THE VICISSITUDES ARE PART OF GOD'S PLANS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 01, 2024.

SUBJECT : THE VICISSITUDES ARE PART OF GOD'S PLANS!

Memory verse: "And we know that 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.)

READ: Genesis 50 vs 19 - 21:

50:19: Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?

50:20: But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

50:21: Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones,” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

INTIMATION:

Our God is a perfect God, and His ways are also perfect. His wisdom, knowledge, and understanding are unsearchable. His ways are far away from our ways and his thoughts far away from our thoughts. God has good plans for us. He created us for His purposes known to Him alone, and has fashioned our ways to achieve His purposes. The ways to achieve His purposes are planned by Him and known to Him from the foundation of the earth. 

The vicissitudes we encounter are part of His plans for our journey in life to achieve His purposes. Therefore, when you encounter them, as a child of God, do not be dismayed, for He is still with you. If you are obedient, you will eat the fruit of the land, and if obedient to the end, you will obtain the crown of life—eternal life with Him.

Perhaps no other account in all of Scriptures illustrates the strange vicissitudes of life more vividly than the biography of Joseph (The Dreamer). Joseph was born into privilege. He was the eleventh (and the favorite) son of Jacob, one of the patriarchs of Israelite history. Though Joseph was loved by his father, he was hated by his brothers because of his favored status. 

Joseph stoked his brothers' hatred by telling them of dreams he had—dreams in which his brothers bowed down to him. One day the brothers could contain their rage no longer. They seized Joseph and threw him into a pit. Their first thought was to kill him, but they changed their minds when they saw a caravan heading for Egypt. Instead of murdering him, his brothers sold him as a slave to members of the caravan. They returned home and told their father that Joseph had been killed by a wild beast.

In Egypt, Joseph became the trusted servant of Potiphar, an official in the king's court. Unfortunately, Potiphar's trust was shattered by one false accusation against Joseph by Potiphar’s wife. Without so much as a court hearing, Joseph was thrown into prison. He was doomed, or so he thought. But a perplexing turn of events raised him to unexpected heights, because Joseph was faithful to the end.

In prison, Joseph met the king's cup bearer and the king's baker. Both men were troubled by strange and mysterious dreams. When they told Joseph their dreams, he interpreted the strange visions for them. Days later his words came to pass precisely the way he had announced to them. What kind of special powers did Joseph possess? How could he interpret these dreams? Joseph merely attributed his ability to the God of Israel, a God not worshiped in Egypt.

Two years later, Pharaoh had a dream. His advisors could not even begin to interpret it. Joseph was summoned from the prison to decipher the strange, troubling images. After a moment of silence, Joseph declared the visions meant that Egypt would be blessed with seven years of abundance, followed by seven years of famine. 

In grateful response, Pharaoh appointed Joseph second-in-command in Egypt (a Prime Minister in a foreign land). Again, Joseph downplayed his own abilities and spoke instead, of the power of the Awesome God. And just as he predicted, the seven years of abundance came, as did the seven years of famine.

Joseph's appointment to second-in-command, remains an astonishing moment in ancient history. How do we explain his rise from an impoverished foreigner to an imperial leader? However, God was with him in his journey of life, and empowered him to overcome all temptations, because he puts God first in all things.

God predetermined the fame of Joseph, and even showed him in a vision of the night what He has planned and purposed for him. God packaged all the encounters in the life of Joseph to achieve His purpose. And now, look at the words of Joseph to his brothers; "God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people" (Genesis 50 vs 20). 

Are you a child of God? Are you engulfed in the vicissitudes of life? Do you place your absolute trust in Him, and is obedient to, and serving Him? Is God first in your life? If your answers are 'yes,' then, rest assured of your great visitation from Him, and your testimony is on the way. What you are passing through are all en-route to your glorious destiny.

Prayer: Abba Father, though the labor of my hands may fail, nor the fields will not yield its food, though life turns sour, and I hardly can eat, though I crush under human hardship, I will put my trust in, and rejoice in You. For I know Your thoughts for me are good, and You will never leave me nor forsake me. You have given me a glorious destiny, and only You will make it happen. Though it might tarry, but it must surely come to pass! Give me the strength to trust absolutely in You , and follow You to the end, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

The Lion and the Lamb

 The Lion and the Lamb

“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.” (Matthew 12:18–21, quoting Isaiah 42)

The Father’s very soul exults with joy over the servant-like meekness and compassion of his Son.

When a reed is bent and about to break, the Servant will tenderly hold it upright until it heals. When a wick is smoldering and has scarcely any heat left, the Servant will not pinch it off, but cup his hand and blow gently until it burns again.

Thus the Father cries, “Behold, my Servant in whom my soul delights!” The worth and beauty of the Son come not just from his majesty, nor just from his meekness, but from the way these mingle in perfect proportion.

When the angel cries out in Revelation 5:2, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” the answer comes back, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals” (Revelation 5:5).

God loves the strength of the Lion of Judah. This is why he is worthy in God’s eyes to open the scrolls of history and unfold the last days.

But the picture is not complete. How did the Lion conquer? The next verse describes his appearance: “And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6). Jesus is worthy of the Father’s delight not only as the Lion of Judah, but also as the slain Lamb.

This is the peculiar glory of Jesus Christ, God’s incarnate Son — the stunning mingling of majesty and meekness.

WORSHIP GOD IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY AUGUST 31, 2024.

SUBJECT: WORSHIP GOD IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH!

Memory verse: "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him." (John 4 vs 23.) 

READ: John 4 vs 24; Hebrews 12 vs 28; 

4:24: God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

Hebrews 12:28: Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

INTIMATION:

Worship is paying great honor to; to love and admire very greatly. You worship because you know the worth of what you worship. You worship God because you know who He is. When you catch the revelation of God and His worth, the appropriate response is to reverence Him in worship. The truth about God is revealed in His Word. According to our memory verse, Jesus is saying in this most profound statement, that one must know the Word of God in order to worship the God of the word. Ignorance of God’s Word leads to one worshipping a god who is the creation of one’s mind, and such is the spirit of idolatry. 

It is in consonance with the true worship that Jesus gave us the greatest commandment of God, “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength...” (Mark 12 vs 30.) Worship must be based on the truth of Scriptures, not our opinions or feeling about God. To "worship in truth" means to worship God as He is truly revealed in the Bible. Your worship is acceptable to God when it’s in truth and in spirit. In truth because of the self-revelation of God to you in His Word, and in spirit because it involves the totality of you—coming from the inside of you. 

“God is Spirit” means He is not a physical being you can see, and is not limited to one place. He is present everywhere, and can be worshiped anywhere, at any time. It is not where we worship that counts, but how we worship. Your worship must be genuine, and acceptable. Genuine worship is spirited. You must engage your real you, and your real you is in your spirit. 

Made in God's image you are a spirit that resides in a body, and God designed your spirit to communicate with Him. Genuine worship is your spirit responding to God's Spirit—Holy Spirit—Who in turn responds with help. The Holy Spirit prays for us (Romans 8 vs 26), teaches us the words of Christ (John 14 vs 26), and tells us we are loved (Romans 5 vs 5).

The Bible, in First Corinthians 2 vs 11 says, "For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God." The things of a man are known to the spirit of man, and only the spirit of man can genuinely worship God acceptably. It is not just a matter of saying the right words; you must mean what you say, engaging your inner self in all you do. Heartless worship is not worship at all! It is an insult to God. He wants all of you. He is not interested in halfhearted commitment, partial obedience, and the leftovers of your time. He desires your full devotion, and complete commitment.

Acceptable worship should be a lifestyle. It ought not to be a part of your life; it should be your life. Worship is not just communion, It is your whole life given for service to God, and His pleasure. God is worshipped continually, and in any place. God should be praised at all times; at work, at home, in battle, in jail, and even in bed! Every activity can be transformed into an act of worship when you do it for the praise, glory, and pleasure of God. The Bible, in First Corinthians 10 vs 31, says "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 

But how is it possible to do everything to the glory of God? It’s by allowing God's love so permeate our motives that all we do will be to His glory. By doing everything as if you were doing it for Jesus and by carrying on a continual conversation with Him while you do it. You can keep as a guiding principle, asking, "Is this action glorifying God?" Or "How can I honor God through this action?" When we worship, God looks past our words to see the attitude of our hearts. The Bible says, "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (First Samuel 16 vs 7.) Therefore, your heartfelt worship is what God accepts and responds to.

Prayer: Abba Father, I praise You with my whole heart, and all that is within me bless Your Holy Name. O Lord, let Your Word dwell in me richly in all wisdom, that I may worship You acceptably in spirit and truth, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE NATURE OF FAITH THAT PLEASES THE LORD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY AUGUST 30, 2024.

SUBJECT : THE NATURE OF FAITH THAT PLEASES THE LORD!

Memory verse: "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11 vs 6.)

READ: 11 vs 1 - 8:

11:1 : Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

11:2: For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

11:3: By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

11:4: By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and through it he being dead speaks.

11:5: By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death; and was not found, because God had taken him: for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

11:7: By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

11:8: By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

INTIMATION:

The nature of faith that is pleasing to the Lord is the faith that moves the one who possesses it into action and confidence in the promises of God. It is a faith that does not give up hope in what God has promised as a reward for the believer. It is not a simple confession with one’s mouth that he believes in God. It is a life commitment to the work of God who is working to bring about the final end and purpose of all things. 

Such faith is “real faith” that combines assurance and anticipation! Real faith is belief, trust, hope, dependence, reliance and obedience in God and His word and that faith comes from God and His word. Faith is the confidence based on past experience that God’s new and fresh surprises will surely be ours. The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s character: He is who He says. The end point is believing in God’s promises: He will do what He says. When we believe that God will fulfill His promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true or real faith. 

The faith that pleases God, therefore, gives substance to their hope. Faith that is based on evidence in one’s personal confidence that those things for which he hopes are real. It is confidence that God will bring about His promises because He has made them on the basis of His existence and His oath (Hebrews 6 vs 18 - 19). 

It is noteworthy that Biblical faith is based on evidence. The apostle John recorded the evidence of the miraculous works of Jesus in order that men believe (John 20 vs 30 - 31). God has never expected men to believe without evidence, hence in the 1st century, therefore, He confirmed His messengers and message by miraculous manifestations (Mark 16 vs 17 - 29). Belief without evidence is only superstition. 

The faith of the Christian, however, is not superstition. The Christian’s faith today is based on the record of the testimony of those who actually experienced the confirming work of God. Christians have hope on those things that they have not experienced because God has given miraculous evidence to the truth of the message they believe. Therefore, Christians work by faith (Second Corinthians 5 vs 7). They grow in faith in the promises of God as they study the testimony of those who personally experienced the confirming miracles that are recorded in the Bible.

In the passage we read today, the Bible introduces us to some of the witnesses of the patriarchs of old who gave their testimony to the work and faithfulness of God. The faith that we see in the illustration herein, describe that faith that is well pleasing to God. They personally experienced the work of God in their lives, and thus, their lives are here recorded in order to give us further evidence upon which to base our faith. It is a faith that is obedient to the will of God. 

Every example of faith that is given in Hebrew chapter 11 is a faith that motivated the individual who possessed it into an active response to God. For instance, Abel was obedient to offer a blood sacrifice that was according to the commandment of God (Genesis 4 vs 4 - 5). He was thus judged righteous because of his faith that was manifested through his obedience to the Will of God. Abel is now dead, however, the account of his active faith still teaches a lesson on true obedience of faith. The testimony of his life and the example of the faithful who are listed in this chapter teach many lessons on obedient faith.

Noah experienced rejection because he was different from his neighbors. God commanded him to build a huge boat in the middle of a dry land, and although God’s command seemed foolish, Noah obeyed. Noah’s obedience made him appear strange to his neighbors. As you obey God, don’t be surprised if others regard you as “different.” 

Abraham’s life was filled with faith. At God’s command, he left home and went to another land, obeying without question. He believed the covenant God made with him. In obedience to God, Abraham was even willing to sacrifice his son Isaac. 

Let us, therefore, covet the faith that will make us well pleasing to God. The apostle Paul states thus; “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in his body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (Second Corinthians 5 vs 9 - 10.)

When one realizes that he will give account of his actions before his Creator, then he is motivated to do the will of the Creator. We do not presume that judgement will be on the basis of meritorious works. Good works are the result of one’s response to the grace of God. Our only means by which we can know if one has a heart of thanksgiving is by his works. 

While eternal life is a free gift given on the basis of God’s grace (Ephesians 2 vs 8 - 9), each of us will still be judged by Christ. He will reward us for how we have lived. God’s gracious gift of salvation does not free us from the requirement of faithful obedience. All Christians must give account on the day of judgement of how they have lived; how they have used the gifts of God to serve His purposes here on earth.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You immensely for Your gift of faith. I most sincerely wish to covet the faith pleasing to You, that I may please You in my good works, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Church Growth God’s Way

 Church Growth God’s Way

It is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. (Romans 9:8)

Picture the Old Testament Abraham as a pastor. The Lord says, “I will bless you and prosper your ministry.” But the church is barren and bears no children.

What does Abraham do? He begins to despair of supernatural intervention. He is getting old. His wife remains barren. So he decides to bring about God’s promised son without supernatural intervention. He has sex with Hagar his wife’s handmaid (Genesis 16:4). However, the result is not a “child of the promise,” but a “child of the flesh,” Ishmael.

God stuns Abraham by saying, “I will give you a son by her [your wife Sarah]” (Genesis 17:16). So Abraham cries out to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” (Genesis 17:18). He wants the work of his own natural, human effort to be the fulfillment of God’s promise. But God says, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son” (Genesis 17:19). 

But Sarah is 90 years old. She has been barren all her life, and she has already passed through menopause (Genesis 18:11). Abraham is 100. The only hope for a child of promise is stunning, supernatural intervention. 

That is what it means to be a “child of the promise” — to be born “not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13). The only children that count for children of God in this world are supernaturally begotten children of promise. In Galatians 4:28 Paul says, “You [Christians], like Isaac, are children of promise.” You are “born according to the Spirit,” not according to the flesh (Galatians 4:29). 

Think of Abraham as a pastor again. His church is not growing the way he believes God promised. He is weary of waiting for supernatural intervention. He turns to the “Hagar” of mere human devices, and decides he can “attract people” without the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. 

However, it will not be a church of Isaacs, but Ishmaelites — children of the flesh, not children of God. God save us from this kind of fatal success. By all means work. But always look to the Lord for the decisive, supernatural work. “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord” (Proverbs 21:31).

Six Things It Means to Be in Christ Jesus

 [God] saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. (2 Timothy 1:9)

Being “in Christ Jesus” is a stupendous reality. It is breathtaking to be united to Christ. Bound to Christ. 

If you are “in Christ” listen to what it means for you:

In Christ Jesus you were given grace before the world was created. Second Timothy 1:9, “He gave us grace in Christ Jesus before the ages began.”

In Christ Jesus you were chosen by God before creation. Ephesians 1:4, “[God] chose us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world.”

In Christ Jesus you are loved by God with an inseparable love. Romans 8:38–39, “I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In Christ Jesus you were redeemed and forgiven for all your sins. Ephesians 1:7, “In [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.”

In Christ Jesus you are justified before God and the righteousness of God in Christ is imputed to you. Second Corinthians 5:21, “For our sake [God] made [Christ] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

In Christ Jesus you have become a new creation and a son of God. Second Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Galatians 3:26, “In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.”

I pray that you will never grow weary of exploring and exulting in the inexhaustible privilege of being “in Christ Jesus.”

OBEY AND BE BLESSED!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY AUGUST 29, 2024.

SUBJECT: OBEY AND BE BLESSED!

Memory verse: "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land." (Isaiah 1 vs 19.)

READ: Deuteronomy 30 vs 15 - 16: 

30:15: See, I have set before You today life and good, death and evil, 

30:16: in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgements, that you may live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess.

INTIMATION:

Being obedient is submitting to authority; to comply with orders—the practice of doing what one is told. Obedience to God is doing the Will of God, and willingness to forsake all that are outside God’s Will. True obedience is willingness to obey commands from the heart. Heartless obedience of law is worthless before God. His laws are written in the Bible and are clearly evident in the world around us. Obeying them is reasonable, sensible, and beneficial. We could expect blessings when we conduct ourselves according to the moral principles of God. The most difficult part of obeying God’s laws is simply deciding to start now.

Not being obedient is, in my considered opinion, disagreeing with God, and consequently, refusing to access the promises and blessings of God. The Scripture likened disobedience 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. Christians today always make rituals of going to church, taking communion, serving in units, paying tithes etc. But these activities are empty if our reasons for doing them are selfish. 

God doesn't want our sacrifices and offerings without an attitude of devotion (obedience) to Him. 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 the promises of God and the provisions thereto, are all ours.

The Christian rituals are not bribes to make God overlook our character faults. All God wants is our sincere faith and devotion. The Christian rituals ought 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.

Have you ever said you would obey God if you know what He wanted? Have you ever complained that obedience is too difficult for a mere human? These are unacceptable excuses. All God’s laws are good, and are for our benefit in obedience (See Deuteronomy 28 vs 1 - 13). The strength to obey comes from our relationship with God, who is also the source of our strength for; “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4 vs 13). The power we receive in union with Christ is sufficient to do His Will and to face all challenges that arise from our commitment to doing it. 

Prayer: Abba Father, trust and obedience to Your Word is the only access to Your promises and provisions. Strengthen me, O Lord, with the spirit of raw obedience to You and Your Word, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!