WHEN GOD SEEMS FAR AWAY FROM YOU!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY JULY 20, 2024.

SUBJECT: WHEN GOD SEEMS FAR AWAY FROM YOU! 

Memory verse: "Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide in times of trouble? (Psalm 10 vs 1.)

READ: Psalm 13 vs 1 - 6:

13:1: How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? for ever? How long will You hide Your face from me?

13:2: How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long will my enemy be exalted over me?

13:3: Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: Enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.

13:4: Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”; lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

13:5: But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

13:6: I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me.

INTIMATION:

It is natural for the believer to feel that God has distanced Himself from him or her when in trouble. The fact is that God does not distance Himself from us at anytime. Rather we move away from Him. The fact is that God is transcendent, and He also allows life and nature to continue their natural courses. God knows the end from the beginning, perfect in timing, and works all things together for good, achieving His predetermined purposes even in the midst of the troubles. The believer must remember that God does not move away from him in time of trouble. 

For instance, Job wondered why God would allow great calamity to come upon him if He were a God who is transcendent in the affairs of man (Job 13 vs 24). He never knew God’s purpose of allowing Satan to bring the calamities his way, but at the end Job was better off than he was from the beginning of his troubles. 

In our memory verse, the psalm writer said, “Why do you hide in times of trouble?” To him God seemed far away. But even though the writer had honest doubts, he did not stop praying or conclude that God no longer cared. He was not complaining but simply asking God to hurry to his aid. It is during those times when we feel most alone or oppressed that we need to keep praying, telling God about our troubles.

Sometimes all we need to do is talk over a problem with a friend to help put it in perspective. God is such a friend. Just like David expressed his feelings to God and found strength. By the end of his prayer, he was able to confess hope and trust in God. Through prayer we can express our feelings and talk our problems out with God. He helps us regain the right perspective, and this gives us peace. 

In times of distress, some of us frequently claim that God is slow to act on their behalf. Yes we often feel this same impatience. Our duty, however, is to continue to trust God no matter how long we have to wait for God’s help or justice to be realized. When you feel impatient, always remember to put your faith in God’s unfailing love. 

In the passage we read today, David was faithful to God and trusted wholeheartedly in Him, but he felt the pressure of his problems as much as anyone. Instead of giving up or giving in, however, David held on to his faith. In times of despair, it is much harder to hold on than to give up. But if you give up on God, you give in to a life of despair. 

Let your feelings not be controlled by the events around you, but rather by faith in God’s ability to give you strength. When nothing makes sense, and when troubles seem more than you can bear, remember that God gives strength. Take your eyes off your difficulties and look to God who controls all circumstances. 

Prophet Habakkuk says in Habakkuk 3 vs 17 - 19: “Although the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be in the vines; though the labour of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like bear's feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.”

God will give His followers strength and confidence in difficult times. They will run surefooted as deer across rough and dangerous terrain. At the proper time, God will bring about His justice and completely rid the world of evil. In the meantime God’s people need to live in the strength of His Spirit, confident in His ultimate victory over evil. God is our refuge even in the midst of total destruction. He is not merely a temporary retreat, He is our eternal refuge and can provide strength in any circumstance. 

Prayer: Abba Father, You are Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Omnipotent. There is nothing difficult nor impossible with You, and You control all circumstances. I will cast all my cares on You because You cares for me. In all circumstances You are my only God. Whatever You can’t do for me let it remain undone, whatever You can’t give me may I never have it. Daily I empty myself before You rest for whatever You have for me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

His Timing Is Perfect

 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may find grace for a well-timed help. (Hebrews 4:16, my literal translation)

I know this precious verse is usually translated, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” But that is a paraphrase — a true one — to show that God shows up just when we need him. But the literal focus is on how timely the help is.

All ministry is in the future — a moment away, or a month away, or a year, or a decade. We have ample time to fret about our inadequacy. When this happens, we must turn to prayer. 

Prayer is the form of faith that connects us today with the grace that will make us adequate for tomorrow’s ministry. Timing really matters.

What if grace comes too early or comes too late? The traditional translation of Hebrews 4:16 does not make clear a very precious promise in this regard. We need a more literal rendering to see it. The promise is not merely that we find grace “to help in time of need,” but that the grace is well-timed by God.

The point is that prayer is the way to find future grace for a well-timed help. This grace of God always arrives from the “throne of grace” on time. The phrase “throne of grace” means that future grace comes from the King of the universe who sets the times by his own authority (Acts 1:7). 

His timing is perfect, but it is rarely ours: “For a thousand years in [his] sight are but as yesterday when it is past” (Psalm 90:4). At the global level, he sets the times for nations to rise and fall (Acts 17:26). And at the personal level, “My times are in [his] hand” (Psalm 31:15). 

When we wonder about the timing of future grace, we must think on the “throne of grace.” Nothing can hinder God’s plan to send grace when it will be best for us. Future grace is always well-timed.

HUMILITY IS PROFITABLE TO ALL THINGS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY JULY 19, 2024.

SUBJECT : HUMILITY IS PROFITABLE TO ALL THINGS!

Memory verse: "By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life" (Proverbs 22 vs 4).

READ: Luke 14 vs 7 - 11:

14:7: So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them; 

14:8: When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him;

14:9: And he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place for this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place.

14:10: But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.

14:11: For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

INTIMATION:

Humility signifies lowliness of mind. It is always used in good sense in the Scripture to denote low-lying; not to think too highly of oneself; to bring low in meekness or gentleness. It is being modest, unpretentious, and having a low opinion of oneself or one's claims. Humility is a character trait dominant in all real servants of the LORD. Christ Himself is humble. Though gentleness, or humility, is a very elusive character trait, yet the Bible regards it as a highly important quality.

The apostle Paul gave the clearest definition of humility in Romans 12 vs 3: "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly…."

Each believer should not think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly; calm, self-controlled, exercising cool, dispassionate reason, self-possessed, not proud. 

Pride is destructive. In Proverbs 16 vs 18, the Scriptures says: "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall." Pride usually makes us self-centered and leads us to wrongly conclude that we deserve all we can see, touch, or imagine. This wrong feeling creates greedy appetites for far more than we need. Only in being humble before God that we can be released from our self-centered desires, realizing that all we really need is God's approval. When the Holy Spirit fills us, we see that this world's seductive attractions are only cheap substitutes for what God has to offer.

God hears the humble, and does not forget his cry (Psalm 9 vs 12). He dwells in the high and holy place with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, and revives the spirit of the humble (Isaiah 57 vs 15). He gives grace to the humble (James 4 vs 6; First Peter 5 vs 5), and grace is all we need, and grace (free and unmerited favour of God for sinful humanity) is God’s greatest gift. When you humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, He will exalt you in due time (First Peter 5 vs 6) and His timing is the best since the end is known to Him from the beginning, and He wants the very best for you.

Abraham was humble and believed God, and ensured he would not offend God in any way. Any instructions given to him by God was strictly obeyed by him because of his believe in Him, and this was counted to him for righteousness. He was one of the few the persons in the Bible called “friend of God.” Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth (Numbers 12 vs 3). 

However, that was before the coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus is an epitome of humility. He was humble so much so that He was willing to give up His rights in order to obey God and serve humanity. His obedience in humility was unto death, even a shameful death on the cross.  Jesus described Himself as "gentle and low in heart" (Matthew 11 vs 29). If we say we follow Christ, we must also say we want to live as He lived. We should develop His attitude of humility as we serve, even when we are not likely to get recognition for our efforts. 

Like Christ, we should have a servant's attitude, serving out of love for God and for others, not out of guilt or fear. Everyone has the right of choice. You can choose your attitude. You can approach life expecting to be served, or you can look for opportunities to serve others and it takes humility to operate in this realm. Choose to be humble, and God will exalt you in due time.

Be clothed with humility (First Peter 5 vs 5) both old and young. It is the cure of evil desires in us. Pride often keeps older people from trying to understand young people and keeps young people from listening to those who are older. Both young and old should be humble and serve each other; old people leading the young ones, and the young ones respecting the old. Be humble enough to admit you can learn from each other.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of raw obedience and humility exemplified in Christ Jesus our Messiah, that I may obtain Your greatest gift of grace needed to lead a life pleasing to You, and You will exalt me in due time with riches and honor, in Jesus Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

God’s Grace in Spiritual Gifts

 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. (1 Peter 4:10)

When we use our spiritual gifts, we are stewarding grace — not yesterday’s grace, but today’s, arriving in every moment of need. And this future grace is “varied grace.” It comes in many colors and shapes and sizes. This is one of the reasons spiritual gifts in the body are so diverse. The prism of God’s gifts in your life will refract shades of divine glory that would never come through my prism. 

There are as many future graces as there are needs in the body of Christ — and more. The purpose of spiritual gifts is to receive and dispense the future grace of God to those needs. 

But someone may ask, “Why do you take Peter to refer to future grace? Doesn’t a steward manage a household store that is already on hand?” 

The main reason I take Peter to refer to future grace is because the next verse illustrates how this works, and the reference there is to ongoing supplies of future grace. He says, “Whoever serves, [let him serve] by the strength that God supplies — in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:11). The word is “supplies,” not “supplied.” As you serve, serve in the power of the ongoing supply of God’s grace to do what you need to do.

When you fulfill your spiritual gift to serve someone tomorrow, you will be serving “by the strength that God supplies” — and the supply will be tomorrow, not today. “As your days, so shall your strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:25).

God goes on, day-by-day, moment-by-moment, supplying the “strength” in which we minister. He does this because the ongoing, inexhaustible supplier of power gets the glory. “Whoever serves, [let him serve] by the strength that God supplies — in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”

IDEAL PRAYER FOR MONEY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY JULY 18, 2024.

SUBJECT: IDEAL PRAYER FOR MONEY! 

Memory verse: "Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6 vs 11.)

READ: Proverbs 30 vs 7 - 9:

30:7: Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die):

30:8: Remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches—feed me with the food allotted to me; 

30:9: Lest I be full and deny You, and say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God.

INTIMATION:

The Scripture recognizes that money is necessary for survival, but it warns against the love of money: “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (First Timothy 6 vs 10.) Money is dangerous because it deceives us into thinking that wealth is the easiest way to get everything we want. 

However, having too much money can be dangerous, but so can having too little. Being poor, in fact, can be hazardous to spiritual as well as physical health. On the other hand, being rich is not the answer. As Jesus pointed out, rich people have trouble getting into God’s kingdom (Matthew 19 vs 23 - 24). Like the apostle Paul, we can learn “how to be abased” of “how to abound” (Philippians 4 vs 12), but our lives are more likely to be effective if we have neither too much nor too little money.

Abundant possessions can make many feel self-sufficient, and consequently, turn their back on God and forget Him. Self-sufficiency is as destructive today as it was in biblical time. In times of plenty, we often take credit for our prosperity and become proud that our hard work and cleverness have made us rich. It is easy to get so busy collecting and managing wealth that we push God right out of our lives. But it is God who gives us everything we have, and it is God who asks us to manage it for Him. If you are traveling along a smooth and easy path right now, beware of forgetting who gave you your good fortune. Don’t depend on your gifts; depend on the Giver. 

In the passage we read today, Agur, the psalm’s writer prayed that he not fall victim of falsehoods and lies. He asked that he be given only that which would sustain his life. He had seen the curse of wealth, and the despair of poverty. In order to live a life of contentment without the worry of riches, or the desperation of poverty, Agur’s prayer was for a life that was without the frustrations of either riches or poverty. This should be the ideal prayer of the Christian; to have enough that will make him lead a sustainable life and be content with such that he has. We must pray for those things that are necessary for the sustenance of life.

Being content results from proper perspective of life—seeing life from God’s perspective. When you do that, you will focus on what is available to you per time, and not what you feel you should have. This helps you put your priorities right and straight, and be grateful for everything God has given you. Like the apostle Paul, we should detach ourselves from the nonessentials so that we could concentrate on the essentials with eternal values. Often the desire for more or better possessions is really a longing to fill an empty place in a person’s life. 

Most people are continually greedy for more money, regardless of their financial state of being. Regardless of whether one is poor or rich, most people continually seek to acquire more things of this world. Those Christians who are poor must learn not to complain and murmur about their situation and blame others for their predicament. Contentment of mind must be learned by those who are poor. When you are rich, learn how to possess money without money possessing you. Therefore, the rich must also learn to be content with their own financial well-being. They must learn not to allow money to become the idol of their lives. 

The Scripture states that it is difficult for the rich to be about kingdom business because their minds are continually directed and controlled by that which is of this world. Their wealth diverts their attention away from those spiritual things that will exist long after the material has been destroyed. It is difficult for the rich and influential rulers of this world to become obedient subjects of the kingdom reign of God.

Prayer: Abba Father, my utmost heart desire is to serve You with the talents, abilities, and possessions You entrust me with. May I never have anything that will drift me away from You, nor have anything that will cause me put my trust in any other thing than You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Prayer for Forgiveness

 Today we're praying for Forgiveness one the obstacle to unanswered prayer no matter how righteous you're if can't forgive your offenders your prayer God will not answer your prayer. Let's search our hearts forgive and release our offenders as God's children. Matthew 6:12

Romans 8:7 [That is he] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God's Law; indeed it cannot.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Oh Lord, forgive me today and set my heart free from all fears and doubt’s because of my iniquities in Jesus name.

2. Oh Lord, forgive me in any way I trespassed against your commandment that leads to defeat in my life in Jesus name.

3. Oh Lord! Let your mercy prevail over your judgment in my life in Jesus name.

4. Oh Lord! help me to rebuke the power of sin in my life before it expose me openly in Jesus name.

5. Oh Lord, In humility, I turn from my wicked ways today, forgive me and heal my land in Jesus name.

6. Oh Lord! Show me your unconditional mercy, do not let sin drag me into self destruction in Jesus name.

7. Oh Lord forgive me for all the evil deeds carried out by my hands in Jesus name.

8. Oh Lord, have pity on me for my sins, do not let the consequences of my past sins overwhelm me in Jesus name.

9. Oh Lord, By the blood of your Son Jesus Christ, consume all sins in my life that go contrary against the laws of God in Jesus name.

10. Oh Lord, I reject every evil thoughts and desires that lives in me today,i cleanse my heart with the blood of Jesus and the word of God in Jesus name.

11. Oh Lord, let every addiction of the sins of my youth that is still tormenting me today come to an end today, give me a new page so that my past will not continue to haunt me in Jesus Name.

12. Oh Lord that is full of grace and mercy, pardon all my sins so that I will see your face today in Jesus name.

13. Oh Lord, let your mercy cover up my sins today and forever in Jesus name.

14. Father, i come against every evil spirit of deceit that bring iniquity into my life, let them be destroyed today in Jesus name

15. Oh Lord, save me from every iniquity in my life that make me rise and fall in Jesus name.

16. Oh Lord, every work of iniquity in my life that will bring me back to the world I destroy them in the name of Jesus.

17. Oh Lord, let me receive your thorough cleansing by your Blood from all my sins today so that I will be victorious in my prayers in Jesus name.

18. Oh Lord, deliver me from the spirit of lying in Jesus name.

19. Oh Lord, deliver me from the sin of fornication in Jesus name.

20. Oh Lord deliver me from the sin of the lust of the eyes in Jesus name.

The Power to Profess Christ

 With great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. (Acts 4:33)

If our ministry is to witness to Christ tomorrow in some unsympathetic situation, the key will not be our brilliance; the key will be abundant future grace. 

Of all people, the apostles seemed to need least help to give a compelling witness to the risen Christ. They had been with him for three years. They had seen him die. They had seen him alive after the crucifixion. In their witnessing arsenal they had “many proofs” (Acts 1:3). You might think that, of all people, their ministry of witnessing, in those early days, would sustain itself on the strength of the past glories that were still so fresh. 

But that is not what the book of Acts tells us. The power to witness with faithfulness and effectiveness did not come mainly from memories of grace; it came from the new arrivals of “great grace.” “Great grace was upon them all.” That’s the way it was for the apostles, and that’s the way it will be for us in our ministry of witnessing. 

Whatever added signs and wonders God may show to amplify our witness to Christ, they will come the same way they came for Stephen. “And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8). Grace was arriving from God for all that Stephen needed — eventually all that he would need to die.

There is an extraordinary future grace and power that we may bank on in the crisis of special ministry need. It is a fresh act of power by which God “bore witness to the word of his grace” (Acts 14:3; see also Hebrews 2:4). The ever-arriving grace of power bears witness to the ever-given grace of truth.