The Main Purpose of Ministry

 The Main Purpose of Ministry

We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. (Hebrews 10:39)

Don’t look at the temporary cost of love, and shrink back from confidence in God’s infinitely superior promises. If you shrink back, not only will you lose out on the promises; you will be destroyed. 

Hell is at stake in whether we shrink back or persevere. It’s not just the loss of a few extra rewards that hangs in the balance. Hebrews 10:39 says, “We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed.” That is eternal judgment. 

So, we warn each other: Don’t drift away. Don’t love the world. Don’t start thinking nothing huge is at stake. Fear the terrible prospect of not cherishing the promises of God above the promises of sin. As Hebrews 3:13–14 says, “Exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.”

But mainly we must focus on the preciousness of the promises and help each other value above all things how great the reward is that Christ has purchased for us. We must say to each other what Hebrews 10:35 says: “Do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.” And then we must help each other see the greatness of the reward.

That is the main task of preaching, and the main purpose of small groups and all the ministries of the church: helping people see the greatness of what Christ has purchased for everyone who will value it above the world. Helping people see it and savor it, so that God’s superior worth shines in their satisfaction and in the sacrifices that come from such a heart.

Prayer for Breakthrough and Open Doors

 Prayer for Breakthrough and Open Doors

Today, we're praying for breakthrough and open doors in 2025.

May mercy of God uphold us enjoy breakthrough and open doors in this year in Jesus Name 🙏🙏🙏,

GOD’S WORD MAKES US WISE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 05, 2025.

SUBJECT: GOD’S WORD MAKES US WISE!

Memory verse: "Every word of God is pure: He is a shield to those that put their trust in Him.” (Proverbs 30 vs 5.)

READ: Luke 4 vs 3 - 12:

4:3: And the devil said to Him, “If You be the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”

4:4: But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God.’”

4:5: Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

4:6: And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.

4:7: Therefore, If You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”

4:8: And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”

4:9: Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, and set Him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.

4:10: For it is written: “He shall give His angels charge over You, to keep You,’

4:11: and, ‘In their hands they shall bear You up, lest You dash Your foot against a stone.’”

4:12: And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord Your God.’”

INTIMATION:

God’s Word makes us wise—wiser than our enemies and wiser than any teachers who ignore it. Knowing God’s Word equips us to navigate through life’s circumstances in victory. In this life we walk through a dark forest of evil. But the Bible can be our light to show us the way ahead so we won’t stumble as we walk. It reveals the entangling roots of false values and philosophies. It’s an effective weapon against temptation, and it is the only offensive weapon in the believers’ armor (Ephesians 6 vs 17). The Scripture notes that, “The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119 vs 130.) 

True wisdom goes beyond amassing knowledge; it is applying knowledge in a life-changing way. Intelligent or experienced people are not necessarily wise. Wisdom comes from allowing God’s teachings to guide us. We gain wisdom through constant process of growing. First, we must trust and honor God. Second, we must realize that the Bible reveals God’s wisdom to us. His wisdom is infinite. 

The Scripture notes, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!.” (Romans 11 vs 33.) But God has revealed Himself and wisdom in His Word. Therefore, through constant study and meditation in the Word of God we are enriched in wisdom and understanding. 

People don’t develop all aspects of wisdom at once. For example, some people have more insight than discretion; others have more knowledge than common sense. But we can pray for all aspects of wisdom and take steps to develop them in God’s Word. Resolve to set aside time each day to read and think about God’s Word. Remind yourself of God’s words day and night, applying what you know that God has said in your daily living, and God’s Word will build you up in wisdom and understanding in this life.

Knowing and obeying God’s Word is an effective weapon against temptation, the only offensive weapon provided in the Christian’s armor (See Ephesians 6 vs 17). In the passage we read today, Jesus used Scripture—the Word of God—to counter Satan’s attacks, and so should we. But to use it effectively, we must have faith in God’s promises because Satan also knows Scripture and is adept in twisting it to suit his purposes. Obeying the Scripture is more important than simply having a verse to quote, so read them daily and apply them to your life. Then your “sword” will always be sharp.

The Word of God is not simply a collection of words from God, a vehicle for communicating ideas: it is living, life-changing, and dynamic as it works in us. God’s Word reveals who we are and what we are not. It penetrates the core of our moral and spiritual life. It discerns what is within us, both good and bad. The demands of God’s Word require decisions. We must not only listen to the Word; we must also let it shape our lives. Study the Bible so you will be able to see your way clear enough to stay on the right path.

Prayer: Abba Father, You have magnified Your Word above all Your name. Divine wisdom is embedded in Your Word. Give me the grace to study, meditate, and live by the wisdom of Your Word daily that I may be wise, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Five Ways Affliction Helps

 Five Ways Affliction Helps

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. (Psalm 119:67)

This verse shows that God sends affliction to help us learn his word. How does that work? How does affliction help us learn and obey the word of God?

There are innumerable answers, as there are innumerable experiences of this great mercy. But here are five:

Affliction takes away the glibness of life and makes us more serious, so that our mindset is more in tune with the seriousness of God’s word. And mark this: There is not a single glib page in the book of God.

Affliction knocks worldly props out from under us and forces us to rely more on God, which brings us more in tune with the aim of the word. For the aim of the word is that we hope in God and trust him. “Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). “These [things] are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31).

Affliction makes us search the Scriptures with greater desperation for help, rather than treating it as marginal to life. “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

Affliction brings us into the partnership of Christ’s sufferings, so that we fellowship more closely with him and see the world more readily through his eyes. Paul’s great heart longing was “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10).

Affliction mortifies deceitful and distracting fleshly desires, and so brings us into a more spiritual frame and makes us receptive to the spiritual word of God. “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” (1 Peter 4:1). Suffering has a great sin-killing effect. And the more pure we are, the more clearly we see God (Matthew 5:8).

May the Holy Spirit give us grace to not begrudge the pedagogy of God through pain.

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OUR DEBT OF CHRISTLIKE LOVE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 04, 2025.

SUBJECT: OUR DEBT OF CHRISTLIKE LOVE!

Memory verse: "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." (John 15 vs 12.) 

READ: Romans 13 vs 8 - 10:

13:8: Owe no one anything except to love one another: for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

13:9: For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

13:10: Love does no harm to a neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

INTIMATION:

The extent to which Jesus went to give Himself for us—His life of inestimable value for our lives of sin that is completely worthless, manifests the extent of the love that Christ demonstrated toward us, and is commanding us to have the same for one another. The greatest expression of love that can be made is that one lay down his or her life for another. This is what Jesus did for us, and wants us to do for one another: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13 vs 34; 15 vs 12) This is called the “royal Law, and was given by our great King Jesus Christ.

Christlike love is a debt we owe. We are permanently in debt to Christ for His love He lavishly poured out on us. The only way we can even begin to repay this debt is by fulfilling our obligation to love others in turn. Because Christ’s love will always be infinitely greater than ours, we will always have the obligation to love our neighbors. Jesus, our role model, asked God to forgive the people who were putting Him to death (Luke 23 vs 34). Jesus was suffering the most horrible, painful death ever devised by sinful man, and He looked at the people responsible for His suffering and prayed for their forgiveness. And because we are all sinners, we all played a part in putting Jesus to death. 

Love is more than simply warm feelings; it is an attitude that reveals itself in action. How can we love others as Jesus loved us? By helping when it’s not convenient, by giving when it hurts, by devoting energy to others’ welfare rather than our own, by absorbing hurts from others without complaining or fighting back. This kind of loving is hard to do. That is why people notice when you do it and know you are empowered by a supernatural source. The apostle Paul, in First Corinthians 13, enumerated another beautiful description of love that believers have to show for one another.

Let us be imitators of God as dear children (Ephesians 5 vs 1). Just as children imitate their parents, we should imitate Christ. Our love for others should be of the same kind—a love that goes beyond affection to self-sacrificing service. Christlikeness (Christianity) is based on love. All human relationships that are true and enduring find their bond in the action of love. Jesus says we should love everyone, including our enemies and treat them well. Doing this shows that Jesus is truly the Lord of your life. This is possible only for those who give themselves fully to God, because only Him, through the help of the Holy Spirit, can deliver people from natural selfishness, and help us show love to those for whom we may not feel love. 

Jesus said that if we truly love God and our neighbor, we will naturally keep the commandments. When you love God completely and care for others as you care for yourself, then you have fulfilled the intent of the “Ten Commandments.” Let this rule your thoughts, decisions, and actions. When you are uncertain about what to do, ask yourself which course of action best demonstrate love for God and love for others. Rather than worrying about all we should not do, we should concentrate on all we can do to show love for God and others. God’s laws can be reduced to two simple principles: Love God and love others. 

When we fail to love, we are actually breaking God’s law. Examine your attitude and actions toward others. Do you build people or tear them down? When you’re ready to criticize someone, remember God’s law of love and say something good instead. Saying something beneficial to others will cure you of finding fault and increase your ability to obey God’s law of love. It is easy to excuse our indifference to others merely because we have no legal obligation to help them and even to justify harming them if our actions are technically legal! But Jesus does not leave loopholes in the law of love. Whenever love demands it, we are to go beyond human legal requirements and imitate the God of love. 

When we believers lose the motivation of love, we become critical of others. We stop looking for good in them and see only their faults. Soon we lose our unity. Have you talked behind someone’s back? Have you focused on others’ shortcomings instead of their strength? Remind yourself of Jesus’ command to love others as you love yourself. When you begin to feel critical of someone, make a list of that person’s positive qualities. When problems need to be addressed, confront in love rather than gossip. 

Prayer: Abba Father, You manifested Your unparalleled love for us by given Your only begotten Son as a propitiation for our sins. Endue me with the spirit of love that I may imitate You as Your child, and love You and others as You love me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

You can be a blessing to support us with your $10 Dollars donation in continuation of reaching out the outermost part of this World. Contact us on +2349016233784 on WhatsApp or Telegram. God bless you!

PRAISE THE LORD! 

The Greatest Love

 The Greatest Love

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. (1 John 2:12)

Why should we emphasize that God loves, forgives, and saves “for his name’s sake” — for his own glory? Here are two reasons (among many).

1) We should emphasize that God loves and forgives for his own glory because the Bible does.

I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. (Isaiah 43:25) 

For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. (Psalm 25:11) 

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake! (Psalm 79:9) 

Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O Lord, for your name’s sake. (Jeremiah 14:7) 

We acknowledge our wickedness, O Lord, and the iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against you. Do not spurn us, for your name’s sake; do not dishonor your glorious throne. (Jeremiah 14:20–21) 

God put [Christ] forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:25–26) 

Your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. (1 John 2:12)

2) We should emphasize that God loves and forgives for his own glory because it makes clear that God loves us with the greatest love.

Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory. (John 17:24) 

God loves us not in a way that makes us supreme, but makes himself supreme. Heaven will not be a hall of mirrors, but an increasing vision of infinite greatness. Getting to heaven and finding that we are supreme would be the ultimate letdown. 

The greatest love makes sure that God does everything in such a way as to uphold and magnify his own supremacy so that, when we get to heaven, we have something to increase our joy forever: God’s glory. The greatest love is God’s giving himself to us for our eternal enjoyment, at the cost of his Son’s life (Romans 8:32). That is what he means when he says that he loves us and forgives us for his own name’s sake.

THE GODLY CHRISTIAN CONDUCTS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY FEBRUARY 03, 2025.

SUBJECT : THE GODLY CHRISTIAN CONDUCTS!

Memory verse: "Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (First Peter 2 vs 12.) 

READ: Matthew 5 vs 13 - 16:

5:13: You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? it is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and to be trampled underfoot by men.

5:14: You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hidden.

5:15: Nor do they light a lamp, and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

5:16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.

INTIMATION:

Salt is a seasoning that possesses the purifying, perpetuating, and antiseptic qualities. In the Lord’s teaching it is symbolic of that spiritual health and vigor essential to Christian value and counteractive of corruption that is in the world. Light is an electromagnetic radiation which makes vision possible. It illuminates. In Scriptures, it emphasizes spiritual enlightenment; exposure to the truth. In darkness, light illuminates. In our Lord’s teaching, Christians are figuratively the salt and light of the world.

If a seasoning has no flavor, it is worthless. If Christians make no effort to affect the world around them, they are worth nothing before God. If Christians are too much like the world, they are worthless. Christians should not blend in with everyone else. Instead, they should affect others positively, just as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food. 

Jesus used salt to illustrate three qualities that should be found in His people; (1) We should remember God’s faithfulness, just as salt when used with a sacrifice recalled God’s covenant with His people (Leviticus 2 vs 13). (2) We should make a difference in the “flavor” of the world we live in, just as salt changes meal’s flavor. (3) We should counteract the moral decay in society, just as salt preserves food from decay. When we lose this desire to “salt” the earth with the love and message of God, we become useless to Him.

Salt can lose its flavor when it gets wet and then dries, and nothing is left but a tasteless residue. Many Christians blend into the world and avoid the cost of standing up for Christ. But Jesus says if Christians lose their distinctive saltiness, they become worthless. Just as salt flavors and preserves food, they are to preserve the good in the world and bring new flavor to life. This requires careful planning, willing sacrifice, and unswerving commitment to Christ’s kingdom. But if a Christian fails to be “salty,” he or she fails to represent Christ in the world. The pertinent question is, ‘as a Christian how salty are you to the world?’ 

Christians—Christ followers—as the light of the world, should illuminate the world they live in. If they live for Christ, they should glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like. If Christians then fail to illuminate the world, they are worthless or valueless before the Lord. When they fail to live in accordance with Christian beliefs (being Christ-like), they hide their light. 

And they hide their light by (1) being quiet when they should speak, (2) going along with the crowd, (3) denying the light (denying Christ), (4) letting sin dim their light, (5) not explaining their light to others, or (6) ignoring the needs of others. Christians ought to be a beacon of truth. They should not shut their light off from the rest of the world. 

The lives of Christians should be characterized by moral purity, patience, and peacefulness, so that they will “shine” as “lights” in a dark and depraved world. Their actions should be above reproach so much so that even hostile people will end up praising God. Those hostile people are in the habit of spreading vicious lies about Christians. 

Gracious, godly, and winsome behavior on the part of Christians could show these rumors to be false and might even win some of the unsaved critics to the Lord. A transformed life is an effective witness to the power of God’s Word. Are you shining brightly, or are you clouded by complaining and arguing? Don’t let dissensions snuff out your light. Shine out for God. Your role is to shine until Jesus returns and bathes the world in His radiant glory.

Many Christians today are hidden from sight, reluctant to be identified as Christians. Such a Christian is like a brand-new light bulb that never leaves the carton it came in. If a lamp doesn’t help people see, it isn’t worth much. As a Christian does your life show people how to find God and how to live for Him? If not, ask what “basket” have hidden your light. Complacency, resentment, embarrassment, stubbornness of heart, or disobedience could keep you from shining. What do you need to do to let your light shine? Show Christ to the world by your life.

When the light of the truth about Jesus Christ illuminates us, we have the duty to shine that light to help others. Our witness for Christ should be public, not hidden. We should not keep the benefits for ourselves alone but pass them on to others. In order to be helpful, we need to be well placed. Seek opportunities to shine your light when unbelievers need help to see. 

Prayer: Abba Father, I will never take the privilege of being a Christian for granted. My utmost heart desire is to receive Your grace for an effective witnessing for, and an ambassador of Christ in this world, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!