As You Have Believed

 As You Have Believed

Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour. Matthew 8:13(NLT)

Many years ago I was extremely negative because of the devastating abuse that had taken place in my past. The result was that I expected people to hurt me, and they did. I expected people to be dishonest, and they were. I was afraid to believe that anything good might happen.

I thought I was protecting myself from being hurt by not expecting anything good to happen. But when I really began to study the Word and trust God to restore me, I began to realize that all of my negativism had to go.

In Matthew 8:13, Jesus says that it will be done for us as we have believed. I believed everything was negative, so naturally many negative things happened to me. I decided I wanted positive things to happen to me, so I started believing positive things, and over time, received positive results!

Are you constantly experiencing negative things and wondering why? It could be time for you to start believing different things. Start trusting God and believing for the best. Then watch as He works things out for you according to your faith.

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, I want to get rid of all negativism and start believing for better things. Help me to stir up my faith, believing that You can do great things in my life.

A LOVELESS LIFE IS WORTHLESS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY APRIL 08, 2024.

SUBJECT: A LOVELESS LIFE IS WORTHLESS! 

Memory verse: "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing." (First Corinthians 13 vs 3.)

READ: First Corinthians 13 vs 1 - 8:

13:1: Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

13:2: And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

13:3: And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

13:4: Love suffers long and is kin; love does not envy, love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

13:5: does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

13:6: does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

13:7: bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

13:8: Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

INTIMATION:

Life without love is worthless, purposeless, and godless. We are often preoccupied with our own self, and act as if relationships are something to be squeezed into our schedule. We think always that we are doing others favor by loving them. But that is wrong, instead we are doing ourselves the favor of walking in the command of God to fulfill His law. 

We talk about finding time for our children or making out time for people in our lives. That gives the impression that relationships are just part of our lives along with many other tasks. But God says relationships are what life is all about. Four of the Ten Commandments deal with our relationship to God while the other six deal with our relationships with people. But all ten are about relationships! 

We might say it is in Old Testament laws, but Jesus summarized what matters most to God in two statements: love God and love people: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22 vs 37 - 40.) Therefore, the Ten Commandments are summarized in these two by Christ.

Jesus says that if we truly love God and our neighbor, we will naturally keep all the “Ten Commandments.” The best tact to deal with this is rather than worrying about all we should not do, we should concentrate on all we can do to show love for God and others. After learning to love God, learning to love others is the second purpose of your life. Consequently, relationship, not achievements or the acquisition of things, is what matters most in life. 

Now you know this, why will you allow relationships to get the short end of the stick? When our schedules become overloaded, and overcrowded, we start skimming relationally, cutting back on giving the time, energy, and attention that loving relationships require. What is most important to God is displaced by what's urgent to you. 

Busyness is the greatest enemy to relationships. We become preoccupied with making a living, doing our work, paying bills, and accomplishing goals as if these tasks are the points of life. They are not. The point of life is learning to love God and people. Life minus love equals zero.

Our society confuses Love and lust. Unlike lust, God’s kind of love is directed outward toward others, not inward toward ourselves. It is utterly unselfish. This kind of love goes against our natural inclinations. It is impossible to have this love unless God helps us set aside our own natural desires so that we can love and not expect anything in return. 

God is love, and a source of our love. He loved us enough to sacrifice His Son for us. Jesus is our example of what it means to love; everything He did in life and death was supremely loving. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to love; He lives in our heart and make us more and more like Christ. God’s Love always involve a choice and an action, and our love should be like that.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are love, and I know You. My utmost heart desire is to live a life hinged on Your greatest commandments - to love You and others. Endue me with the spirit of love, that I may be worthy to be called Your Son, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

GET RID OF YOUR WORRY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY APRIL 07, 2024.

SUBJECT: GET RID OF YOUR WORRY! 

Memory verse: "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink: nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6 vs 25.)

READ: Matthew 6 vs 25 - 30:

6:25: Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink: nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

6:26: Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into bans; yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

6:27: Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

6:28: So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin;

6:29: and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

6:30: Now if God so cloths the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

INTIMATION:

Worry is having faith in fear; it is the high interest we pay on tomorrow's troubles. Most of the problems we worry about never happen. Most of them today, in future when you look back, will seem trivial, petty, and inappropriate to consume you and your precious time. The Lord says that there is no gain in worrying. Worry enables fear to take hold of our minds in such a way that hope can find no home. Get your eyes off the problem, and fix it on God.

Worry is one of the very destructive emotions. It reveals lack of faith that God loves us and is in control. We should not worry; instead, we should trust God, giving ourselves to Him for His use and safekeeping. When you dwell on your problems, you will become anxious and angry. But if you concentrate on God and His goodness, you will find peace. Worry cannot inhabit in the secret places of the Most High. It cannot breathe in the atmosphere made vital by prayer and knowledge of the Word of God. Worry dies when we ascend to the Lord through prayer, offer praise in His holy name, and have faith in Him and His Word.

When a problem presents itself, the worst thing you can do is worry about it. Worry robs the mind of its creative powers to analyze the problem. Jesus, knowing the ill effects of worry, tells us, "do not worry" He tells us not to worry about those needs that God promises to supply. Worry may (1) damage your health, (2) disrupt your productivity, (3) negatively affect the way you treat others, and (4) reduce your ability to trust God.

If your life's course is being tormented by worry, climb.....climb.....climb into the atmosphere of faith. Climb until you sense the presence of the living God! Climb until you feel His peace that suppresses all understanding and His joy that is unspeakable and full of glory. Climb until you feel His love and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that worry cannot live in the atmosphere of faith. You will then conquer the problem and enter the promised land of God's favor and abundance!

When faced with a problem, don't deny that it exists. Acknowledge it, but don't embrace it, for it doesn't belong in your life. Have your genuine concern for the problem and move into action. Obtain all the facts surrounding your difficult circumstances. Next analyze the facts; go through your spiritual checklist to make sure you meet God's conditions for your provision. Pray for wisdom and discernment. 

Worry is pointless because it can't fill any of our needs: it is foolish because the Creator of the universe and Owner of all things loves us and knows what we need. He promises to meet all our real needs, but not necessarily all our desires. Worriers, by contrast, are consumed by fear and find it difficult to trust God. Never allow your worries affect your relationship with God. It is unhealthy, and destructive!

The Scripture gives us seven reasons not to worry:-

1. The same God who created life in you can be trusted with details of your life.

2. Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today.

3. Worrying is more harmful than helpful.

4. God does not ignore those who depend on Him.

5. Worrying shows a lack of faith in, and understanding of God.

6. Worrying keeps us from real challenges God wants us to pursue.

7. Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry.

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace to get rid of worry, knowing that You have given me the right to become Your son, and promised to take care of me, in any circumstances I found myself, and You that promised is faithful and will do it, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Live at Peace with Everyone

 

Live at Peace with Everyone

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:18(NLT)

An important lesson I’ve learned is to “bend so I will not break.” The Bible says to “readily adjust yourself to [people, things]. And, if possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:16, 18 AMP).

Before I made the Word of God a priority in my life and decided to live an obedient life, I had to have my own way. I wasn’t adaptable. I wanted everyone else to adapt to me. Of course, that resulted in more strife and stress.

I’ve now learned to bend. It’s not always easy on the flesh to give in and do things differently than I had planned, but it’s easier than being upset and miserable.

If you want to have peace in your relationships, you will need to be willing to be flexible. Pushing for your own way all the time will only hurt and offend those around you. But when you take to heart Paul’s encouragement to ‘live at peace with everyone,’ the Holy Spirit will fill your relationships with His joy and peace.

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, help me to bend so that I will not break. I want Your peace in my relationships, so I choose to be flexible today.

THE PATH TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY APRIL 06, 2024.

SUBJECT: THE PATH TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH!

Memory verse: "But by the grace of God I am what I am. And His grace toward me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” (First Corinthians 15 vs 10.)

READ: Philippians 2 vs 12 - 13; Hebrews 13 vs 20 - 21:

Philippians 2:12: Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

2:13: For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

Hebrews 13:20: Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 

13:21: make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever, Amen. 

INTIMATION:

Spiritual growth is a collaborative effort between you and the Holy Spirit. God's Spirit works with us, not just in us. The spiritual growth path is made up of two parts: the "work out" part and the "work in." The "work out" is your responsibility, and the "work in" is God's role. In one of the passages we read today, the Scripture says, “For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2 vs 13.) 

This verse written to believers is not about how to be saved, but how to grow. It does not say "work for" your salvation, because you can't add anything to what Jesus already did. It says “work out” your own salvation. The salvation has already been delivered to you through Christ’s substitutionary work on the cross. The “work out” is like thinking of exercising your body; you exercise your body to develop it, and not to get a body. 

It's the same with the farmers who work the land, they work not to get land, but to develop what they already have. God has given you a new life; now you are responsible to develop it "with fear and trembling." That means to take your spiritual growth seriously! When people are casual about their spiritual growth, it shows they don't understand the eternal implications. "Work out your own salvation" in the light of being careful to obey Christ wholeheartedly. We must be careful about what we believe and how we live, especially when we are on our own. We must focus our attention and devotion more on Christ so that we won't be sidetracked. 

God works in us as we have responded to His work for us. He worked for us through the cross. Our sense of gratitude to the work of God in reference to our salvation, therefore, should move us into action. In this way God is living in us (Galatians 2 vs 20; First Timothy 4 vs 15). When we are motivated into action by the redemptive work of God, then we work according to the purposes of God (Second Corinthians 3 vs 5). And when we work according to the purposes of God, it is God who works in us. Christians do not work in order to be saved. They work out their salvation because they are saved.

The calling of the apostle Paul into apostleship illustrates the work of God through His grace. The apostle Paul did not earn his call into apostleship. He was not a self-proclaimed apostle. In fact, his persecution of the church placed him as far away from God as one could possibly be. However, God knew that Paul was a sincere and honest personality, and thus, He provided for him the opportunity to respond to the miraculous appearance of Jesus. Apostle Paul could claim no meritorious accomplishments for either his calling or his salvation. All was by the grace of God. 

All that God did toward the apostle Paul by His grace was not a wasted effort. It was not useless because Paul responded with thanksgiving (Second Corinthians 4 vs 15). When God’s grace was extended toward him, he worked more abundantly than when he lived under a legal system of religiosity. Paul really worked out his own salvation with fear and trembling, and labored more than all other apostles. He knew he could do all that because of God’s grace with him. When one is motivated by grace, he or she cannot do enough in thanksgiving for his or her salvation.

Prayer: Abba Father, I will forever remain grateful for Your gift of salvation, and Your subsequent work in me both to will and to do for Your good pleasure. I commit myself entirely to Your care and leading, and Your empowerment to live in accordance with Your precepts, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

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!