WORSHIP IS PLEASURABLE TO GOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 22, 2025.

SUBJECT : WORSHIP IS PLEASURABLE TO GOD!

Memory verse: "The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.” (Psalm 147 vs 11.)

READ: Matthew 4 vs 8 - 10:

4:8: Again the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 

4:9: And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me."

4:10: Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.

INTIMATION:

Worship is paying great honor to; to love and admire very greatly. Worship is the appropriate response to God's self-revelation. 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. 

God created us for His pleasure, therefore, we should bring pleasure to Him. God takes pleasure in our recognition of who He is. He lays great emphasis on who He is. The statement, "I am the Lord," is made over 350 times by the Lord in ‘Old Testament’ alone. Anything you do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship. Worshipping God is one of our lives’ purposes. He takes pleasure in it.

God desires our worship in spirit and in truth (John 4 vs 23). True worshippers worship God in spirit. "God is Spirit" means He is not a physical being limited to one place. He is present everywhere and He can be worshipped anywhere, at any time. It is not where you worship that counts, but how you worship. Is your worship genuine and true? 

Whatever you do anytime, anywhere, and anyhow that gives God pleasure is an act of worship. God desires our reverence and trust. Have you ever imagined who God is? Have you ever sat down to appreciate nature, and all the natural things you see around you? How did they come into being? Take a little time and do this, starting with imagining how you were made. It is in so doing, you catch the self-revelation of who created all these things, and worship Him. 

Even the devil knows the essence of worship, and wants to be worshipped. He took Jesus to an 'exceedingly high mountain,' and showed Him "all the kingdoms of the world and their glory," (all are God's creation). He requested that Jesus should worship him for all these, which, of course, are not created by him. Jesus answered him well, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve." God created us to worship Him, and only Him we shall serve. The devil, the greatest enemy of God, wanted that which is due to God alone. He offered the whole world to Jesus in exchange of worshipping him. You can now realize the value of worship—worth more than the whole world.

The understanding of "worship" defers among religious backgrounds. Some think that praises during church services with singing constitute worship, some think that praying, and listening to a sermon as worship. Some think of ceremonies, candles, and communion as worship. Others think of healing, miracles, and ecstatic experiences as worship. Worship include these elements, but worship is far more than these expressions. Worship is a lifestyle. It is not a part of your life; it is your life. Worship is not just communion with God, or church services. It is your whole life given for service to God, and His pleasure. 

The psalmist, in Psalm 105 vs 4 says, "Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore." And, "From the rising of the sun to it's going down the Lord's name is to be praised." (Psalm 113 vs 3.) God is worshipped continually, therefore, praise God in worship at all times; at work, at home, in battle, in jail, and even in bed! Praise should be the first activity when you open your eyes in the morning and the last activity before you close them at night. Ensuring that you worship Him continually knowing it is the first purpose of your creation.

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." How is it possible to do everything to the glory of God? By allowing God's love to permeate our motives so 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 we do it. You can keep as a guiding principle the question to self, "Is this action glorifying God?" Or "How can I honor God through this action?"

The Bible, in Colossians 3 vs 23 says, "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men." This is the secret to a lifestyle of worship—doing everything as if you were doing it for Jesus. Since creation, God has given us work to do. If we could regard our work as an act of worship or service to God, such an attitude should be regarded as the cost of discipleship. The apostle Paul noted this in Romans 12 vs 1 when he said, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." We should daily lay aside our own desires to follow him, putting all our energy and resources at His disposal and trusting Him to guide us. 

Prayer: Abba Father, my utmost heart desire is for an intimate relationship with You. Endue me with Your excellent spirit that I may worship You all the days of my life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

The Anchor of Joy

 The Anchor of Joy

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” (Matthew 5:11)

“Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)

Jesus revealed a secret that protects our happiness from the threat of suffering and the threat of success. That secret is this: Great is your reward in heaven. And the sum of that reward is enjoying the fullness of the glory of Jesus Christ (John 17:24).

Jesus protects our happiness from suffering when he says,

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” (Matthew 5:11–12)

Our great reward in heaven rescues our joy from the threat of persecution and reviling.

He also protects our joy from success when he says,

“Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)

The disciples were tempted to put their joy in ministry success. “Even the demons are subject to us in your name!” (Luke 10:17). But that would have severed their joy from its only sure anchor.

So Jesus protects their joy from the threat of success by promising the far greater reward of heaven. Rejoice in this: that your names are written in heaven. Your inheritance is infinite, eternal, sure.

Our joy is safe. Neither suffering nor success can destroy its anchor. Great is your reward in heaven. Your name is written there. It is secure.

Jesus anchored the happiness of suffering saints in the reward of heaven. And he anchored the happiness of successful saints in the same.

And thus he freed us from the tyranny of worldly pain and pleasure — worldly suffering and worldly success.

THE HEART THAT GOD HEARS.

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY JANUARY 21, 2025.

SUBJECT : THE HEART THAT GOD HEARS.

Memory verse: "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear me." (Psalm 66 vs 18.)

READ Mark 11 vs 22 - 26:

22: Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. 

23: For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

24: Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

25: "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 

26: But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

 

INTIMATION:

A heart filled with the spirit of heaviness receives nothing from God. Let go, lighten your heart, free your heart to create space to receive from God. A heart crowded, and burdened with iniquity; wickedness, unforgiveness, injustice, evil, hatred etc, is so filthy, and crowded with negativities that it cannot receive anything good, especially from the LORD. Such heart attitude quench the Spirit, thereby dampening the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Forgiving others is tough work, so much so that many people would rather do something totally distasteful in vengeance than offer forgiveness to someone who has wronged them. For a person to pray with a heavy heart, bearing grudges, is, however, like a tree sprouting leaves and bearing no fruit, fruitful in appearance only, but is spiritually barren. Such hearts are cursed. (See Mark 11 vs 13 - 14.)

You cannot be on the two sides of the divide at the same one time. The heart bearing grudges, can never at the same time harbor blessings. Don't deceive yourself; God cannot be mocked; for whatever you sow in your heart, that you shall also reap (Galatians 6 vs 7). Therefore, make your choice.

Effective prayer involves; an attitude of faith—complete dependence on God—not faith in the object of our prayers. Faith filled prayer changes the heart, dismantles pride and vengeance, filling the holes—the spaces occupied by grudges, hatred, injustice, wickedness etc,—with love, and speaks peace, forgiveness, and harmony. Our prayers must have a bias for God's kingdom, and must not be with selfish motives. 

For instance, Jesus, our Messiah, and our role model prayed, "All things are possible for You....Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will" (Mark 14 vs 36). Jesus prayed with God's interests in mind. When we pray, we can express our desires, but we should want His Will above ours. Our prayers are often motivated by our own interests and desires. Check yourself to see if your prayers focus on your interests or God's.

The attitude of faith in God is not something we can obtain without help from Him. Faith is a gift from God. The Scripture, in Ephesians 2 vs 8 - 9, clearly says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." No matter how much faith we have, we will never reach the point of being self-sufficient. Growing in faith is a constant process of daily renewing our trust in Jesus Christ. 

When we fail to confess our sins, and repent of them, or when we harbor and cherish certain sins, we place a wall between us and God. Because we may not be able to remember every sin we have committed, our attitude should be one of confession and obedience. Our confession of sin must be continual because of our imperfections, and the tendency of our continuing to do wrong. 

Therefore, God will answer your prayers, not as a result of your mental attitude, but because the following other conditions must be met: 1. You must be a believer. 2. You must not hold a grudge against another person. 3. You must not pray with selfish motives. 4. Your request must be for the good of God's kingdom.

Prayer: Abba Father, my total trust, and confidence is in You. Give me the grace to always come to You with a heart of love and peace, in obedience to Your Word, that my heart may be set free for the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit, and that I may receive answers to prayers according to Your Will, not mine, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

DO NOT LET GUILT FEELINGS KEEP YOU FROM PRAYING.

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY JANUARY 20, 2025.

SUBJECT : DO NOT LET GUILT FEELINGS KEEP YOU FROM PRAYING.

Memory verse: "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1 vs 18).

READ Isaiah 1 vs 18 - 20:

18: "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

19: If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

20: But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword", for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

 

INTIMATION:

Never let guilt feelings of sin keep you from praying (seeking the face of God), which is your only means of restoration, because only God forgives sin. Do you feel that you could never come close to God because you have done something terrible? God can and will forgive you of any sin, except the sin against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12 vs 31 - 32).

What then is the sin against the Holy Spirit? The unforgivable sin is the deliberate refusal to acknowledge God, and His power in Christ, expressed through the Holy Spirit. It indicates a deliberate and irreversible hardness of heart. It reveals a heart attitude of unbelief and unrepentance, that attributes to Satan the work that the Holy Spirit accomplishes. 

Such people have turned their backs on God and rejected all faith, and are unwilling to ask for forgiveness. Even when they receive the prompting of the Holy Spirit, convicting them of sin, they reject it. And the deliberate rejection of the work of the Holy Spirit is blasphemy, because it is rejecting God Himself. Such person removes himself or herself from the only force that can lead him or her to repentance and restoration to God.

No matter how long you have been away from God, He is ready to hear from you and restore you to a right relationship with Him. Every situation can be salvaged if you are willing to turn to God. In Judges 16 vs 28 - 30,  we would observe that in spite of Samson's past, God still answered his prayer and destroyed the philistines' heathen temple and worshipers. He killed more people at his death than he did in life because of the mercy of God when he turned to Him in prayer.

One of the effects of sin in our lives is keeping us away from praying, but it is noteworthy that perfect moral behavior is not a condition for prayer. Though the stain of sin seems permanent, but only God can remove such stain of sin from our lives. We don't have to go through life permanently soiled. God's Word assures that if we are willing and obedient in turning to Him, Christ will forgive and remove our most indelible stains of sin.

Christ came for sinners like you and I (Matthew 9 vs 12 - 13), and He expects us, the sinners, to come to Him for mercy. We can only go to God in prayer, acknowledging our need and admitting that we don't have all the answers, and God will come to our help. He desires to show mercy and His mercy endures forever.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are the only God, there is no other, abundant in mercy and love. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your loving kindness; according to the multitude of your tender mercies. Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleans me from my sin, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

The Battle to Remind

 The Battle to Remind

“This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.” (Lamentations 3:21–22)

One of the great enemies of hope is forgetting God’s promises. Reminding is a great ministry. Peter and Paul both said that they wrote letters for this reason (2 Peter 1:13; Romans 15:15).

The main Helper in reminding us what we need to know is the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). But that doesn’t mean you should be passive. You are responsible only for your own ministry of reminding. And the first one in need of reminding by you is you.

The mind has this great power: It can talk to itself by way of reminder. The mind can “call to mind,” as the text says: “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases” (Lamentations 3:21–22). 

If we don’t “call to mind” what God has said about himself and about us, we languish. Oh, how I know this from painful experience! Don’t wallow in the mire of godless messages in your own head. Messages like: “I can’t . . .” “She won’t . . .” “They never . . .” “It has never worked . . .”

The point is not that these are true or false. Your mind will always find a way to make them true, unless you “call to mind” something greater. God is the God of the impossible. Reasoning your way out of an impossible situation is not as effective as reminding yourself that God does impossible things.

Without reminding ourselves of the greatness and grace and power and wisdom of God, we sink into brutish pessimism. “I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you” (Psalm 73:22).

The great turn from despair to hope in Psalm 77 comes with these words: “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds” (Psalm 77:11–12).

This is the great battle of my life. I assume yours too. The battle to remind! Myself. Then others.

How to Serve a Bad Boss

 How to Serve a Bad Boss

Rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. (Ephesians 6:7–8)

Consider these five things from Ephesians 6:7–8 in connection to your job.

1) A call to radically Lord-centered living.

This is astonishing compared to the way we usually live. Paul says that all our work should be done as work for Christ, not for any human supervisor. With good will render service “as to the Lord and not to man.”

This means that we will think of the Lord in what we are doing at work. We will ask, Why would the Lord like this done? How would the Lord like this done? When would the Lord like this done? Will the Lord help me to do this? What effect will this have for the Lord’s honor? In other words, being a Christian means radically Lord-centered living and working. 

2) A call to be a good person.

Lord-centered living means being a good person and doing good things. Paul says, “With a good will [render service] . . . whatever good anyone does.” Jesus said that when we let our light shine, men will see our “good works” and give glory to our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

3) Power to do a good job for inconsiderate earthly employers.

Paul’s aim is to empower Christians, with Lord-centered motives, to go on doing good for supervisors who are not considerate. How do you keep on doing good in a job when your boss ignores you or even criticizes you? Paul’s answer is: stop thinking about your boss as your main supervisor, and start working for the Lord. Do this in the very duties given to you by your earthly supervisor.

4) Encouragement that nothing good is done in vain.

Perhaps the most amazing sentence of all is this: “Whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord.” This is amazing. Everything! “Whatever good anyone does.” Every little thing you do that is good is seen and valued and rewarded by the Lord.

And he will pay you back for it. Not in the sense that you have earned anything — as if you could put him in your debt. He owns you, and everything in the universe. He owes us nothing. But he freely, graciously chooses to reward us for all the good things done in faith.

5) Encouragement that insignificant status on earth is no hindrance to great reward in heaven.

The Lord will reward every good thing you do — “whether he is a bondservant or is free.” Your supervisor may think you are a nobody — a mere bondservant, so to speak. Or he may not even know you exist. That doesn’t matter. The Lord knows you exist. And in the end no faithful service will be in vain.

FORGIVE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY JANUARY 19, 2025.

SUBJECT : FORGIVE!

Memory verse: "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4 vs 32).

READ: Matthew 6 vs 12, 14 - 15; 18 vs 21 - 22: 

6:12: And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

6:14: For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

6:15: But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 

18:21: Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

18:22: Jesus said unto him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

INTIMATION:

To forgive is to show mercy or compassion, or give a pardon or give up. Forgiveness is a full pardon for an offensive act that has been committed against you. It is a fresh start. It is another chance. It is the canceling of a debt. It is a new beginning. There is no new beginning in your life without an ending to an offense, and there is no ending to your problem without a new beginning through forgiveness. Forgiveness is an elixir, it is a supernatural power that breaks the chains of bitterness, bringing joy that is unspeakable and full of glory!

Forgiveness is not weakness, but a great strength. It takes great strength to forgive. It's the first step toward true happiness, hope, and healing. It heals you from the band of resentment and the hand-cuffs of hatred, and sets you free from spiritual and emotional problem you are in.

The way out of the problem can be found in the simple mandate given to us by our LORD Jesus Christ: "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." (Matthew 6 vs 12.) Jesus our Messiah, established this model of prayer called the "LORD's prayer," and within it are several supernatural principles, and among them is the life-changing application of forgiveness.  The statement "Forgive us as we forgive those....." holds the golden key for many people who want to take a shortcut out of their problems. It is a huge step out of the problem and into the provision of God.

It's noteworthy that forgiveness is not for the benefit of the person who hurt you, who betrayed you, who lied about you, or who rejected you when you needed them most. Forgiveness is for your benefit! Please remember clearly, God cannot forgive you if you will not forgive another. Jesus said, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6 vs 14 - 15).

Forgiveness is not an option for the believer, rather it is a way of life. A writer, Charles R. Swindoll, in his book, "Improving Your Serve!" described forgiveness perfectly this way, "Forgiveness is not an elective in the curriculum of servanthood. It is a required course, and the examinations are always tough to pass." Even though the exam is tough, the Word of God gives us the necessary study notes to pass the test. If God is perfect, and He forgave you, why can't you, with all your faults and failures, forgive others? 

The unforgiven spirit is a weapon of control over people, used by the devil to manipulate them. Unforgiveness is a form of bondage that thrives on hate and resentment. It is the sin of witchcraft! It makes you share your bitterness with all who will listen to you, thereby taking your sin to another level—the level of spreading your virus of hatred into the lifeblood of friends and family, killing relationships, separating chief friends, and removing all possibilities of reconciliation. 

Your toxic tongue will extend your stay in the problem indefinitely and will ultimately earn you ruin, no matter the amount of prayers you offer or religious rituals; night vigils, church attendance, offerings, sacrifices, and so on, you engage yourself in. God personally guarantees that you will live in torment until you forgive (see Matthew 18 vs 35.)

Jesus told the story of the unforgiving slave in Matthew 18 vs 23 - 34. The king called in his servant who owed him ten thousand talents (equivalent of ten million dollars today) and ordered him to pay his debt immediately. The servant said, "I don't have ten million dollars (ten thousand talents). The amount of the debt indicated that it was near impossible to be paid by the servant. The king ordered him sold, along with his wife and children and all he possessed. The servant fell on his feet, begged for mercy, and pledged to pay back everything he owed. The king showed him mercy and forgave the servant of his debt and released him a free man. 

After receiving this immeasurable amount of forgiveness from the king, the servant immediately went to the city gates and found a fellow servant who owed him hundred denarii (equivalent of twenty dollars) and demanded immediate payment. When his friend couldn't pay, he had him thrown into debtor's prison. The fellow servants who witnessed this merciless act sent a message to the king, the king called the unforgiving servant before him and said, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" And the king, moved with anger, handed him over to the tormentors until he has repaid all that he owed him.

Now think about it, the servants are both in prison. A minor act of forgiveness would have set both men free forever, but no forgiveness was extended, and both men spent their lives in torment. Forgiveness can transform lives, but lack of it will wound and forever destroy. Medical research proves that resentment and bitterness cause heart troubles, ulcers, high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, and even cancer. These are tormentors! Release the people you have inprisoned emotionally, and held hostage because of a past offense that you refused to forgive. Remember forgiveness burns the bridge that you must one day cross yourself.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are forever merciful! Endue me with the spirit of love, mercy and forgiveness, that I may love, show mercy, and forgiving another to earn Your approval for same, in Jesus’ mighty Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!