVICTION IS FOR OUR GOOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY APRIL 04, 2024.

SUBJECT : THE HOLY SPIRIT'S CONVICTION IS FOR OUR GOOD! 

Memory verse: "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement." (John 16 vs 8.) 

READ: John 16 vs 7 - 11:

16:7: Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

16:8: And when He has come, He convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement.

16:9: Of sin, because they do not believe in Me;

16:10: Of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;

16:11: Of judgement, because the ruler of this world is judged.

INTIMATION:

What is conviction? It's to prove guilty; to pronounce guilty; a person found guilty of crime or sin. It's usually convincing or persuading by evidence to satisfy as to truth or error. Conviction is a veritable tool employed by the Holy Spirit for our betterment. Conviction is meant to convince us of sin, lift us out of it, and to help us move higher in God's will and plan for our lives. He convinces us to repent, which means to turn and go in the right direction rather than the wrong one in which we are currently going. How wonderful it is to have close fellowship with the Holy Spirit, to have Him in our lives to let us know when we are going the wrong way.

When we are convicted by the Holy Spirit, it is God speaking to us because He wants to help us in some areas. He is not condemning us, but He's trying to let us know that He wants us to live a better and healthy life. The Holy Spirit works to enlighten our awareness of what we are doing wrong that leads to death, and what we need to do to enjoy abundant life. When He speaks to our conscience about changes that are needed, we should pray right then, asking God to deliver us and bring about those changes through our faith in Jesus.

When Holy Spirit reveals to you an issue that needs to be dealt with in your life, you can trust that the anointing is also present to break the yoke of bondage over  you. If you put off confronting the behavior until you want to deal with it, you may have to face change without the anointing, which is very difficult. When God convicts, He also anoints, so that it is the best time to yield to His help in changing. We often wants to do things in our own timing, and we struggle and struggle because we're not asking for God's help. 

Holy Spirit reveals the result of sin and the result of righteousness so that people can see life and death set before them and call on God to help them choose life. People who has chosen the life of sin have wretched, and miserable lives, which makes them look ugly and older than their age. The rough, rugged lifestyle they have chosen has taken a toll on them. 

The power of God can make us look better and keep us feeling younger, because we are not living the hard life of sin. This power of God is at work in the world today demonstrating the results of sin and the results of righteousness. The line between the two is becoming vividly distinct. It is no longer difficult to tell who belongs to God and who doesn't. The world that we live in is full of gross darkness (Isaiah 9 vs 2). But God gave Jesus "for a light to the nations" (Isaiah 42 vs 6). His light is visible in the faces of true believers.

It is healthy and normal to feel guilty when we are initially convicted of sin; but to keep the guilty feeling after we have repented of the sin is not healthy, nor is it God's will. Conviction from the Lord never fills us with condemning shame. Shame fills us with a painful sense of disgrace and humiliating regret, often for something that we couldn't help. 

When God works in people's lives, He condemns the sin, but He never condemns the sinner, rather He gives mercy to the sinner, so we never need to be afraid to let God show us what we are doing wrong. The Holy Spirit lives in us, and can't get much closer to us than that. He doesn't come just to take up space, or because He has nowhere else to stay or go. The Holy Spirit lives in us because He has a job to do, which is to help (empower, encourage, advocate, strengthen, counsel, teach, comfort, intercede) and lead us to God's plan for our lives.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. I surrender to His leading and earnestly desire His convictions to instigate the necessary repentance and forgiveness of sin. I pray that nothing will break my fellowship with Him, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

From Seedtime to Harvest

 From Seedtime to Harvest

A Time for Everything

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1(NLT)

Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that there is a season for everything. We don’t all live in the same season at the same time. You should never be jealous of someone who is enjoying harvest while you’re still in the planting season. Remember, they had to go through a season of planting just as you are.

Seedtime represents learning the will of God. Each time I choose God’s will instead of my own, I’m planting a good seed that will eventually bring a harvest in my life.

Between seedtime and harvest comes a time of waiting. Roots shoot down, digging their way through the ground. It takes time for this to happen, and it takes place underground. Above the ground, you can’t tell anything is happening.

After we plant seeds of obedience, we feel like nothing is happening, but all kinds of things are happening inside where we can’t see. And like the seed that finally bursts through the ground with a beautiful green shoot, our seeds of obedience will finally break forth into a beautiful manifestation of God in our lives.

Prayer Starter: Lord, because seedtime is necessary for harvest time, I won’t get discouraged while I’m waiting and feeling like nothing’s happening. I will continue to obey and trust You, knowing that You will bring me into my harvest at just the right time.

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AT THE APPOINTED TIME!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY APRIL 03, 2024.

SUBJECT: AT THE APPOINTED TIME!

Memory verse: "And he said, “Look, I am making know to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation: for at the appointed time the end shall be.” (Daniel 8 vs 19.)

READ: Habakkuk 2 vs 2 - 3:

2:2: Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who sees it.

2:3: For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

INTIMATION:

God has a plan for all of His creation according to His predetermined purposes. His consistent purpose is to carry out what He has planned. He provides cycles of life, each with its work for an appointed time. God does not work to make us happy, but to achieve His predetermined purposes, which may involve unpleasant or difficult times. Although we may face many problems that seem to contradict God’s plan, these should not be barriers to believing in Him, but rather opportunities to discover Him more, and that without God, life’s problems have no lasting solutions! 

Events or things happen exactly at the right time in history according to God’s own plans and schedule. God controls all history, and He controls the timing, method, and events surrounding us all. God’s timing is perfect. We may sometimes be discouraged by the seemingly delay in God’s response, and may wonder if God will ever respond to our prayers. Though, your request may be in consonance with God’s plan for you, but it will only come through to you at His appointed time. Therefore, haven known this fact, we ought to be patient with Him, and wait for His perfect timing.

It’s obvious our feelings or reactions does not move God nor alter His plans and purposes. 

According to Scripture, everything about you is predetermined by God. God is 'All-Knowing.' He already knows everything about us, even to the number of hairs on our heads (Matthew 10 vs 30). He knows the thoughts of our hearts, even when they are evil, and yet He accepts and loves us. 

For all believers God is with us through every situation, in every trial; protecting, loving, guiding us (Psalm 46 vs 1; 59 vs 16), and has promised He would never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13 vs 5), and will be with us always, even up to the end of age (Matthew 28 vs 20). He knows and loves us completely.

God is able and willing to bless us according to His timing. Humbly obey God regardless of present circumstances, and in His due time you will reap a harvest of blessings, either in this life or in the next. Yes, in the next life because here is not our home. Your security is in heaven, not on earth. Jesus said He will go to prepare a place for us in His Father’s house of many mansions (See John 14 vs 2 - 3).

But God’s promises are sure to come, though it might seem slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place, in line with His perfect and appointed time. It isn’t easy to be patient, but it helps to remember that God is absolutely in control of all things. We must trust Him even when we don’t understand why events occur as they do. His promises are public and the fulfillment is sure. He is a God of truth and righteousness, and does His bidding according to His perfect plans, purposes, and timing.

In concluding, please note, “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8 vs 28.) You are in God’s plans, and He works in “all things”—not just isolated incidents—for your good. All He created are in His plans and purposes according to His predetermined timing. 

Often we waver between faith and fear, but God is able to turn every circumstances around for our long-range good. Even in our deepest sorrow, God cares! He knows every problem and sees every fear. At His appointed time He will come through to you.

Prayer: Abba Father, Your timing is perfect, Your wisdom and knowledge are unsearchable, and your ways past finding out! Let it be to me according to Your thoughts, plans, purposes, and timing, to bring me to the expected end—eternal life with You, in Jesus Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

A Perfect Heart

 A Perfect Heart

The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war. 2 Chronicles 16:9(NLT)

Time and time again in my life, the Lord has reminded me that He doesn’t look for perfect performance from us, but perfect hearts.

A lot of people think God won’t use them until every area of their life is perfected. That type of thinking keeps people from allowing God to use them. He uses us in spite of us, not because of us.

People usually love you based on your performance. If you do what they want you to do, they accept you; but if you don’t, they reject you. God’s love is based only on God. He loves you and accepts you as you are.

This doesn’t mean we should have a loose attitude and not desire to live a holy life. A person whose heart is perfect toward God is always going to earnestly and zealously desire to please God in all things, yet they understand that God will never reject us because of our weaknesses or mistakes. He wants to love us and help us when we’re weak.

Let God love you, and in return, give Him your love with a perfect heart!

Prayer Starter: God, I know that you love me despite my weaknesses and flaws. I thank You for this love and turn my heart to You, knowing that You can use me when I follow You with a pe

rfect heart.