GODLINESS IS PROFITABLE IN ALL THINGS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY JUNE 20, 2024.

SUBJECT : GODLINESS IS PROFITABLE IN ALL THINGS!

Memory verse: "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” (First Timothy 4 vs 8.)

READ: Mark 10 vs 29 - 30:

10:29: So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and the gospel's,

10:30: who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.

INTIMATION:

Godliness is to be devoutful; it is that piety which is characterized by a Godward attitude. It is doing that which is well-pleasing to God. The power to lead a godly life comes from God. God allows us to be partakers of the divine nature (Second Peter 1 vs 3) in order to keep us from sin and help us live for Him. When we are born again, God by His Spirit empowers us with His own goodness. 

In godliness there is great reward. The apostle Paul, in his letter to Timothy—his true son in faith—noted that godliness is profitable for all things both here, and in eternity. The benefits of loving God is here now, and in the future. However, you can’t follow God if you don’t love Him. Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” (John 14 vs 23.) Imagine where you have God the Father and the Son make their home with you! Life definitely will be at its best.

Jesus told the disciples that no follower of Him will ever lose anything at the end. For whatever loss you may suffer in following Him, you will undoubtedly recover several times over at the end. Knowing all these, what will ever stop anybody from following Him. Godliness is key to spiritual growth and personal fulfillment. We should honor God and center our desires on Him, and we should be content with what God is doing in our lives.

Godliness cannot be possible in the life of a believer without the help of Christ. We can’t please God on our own; we must depend on Christ, and His divine nature. As a man, Jesus lived a perfect life, and so He is a perfect example of how to live. As God, Jesus gives us the power to do what is right. It is possible to live godly life—through following Christ. 

The power to lead a godly life comes from God. Because we don’t have the resources to be truly godly. God allows us to be partakers of His divine nature in order to keep us from sin and help us live for Him. When we are born again, God by His Spirit empowers us with His own goodness. 

God has supplied us with everything in this life that is necessary for living according to His directions and for developing a nature that prepares us for eternal dwelling. One of these things certainly includes the word of God. It is through the word of God that we learn how to conduct our lives according to the Will of God. The word of God is certainly the guide that we must follow in order to be certain concerning the conduct of our lives in godly behavior and living. 

Though bodily exercise is not wrong, however, focusing on the admiration of the flesh as opposed to concentration on the spiritual development of the inner man is profitable only a little because our physical health is susceptible to disease and injury, Therefore, we should concentrate more on exercising the soul unto godly health than on physical body. Godly health profits is not only in this life, but also in the life to come. Those who focus continually on the flesh, have turned their thinking inward to themselves, and not on that which will dwell throughout eternity. 

Godliness must be expressed in our behavior, not just in appearance. A pious or godly look can be deceitful. The appearance of godliness includes; going to church, knowing Christian doctrine, using Christian cliches, and following a community’s Christian traditions. Such practices can make a person look good, but if the inner attitudes of belief, love, and worship are lacking, the outer appearance is meaningless. The apostle Paul warned us not to be deceived by people who only appear to be Christians at first, but their daily behavior will give them away. 

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of godliness, exercising myself in my inner man for spiritual growth, godly living, and give me the grace to follow You to the end, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

PLAY NOT TO THE GALLERY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY JUNE 19, 2024.

SUBJECT : PLAY NOT TO THE GALLERY!

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

READ: Matthew 6 vs 1 - 6:

6:1: Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by 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 from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

6:3: But when you do a charitable deed, 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 sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

6:5: And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Assuredly I say to you, they have their reward.

6:6: But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

INTIMATION:

Playing to the gallery is trying to impress the general public. God is personal, and relates with us on personal grounds, not on public opinion about us. God is interested in the motives of our actions; what is the cause or the purpose for our actions. The act might be right but the motive wrong, and when the motive is wrong, don’t expect any response from God. 

We see such incidents in fund raising activities in our churches or meetings. Many of the members, in want of public acclaim, will come out to announce their donations. The action of donating in support of church activities is good, but their motive of wanting public acclaim by members is wrong. Some people are very much interested in personal recognition and acknowledgement given to them. And that is pride which God detests greatly. 

Many people do good acts for appearance and recognition by the crowd, not really out of devotion. And the fallout of such in our churches are numerous incidents of unredeemed pledges and donations. Jesus used the word “Hypocrites,” to describe such people who do good acts for appearances 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 is obvious that when we do something well, we want to tell others and be recognized. But recognition is tempting—it can lead to inflated pride. How much better it is to seek the praise of God rather than the praise of people. Then, when we receive praise, we will be free to give God the credit. What should you change about the way you live in order to receive God’s commendation? 

When we pray, when we fast, and when we give, the Bible says that we must be pure in our motives. If we do what we do for the sake of being seen by others, then being seen by others is our only reward. If, however, we do what we do in obedience to God, then God will reward us. If you have given tithes and offerings and have not been blessed, this may be the reason for it.

In the passage we read today, Jesus again exposed the hypocritical attitudes of the religious leaders. They knew the Scriptures but did not live by them. They don’t care about being holy—just looking holy in order to receive people’s admiration and praise. Today, like the Pharisees, many people say they follow Jesus, but they don’t live by His standards of love. We must make sure that our actions match our beliefs.

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 others must be pure. It is easy to give with mixed motives, such as, giving or doing something for someone because it will benefit you in return. So many believers hide under the cloak of the Scripture such as: “A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men” (Proverbs 18 vs 16), to give for personal gains, expecting some favor in return. But believers should avoid all scheming and give for the pleasure of giving and as a response to God’s love. 

God only rewards such gifts that are devotionally motivated, not those that are with attachments of returns or favor. The Bible is explicit on this when it said, “He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD; and He will pay back what he has  given.” (Proverbs 19 vs 17.) Jesus said, “And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the thankful and evil.” (Luke 6 vs 34 - 35.)

It’s easier to do what’s right when we gain recognition and praise. To be sure our motives are not selfish, we should do our good deeds quietly and/or in secret, with no thought of reward. Jesus says we should check our motives in three areas: generosity, prayer, and fasting. Those acts should not be self-centered but God-centered, done not to make us look good but to make God look good. The reward God promises is not material, and it is never given to those who seek it. Doing something only for ourselves 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?”

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of love and selflessness, that I will put You first and others next in my motives of doing good, and that love will permeate all I do, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Prayer to Save Marriages

 Today marital prayer we're praying with God's word on Joel 2:25 The Lord says, "I will give you back what you lost to the stripping locusts, the cutting locusts, the swarming locusts, and the hopping locusts. It was I who sent this great destroying army against you.

God's word is spirit and life in every marriages that are having problems and difficulties. God said according to His that He will it them back. Joel 2:25.

PRAYER POINTS

1. I command every home breaker, responsible for the chaos in my marriage to confess by fire, and I break their satanic hold over my marriage today and I declare restoration of my marriage in the name of Jesus.

2. All evil counsellors against our home, by silenced forever in the name of Jesus.

3. I scatter all arrangements between any strange man/woman and my husband/wife, in the name of Jesus.

4. I cause confusion and deep hatred between my husband/wife and any strange man/woman in the name of Jesus.

5. I will get the favour and love of my husband/wife, in Jesus’ name

6. Oh God arise and save my dear marriage from decay in Jesus name

7. Dear Holy spirit, convict my spouse of sin and restore them back to God in Jesus name.

8. I stand against any competition by strange women or girls/men and command them to ‘release me and my marriage, in the name of Jesus.

9. I stand against any demonic inlaws and command them to ‘release me and my marriage, in the name of Jesus.

10. I stand against any financial failure and poverty and command them to ‘release me and my marriage, in the name of Jesus.

11. I stand against any spirit husband and wives and command them to ‘release me and my marriage, in the name of Jesus.

12. I stand against any demonic marks and command them to ‘release me and my marriage, in the name of Jesus.

13. I stand against any anti marriage destruction and command them to ‘release me and my marriage, in the name of Jesus.

14. I stand against any spirit of fear and command them to ‘release me and my marriage, in the name of Jesus.

15. I stand against any spirit of jazebel and command them to ‘release me and my marriage, in the name of Jesus.

16. I stand against any ancestral spirit from my father or mothers side and command them to ‘release me and my marriage, in the name of Jesus.

17. I stand against any marriage curses and command them to ‘release me and my marriage, in the name of Jesus.

18. I stand against any anti marriage covenants and command them to ‘release me and my marriage, in the name of Jesus.

19. I stand against any spirit of misunderstanding and command them to ‘release me and my marriage, in the name of Jesus.

20. I stand against any ungodly attachments to parents and command them to ‘release me and my marriage, in the name of Jesus.

May you share your testimony soon in Jesus Name 🙏 🙏 🙏.

The Offense of Fearing Man

 Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.” (1 Samuel 15:24)

Why did Saul obey the people instead of God? Because he feared the people instead of God. He feared the human consequences of obedience more than he feared the divine consequences of disobedience. He feared the displeasure of the people more than the displeasure of God. And that is a great insult to God. 

In fact, Isaiah says it is a kind of pride to be afraid of what man can do while we disregard the promises of God. He quotes God with this piercing question: “I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker?” (Isaiah 51:12–13). 

Fear of man may not feel like pride, but that’s what God says it is, “Who do you think you are to fear man and forget me your Maker!”

The point is this: If you fear man, you have begun to deny the holiness, the worth of God and his Son, Jesus. God is infinitely stronger than man. He is infinitely wiser and infinitely more full of reward and joy. 

To turn from him out of fear of what man can do is to discount all that God promises to be for those who fear him. It is a great insult. And in such an insult God can take no pleasure. 

On the other hand, when we hear God’s promises and trust him with courage, fearing the reproach brought upon God by our unbelief, then he is greatly honored. And in that he has much pleasure.

How to Plead for Unbelievers

 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. (Romans 10:1)

Paul prays that God would convert Israel. He prays for her salvation! He does not pray for ineffectual influences, but for effectual influences. And that is how we should pray too. 

We should take the new covenant promises of God and plead with God to bring them to pass in our children and our neighbors and on all the mission fields of the world. 

God, take out of their flesh the heart of stone and give them a new heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 11:19)

Circumcise their heart so that they love you! (Deuteronomy 30:6)

Father, put your Spirit within them and cause them to walk in your statutes. (Ezekiel 36:27)

Grant them repentance and a knowledge of the truth that they may escape from the snare of the devil. (2 Timothy 2:25–26)

Open their hearts so that they believe the gospel! (Acts 16:14) 

When we believe in the sovereignty of God — in the right and power of God to elect and then bring hardened sinners to faith and salvation — then we will be able to pray with no inconsistency, and with the confidence of great biblical promises for the conversion of the lost.

Thus, God has pleasure in this kind of praying because it ascribes to him the right and honor to be the free and sovereign God that he is in election and salvation.

SEEK FIRST SPIRITUAL NEEDS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY JUNE 18, 2024.

SUBJECT: SEEK FIRST SPIRITUAL NEEDS!

Memory verse: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6 vs 33.)

READ: Luke 10 vs 38 - 42: 

10:38: Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.

10:39: And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 

10:40: But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”

10:41: And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.

10:42: But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

INTIMATION:

Having right priorities produce good choices. Our spiritual needs should take precedence over our physical needs. It is good to care for our physical needs, but the spiritual needs of man are always more important. Therefore, one must not use the service of physical needs as an excuse to neglect the spiritual needs that is more important in our lives. 

Even in offering your service, let your service be of your best interest, and best desired by whom you are offering the service to. Avoid your service becoming self-serving, or degenerate into mere busywork, that is not to your best interest, and that of whom you are serving. 

In the passage we read today, Mary and Martha were both in service to Jesus in their house, the One they both loved. But Martha was very busy with the household chores, and was distracted with much serving, which was a wrong priority for her at the time, though she was doing a needed and good work. The physical needs of her guest should not have taken precedence over her spiritual needs which was the most important her guest has to deliver. She didn't realize that in her desire to serve the physical needs, she was actually neglecting her guest’s desire to give the spiritual need. 

God should be first in our lives, therefore, we should seek Him and His Word first before any other thing. The Word of God is our spiritual need that ought to take precedence over our physical needs. You can be so busy doing things for Jesus that you're not spending any quality time with Him. It is likened to being busy with assigned duties in your service unit in the church that you don't hear the preaching from the pulpit. Jesus, realizing the wrong priorities of Martha, gently corrected her and advised her to set her priorities right. 

Though Martha’s works were good but were not to her best interest. She got so busy that she found it hard to relax and enjoy her guest. Her service to Jesus degenerated into mere busywork that was no longer full of devotion to Him. The personal attention she gave her guests should be more important than the comforts she tried to provide for them. Avoid your service being self-serving or busywork like Martha's

You may be working for God effectively and still not serving Him appropriately. This was the sin of Jehu. In Second Kings 10 vs 30 - 31 the Bible says:- "And the Lord said to Jehu, 'Because you have done well in doing what is right in My sight, and have done to the house of Ahab all that was in My heart, your sons shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation. But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart, for he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, who had made Israel sin." 

Jehu had become God's instrument for carrying out justice, but he had not become God's servant. Check the condition of your heart toward God, ensure you are not giving only lip service to God. We can be very active in our work for God and still not give the heartfelt obedience He desires. Our greatest desire should be live in the presence of the Lord each day of our lives. Sadly, this is not the greatest desire of many who claim to be believers. Many substitute commitment and obedience to God, and His Word with busywork in form of services to the church, which, to a large extent, is self-serving—wanting to be seen as workers in His vineyard while their heart is far away from Him.

Being in His presence requires communion with Him through prayers, and hearing from Him. We most effectively hear from Him via His Word. Therefore, total attention is required from us to His Word. Any services we offer that takes away our complete attention to His Word degenerates into self-service, or busywork. 

Prayer: Abba Father, engrace me with the wisdom and understanding to seek first my spiritual needs in order to serve You appropriately; in my best interest, and with total commitment and attention to You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

LEAD A FAITH-FILLED CHRISTIAN LIFE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY JUNE 17, 2024.

SUBJECT: LEAD A FAITH-FILLED CHRISTIAN LIFE!

Memory verse: “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (Hebrews 6 vs 10.) 

READ: First Thessalonians 1 vs 2 - 8:

1:2: We give thanks to God for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,

1:3: remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father,

1:4: knowing, beloved brethren, your election of God.

1:5: For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

1:6: And you became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

1:7: so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.

1:8:  For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

INTIMATION:

How would people describe your Christian life? As Christians, our calling from God is to become like Christ (Romans 8 vs 29). This is a gradual lifelong process that will be completed when we see Christ face to face (First John 3 vs 2). To be worthy of this calling means to want to do what is right and good (as Christ would). We aren’t perfect yet, but we’re moving in that direction as God works in us. 

The Thessalonian Christians, in apostle Paul’s days, excelled in three areas of discipleship that exemplified them as a truly converted group of people. They were exemplary—a role model—in their work produced by faith; they were not disciples who simply believed in God and Jesus. Their faith was carried into action with an obedient response to the grace of God. 

In their labor prompted by love in their relationship with one another moved them into action to care for one another. And their endurance was inspired by hope; hope of eternity in heaven moved them to remain committed to that which is necessary to arrive at their eternal dwelling in heaven. Because of their hope of heaven, they remained committed to Christ. Once one gives up hope, he or she loses his or her incentive to maintain a life that is governed by the principles of Christ. Their work, labor, and patience were all in Christ. 

These characteristics are the marks of Christians in any age. Even in persecution they stood firm (1 vs 6; 3 vs 1 - 4, 7, 8). They welcomed the pain and troubles with joy, and the joy with the trouble. The message of salvation, though welcomed with great joy, brought the Thessalonians severe affliction (suffering) because it led to persecution from both Jews and Gentiles (3 vs 2 - 4; Acts 17 vs 5.) 

The believers in both Macedonia and Achaia looked up to the believers in Thessalonica due to their exemplary Christian lifestyles. The news about them had spread all around the provinces. Their lives were echoing Christ’s Word, not only in the provinces but all over the places. The news of their faith in God was great that the apostles felt that their jobs were already done, as they didn’t need to preach anymore messages—the believers’ lifestyles were the message. 

How would people evaluate your work of faith? Do you melt at little challenges of life? Or can you proudly show your works produced by faith in God? Many Christians, at little shaking in life by unfavorable circumstances, will become weak in faith, and succumb to searching for alternatives that usually lead them away from following Christ. They will resort to visiting various native doctors, and prayers houses which are manned by native doctors or false prophets (wolf in sheep's clothing). 

How have you labored in love for Christ: reaching out to unsaved souls, doing the extra to ensure the spreading of the Good News of the gospel? Many Christians think that reaching out to unsaved souls is primarily the exclusive preserve of the pastors or ministers of the gospel. Christ’s command is to all believers: “And he said to them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16 vs 15). The “ministry of reconciliation” is given to all who are, by faith, children of God, reconciled to Him through faith in Christ (Second Corinthians 5 vs 18 - 19).  We have been equipped with the Good News—the gospel—“the word of reconciliation” to share.

Many believers today think that pain is an exception in Christian life. When suffering occurs, they say, “Why Me?” They feel as though God deserted them, or they may accuse Him of not being dependable as they thought He should be. In reality, the world is sinful, so even believers suffer. Some will start querying if God is still on His Throne. He allows some Christians to become martyrs for the faith, and He allows others to survive persecution. 

Rather than asking, “Why me?” we should ask, “Why not me?” Our faith and the values of this world are on collision course. If we expect pain and suffering to come, we will not be shocked when they occur. We can take comfort in knowing that Jesus also suffered. He understands our fears, our weaknesses, and our disappointments (Hebrews 2 vs 16 - 18; 4 vs 14 - 16). He promised never to leave us (Matthew 28 vs 18 - 20), and He intercedes on our behalf (Hebrews 7 vs 24 - 25). In times of pain, persecution, or suffering, trust confidently in Christ.

Believers are elected by God Himself (John 6 vs 44 & 65). Being chosen comes from the heart of God (not our minds). It should be an incentive to please God, rather than ignore Him, and should give birth to gratitude rather than being complacent. Human responsibility requires that we actively confess Christ as Lord, focus on living to please Him, and share the gospel with others.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You so much for the privilege of adopting me as Your child. You demonstrated in Christ Your unalloyed love for me. Let Your love that has been poured out in my heart by the Holy Spirit engender my exemplary Christian life in my work, love, and patient hope in You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!